APPLE REPORTED IN TALKS\Sony, Sun cited as merger potentials.

Byline: Catalina Ortiz Associated Press 

The fate of Apple Computer Inc. remained up in the air Friday and a trade paper reported that the company is exploring an alliance or merger with Sony Corp. as well as Sun Microsystems Inc.

But a deal isn't likely with anyone soon, according to the report by MacWeek on its on-line service. The newspaper quoted unidentified sources it said were familiar with the talks.

"The likely scenario is for Apple to remain independent and pull its own chestnuts out of the fire," said Mark Hall, editor in chief of MacWeek.

Representatives of Apple and Sony declined comment, citing their corporate policies not to discuss deals until they are complete.

Meanwhile, a week of intense speculation about Apple's future, centered mostly on reports that Sun was ready to buy it, drew to a close with no deal.

Apple's stock closed up 37-1/2 cents to $30.62-1/2 on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Sun shares closed down $1.62-1/2 to $42.25, also on Nasdaq.

Rumors about the price Sun was offering ranged widely, as they had for much of the week, from $23 per share, or $2.7 billion, to $33 per share, or $4 billion.

"We have a corporate policy, too, and we can't say anything," said Scott McNealy, chief executive officer for Sun.

The prospect that another company might be interested in Apple pleased some.

"If Apple's not worth a bidding war, then it truly is the end of Apple and that's a sad day for all of us," said Aaron Goldberg, executive vice president of Computer Intelligence Infocorp, a technology market research firm.

Apple has been the subject of takeover speculation for more than 18 months. While its Macintosh computer is highly regarded, the company has been hurt by high costs, rivals' price cuts and misjudgment about demand.