So let´s see...
The reasons why MS would buy AMD would be to tighten their hardware up a bit. Having Xbox, Surface and now HoloLens, then they could perhaps make better integration SW/HW wise. (More like Apple is doing with their chip designs).
Or this could be a strategy just to be inside popular hardware, so that even though they are not the main OS or main whatever, at least they could be SOC solution for that device.
But if they really wanted to do it like this, then they would buy ARM.
Buying AMD should not affect MS relationship with either Sony or Intel.
(Btw, Intel invests heavily in Liniux, that does not seem to affect Wintel so much)
MS does seems to be opening up, Office is now for almost every plattform and the mentality seems to be like this. A scenario I think would be cool, just because it has potential to rock the world a bit is the following.
1. MS and Nintendo joint console
- MS provides HW with inputs/requirements from Nintendo. MS also provides online infrastructure, with input from Nintendo.
2. MS provides their own handcontroller, Nintendo provides their own handcontroller. Basically, you can from the beginning choose which flavor you want to start with and later on buy the other handcontroller. This way, it allows for Nintendo to do their thing with controllers as they always like to introduce something new in this field. This way, to play Super Mario or whatever, you have to have the Nintendo controller.
3. Both companies share costs for R&D, hardware and ad expenses and Nintendo would have to swallow their pride and have XBoxLive become the default online service for all their games because as it is now, their online infrastructure is shaaaite.
Both companies have a desirable console, Nintendo will have the chance to introduce their franchaises to many more and MS also gets a push because of this.
Because if this rumor is true, then Nintendos next console might anyways have MS inside of them
