As has been discussed here before, it would raise all sorts of anti-trust concerns in the Justice Dept. if Apple were to attempt to acquire POET outright. (Though as also discussed, it might not be possible to stop them from acquiring a foreign company.)

Rest assured, there will be other big players who will do whatever it takes to keep Apple from owning the whole world. It keeps lobbyists rich, who ever so occasionally do something that amounts to a public good, though it's likely incidental when it happens.