If Apple's looking to buy some companies, here are three suggestions
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If Apple's looking to buy some companies, here are three suggestions

At the top of my list is St. Clair Software, which makes one of my favorite apps: Default Folder X. It's an US$34.95 tool that enhances Open and Save dialogs in Mac OS X with features that should be built in.

If you’re not familiar with Default Folder, it lets you rename, delete and get info on files and folders from within the Open and Save dialog. It opens folders for you in the Finder. It can zap you to recently used and favorite folders. The Mac OS X needs such features, and it would be awfully nice if they were built in. However, I don't want Apple to simply "borrow" the idea from St. Clair; I want them to buy it. With Apple's coffers, it would probably mean pocket change.

Speaking of Mac OS X enhancements, Apple might fork over some dough for Path Finder from Cocoatech. The $39.99 app is a file browser and manager for Mac OS X. It looks and operates much like the Finder, but with many additional features and enhancements. It’s optimized for single window use, eliminating the clutter of overlapping windows. Think of Path Finder as the Finder on steroids.

Then there's Elgato, which makes hardware and software for watching TV on your Mac. There are some compelling reasons that Apple might consider such an acquisition.

For one, with the iTunes Store now renting and selling movies, as well as TV shows and other videos, it may be time for an iMac with a built-in TV tuner and appropriate software. Elgato makes such products (especially the well done EyeTV 3, which is as Mac-like as a product can get) and makes them well. Of course, Apple might develop its own products from scratch, but why reinvent the wheel?

If Apple released a true multimedia iMac with built-in multimedia features, the Elgato line-up could also be used to offer TV viewing/functionality for the rest of the Mac line as add-on products offered by Apple. Of course, Apple could buy Equinux or Miglia, which also make Mac/TV products.

Of course, maybe Apple has no interest in offering Macs with built-in TV functionality even though Sony, HP and other companies are offering such multimedia computers. Only Steve Jobs knows for sure.

But when it comes to companies that Apple MIGHT be interesting in acquiring, St. Clair, Cocoatech and Elgato (or at least some of their products) makes sense, at least to me. What companies do you think Apple might (or should) be eyeing? Drop me a line at dsellers@macsimumnews.com

 
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