I could see Apple teaming up with a company like Google and making a bid, but otherwise, I do not see this happening. It would be too expensive for Apple. Microsoft could out bid it without even blinking.

Apple has 14 billion cash on hand. Google has 12 billion cash on hand. Microsoft has 21 billion cash on hand.

With the estimate of 9 billion, Apple is well poised to win it, if it makes sense for their business. Microsoft isn't going to simply outbid Apple, just because they can.

Also, Microsoft has many issues that would prevent it from dropping this much cash on something that would then need to be further invested in. Microsoft has lawsuits still underway and major areas of their core businesses that need lots of R&D. For Microsoft this would be a major distraction and a major investment in an area that could only serve business units of Microsoft that are currently losing money (Zune, xBox, Windows Mobile).

I doubt Apple will run into the same problems they had with eWorld. http://lowendmac.com/coventry/06/0915.html
We're in a different time now, and Apple is a different company. If they were to take that on, I'm pretty sure it would be successful. Apple likes to make money as opposed to losing Billions of dollars.
It is fairly exciting to think of Apple being able to offer internet access though. I wonder: Could they use it for VoIP for the iPhone and get rid of AT&T all together? That would be an interesting move.

Yes, but if the move makes sense for Apple and Google, Microsoft has to be thinking it might make sense for it as well. Moreover, assuming your figures are correct, Microsoft can kick out more money then either Apple or Google because neither Apple or Google is going to spend its whole cash hoard on such a purchase. APple likes the security blanket of having a cash hoard. As an Apple investor, I do too.

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Guest wrote:
Apple has 14 billion cash on hand. Google has 12 billion cash on hand. Microsoft has 21 billion cash on hand.

With the estimate of 9 billion, Apple is well poised to win it, if it makes sense for their business. Microsoft isn't going to simply outbid Apple, just because they can.

Also, Microsoft has many issues that would prevent it from dropping this much cash on something that would then need to be further invested in. Microsoft has lawsuits still underway and major areas of their core businesses that need lots of R&D. For Microsoft this would be a major distraction and a major investment in an area that could only serve business units of Microsoft that are currently losing money (Zune, xBox, Windows Mobile).

Nevertheless, your characterization that "Microsoft could out bid it without even blinking" is an obvious exaggeration. Microsoft is smaller than you think. Apple is bigger than you think.

My friend what you write is painful. I simply was on here to read the article above and stumbled upon this ignorance. Pleae do your research and think about what your saying. The MSFT bulley cliche has long passed - and they only got that way through smart business to begin with. This is not a drop in the bucket for any company and more importantly lacks strategy to purchase from MSFT with the facts we currently have on hand. And Apple as you say, likes cash on hand, but is no stranger to risk.

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Terrin wrote:
Yes, but if the move makes sense for Apple and Google, Microsoft has to be thinking it might make sense for it as well. Moreover, assuming your figures are correct, Microsoft can kick out more money then either Apple or Google because neither Apple or Google is going to spend its whole cash hoard on such a purchase. APple likes the security blanket of having a cash hoard. As an Apple investor, I do too.

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Guest wrote:
Apple has 14 billion cash on hand. Google has 12 billion cash on hand. Microsoft has 21 billion cash on hand.

With the estimate of 9 billion, Apple is well poised to win it, if it makes sense for their business. Microsoft isn't going to simply outbid Apple, just because they can.

Also, Microsoft has many issues that would prevent it from dropping this much cash on something that would then need to be further invested in. Microsoft has lawsuits still underway and major areas of their core businesses that need lots of R&D. For Microsoft this would be a major distraction and a major investment in an area that could only serve business units of Microsoft that are currently losing money (Zune, xBox, Windows Mobile).

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Anonymous wrote:
My friend what you write is painful. I simply was on here to read the article above and stumbled upon this ignorance. Pleae do your research and think about what your saying. The MSFT bulley cliche has long passed - and they only got that way through smart business to begin with. This is not a drop in the bucket for any company and more importantly lacks strategy to purchase from MSFT with the facts we currently have on hand. And Apple as you say, likes cash on hand, but is no stranger to risk.