Sandy McMurray says that Sony buying Apple may not be a good idea afterall.
There are also major philosophical differences between the two companies. Sony’s President Kunitake Ando says television “is about to be reborn as the centre of broadband entertainment.” Steve Jobs says “We think basically you watch television to turn your brain off, and you work on your computer when you want to turn your brain on.” Apple sees the computer as the “digital hub” of the future; Sony sees the same role for the TV. If Sony bought Apple, which strategy do you think would dominate?
Another big problem is Sony’s library of music and movies. The success of the iTunes Music Store has been based, in part, on Apple’s ability to make deals with all the major music labels (and independents). A Sony takeover would undermine Apple’s role as Switzerland in the music download market. Why give that up?
