Apple, Microsoft may merge one day, says analyst. Wait. What?
How could these rivals ever become one? Analyst Keith Fitz-Gerald envisions the two companies coming together in the next 5 to 10 years.
Imagine Apple and Microsoft as one single company. Impossible, you say. Probably, but not according to one analyst.
Chatting with Fox Business on Monday, Keith Fitz-Gerald of Money Map Press advanced his seemingly wacky idea that Apple and Microsoft could merge in the not too distant future to combat their mutual rivals.
"This is one of those unthinkable but absolutely possible deals," Fitz-Gerald told "Varney & Co." host Stuart Varney. "I think that Apple and Microsoft may not only have to work together for the next few years but may even see a merger in the next five to ten years from now because they're going to have to take on the Google/Android/Facebooks of the world."
Attempting to digest Fitz-Gerald's theory, Varney brought up a valid point. He wasn't sure the government would allow a merger between the two tech giants. Fitz-Gerald acknowledged that his claim is pure speculation at this point but tried to drum up more support for it.
"Look at what Apple wants to accomplish with the mobile market," Fitz-Gerald said. "You look at the one Microsoft initiative. And you look at the cross-pollinization of devices. Content is king. Security is king. And you've got a user base between the Millennials and the senior citizens who have to have easy-to-use, functional stuff that is transparent between devices."
It's an intriguing theory, but sorry, I'm not sold. Yes, tech players will have to learn how to work together to create a more seamless and integrated playground for all our gadgets and devices. But an outright marriage between Apple and Microsoft?
Even if the two were to find themselves in such dire straights that a merger was the only solution, the US and European governments would never okay such a deal. Still, it's always interesting to speculate.