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Does Microsoft own Apple?
- Thread starter doctor pangloss
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At the time of the settlement, the $150MM represented just under 5% of outstanding Apple shares. 5% is the point at which SEC reporting starts to become a burden, so staying under that amount avoids a lot of hassle. If they ever pick up a more significant stake in the company, we will know about it.
I'm sure in some way/shape/form MS owns Apple, maybe not in stocks and what not but the 150 million way back when Apple was struggling was either to keep the DOJ off MS's back (wouldnt it look really bad for MS if Apple died). As for the control portion I'm sure under the table Apple and MS consult on different things (notice how Vista is starting to look a bit more like Tiger with spot light and the plastic look on the panels, graphically accelerated menu's and windows and what not.)
I doubt MS would ever buy out Apple but I'm guessing that eventually MS might buy out Apple and take OSX and incorporate code into Windows or phase out windows completely and just rename OSX the whole x86 switch gives me a funny feeling, it could be after Steve retires from Apple or not. When Linux has enough leverage on the desktop OS market then MS might do it since no one would have a decent OS besides what ever MS has to sell.
I doubt MS would ever buy out Apple but I'm guessing that eventually MS might buy out Apple and take OSX and incorporate code into Windows or phase out windows completely and just rename OSX the whole x86 switch gives me a funny feeling, it could be after Steve retires from Apple or not. When Linux has enough leverage on the desktop OS market then MS might do it since no one would have a decent OS besides what ever MS has to sell.