Microsoft Acquires Apple Target R2 Studios

MacRumors · Jan 3, 2013, 07:46 AM

In late December, it was*reported that Apple was one of three companies, with Google and Microsoft being the others, in talks to acquire home automation firm R2 Studios.*The Wall Street Journal is now*reporting that Microsoft has acquired the firm to beef up its Xbox unit.

Quote:

The company, id8 Group R2 Studios Inc., was created by entrepreneur Blake Krikorian in May 2011. Mr. Krikorian will be joining the Redmond, Wash., software giant with a small team. As part of the deal, Microsoft also acquired some patents owned by the startup related to controlling electronic devices.

The price of the deal couldn't be learned.

R2 has reportedly been working to expand its existing business focused on Android software to control Crestron home automation systems to develop technology for distributing digital media to television sets.

The report notes that Microsoft has been working hard to transform its Xbox platform into a digital media hub, striking deals with HBO, Netflix, YouTube, Comcast, and Time Warner for on-demand and Web video.

Apple is of course also rumored to be interested in the television market beyond its existing Apple TV set-top box. Apple has reportedly been working on both new set-top boxes and Internet-connected television sets as part of an effort to remake the television viewing experience, but progress has been slow due to complicated negotiations with content providers.

Article Link: Microsoft Acquires Apple Target R2 Studios

840quadra · Jan 3, 2013, 07:53 AM

I think this is a great win for M$, however as the article hints, I think the biggest target that Apple (or any of these companies) should focus on are content deals at this point, or, changing the landscape of how TV / Video is offered to the consumers.

BornAgainMac · Jan 3, 2013, 07:53 AM

Microsoft should buy D2 and then merge both companies as a single name to corner the market.

jessica. · Jan 3, 2013, 07:59 AM

This is great news and it is cheaper than ever to get an XBox into most households.

Allenbf · Jan 3, 2013, 07:59 AM

Looking at M$ over the past few years, I can't help but feel they heard that Google/Apple were looking to buy R2 and decided to rush in and buy it first.

"R2, get us out of here!"

Mike MA · Jan 3, 2013, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allenbf

Looking at M$ over the past few years, I can't help but feel they heard that Google/Apple were looking to buy R2 and decided to rush in and buy it first.

..and now they don't know what to do with it.

Leonard1818 · Jan 3, 2013, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike MA

..and now they don't know what to do with it.

And they've displayed this how? I was under the impression this news just broke... Crystal ball?

Mike MA · Jan 3, 2013, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonard1818

And they've displayed this how? I was under the impression this news just broke... Crystal ball?

I was more or less predicting something similar to happen like the latest $6.2 billion write-off M$ had to announce after acquiring aQuantive.

ILikeTurtles · Jan 3, 2013, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike MA

..and now they don't know what to do with it.

Exactly! LMAO

Bubba Satori · Jan 3, 2013, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allenbf

Looking at M$ over the past few years, I can't help but feel they heard that Google/Apple were looking to buy R2 and decided to rush in and buy it first.

"R2, get us out of here!"

Nobody should be able to buy stuff before A$$le.
It should, like, be a law, you know, or sumpin'.
Maybe A$$le found out they couldn't trademark
the letter r and the number 2. Sadness.

Allenbf · Jan 3, 2013, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba Satori

Nobody should be able to buy stuff before A$$le.
It should, like, be a law, you know, or sumpin'.
Maybe A$$le found out they couldn't trademark
the letter r and the number 2. Sadness.

?

That wasn't my point. My point was that M$ doesn't seem to have it together like Apple and Google. So when they heard that Apple and Google were courting R2, they thought "Hey, let's buy it - not sure why, but let's buy it before the others do"

Nice try, though - if you're trying to bait me.

applesith · Jan 3, 2013, 08:42 AM

iSee · Jan 3, 2013, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allenbf

?

That wasn't my point. My point was that M$ doesn't seem to have it together like Apple and Google. So when they heard that Apple and Google were courting R2, they thought "Hey, let's buy it - not sure why, but let's buy it before the others do"

Nice try, though - if you're trying to bait me.

I don't think that was it. This does fit with well MS's strategic goals (for xbox). In fact it seems like it's a better fit for MS than Apple, which is probably why MS valued R2 Studios higher than Apple did.

NorEaster · Jan 3, 2013, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allenbf

?

That wasn't my point. My point was that M$ doesn't seem to have it together like Apple and Google. So when they heard that Apple and Google were courting R2, they thought "Hey, let's buy it - not sure why, but let's buy it before the others do"

Nice try, though - if you're trying to bait me.

Do you have anything (cited references, friends/family that work for MS or R2) to support this claim?? If not, perhaps you're the one trying to bait folks. Or perhaps you just like to bash MS... if so, that's your prerogative but I think we can all see how biased you are. I guess the RDF is strong in you.

Intarweb · Jan 3, 2013, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allenbf

?

That wasn't my point. My point was that M$ doesn't seem to have it together like Apple and Google. So when they heard that Apple and Google were courting R2, they thought "Hey, let's buy it - not sure why, but let's buy it before the others do"

Nice try, though - if you're trying to bait me.

MS doesn't know what to do with it? Really? The company with the largest foothold on the living room outside of cable companies don't know what to do with it? This is a natural expansion for them. They've wanted to control the home since the Xbox idea came to fruition and this puts them one step closer.

MH01 · Jan 3, 2013, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allenbf

?

That wasn't my point. My point was that M$ doesn't seem to have it together like Apple and Google. So when they heard that Apple and Google were courting R2, they thought "Hey, let's buy it - not sure why, but let's buy it before the others do"

Nice try, though - if you're trying to bait me.

What Microsoft hit the "But it Now" button while Google and Apple were bidding?

Also really not sure what you mean by M$ not having it together???. W8 is ambitious and actually smells of innovation, and the same can be said about the Windows phone, an actual OS that was innovated, while Android is a copy of iOS and iOS is seriously dated. I dare to say the only ones actually innovating and taking risks atm are M$. Maybe they were the only ones of the big three that had a plan for R2, hence why they bought them and outbid G$$gle and A$$le.

GermanyChris · Jan 3, 2013, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allenbf

?

That wasn't my point. My point was that M$ doesn't seem to have it together like Apple and Google. So when they heard that Apple and Google were courting R2, they thought "Hey, let's buy it - not sure why, but let's buy it before the others do"

Nice try, though - if you're trying to bait me.

What doesn't MS have together?

FakeWozniak · Jan 3, 2013, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba Satori

Nobody should be able to buy stuff before A$$le.
It should, like, be a law, you know, or sumpin'.
Maybe A$$le found out they couldn't trademark
the letter r and the number 2. Sadness.

Knock knock...
Who's there...
Troll

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by uknowimright

Verizon, you mean

You might be right. I yahooed that and got lots of mixed answers. I think the key is that Droid is only on Verizon and other OEMs have Droid phones besides Moto, such as HTC.

sseaton1971 · Jan 3, 2013, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba Satori

Nobody should be able to buy stuff before A$$le.
It should, like, be a law, you know, or sumpin'.
Maybe A$$le found out they couldn't trademark
the letter r and the number 2. Sadness.

Why would you substitue a dollar symbol ($) for the letter "P"? If you don't like Google, do you also type "G$$gle"? It makes sense for Microsoft haters (I am not a lover, but I am also not a hater) to use M$ since the dollar sign resembles an "S", but your pathetic attempt at insulting Apple fans makes no sense. Try "Crapple" or something more clever next time! Sadness.

Thunderhawks · Jan 3, 2013, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba Satori

Nobody should be able to buy stuff before A$$le.
It should, like, be a law, you know, or sumpin'.
Maybe A$$le found out they couldn't trademark
the letter r and the number 2. Sadness.

Steve Ballmer: Buying R2 and not doing anything with it is on the forefront of our minds!

PracticalMac · Jan 3, 2013, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BornAgainMac

Microsoft should buy D2 and then merge both companies as a single name to corner the market.

Expect Apple to acquire C3 and P0 in response.

brinycbri · Jan 3, 2013, 08:07 AM

I mean, it's not like apple doesn't have the money to outbid MSFT. I wonder why it felt it just wasn't worth it?

forcenine · Jan 3, 2013, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brinycbri

I mean, it's not like apple doesn't have the money to outbid MSFT. I wonder why it felt it just wasn't worth it?

I imagine the R2 people floated "Apple" to some media outlets to spark interest. I doubt Apple even put a bid down.

hrishidev · Jan 3, 2013, 08:35 AM

Title of this article is confusing. I read it like this
"Microsoft Acquires Apple, Target R2 Studios" .....

Mattsasa · Jan 3, 2013, 08:35 AM

first 3 words of the title of this article are misleading,

haha

Jan 3, 2013, 07:53 AM	#2
840quadra Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Twin Cities, MN	I think this is a great win for M$, however as the article hints, I think the biggest target that Apple (or any of these companies) should focus on are content deals at this point, or, changing the landscape of how TV / Video is offered to the consumers. __________________ Introducing Macintosh Quadra. The power to be your best. Just avoid holding it in that way -- Steve Jobs
	2

Jan 3, 2013, 07:53 AM	#3
BornAgainMac macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Florida Resident	Microsoft should buy D2 and then merge both companies as a single name to corner the market.
	38

Jan 3, 2013, 07:59 AM	#4
jessica. macrumors Nehalem Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Wrong girl from the right side of the tracks	This is great news and it is cheaper than ever to get an XBox into most households. __________________ Because I'm an ahole.
	1

Jan 3, 2013, 07:59 AM	#5
Allenbf macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tampa, FL	Looking at M$ over the past few years, I can't help but feel they heard that Google/Apple were looking to buy R2 and decided to rush in and buy it first. "R2, get us out of here!" __________________ I'm broke because of my love for
	5

Jan 3, 2013, 08:07 AM	#22
brinycbri macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2007	I mean, it's not like apple doesn't have the money to outbid MSFT. I wonder why it felt it just wasn't worth it? __________________ Goto http://www.techspank.com for a funny ass tech blog...yea that's right, another d@mn tech blog but this one is funny...
	2

Jan 3, 2013, 08:42 AM	#12
applesith macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2007
	13

Jan 3, 2013, 08:35 AM	#24
hrishidev macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2007	Title of this article is confusing. I read it like this "Microsoft Acquires Apple, Target R2 Studios" ..... __________________ My Peace Message: On online forum,people tend to disagree as unknown person's opinions can be interpreted differently
	3

Jan 3, 2013, 08:35 AM	#25
Mattsasa macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Minnesota	first 3 words of the title of this article are misleading, haha
	4

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