Sony shares rose almost three per cent at one point on Tuesday following media reports that the PS3 maker could be an acquisition target for Apple.

Firms including Sony, Disney, EA and Facebook were linked with the iPhone maker after Apple CEO Steve Jobs suggested a strategic takeover may be the best way to spend some of the $51 billion in cash the company currently holds.

A Sony spokesperson declined to comment on the rumours when contacted by Reuters, while one unnamed analyst played down the likelihood of a deal being made between the firms.

"If Apple tries to buy the whole of Sony, it will be a hostile takeover, and that will probably not succeed in Japan," they said. "I don't think Sony would want to join hands with Apple since it is working with Google to compete against Apple."

Sony shares closed up 0.7 per cent following the highest volume in daily trading since the firm announced a surprise quarterly profit on July 30.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ar ... ?id=271767

Can't see it at all...

Apart from the Walkman/iPod, I can't see a fit between the two companies.

They could do full TV with Apple TV built in. Though maybe the real objective is the movie studio. The attached movie library would make a very good addition to the iTunes store. Once they had a major studio on board the customers could get decent rental content for Apple TV or iPhones and iPods. Though with the morality stance taken by Apple over apps maybe Disney is a better target?

Oh lordy, here we go again …

Mark

Yeah, cue the gags about Apple making Mickey Mouse products.

'Apple takes a bite out of Snow White'

Leave my PS3 alone you fruit based predator.

On the other hand, you might get a semi-decent handheld system

'PS5 - It's got all the stuff the PS4 should have had!'

I have one of those already thank you very much...

+1

It would give Apple the chance to go head to head with MS in gaming...Which may make more sense after you read that MS and Apple's secret Bungie deal revealed

Maybe they are saving up to buy Microsoft? Though maybe they will use the money to buy lots of smaller specialists instead, or build a hollowed out volcano as a personal retreat for Steve Jobs.

It really doesn't make a whole lot of sense for me, Apple buying Sony. They don't care about most of what Sony actually makes money on like TVs & home hifi kit etc , the only areas they actually compete on - mobile media, mobile gaming - they're a bigger player than Sony are anyway and Apple have shown no interest at all in home gaming for a generation (and not much then). I just don't see what Apple have to gain from buying Sony.

Jon

Well, I certainly don't want to know what you've been buying for it

Same here. They could use the money so many other ways.