06-26-2010, 12:17 AM
Apple can do well in the MP3 market because it's a different model. Everyone is making their own hardware and their own software, and Apple is very capable of competing in that model. There's no Microsoft or Google OS for MP3 players for hardware manufacturers to flock to (or will Android do that, too?).
Apple's problem is that they try to INSIST on being the only people making the hardware for their OS, while Google and Microsoft only care about the operating system.
Still, the switch to Intel so that Macs could run Windows seems like an admission within Apple that if push comes to shove, they will live on as a hardware company rather than continue putting all their bets on their own OS. If Android does take off, I don't think it will kill iPhones, but it might cause Apple to relent and come out with an iPhone that comes with the Android OS!
It's not like I'm philosophically against a company making its own hardware and software. I'm just saying that Apple lost the PC market because of the same thing we're starting to see happen in the phone market. Only in fully self-contained markets (like MP3) has Apple really been able to shine and stay shining.
...
I think you'll see tablets going the same way (and no, the Kindle is not a tablet computer). Apple launches the trend but then someone else comes along and takes their ball away from them, like Microsoft did with Windows. There are lots of companies out there hoping to make a profit in the phone or tablet business and when it comes down to it, their choices are:
a) Develop their own OS
b) Use Windows or Android
c) Use Apple's OS
Well "C" is out because Apple won't let them use their OS. Apple doesn't want to have to directly compete on hardware if they can avoid it.
So the real choice is A vs B. And obviously just about everyone chooses "B".
The only way Apple can really dominate is to continually outsmart the entire hardware industry, which is what they have pitted themselves against with their business plan.
Apple's problem is that they try to INSIST on being the only people making the hardware for their OS, while Google and Microsoft only care about the operating system.
Still, the switch to Intel so that Macs could run Windows seems like an admission within Apple that if push comes to shove, they will live on as a hardware company rather than continue putting all their bets on their own OS. If Android does take off, I don't think it will kill iPhones, but it might cause Apple to relent and come out with an iPhone that comes with the Android OS!
It's not like I'm philosophically against a company making its own hardware and software. I'm just saying that Apple lost the PC market because of the same thing we're starting to see happen in the phone market. Only in fully self-contained markets (like MP3) has Apple really been able to shine and stay shining.
...
I think you'll see tablets going the same way (and no, the Kindle is not a tablet computer). Apple launches the trend but then someone else comes along and takes their ball away from them, like Microsoft did with Windows. There are lots of companies out there hoping to make a profit in the phone or tablet business and when it comes down to it, their choices are:
a) Develop their own OS
b) Use Windows or Android
c) Use Apple's OS
Well "C" is out because Apple won't let them use their OS. Apple doesn't want to have to directly compete on hardware if they can avoid it.
So the real choice is A vs B. And obviously just about everyone chooses "B".
The only way Apple can really dominate is to continually outsmart the entire hardware industry, which is what they have pitted themselves against with their business plan.