Rumors are popping up around the ‘net that Microsoft may acquire Dutch GPS maker TomTom. Both Microsoft and TomTom are denying any such acquisition, although TomTom’s stock price shot up 6% (up to €32.41 as of last Tuesday) based on the rumors of a potential buy out from MSFT.

TomTom did not respond to requests for comment. The company's chief operating officer Alexander Ribbink has played down the speculation, telling Reuters: "That's news to me. I haven't heard about it".

After thinking about this one a bit, a TomTom acquisition might make sense for Microsoft. Currently the company makes Streets & Trips (AutoRoute in Europe), and has made no secret of the fact it wants a bigger piece of the PND pie.

Personally, I like the idea – Take TomTom’s good design and add Microsoft’s deep pockets and considerable marketing resources, and we might just actually get a TomTom/Microsoft product that functions correctly and has good customer support!