Submitted by: kirkland on Wednesday February 23rd, 2005 at 04:56 PM EST

Reuters notes today that shares of TiVo have shot up more than 17 percent, based on speculation that the company may be bought by Apple Computer Inc.

"What we hear on the street is that Apple is interested in their business and that they are a takeout target," said analyst Steven Kroll Jr. of Monness, Crespi, Hardt & Co.

Representatives for Apple and TiVo both declined comment.

TiVo has said in the past that the company is not for sale, but with a market cap of $300 million, it may be an easy target for media companies.

Apple Computer's successful iPod line continues to soar with updates and price drops across the line today. Apple has also been long rumored to produce a set top box, akin to TiVo or Microsoft's Windows Media Center.