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maflynn

macrumors Haswell
Original poster
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
Not for the webos, not for the hardware, but rather to keep them out of HTC's hands. They have a ton of cash, why not buy out a competitor. Apple will have its hands full with android, why introduce another competitor. HTC does have a good track record for good hardware, couple that with the webos and that could mean trouble
 

rdowns

macrumors Penryn
Jul 11, 2003
27,397
12,521
It might make sense just to keep all Palm assets out of competitor's hands. Probably not much there for Apple. I don't see Apple's competitors letting Apple have them. Apple won't pay a premium but Levano or Dell or HTC might.
 

robbieduncan

Moderator emeritus
Jul 24, 2002
25,611
893
Harrogate
Palm devices/WebOS has failed pretty miserably so far. If a large, faceless corporation like Dell buy it what will they actually bring to the party to change that?
 

DeSnousa

macrumors 68000
Jan 20, 2005
1,616
0
Brisbane, Australia
For what, the iTunes sync feature or the touch screen gestures. Soorry but there is nothing worth buying from Palm unless you are trying to enter the market, say somebody like Dell :rolleyes:
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
Original poster
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
It might make sense just to keep all Palm assets out of competitor's hands. Probably not much there for Apple. I don't see Apple's competitors letting Apple have them. Apple won't pay a premium but Levano or Dell or HTC might.

That's my premise, but I see your point about HTC/Levano driving up the price in a bidding war to keep apple from buying them. I don't see Dell getting into the mix after they stated recently they're not really interested.
 

*LTD*

macrumors G4
Feb 5, 2009
10,703
1
Canada
Not for the webos, not for the hardware, but rather to keep them out of HTC's hands. They have a ton of cash, why not buy out a competitor. Apple will have its hands full with android, why introduce another competitor. HTC does have a good track record for good hardware, couple that with the webos and that could mean trouble

We're not even sure whether HTC will be allowed to continue selling phones in North America. ;)
 

GSV

macrumors member
Jun 25, 2007
49
0
Dallas
I think it's in Apple's best interest to let someone else buy Palm if the buyer can increase WebOS's presence. A diffuse marketplace will help Apple in the long run, I think.
 

H00513R

macrumors 6502a
Mar 12, 2010
695
87
Indiana
I don't see any reason for Apple to buy them. Apple already has a hit on their hands. If Palm OS hasn't put a dent in Apple sales, then why worry? We are talking about what, 1-3% of phone users here??
 

Rodimus Prime

macrumors G4
Oct 9, 2006
10,136
4
What would apple have to gain by buying Palm.
Palm is really only widely known in the US and Canada. It never had international name reconnection until the pre.
It is all about what a company has to gain by getting them. HTC could easily gain a lot by buying Palm. Levon or what ever the name is could gain a lot by owning Palm.
I do not see RIM going after Palm because they do not have much to gain buy buying them out. It would be very difficult for RIM to integrated in WebOS into its system and network. Plus RIM has no use for the Palm name.

I think it will come down to HTC and Levon.
 

gnasher729

Suspended
Nov 25, 2005
17,980
5,566
Not for the webos, not for the hardware, but rather to keep them out of HTC's hands. They have a ton of cash, why not buy out a competitor. Apple will have its hands full with android, why introduce another competitor. HTC does have a good track record for good hardware, couple that with the webos and that could mean trouble

If Palm couldn't make a success out of Palm's hardware and software, what makes you think HTC could? The only thing that Palm has that is of value to anyone is its patents, which could make any patent troll very happy (Palm itself can't start suing everybody because they are still in business, and anyone they could sue has plenty of patents to countersue).

Apple, Google, and everyone else are in the same boat here: They could either buy all the patents for lots of money and have a weapon against their competitors, or they could let a competitor buy these patents and become vulnerable, or they can let a patent troll buy these patents, which is even worse, or - cheapest solution - create a small fund and buy these patents between them, avoiding a bidding war and ensuring a peaceful life for everyone _and_ a weapon against any newcomers.
 

LethalWolfe

macrumors G3
Jan 11, 2002
9,370
124
Los Angeles
If Palm couldn't make a success out of Palm's hardware and software, what makes you think HTC could?
Palm had to make less than ideal business decisions because they were so cash strapped where as a company like HTC isn't in that position. It's not that Palm put out a bad product, they just didn't have the money to properly launch a brand new line of hardware and software while also dumping all of their legacy hardware and software.


Lethal
 

rdowns

macrumors Penryn
Jul 11, 2003
27,397
12,521
What is Levon ?


Levon wears his war wound like a crown
He calls his child Jesus
`Cause he likes the name
And he sends him to the finest school in town

Levon, Levon likes his money
He makes a lot they say
Spend his days counting
In a garage by the motorway

He was born a pauper to a pawn on a Christmas day
When the New York Times said God is dead
And the war's begun
Alvin Tostig has a son today

And he shall be Levon

Damn, beaten to it. :eek:
 
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