German TV maker Loewe denies rumor of possible Apple buyout
updated 06:28 pm EDT, Sun May 13, 2012
Company could have helped in creation of Apple TV
A German TV maker, Loewe AG, is denying rumors that it has been in talks with Apple about a possible buyout, according to Heise Online. A tip to AppleInsider recently suggested a deal worth $113 million, and that Loewe's board of directors were going to make a decision before May 18th. A Loewe spokesman now insists, however, that there is "absolutely nothing" to the claims.
Loewe sets are aimed at a luxury market, and use a mostly minimalist design that could potentially fit in with Apple aesthetics. Apple is widely believed to be working on a TV set, and could need a company like Loewe to help develop and/or produce the actual hardware. At the same time, it might be simpler to work in cooperation with a TV maker, though that might not allow the full control Apple normally enjoys.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2001
Makes no sense
Why does Apple need a TV manufacturer. Look at Vizio. It is the largest HDTV "manufacturer" by volume and it doesn't manufacture a single TV.
Visio outsources its manufacturing to AmTran Technologies of Taiwan who manufactures its TVs in Suzhou, China in a massive factory that can produce over 500 million TVs each month. Like most other megafactories in Suzhou China, AmTran's plant produces TVs for multiple manufacturers. This makes AmTran the Foxconn of TV sets.
What would Apple get from Loewe AG? Apple certainly has their own idea what a TV should look like. They didn't need any help from Motorola, Sony Ericsson, or Nokia when it came to designing a phone. They certainly don't need a manufacturer to tell them what to do. Apple already has all of the connections it needs in Suzhou, and I'm sure there are plenty of megafactories who'd be more than happy to give Apple any help it needs in designing a TV set.
Why waste money on a small TV manufacturer. What would Apple get out of it?