Google's Slide buy, which has now been confirmed, could be followed by another major gaming purchase as Apple is reportedly in talks to purchase the Chinese company Handseeing. Though the deal likely wouldn't be finalized this week, Handseeing would bolster Apple's game development capabilities, which job listings last year tagged for expansion.
"We should have a decision in about one or two months," Handseeing vice-president for operations Tian Bo told Reuters. "They're still talking about it and it's not quite settled yet right now."
Located in China's China's Sichuan province, Handseeing specializes in online games rooted in Chinese folklore. Whether Apple wants Handseeing for Chinese, American or international game development is a question that may not be answerable until when and if a deal goes through, but Handseeing must have done something right to catch warrant interest from the Mac and iPhone makers.
Depending on their role following the unfinished acquisition, U.S. Apple product users might not notice the results firsthand at all, but if Steve Jobs brings Handseeing into the fold as a major new software development wing, it could mean big things for Apple's gaming ambitions.
Would you be interested in seeing more games from Apple? Why do you think Apple might be interested in Handseeing? Let us know in the comment section or on Twitter! You can also follow me, MTV Multiplayer writer Brian Warmoth, on Twitter!