No flipping way in heck. Apple does not need all the brick & mortar stores, Buying and killing the nook would bring antitrust scrutiny, and most importantly B&N has nothing Apple needs.

IMO this is just some analyst trying to pump B&N stock.

Ah yes, it all makes sense. Apple will buy Barnes & Noble not for the Nook or book business, but as an outlet to sell their upcoming LCD and plasma TVs.

If my sarcasm isn’t obvious, I’d rank this as one of the unlikeliest Apple rumors, right up their with that idiotic rumor of Apple televisions that refuses to die.

Huh? Borders is the one that just went bankrupt, not Barnes & Noble.
I’m with geoduck: rumor placed to help people shorting B&N stock.

rumor placed to help people shorting B&N stock

This rumor would hurt people shorting B&N stock, as they’d like to see the stock price go down.

This is bizarre. As already pointed out, B&N is still chugging along.  It’s Borders which is “failed” and is in liquidation.

This is very poor reporting all up and down the chain.

@Engine Joe: If Apple wanted to buy a brick-and-mortal book store company, would they go cheap and buy the one that just failed, or would they pay more to buy the one that is still up and running?

I, too, believe that this rumor is highly unlikely. However, I can see a plan to add small Apple store-ettes into at least some existing B&N stores. There are quite a few on or near college campuses, and that would give Apple retail some great strategic placement. Also, if anybody can take a niche retail business from doing OK to doing very well, it’s Apple.

Again, seriously doubt it, one way or another.

and a chain of stores that are all selling everything including fixtures so they can close their doors for good.

Just wow. Retraction in 5… 4… 3… 2… 1.

However, I can see a plan to add small Apple store-ettes into at least some existing B&N stores. There are quite a few on or near college campuses, and that would give Apple retail some great strategic placement

My local Barnes & Noble has a section of iPhone, iPod, iPad accessories. These include cases, chargers, headphones, earbuds, and portable speakers. They also have an in store Starbucks with a good sized table area usually packed with students doing homework, Miramar College is a few blocks away.

Stunningly bad reporting, making such a basic error as confusing B&N and Borders. Anyway, that will save me a little time in future, as I won’t waste my time visiting this site anymore.

My local Barnes & Noble has a section of iPhone, iPod, iPad accessories. These include cases, chargers, headphones, earbuds, and portable speakers. They also have an in store Starbucks with a good sized table area usually packed with students doing homework, Miramar College is a few blocks away.

Imagine adding iPads, iPhones, iPods, and a selection of Macs to the mix. (Probably just portables and minis.) Maybe even a small Genius bar. People could buy an Apple device, then sit down at the StarBucks and enjoy their new purchase with whatever overpriced drink they prefer.

There is a Best Buy across the street from the Barnes & Noble and it has one of those small Apple sections. They sell Macs, iPads, iPhones, and iPods. Not much in the way of Mac accessories or software, but quite a bit of iPhone and iPod stuff. I don’t know how well this particular B&N could compete with the Best Buy. I do shop for somethings at Best Buy mostly because it is convenient, but I don’t like the atmosphere; I am too school for cool so I prefer the bookstore. There is also the college bookstore, but they are only open during the day and you have to order Macs, I don’t know if Best Buy offers an education discount.

I usually take a constitutional in the evening and often head up to the mall to poke around after I have gotten my cardio-pulmonary workout. The Apple section in Best Buy is getting more attention these days, but it is not always staffed with the Apple representative who works at several Best Buy stores.

OK, gang, it seems I can’t keep Barnes & Noble and Borders straight in my head. Sorry for mixing the two chains up in my article. I’ve updated the story, but my premis remains the same: There isn’t any reason to believe Apple really is trying to buy a traditional brick-and-mortar book seller.

Your right, it doesn’t matter which chain bookstore. Also either facility would probably have too much square footage for Apple’s needs.

Gotta run for a while.

HOT TIP:
I just heard from an unnamed source that really knows what’s going on that Apple is in negotiations to buy Dunkin’ Donuts. The report includes a quote from Steve Jobs saying “What can I say, I like them”. The report also reported Tim Cook adding “F*** yeah. I do love me a cruller.”

This report should be considered as being extremely reliable, easily as solid as the B&N purchase reported by Boy Genious earlier today.

I just heard from an unnamed source that really knows what’s going on that Apple is in negotiations to buy Dunkin’ Donuts.

Buying a Java shop would put too much into Apple’s CUPS

Buying a Java shop would put too much into Apple’s CUPS

But buying a Donut shop would fill a Hole in their line.

But buying a Donut shop would fill a Hole in their line.

Homer enthusiastically agrees