“We received a tip from an unproven source claiming to have knowledge of discussions within Apple to possibly purchase Barnes & Noble,” Jonathan S. Geller reports for BGR.
“While this might seem like a strange move at first, it actually makes a whole lot of sense,” Geller writes. “Apple would be able to take Barnes & Noble’s vast digital library of books and publications, and fold them into Apple’s own iBooks store.”
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Geller writes, “Apple would have no use for the NOOK, and that would likely be discontinued in this scenario. Apple could then convert some of the brick and mortar Barnes & Noble stores into Apple stores and close the rest.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Judge Bork” for the heads up.]
Apple, the Nook Killer.
Just as long as they don’t kill nookie!
Why kill the Nook? It’ll give Apple an excuse to kill the Amazon tablet without tarnishing the Apple name.
Has the Nook even gained any traction against the Kindle? The Kindle is regularly advertised, and has more mind share than the Nook. While I often hear people speak of their Kindle, I’ve never once heard any claim they own a Nook. And the Kindle Book store is, I believe, used more than the B&N online store. If this rumor is true, the Nook is certainly a product Steve Jobs would say “No” to.
Hmm I love my iPad but I think people who actually bought nooks might literally become rabid if they are discontinued. They should probably run this by the CDC and WHO before going through with it…
Buying Kodak would make more sense.
That would be a very smart move. Kodak have a vast amount of intellectual property.
Good thinking…
How so? Expound I pray thee.
Kodak’s patent portfolio is extensive in multiple realms, but the most valuable to Apple are probably the digital imaging patents. Kodak makes some of the best CCD chips in the world.
I work in the printing industry so my exposure to Kodak started when I went to school in Rochester. In recent history Kodak acquired Scitex and Creo both of which make printing plate imaging equipment. Kodak also manufactures litho printing plates and chemistry for processing the plates. I believe they still make photographic films and papers.. They probably are in businesses that I do not even know of as well.
What would Apple do with all that? I guess I’m wondering why Apple would pay for a whole meal when all they really want is a couple items from the salad bar.
Your points are well taken. I doubt that Apple has any serious interest in either B&N or Kodak. Who I think they should have moved to buy was T-Mobile. Ultimately, Apple needs to have its own wireless network – the current players are clowns.
Yup. This.
Or a network.
This makes way more sense.
Let’s leave the business decisions to the guys with $76b in the bank. They have it all figured out.
*facepalm*
Oh, come ON.
What is the Apple rumor world coming to?? lol
I don’t think so…
This BS rumor is just MADE UP to get the B&N stock price up a little.
Alex, I’ll take “Silly Apple Rumors” for $600.
Rumours or not, I like this idea. Zen and bold, who saw this coming?
I don’t know the if the B&N financial books are in order and sound; however, apart from the instant trove of electronic books to the iBooks, they’d also bring physical stores with good locations to Apple. Coffee in Apple corners. Nooks no longer a competition, but more complementary.
Having said all that, could Borders bring some of these same things now for a bargain price?
Border’s does not have a credible eReader solution which helped contribute to their decline. Buying what is left of them would make no sense for Apple.
The only way this moves makes sense if Apple can be assured that all publications available on the nook would be available on the iOS platform. If any of the agreements are in doubt then it makes no sense. However, if they can get that additional content then this is a great move. With Amazon potentially making a tablet Apple needs to figure out how they are going to catch up in the Book and Magazine/Paper content. That is one spot where they are still vunerable.
Can you partner with Library of Congress?
Guess so: “The Library of Congress debuts on Apple’s iTunes U; Historic film clips, podcasts, courses and more”
Cash is a King Sized Opportunity Maker.
‘Apple should shut down and return the cash to its shareholders’, Michael Dell.
“Steve knows he can’t win.”, Bill Gates
“Apple needs to issue a dividend with its excess cash”, numerous “stock experts”.
“Experts” don’t see the future: They are too busy analyzing the past.
+1
This is perhaps the most ridiculous “Apple should/could/may purchase…” rumor I’ve seen in a while. But just for target practice…
If Apple wanted a “vast digital library of books and publications”, they would do what they’ve already done: go to the publishers (who own the digital rights), and strike an iTunes distribution deal. They have no need to buy a brink & mortar retailer for that.
As far as buying B&N for the retail space and converting them to Apple stores, that’s even more hare-brained: First, Apple is already in most of the premium retail spaces where B&N stores are. Second, most B&N spaces are WAY TOO LARGE for Apple stores.
Nothing to see here…
Well put deus!
YES!!! If Jeffery boy wants to enter iPad domain, this is war. We cam then enter more onto their main domain.
Doesn’t make much sense. If this was valid perhaps they should have bought Borders. The price would have been a lot cheaper.
This won’t happen. It makes zero business sense for Apple to buy them for their digital books. Apple can get their own copies of digital books.
When someone speculates about an Apple acquisition that brings something to Apple that they cannot readily get themselves, then I’ll believe it might have merit.
This is just another story borne from the fact that Apple has money and has increased the size of the M&A dept.
Apple has emerged as a repository and distribution source since it started with music, without ever taking possession of a single content generator or aggregator. It hasn’t bought music publishers, or TV or movie studios, or game publishers. If it bought one, why would that company’s competitors feel comfortable continuing with Apple?
One thing to remember, a B&N has a large presence in running the bookstores on major university campuses. In looking at the original BGR, it says Apple would keep some stores and close others. Apple could easily keep the university stores, reduce the footprint size in stores where Apple currently has not retail location, and close/reduce/modify stores in cities where they have a retail location.
The having a presence on university campuses and moving textbooks to digital opens up some opportunities.
Aren’t most of B&N stores in malls where the spaces are typically leased?
That would be like buying a dozen donuts in order to use the sprinkles.
NO. Just someone screwing with their stock price.
I bet this is a rumor planted by SJ so that Ballmer panics and puts in his own ridiculous bid and winds up way overpaying for B&N.
That strategy worked well for the private equity guys selling Skype
Aside from gaining the library of eBooks, this would make no sense otherwise for Apple. I’m throwing this in the “out there” rumor pile.
Some of the retail locations would be worthwhile. Some. But, you don’t buy the whole pie when you only need a couple slices.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/07/28/doubts_cast_on_rumor_of_apple_buying_barnesnoble.html
I don’t buy it. Doesn’t make any sense.
More likely, as with all companies on the verge of bankruptcy, Apple is simply eyeing a few retail locations BN has long term leases or ownership of for which Apple would look to add flagship stores. Aside from that, there is little to no value in buying BN. Apple has everything else or can get it cheaper.
It’s pretty funny to think of them having ‘no use’ for the Nook… as it’s a pretty successful product, but nothing close to the iPad haha. Is it easy to convert all those files to iBooks? ok… and the BN retail stores are VERY interesting.
It only makes sense if it is seen as a real estate investment.
I like B&N. A lot of Hotties with Brains hang out there! 😉