Living on a different planet?
German quality is tops in almost everything they produce, which planet are you living on?
German quality is tops in almost everything they produce, which planet are you living on?
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Apple Interested In Acquiring German Television Maker Loewe? [Updated: Company Denies]
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Yeah, they also don't get humour
I'm worried that Apple is making acquisitions to move forward on this; why? Why would they need to?
All I can come up with is patents: LOEWE have been around since 1923 and patented some key concepts in radio and TV systems (all since expired, of course). There may be other patents, or even patent licensing deals, that Apple want to inherit.
This can't be a talent acquisition. Apple have plenty and I don't think Loewe would help at all.
There's nothing much in the Loewe portfolio Apple really need to make a great TV but there's probably enough that an acquisition isn't a bad idea for cash-rich Apple.
Still, they maybe should have waited until AFTER the first Apple TV set launch as they'll be likely stealing a lot of typical Loewe customers and could have picked up a bargain.
Still, they maybe should have waited until AFTER the first Apple TV set launch as they'll be likely stealing a lot of typical Loewe customers and could have picked up a bargain.
As a German I am laughing in disbelief at this rumor! Not that Loewe is bad, but they are a really small company and operating at a loss and bring nothing to the table Apple couldn't do on its own. The company would be cheap to buy , but I will only believe it when it is officially announced.
Loewe sets are top notch the world over
This is exciting news if true. I really hope it is. I've owned a Loewe Aconda which at the time was simply the highest quality CRT television in the world. When I needed to get something repaired, they were no longer sold in the US, to my chagrin. I'd love to own another set as nice as that one. Loewe was on their 15th generation digital set when we started getting digital TV in the US, their electronics were way ahead of their rivals.
Do a search for Loewe Invisio concept television and ask yourself....is a transparent television made entirely of glass something that Apple might be willing to bring to market? Heck ya. This thing is insane looking. I hope they do.
http://www.yankodesign.com/2011/02/03/look-carefully-its-a-transparent-tv/
This is exciting news if true. I really hope it is. I've owned a Loewe Aconda which at the time was simply the highest quality CRT television in the world. When I needed to get something repaired, they were no longer sold in the US, to my chagrin. I'd love to own another set as nice as that one. Loewe was on their 15th generation digital set when we started getting digital TV in the US, their electronics were way ahead of their rivals.
Do a search for Loewe Invisio concept television and ask yourself....is a transparent television made entirely of glass something that Apple might be willing to bring to market? Heck ya. This thing is insane looking. I hope they do.
http://www.yankodesign.com/2011/02/03/look-carefully-its-a-transparent-tv/
The worry with an Apple TV is market penetration at typical Apple prices. TVs are a lot more simple and one dimensional in their required function, whereas phones and laptops have plenty of space for Apple to change and say "Hey, these products are way better".
The fact that a 27" TB display is £900 alone puts pricing somewhat into perspective. I mean, I've got a £285 32" LG TV that does everything I expect a TV to do. Then again - this is Apple, and they must have plenty of ideas to transform our restricted views on televisions into something else completely.
The fact that a 27" TB display is £900 alone puts pricing somewhat into perspective. I mean, I've got a £285 32" LG TV that does everything I expect a TV to do. Then again - this is Apple, and they must have plenty of ideas to transform our restricted views on televisions into something else completely.
I don't think there is anything hostile about an offer with this premium built into it. And if the board recommends the sale, then by definition it is not hostile. I assume this offer is for 100% of the shares or no deal. There is no reason for Apple to take a minority interest in this company.
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This is such a small acquisition for Apple that it would be worth it just to put the competition off the scent on the next big thing. I've never understood the Apple TV thing when you can achieve everything you want with the hockey puck and programming. Big monitors should be dumb monitors with an easily upgraded external brain. Heck, air play is making more likely that the brain is going to be the iPhone.
I forgot to add "if the boards rejects the actual offer". Anyway, I can't understand what Apple will be buying: Why offering money for a company without significant production facilities and without a significant patent pool?
Loewe have a brilliant reputation. They are a little too high-end for BestBuy etc so many have never heard of them.
They used to make some of the best CRT TVs money could buy. They lost out a little to Fujitsu and Pioneer plasmas around years 2005-2010.
They used to make some of the best CRT TVs money could buy. They lost out a little to Fujitsu and Pioneer plasmas around years 2005-2010.
While the Germans make some fine products, many of the cars aren't made there but in the US and South Africa for example, for BMW and the US for MB.
The extra cost for a Apple premium product say a iPad for $499 vs a generic Andriod tablet for $299.
I would guess design and engineering talent. Apple hasn't been shy about buying talent when they see a need. This would help fill a void in the TV area if they decide to build an Apple tv.
The 'apple tax' is a forum-only expression which is mistakenly used instead of "I wish Apple would take a hit on margins so I could afford to buy it."
There's no such thing because Apple is subject to the laws of economics just like everyone else (yes, Microsoft included). They charge what the market will bear; it's as simple as that.
yes but only for that market in order avoid currency issues and this stupid "buy american act". instead of forcing people to buy something american they should buy the best product. only competition wakes up the local companies.
The MB AMG packages are done by Tata Motors in India.
Out sourcing at its finest.
At least Audi's are still made in Germany.
While I agree apple could come out with a wow tv - saw a 100" all glass screen with wireless hi def picture, the cost would severely limitbthenmarket.
If Apple does come out with a tv I see it as a way to move other manufacturers to incorporate Apple specific features (much like many car radios and home receivers are iFriendly) to strengthen Apple's position in the really valuable market, which is content delivery. If they can become a serious threat to the current cable business model then they can start getting cable companies to come to terms to deliver content using Apple's business model giving Apple a cut of the pie for content delivery.
Personally, that's what I think is behind the bandwidth caps; cable companies don't want to be just a dumb pipe for content providers that compete with their cable content and threaten that revenue stream.