Joe, your argument is convoluted. If Apple has all this cash, every company on the face of the earth wants a piece of it. But, obviously Apple has been VERY good at keeping small companies out of its pants pockets, big ones, too.

One other thought, though. Apple stays to itself, doesn't cooperate (e.g., it had it's own CES type event) and stays aloof and secret. There may be a few tech companies CEOs that may be cheering us on or even undermining Apple. Not everyone loved Jobs.

ORY