m&a

Apple CEO: We've looked at a few big companies to buy

Apple had considered a few blockbuster acquisitions in the past, but ultimately stuck with smaller deals.

That's according to CEO Tim Cook, speaking at an investor conference hosted by Goldman Sachs this morning. He said that Apple at points had looked at buying large companies, but in each case, they failed to pass muster.

"It didn't pass our test for various reasons, and we've looked at more than one," Cook said. "Would we look again? I'm sure we will."

Apple's decision to stay away from bigger deals has helped it avoid … Read more

AT&T's look outside the U.S. may include more than M&A

AT&T is considering ways to expand abroad besides just making acquisitions, the wireless carrier's chief executive said today.

Randall Stephenson, speaking during a conference call with analysts following AT&T's quarterly earnings report, said the shift to mobile in the U.S. over the past five years has been "impressive," and said those changes are likely to take place across the world. AT&T just needs to figure out how to take advantage of them.

"We have to ask if there are opportunities to participate in growth outside the U.S.,&… Read more

AT&T eyes international expansion for growth

AT&T is interested in buying a European carrier for growth, according to the Wall Street Journal.

With the U.S. market about to get more competitive, AT&T is looking at markets in Europe where it can upgrade technology and roll out new services and pricing strategies, the Wall Street Journal said, citing unnamed sources. It reported that AT&T is studying potential acquisitions, and could strike a deal by the end of the year. In particular, AT&T is looking at the U.K., Germany, and the Netherlands.

While the U.S. carriers have … Read more

Softbank-Sprint: U.S. wireless consolidation or just a land grab?

It's not exactly clear what's behind Softbank's tentative proposal to acquire control of Sprint. But that hasn't stopped lots of folks from trying to make sense of a cross-Pacific deal that hasn't even been formally struck yet.

At least the outline of a possible transaction is coming into focus. According to The Wall Street Journal, Softbank -- which zoomed to success in the Japanese market thanks to a years-long exclusive on the iPhone -- would pony up as much as $12.8 billion to acquire a roughly 70 percent stake in Sprint Nextel. That payment … Read more

No, Samsung isn't interested in RIM

Samsung Electronics didn't waste time nipping that rumor in the bud.

The Korean conglomerate has flat-out told Reuters that it isn't interested in buying Research In Motion or licensing its next-generation BlackBerry 10 operating system.

"Samsung Electronics has not considered the acquisition of Research in Motion or licensing BB10," a representative told CNET.

The comment came after an analyst speculated this week that RIM might make an attractive target for Samsung.

RIM declined to comment on the speculation.

While Samsung remains the most dominant Android player and largest handset vendor in the world, the company has … Read more

The paradox of Microsoft's Skype acquisition integration

Microsoft paid $8.5 billion for Skype and it's trying to walk a line between leaving the Internet communications service independent and integrating it with its vast array of products.

It's one tough line to walk. The New York Times details Microsoft's integration of Skype so far and the software giant has erred on the side of independence. Skype is developing software for Android, iOS and other services as usual. Ironically, Skype is having issues with Windows Phone.

You see where Microsoft wants to go. Skype for Xbox with cool features. Integration with Windows 8, Lync, Windows … Read more

What to do about SMART errors in OS X

One error you might run into when attempting to install OS X on your computer is a claim by the installer that the hard drive has SMART errors and will not allow you to install to the selected drive. When this happens, the system will claim the drive cannot be repaired and recommend you back it up as soon as possible and replace the disk.

Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (aka, SMART) is a feature built into hard disks to monitor the heath status of the drives and provide the system with a method to detect an impending failure or … Read more

AT&T readies a Hail Mary pass on T-Mobile--report

AT&T is apparently readying a Hail Mary pass to save its foundering $39 billion bid for T-Mobile. Trouble is, there's every reason to think it won't be enough.

According to Bloomberg, the telecom giant is preparing to offer a deal to the Department of Justice under which AT&T would divest as much as 40 percent of T-Mobile's assets as part of the acquisition. It's not at all clear which parts of T-Mobile AT&T might consider shedding as part of this plan.

The Justice Department filed suit to block the deal … Read more

Sprint ordered to hand over internal docs to AT&T

AT&T recorded a minor victory after Sprint Nextel was ordered to hand over internal documents to its rival.

The two companies continue to be bitterly locked over AT&T's proposed acquisition of Mobile USA, which Sprint has fiercely fought against. U.S. Special Master Richard Levie ruled yesterday that Sprint would have to hand over additional critical documents to AT&T that it hadn't already given to the U.S. Justice Department, Bloomberg BusinessWeek reported yesterday.

AT&T had originally sought even more documents, which give insight into Sprint's game plan and … Read more