Apple Inc. (AAPL), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Might Tim Cook Be a Fan of Kinect?

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) have competed for more than 30 years, but both have survived by having different ecosystems and slightly different business models. While they compete fiercely in some areas, they have been able to keep out of each other’s way in other areas, which has allowed each company to thrive in their own way. But there is an Israeli tech company (other than this one, we mean) that has been in each company’s radar for the last few years, and that company may bring the two tech giants together for one singular cause.

The advancement and sales growth of Kinect hardware for the Xbox gaming console. Yep.

Didn’t know that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) CEO Tim Cook was a gamer? Much less an Xbox fanatic? Well, OK, we don’t really have insight on that per se, but this small Israeli company has  done very well thanks to Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and its Xbox gaming system over the years, and now some new technology is making this small Israeli company a buyout target for Apple.

However, this is not the first go-round for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) with PrimeSense. Years ago, when PrimeSense was introducing its technology that has since become the Kinect for the Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Xbox franchise, Apple was ready to deal to acquire the technology. PrimeSense backed out then due to Apple’s  strict call for secrecy. PrimeSense was already publicly selling its technology at the time, and so the idea of secrecy was kind of like trying to put the horses back in the barn after the door was opened. PrimeSense backed out and ultimately licensed the Kinect-styled technology to Microsoft, and the Xbox franchise has taken off since.

In this latest iteration, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is reportedly in serious talks to acquire the entire company for just south of $300 million according to reports, rather than looking to get the license for the company’s latest tech breakthrough – computer chips than enable 3D machine vision. Right now the tech is being used in portable scanners to provide detailed three-dimensional color images and models of inside rooms and spaces. PrimeSense currently has its technology inside an ASUS PC. As ASUS is a Microsoft OEM, does Redmond have any position on this?

There is no word yet from Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) about whether the acquisition would affect its licensing agreement for Kinect, or whether Microsoft will make its own play for the technology, which seems like a good fit for the Xbox One system that is due to hit store shelves this fall.

What are your thoughts about this push by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)? How do you see Apple using this 3D tech in current devices (or those not yet known)? How do you think investors like fund manager David Tepper (see his full equity portfolio) would see this acquisition? Are all acquisitions seen positively? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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