Apple's 'Arrogance' Impedes Major Acquisitions as Analysts Look to Potential Targets in Online Video

[apolloa]

The second Apple goes anywhere near Netflix is the second I cancel my subscription, Netflix is ALL about being open and working on as many platforms as possible, Apple is ALL about being as fenced in and 'walled garden' as possible with total control of their products and services almost entirely exclusively only being available on their own products.

The same goes for anyone else too actually, Apple should just stick to its own and build on it.

However this is one contradicting story, moaning about Apples lack of experience and refusal to make big buyouts and takeovers, then claiming they should buy Netflix!?!?!?

 

[kazmac]

If everything they built just worked? Sure do whatever the heck you want moving forward. Just please do not forget the tech that got you there.

Oh, wait.

 

[pika2000]

According to sources who have worked with Apple in M&A, the company struggles repeatedly to pull off big deals "because of a series of quirks," including a refusal to work with investment bankers, inexperience with large takeovers, and an "aversion to risk."

Wait, how do those make Apple "arrogant"?

 

[NT1440]

Show me the chapter that says constantly looking down is good. I have evidence from ergonomic documentation to the contrary that proves the touch bar is a poor design.

....your eyes are capable of moving down without adjusting your head/neck, they swivel in their sockets!

If you don't have the computer set up in an ergonomic fashion that's on you and your workspace.

 

[Rogifan]

The second Apple goes anywhere near Netflix is the second I cancel my subscription, Netflix is ALL about being open and working on as many platforms as possible, Apple is ALL about being as fenced in and 'walled garden' as possible with total control of their products and services almost entirely exclusively only being available on their own products.

The same goes for anyone else too actually, Apple should just stick to its own and build on it.

However this is one contradicting story, moaning about Apples lack of experience and refusal to make big buyouts and takeovers, then claiming they should buy Netflix!?!?!?

Apple Music is on Android. IF Apple ever acquired Netflix it would stay on every platform it's on now.

 

[apolloa]

Apple Music is on Android. IF Apple ever acquired Netflix it would stay on every platform it's on now.

I know about Apple Music hence my nearly all services comment, I doubt very much Netflix would stay the same as it is now if Apple bought it, it would be more expensive and closed off. I also doubt it would ever happen anyway.

 

[drewyboy]

This is simply the business equivalent of "I'm just not that interested in you" if Apple really wanted to make a deal work they'd get it done"

Man, that revolutionary TV is working out sooooo well for them.

 

[jlc1978]

However this is one contradicting story, moaning about Apples lack of experience and refusal to make big buyouts and takeovers, then claiming they should buy Netflix!?!?!?

Not really. The story details some reasons why Apple may have trouble making large acquisitions, and then discusses what Apple may need to do to hit its services growth target. Netflix is actually mentioned as no being big enough to do that.

 

[star_nerdy]

Wait. How would apple be able to afford to buy Walt Disney co?

The Jobs family owns 7% or so of Disney from Disney buying Pixar so there is that connection. So approval wouldn't be super difficult.

Also, Disney is worth about $180 billion. Apple has $235 billion in cash reserves.

This would give Apple ESPN for live broadcasting of sporting events, Star Wars, Marvel and ABC.

It is absolutely possible and logical for Apple to buy Disney. I'm not saying they should, but they could.

 

[Cineplex]

....your eyes are capable of moving down without adjusting your head/neck, they swivel in their sockets!

If you don't have the computer set up in an ergonomic fashion that's on you and your workspace.

It has nothing to do with moving your head. Moving your eyes from the display to the keyboard causes eye strain and headaches.

 

[NT1440]

It has nothing to do with moving your head. Moving your eyes from the display to the keyboard causes eye strain and headaches.

....I take it you don't drive, walk, or move at all in life?

 

[Cineplex]

....I take it you don't drive, walk, or move at all in life?

That's your reply? LOL okay! Have fun with your TouchBar.

 

[NT1440]

That's your reply? LOL okay! Have fun with your TouchBar.

You realize that the very act OF READING requires eye movement right?

 

[Seoras]

Aww, they poor wee bankies feeling un-wanted because Apple's got more money than they have making them irrelevant.

..refusal to work with investment bankers..

 

[Cineplex]

You realize that the very act OF READING requires eye movement right?

Maybe you should read up on eye strain and it's causes. I can't do all your homework for you. Maybe there is some notes in your "40 years of ergonomics research" that you mentioned earlier.

Either way...the TouchBar is rubbish.

 

[BoltmanLives]

Why is it that Apple MUST go into the entertainment and original content industry. They are a technology company.

Purported expert financial and tech analysts place such unwarranted expectations on Apple.

I'm literally waiting for them to say Apple must get into the washing maschine industry. Tim Cook has no idea how to run a company unless he delivers a new touch enabled flying washing machine that delivers crease free clothes at 20 degrees.

Please why don't these fools keep their mouths closed. So tiresome.

Real answer they ran out of low hanging fruit technology and know that cannot compete going forward, they are circling the wagons and trying to bolster Services and Accessories. So Entertainment is to bolster services like Music. Its about more dollars per user is all and to hope their Iphone continues on.

Watch was thier attempt at new technology...there is your answer. Its harder now for them.

 

[robeddie]

Why is it that Apple MUST go into the entertainment and original content industry. They are a technology company.

Purported expert financial and tech analysts place such unwarranted expectations on Apple.

I'm literally waiting for them to say Apple must get into the washing maschine industry. Tim Cook has no idea how to run a company unless he delivers a new touch enabled flying washing machine that delivers crease free clothes at 20 degrees.

Please why don't these fools keep their mouths closed. So tiresome.

You're funny, creating a narrative that Apple is being "holier than thou" because they choose not to raid their cash pile just to buy things that may or may not even need. Reminds me of those guys who react the same way when a girl turns them down on a date then go and demand a full dossier explaining exactly why she said no.

Huh? I wasn't saying they are holier than thou, I was suggesting that's what you believe.
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I think of Google when I think of acquisitions being shut down. Beats is still here, isn't it?

As for exciting products, they've been released -- Watch, TouchBar, AirPods, 9.7 iPad Pro, awesome iPhone 7...all things that were in the pipeline and are exciting to me. Can you define what it is you expect Apple to be releasing?

I agree with Cineplex that the touchbar, instead of exciting, represents what's wrong with Apple. But I'd also add the watch to that group.

And how on earth is the iPhone7 'awesome'? It's a minor update to the 6 and 6s. Unless there's something amazing about the iPhone 7 that has completely changed your life and might change mine as well. I might have somehow missed that huge news story.

 

[ntlman]

Apple buying Disney? If it were to happen, it would be interesting to see what happens with Laurene Jobs, given that she's the single-largest individual shareholder of Disney. SJ negotiated for that when he sold Pixar to Disney. Would she negotiate a similar deal in a Disney-Apple stock swap?

 

[theheadguy]

I think it's a good thing when companies build things themselves. It helps them maintain the purity of their codebases, and it's more fun for the engineers.

Hogwash.

As Steve Jobs said in 1996: "Picasso had a saying -- 'good artists copy; great artists steal'."

You build it yourself when it doesn't already exist or exists in crap form. Otherwise, no talented and reputable engineer is going to shy away from advancing and building on the great work of others so they can re-invent the wheel because it's "more fun" while competitors continue innovating.

 

[dontspeakeasy]

Sorry what? Do you work at Apples PR department?

No I will not give the little cash I have to Apple.
Unless you´ve been living under a rock, you know the signs are there that Apples death has slowly started. They no longer have the best laptop, the best phone, the best cloud service, or the best tablet. They are lagging far behind Microsoft Surface, Google drive, Android, not to mention Netflix and Amazon Prime and Spotify.

Apple ain´t really number one at anything anymore, other than making money. And thats not gonna last for ever.

Why are you spending your time on an Apple forum?

Anyways, Apple was the number one smartphone, tablet, and smartwatch vendor last quarter. They also have the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry. You seem really angry for no reason. Please direct your time and energy elsewhere.

 

[e-coli]

Apple buys HopStop. Apple kills HopStop. Apple maps cannot tell me when the next subway train is arriving (the whole point of HopStop).

Now I use Google maps exclusively.

 

[Kabeyun]

This report brought to you by investment bankers who feel left out.

Lol. Beat me to it.

Not sure how this translates to "arrogance," but cue the haters.
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Why are you spending your time on an Apple forum?

So he can bait you into an argument. Fun for some folks, it seems.

 

[triton100]

Real answer they ran out of low hanging fruit technology and know that cannot compete going forward, they are circling the wagons and trying to bolster Services and Accessories. So Entertainment is to bolster services like Music. Its about more dollars per user is all and to hope their Iphone continues on.

Watch was thier attempt at new technology...there is your answer. Its harder now for them.

But you've just fortified the reason for my question. Why do you say apple have run out of technological knowhow. The iPhone and mac categories are what Apple make. And they do that well. Why do they have to continually look for new product categories ? People don't say that tesla need to move on from cars and make refrigerators or they're doomed ? Or Gucci need to move away from clothes and start making phones or they're doomed ?
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Huh? I wasn't saying they are holier than thou, I was suggesting that's what you believe.
[doublepost=1487192602][/doublepost]

I agree with Cineplex that the touchbar, instead of exciting, represents what's wrong with Apple. But I'd also add the watch to that group.

And how on earth is the iPhone7 'awesome'? It's a minor update to the 6 and 6s. Unless there's something amazing about the iPhone 7 that has completely changed your life and might change mine as well. I might have somehow missed that huge news story.

The touch bar is amazing. Use Logic Pro x and then reassess.

I guess people like to judge with little first hand knowledge.

 

[BoltmanLives]

But you've just fortified the reason for my question. Why do you say apple have run out of technological knowhow. The iPhone and mac categories are what Apple make. And they do that well. Why do they have to continually look for new product categories ? People don't say that tesla need to move on from cars and make refrigerators or they're doomed ? Or Gucci need to move away from clothes and start making phones or they're doomed ?

Doomed is the incorrect word, decline is better. So in your view iPhone + Mac is enough for the long haul. I don't buy that, with the rate of technological change. The next 8-10 years will see more technological change than the last 40. That change will not be led by Apl as much of it has to do with the cloud. People don't trust Apl since the watch bombed and their services tend to be on the lame side, serious questions abound about a tech company that failed to launch the next product successfully to replace eventually iPhone. There major product two products ago is also in free fall decline, it failed to stand alone too.

Apl today is much different than Apl of yesteryear, its big, cumbersome and inflexible. Yet they still run it like a start up management and division wise , with none of the benefits. They will go through decline assuredly, with that will come hopefully a pivot. The more they squeeze the user base the worse it will be for them , at some point people just say "peace out".

 

[triton100]

Doomed is the incorrect word, decline is better. So in your view iPhone + Mac is enough for the long haul. I don't buy that, with the rate of technological change. The next 8-10 years will see more technological change than the last 40. That change will not be led by Apl as much of it has to do with the cloud. People don't trust Apl since the watch bombed and their services tend to be on the lame side, serious questions abound about a tech company that failed to launch the next product successfully to replace eventually iPhone. There major product two products ago is also in free fall decline, it failed to stand alone too.

Apl today is much different than Apl of yesteryear, its big, cumbersome and inflexible. Yet they still run it like a start up management and division wise , with none of the benefits. They will go through decline assuredly, with that will come hopefully a pivot. The more they squeeze the user base the worse it will be for them , at some point people just say "peace out".

doomed / decline its all semantics. If Apple were ever to decline it would be regarded as doom so they are one and the same.

I take your points and to an extent agree however where we differ is that I cannot believe that 16billion a year on r and d with all of that expertise will not yield significant and meaningful results at some point.

The watch is disappointing. True. It's simply a glorified fitness band that looks kinda cool however the long game is bound to be more interesting. The watch may at some point replace the iPhone in functionality.

Technology is all linked to a good user interface. Currently that is the phone. It won't always be. But until AR, VR and AI are fully matured this is still cutting edge for mass consumers. Five years down the line maybe not. Apple will not be resting on their laurels in the meanwhile.