Apple to go it alone

Silence, they say, is golden. But in Apple Computer's case, that policy meant financial rot. And so the beleagured computer maker today decided to break the weeks of silence and declared it was not involved in merger talks "with any party."

The change of heart came about because the merger rumors and speculation were having a destabilizing effect on Apple's business. To underscore the point, Apple said it expects to post operational losses for the March quarter that will exceed the $69 million in losses it posted the previous quarter.

Apple said new CEO Gil Amelio's first priority is to put the company back on a solid growth track, not be distracted with merger and sale issues.

"I want to emphasize my strong belief, despite the obvious disappointment of our performance in the first and second quarters, that the foundations of our business are sound, and that Apple Computer has the ability, determination, and staying power to deal with current challenges and to move forward with confidence into the future," Amelio said in the statement released by the company. "I fully expect that our customers' grandchildren will be buying Apple products," Amelio said.