Shares of Television Set Maker Loewe Jump as Apple Acquisition Rumors Resurface

[MacRumors]

Reuters reports that shares of German television set maker Loewe jumped 43% today as rumors of a possible acquisition by Apple resurfaced. A trader was quoted as saying that Apple is looking to bid 4 euros per share for Loewe, but a company spokesman claimed that Loewe was not aware of any such offer.

Rumors of an Apple acquisition of Loewe first emerged in May of last year, dying when Loewe said there was "absolutely nothing to it". It is not known what has led to the renewed speculation today.

While Loewe's luxury TV designs are very much in line with what might be expected from the long-anticipated Apple television set, given that design is one of Apple's core strengths it is not immediately clear what unique contributions Loewe might bring to the table. The German manufacturer is 28% owned by Sharp, 13% by the company's management, 11% by storage company Lacie, and the rest freely traded.

As of the time of writing, Loewe shares were up 33% to 3.63 euros ($4.89), valuing the company at 53 million euros.

Article Link: Shares of Television Set Maker Loewe Jump as Apple Acquisition Rumors Resurface

[Hakone]

Now that'll look great in my family room. Apple or not. Although cleaning might be a pain.

[CptnJustc]

Originally Posted by Hakone

Now that'll look great in my family room. Apple or not.

I like the rest of the setup, but... that double chin on the TV....

[Sky Blue]

They should buy Home Depot instead.

[Terry W]

Maybe Apple is just buying Sharp's share to help them raise cash, and as a new owner collaborating with Loewe's design team and/or getting access to design concepts/patents.

[Acerone]

Isn't Loewe very high end?

[charlieegan3]

Originally Posted by CptnJustc

I like the rest of the setup, but... that double chin on the TV....

Yeah that does look a little funny doesn't it.

I think they'll go for equal bezel or an iMac like look personally.

[caligomez]

Help me understand.. Why would they buy this company? if:

1) Apple has (arguably) the world's best technology design team in house

2) All the technological expertise and R&D to create the appropriate display to fit their product needs (does Loewe have some sort of coveted patent that they want?)

3) They will probably manufacture their TV set in China, taking full advantage of their incredibly efficient supply chain, and wouldn't necessarily need Loewes for that.

Why do they need this company?

[slrandall]

Originally Posted by caligomez

Help me understand.. Why would they buy this company? if:

1) Apple has (arguably) the world's best technology design team in house

2) All the technological expertise and R&D to create the appropriate display to fit their product needs (does Loewe have some sort of coveted patent that they want?)

3) They will probably manufacture their TV set in China, taking full advantage of their incredibly efficient supply chain, and wouldn't necessarily need Loewes for that.

Why do they need this company?

Patents, maybe?

[nep61]

I'm in the market for a LARGE Flat screen TV... I Hope I can wait long enought to see Apple release something soon.... This is exciting to say the least.

[AndiS.]

Originally Posted by caligomez

Help me understand.. Why would they buy this company? if:

1) Apple has (arguably) the world's best technology design team in house

2) All the technological expertise and R&D to create the appropriate display to fit their product needs (does Loewe have some sort of coveted patent that they want?)

3) They will probably manufacture their TV set in China, taking full advantage of their incredibly efficient supply chain, and wouldn't necessarily need Loewes for that.

Why do they need this company?

Loewe have exorbitant product quality, I don't know how they do it exactly, but the picture quality is insane. As are the prices, which in this case I assume, are not only paid for the name.

[kryca]

Originally Posted by Acerone

Isn't Loewe very high end?

yes and no. It has a modular design, so you can upgrade as new technologies become available. It also comes with a design that some people consider "high end". (I prefer the extremely zen-buddhistic Bravia design.) Apart from that, it can be seen as an overpriced Sharp TV.
Menu navigation is also nothing revolutionary and more or less the same pain as with most brands.

[KdParker]

boy...those look expensive.

But we knew Apple TV would be.

[Krazy Bill]

At the end of the day.. it's still just a TV folks.

[cublah]

Maybe they want the technology for the transparent TV

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...l#slide=982430

[Macman45]

Originally Posted by MacRumors

Image


Reuters reports that shares of German television set maker Loewe jumped 43% today as rumors of a possible acquisition by Apple resurfaced. A trader was quoted as saying that Apple is looking to bid 4 euros per share for Loewe, but a company spokesman claimed that Loewe was not aware of any such offer.

Rumors of an Apple acquisition of Loewe first emerged in May of last year, dying when Loewe said there was "absolutely nothing to it". It is not known what has led to the renewed speculation today.

Image

While Loewe's luxury TV designs are very much in line with what might be expected from the long-anticipated Apple television set, given that design is one of Apple's core strengths it is not immediately clear what unique contributions Loewe might bring to the table. The German manufacturer is 28% owned by Sharp, 13% by the company's management, 11% by storage company Lacie, and the rest freely traded.

As of the time of writing, Loewe shares were up 33% to 3.63 euros ($4.89), valuing the company at 53 million euros.

Article Link: Shares of Television Set Maker Loewe Jump as Apple Acquisition Rumors Resurface

I think it's more than a rumour now, Apple are "Ironing out" the content provider issues that they had according to this months copy of a popular Mac based magazine. A TV set with built in ATV, and the look of iMac? Yes it's probably going to look great, but it's also going to cost big time. I'm not about to replace my fairly new Sony Bravia 3D with something that cost's $$$$$ and doesn't have a whole bunch of extra features, like built in wifi etc. As nice as it would be to have my TV match all my Apple stuff, they are going to have to make it one hell of a piece of kit for me to jump.

[Mr. Retrofire]

Originally Posted by cublah

Maybe they want the technology for the transparent TV

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...l#slide=982430

Transparent TV! Yeah!

[kryca]

Originally Posted by AndiS.

Loewe have exorbitant product quality, I don't know how they do it exactly, but the picture quality is insane. As are the prices, which in this case I assume, are not only paid for the name.

It can be compared to a regular Sharp TV. Because it is a Sharp panel. Plus some software tweaks that may make it look "a tad bit better" but not "insanely" better. Maybe "insanely" in Apple lingo where everything is soooo next century and awesome, but not in the real world.

[carlgo]

Are these tvs currently made in Germany? A German-made TV would set Apple apart.

As for style, the new sets we see are about as good as can be, all screen, hardly a frame and so very thin (Apple will make them the thinnest of course...). A new 55" is no bigger in total than my older 42" which has a chin and a big frame.

Despite the dramatic photo, the Loewe is not better looking than other new TVs and is it better in terms of performance? I have seen them in high-end stereo stores, big bucks but what are the extra benefits?

I still think Apple has to bring more to the table than Apps...it needs the best screen and that means some new technology. Otherwise, why would people buy them over other brands?

[Nunyabinez]

Originally Posted by Macman45

I think it's more than a rumour now, Apple are "Ironing out" the content provider issues that they had according to this months copy of a popular Mac based magazine. A TV set with built in ATV, and the look of iMac? Yes it's probably going to look great, but it's also going to cost big time. I'm not about to replace my fairly new Sony Bravia 3D with something that cost's $$$$$ and doesn't have a whole bunch of extra features, like built in wifi etc. As nice as it would be to have my TV match all my Apple stuff, they are going to have to make it one hell of a piece of kit for me to jump.

I'm still hoping for a modular concept where there is an Apple Display and a "plug in" AppleTV. That way they can update the ATV from time to time and I would just snap in the new ATV without having to get rid of an expensive display. If it is an all-in-one design, I won't be excited, because the only time I get new TVs is when the old ones totally fail.

[ChrisTX]

Originally Posted by Acerone

Isn't Loewe very high end?

Kind of like Apple? I'd love to see Apple deny that an Apple TV set is in the works after an acquisition such as this.

[Tankmaze]

A thousand nations of the Apple fanboy empire descend upon you. Our clicks will blot out their server.

Can't seem to open loewe.tv or loewe.de

[taxiapple]

Maybe they have a couple key patents that Apple needs

[dazzer21]

...that's one less competitor in the high-end TV business!

[VoR]

Originally Posted by kryca

It can be compared to a regular Sharp TV. Because it is a Sharp panel. Plus some software tweaks that may make it look "a tad bit better" but not "insanely" better. Maybe "insanely" in Apple lingo where everything is soooo next century and awesome, but not in the real world.

Eye of the beholder! Most software tweaks and features I've seen on TVs have a detrimental effect on quality, same sort of thing as bass boost and equalisers on Hi-Fi equipment. Some people love that sort of stuff, some people want the output to be as close to the input as possible.