Registered: May 2001
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 101

I just read an article on CNET asking "Is weakened Palm ripe for aquisition?"

That's a very interesting question seeing as Palm has laid off people recently and is about to do it again, soon. They also had what some are calling a "botched" product launch -- referring to the m500s. And now Palm is in a price war with Handspring, therefore taking in less profit on each product they sell. There is speculation that Apple Computer, IBM, and Sony are interested in buying Palm.

I'm curious what do y'all here at VisorCentral think. Will Palm be bought out, if so by whom?

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Them Twin Cities
Posts: 1758

A "nobody!" vote would have been popular. Of those choices, I'd say IBM: Palm needs focus & nobody's better at focusing on enterprise-get-it-done-now than IBM. They've had it rough lately, but I think they're ready for a comeback!

...or not. whatever.

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Registered: May 2001
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 101

Sorry, I realized after I posted that a "nobody" vote should be there.

MODERATORS: can you add a "nobody -- Palm stays an individual company" to the poll?

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Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NC, Indiana
Posts: 465

I think IBM would be the best choice too. I don't use Apple's products, and I'm sure they would tilt towards their own products when dealing with compatibility (and I couldn't blame them, who wouldn't put priority on compatibility with your own products?). We need all the competition we can get so we don't need Sony's Clie line and Palm's line of PDAs to merge or one kill off another.

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Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Prison
Posts: 421

Well,

Most realistically is IBM. Of course, that means "bye bye" to anything Palm has that looks good. (They'd all become black plastic....)

The most interesting would be Apple. Apple is extremely good at designing killer products. But PC compatibility would remain an issue. But to be honest, they would always keep it PC compatible. (But you might see some cool stuff with Macs!)

Overall, I think Palm won't get bought out by anyone. If they do, it will be IBM. Not a bad thing either. I think Apple's primary interest is with Handspring. There's something going on here between these two companies.


As for sony... yeah right!!!!

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Registered: May 2001
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 101

I really hope that Apple doesn't buy any of 'em! Not Handspring, not Palm, not anything!

I can only imagine what these wonderful brands might succumb to if Apple were behind it all. Granted, Apple would definitely push the envelope in terms of aesthetic design, but I would be really nervous about compatibility (modules, accesories, anything expansion-wise). If Handspring could only have the Apple industrial designers' input, but no other input, we might have a really cool product on our hands. But I really hope both of these companies stay as they are.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

Re: Well,

quote:

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Originally posted by bblue
Most realistically is IBM. Of course, that means "bye bye" to anything Palm has that looks good. (They'd all become black plastic....)

---

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Prison
Posts: 421

Oh

Are the IBM ones Black Metal? (m505 & 500?)

Apple's not gonna buy HS. But they're working closely. "Think Strategic Alliance!" (Integration... oooh, maybe even design!) Maybe even a handheld that has multimedia capabilities! (pocket iMovie! ) oh well, that's a pipe dream... but still fun.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

Arrrrrgggghhhh!!

Edit1: OK, let's try it like this...

quote:

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Originally posted by bblue
Are the IBM ones Black Metal? (m505 & 500?)

---

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Seattle, Wa
Posts: 6

Now this would be good

I think the most interesting one would be Handspring buying out Palm, It would be a riot to see Hawkins and Dubinsky owning the company they started. I can see it now the new device for palm would be the Handspring Palm 90x with a built in Springboard slot

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Mountain View, CA
Posts: 211

Re: Oh

quote:

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Originally posted by bblue
Are the IBM ones Black Metal? (m505 & 500?)

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Last edited by Visor Guy2 on 06-06-2001 at 06:37 PM

Registered: May 2000
Location:
Posts: 209

Although the companies everyone is mentioning (with perhaps the exception of Handspring) certainly have deep enough pockets to aquire Palm; the question that should also be asked if whether a new suitor can really afford it...

I beleive the IRS gave both 3Com and Palm tax-free status for the distribution of Palm stock to 3Com shareholders and the reorganization of both entities. 3Com and Palm didn't pay a cent to Uncle Sam for spinning off Palm.

See Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

However, there's a catch-- anyone purchasing more than 50% of Palm Inc before June of 2002 will probably have to pay the tax liability for the spin off, irregardless that they never had a hand in the IPO, unless the new owners can petition the IRS to grant an exemption (and from what I understand, that's rare).

That could cost the new suitors lots of dollars-- as the tax liability is calculated on the original cost basis, not the deflated figures seen today (if Palm was worth more right now, then the original cost basis would be considered chump change to the new suitors-- the ROI would more than make up for it).

And someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it also applies to 3Com (anyone getting their hands on more than 50% of 3Com faces the same tax liability).

Any potential buyer that wants a majority interest in Palm would most likely have to have a war chest to cough up the tax money in addition to the company itself. I don't think any of the companies people are naming want to have a minority interest-- they wouldn't be able to be in the driver's seat that everyone's clammoring about.

Or, the new suitors can wait one more year

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:

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Originally posted by PastaGrrrl
MODERATORS: can you add a "nobody -- Palm stays an individual company" to the poll?

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Done

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

quote:

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Originally posted by PastaGrrrl
Sorry, I realized after I posted that a "nobody" vote should be there.

MODERATORS: can you add a "nobody -- Palm stays an individual company" to the poll?

---

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

Re: Now this would be good

quote:

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Originally posted by Dishnu
I think the most interesting one would be Handspring buying out Palm, It would be a riot to see Hawkins and Dubinsky owning the company they started. I can see it now the new device for palm would be the Handspring Palm 90x with a built in Springboard slot

---

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 380

I guess I would have to say IBM.

Palm's current corporate goal appears to be running itself into the ground with bad management decisions and a lack of vision. This while destroying a seemingly insurmountable market dominance.

IBM has the most experience accomplishing these tasks and can give Palm a lot of assistance and guidance.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

I nominate Brad for Post of the Month. LOL

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

quote:

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Originally posted by bradhaak
I guess I would have to say IBM.

Palm's current corporate goal appears to be running itself into the ground with bad management decisions and a lack of vision. This while destroying a seemingly insurmountable market dominance.

IBM has the most experience accomplishing these tasks and can give Palm a lot of assistance and guidance.

---

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 278

Handspring could not and would not ever buy Palm. Just for the reason of what is going on with Microsoft. Monopoly!

--David

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

quote:

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Originally posted by recordond
Handspring could not and would not ever buy Palm. Just for the reason of what is going on with Microsoft. Monopoly!

--David

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