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Cost-Cuts --> Buyouts (3/6/98)
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We realized with a shock that it's been a long, long time since this show has featured buyout rumors of a highly speculative and unlikely nature. Since we certainly don't like to disappoint, we'd like to mention the item over at Mac OS Rumors that raises the possibility of Apple purchasing Global Village, the makers of fine networking and communications products. Several Rumors sources have confirmed that Apple and Global Village executives have met many times over the past few weeks.
As reported on MacFixit, Global Village has been having trouble lately, since they have traditionally been a Mac peripherals company that is currently trying to break into the Wintel market. Apparently their Mac sales aren't high enough to sustain the company, because "the Mac market is going down the tubes." So they certainly may be ripe for a takeover. What would Apple stand to gain? a top-notch company that makes, arguably, the highest-quality modems available for the Mac platform. Rather than OEMing modems for its computers from other companies, acquiring Global Village would allow for a tighter integration of the communications hardware with Apple's shipping systems. There's also the possibility of faster and cleaner development of new, next-generation systems like the Mac NC.
Of course, just because Apple and Global Village have been having executive meetings, that doesn't necessarily suggest a takeover, but it's an interesting possibility. Could Apple be looking past its current "jettison everything that isn't making money" strategy, in favor of once again growing its business in focused and useful directions?
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 | | The above scene was taken from the 3/6/98 episode: March 6, 1998: The Newton protest more closely resembled a love-in than, say, Kent State. Meanwhile, Apple and Global Village are locked in high-level talks, the subject of which is anyone's guess, and Microsoft is still trying to force Java through a meat-grinder...
Other scenes from that episode: 510: Low-Key and Laid Back (3/6/98) It would appear that our concern over the Newton protest was unwarranted. It seems to have been a civilized and relaxed display, with restraint and understanding shown on both sides of the issue-- and nary a pitchfork or Molotov cocktail in sight... 512: When Is Java Not Java? (3/6/98) Remember the last time Microsoft introduced a new version of Java? It caused a lawsuit. Microsoft released Internet Explorer 4 with an implementation of Java with certain classes removed, prompting Sun to sue for breach of contract...
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