Recently there as been a lot of news and analysis about the relative positions of Google, Microsoft and Apple in the IT industry. In many ways, it appears that the three companies are bitter rivals and locked in a struggle to dominant the future of computing. The question many people are asking is how will this competition play out? Who will ultimately be left standing when the dust settles.
Apple has made a pretty spectacular rise lately. The media really grabbed onto the fact that Apple’s market capitalization recently bypassed Microsoft. There has been a lot of gossip about the former rival of Microsoft’s finally beating them. Every new device Apple releases seems to captivate the public at large. But is Apple really beating Microsoft? I would have to say no because Apple isn’t even playing the same game as Microsoft anymore.
Apple: Not a Computer Company
At one time, the rivalry between Apple and Microsoft centered around the desktop computer. While Apple still makes Mac desktops, and they have certainly cut into Microsoft’s market share, Apple really isn’t a computer company anymore. The wild success of the iPod, iPhone and now, iPad have repositioned Apple as a consumer electronics company. Apple spotted the trends towards mobile computing and got there ahead of anyone else.
With iTunes, Apple is also a media distribution company. This is the arena where Apple has the most to lose. So much of Apple’s business is based on the availability of content for their devices that any change in the content distribution model could potentially hurt Apple. Apple has created a very closed ecosystem for its users to acquire media for their devices. And they have almost monopoly power in the marketplace as a distributor of media and content. It seems unlikely that the content publishers themselves will remain happy with the status quo for long. This could create problems for Apple’s business model.
Recent missteps by Apple have also hurt their image somewhat. The recent antenna problem with iPhone 4.0 shows that Apple’s products are just as prone to errors or defects and any other vendor. While this will not affect the opinion of the Apple faithful, it may slow down the adoption of Apple by those seeking to avoid flaws in Microsoft’s products.
Microsoft: Missed Train
Microsoft at one time held a stranglehold on the PC industry. However, security flaws, a series of patent lawsuits and several antitrust actions have all damaged Microsoft’s lead. The greatest damage to Microsoft’s lead however, was caused by not realizing trends early enough to respond. The migration to mobile devices and the rapid growth of the mobile web seemed to completely catch Microsoft off guard. Their mobile strategy has never really been clear and the products that Microsoft has offered in the mobile space have been mediocre.
Microsoft has in many ways relied on their dominance of the desktop PC. Competition from Linux and Apple, have eaten into their market share. Additionally, the way people use computers is changing and with the rapid growth of smartphones, the traditional desktop’s days may be limited.
Fortunately, Microsoft has been able to make strong inroads in the enterprise market. This is one area where Microsoft still has a stronghold. Enterprises still prefer commercially support software and Microsoft has done an excellent job of marketing their server products. The enterprise market is also a highly profitable one while desktop PCs have fallen to near commodity prices. The.NET platform also gives Microsoft a strong grip in the enterprise market. This is a highly competitive market however and Microsoft faces stiff competition from other enterprise companies such as IBM, HP and Oracle. Additionally, open source solutions are quickly gaining more acceptance in the enterprise leading to even greater competition.
Microsoft’s greatest weakness is that it often tried to do everything. This in many ways may be its downfall. Bing has been a joke and it seems that use of Bing is directly tied to how much Microsoft spends. The best choice for Microsoft at this stage would be to concede the fight in those areas where they are performing poorly and focus their energies in the areas where they can still do well. If Microsoft were to do this and to begin to once again truly innovate in the enterprise space, they could easily enjoy a resurgence. Continuing to dabble in many segments with mediocre products, however, will likely lead to their demise.
Google: Advertising is Key
Google began as a search engine for the web. The web has been central to everything that Google does. They have moved into web based applications and are one of the leading companies in the cloud computing revolution. Google has dabbled in some other arenas creating the Android mobile platform, the Chrome browser, and the Chrome OS. But the web ties all of Google’s projects together.
Google’s approach to business is somewhat unique as well. They give their services and products away. Some of them have premium versions to which users can subscribe but these subscriptions represent a small fraction of Google’s revenues. Google’s revenue is mostly driven by advertising. By giving away email, search, and various web based applications, Google has created the ability to put ads in front of millions of users every day. They have successfully capitalized on this.
The real question for Google is whether this business model has long term potential. There has been a lot written lately by both web publishers and advertisers about dismal click through rates on Google Ad Words ads. Advertisers are continuously trying to find new ways to get their message across and lately social media has been the hot way to do so. Google has made a number of forays into social media with extremely limited success to date. If Google cannot find new innovative ways of delivering ads or devise a new revenue model, it will be a risk to their long term potential.
Google is working to innovate on their existing model however. They recently purchased a company who delivers mobile ads. This shows that Google is aware of how the web is evolving and is attempting to find new ways to develop their existing business model. Whether this will be successful remains to be seen.
Google’s core business has always been search-making sense of the chaos. Fortunately, for Google, making sense of chaos seems to be a much needed skill these days. Our society is so information focused that people are bombarded with information from various sources on a constant basis. This trend suggests that Google’s core competency of indexing and retrieving information will also be in high demand.
So ultimately, who will be left standing? Personally, my money is on Google. They have positioned themselves well and have truly been able to innovate their business time and again. The growth of the volume of information that users must tackle means that the need for search and indexing is unlikely to drop anytime soon. While I’m betting that Google will emerge as the leader, I don’t believe for a moment that Apple will fail or go away. Apple has a great deal of strength as a consumer products company and a media distributor. I doubt that will change anytime soon. I just don’t really view Apple as a computer company any longer.
Category Archives: Apple
Apple – Are They Really the Innovators and Brand Leaders They Say They Are?
Apple when it was first created was the brain child of very well known (nowadays anyways) Steve Jobbs. Apple’s first foray was in the personal computer sector as they designed a new breed of PC’s that rivaled Microsoft back in the 80′s. Apple products were not hugely popular in the early stages but there was enough sales to keep the company afloat and continue developing new products.
Since then Apple has launched their iPod as a direct competitor to MP3 players, that has far more advanced functions and more of them, basically rendering MP3 players obsolete. Shortly followed up with their iPhone, a sophisticated ‘smart’ phone as they put a new challenge to phone developing companies. During this time Steve Jobbs has been let go and rehired at Apple which begs the question huh? Why did he sell his controlling share if Apple was his beloved baby and more importantly why would Apple after removing him from office reinstate him a couple of years later?
When the recently launched iPhone 3G landed in stores, many consumers were very unhappy with how Apple had handled the the research and development of the new phone with regard to what the consumers were getting. Not only were most iPhones limited to the service provider that was also owned by Apple, but they lacked many features other much older and less ‘intelligent’ phones have. MMS or multi media messaging has been since the mid 90′s yet the original iPhone was not capable of such, even the newer 3g model did not have this capability until several months after release which begs the question did Apple only tack MMS onto the new phone due to massive customer unhappiness?
It seems just like with the iPod that the iPhone is heading in the same “Since I rule this market with the only/’best’ product” mentality they seem to be lacking the go forward and innovation they have claimed to have for years. Apple will seriously need to reevaluate this do the minimum it takes approach now with Microsoft’s music and multimedia platform the Zune and its successor on the market along with the android phone and many other companies that are on the up and up who are actually bringing innovation to what was once a Apple dominated market.
Apple Vinegar For Skin Care
Personally, I first learned about the apple vinegar from my medical college professor Dr.Ahmed Newaj. Apple cider vinegar contains a lot of potassium and has the ability to bind to potassium are necessary for the body trace elements as phosphorus, sulfur, magnesium, chlorine, sodium, calcium, iron, fluorine, silicon…In the early 20 th century farm experiments were conducted on cows, and only then cider vinegar American doctors began to recommend to people.
But it turns out, the discovery of healing properties of apple cider vinegar has more than ancient peoples. For example, he was known for the beauties of ancient Egypt, which was diluted vinegar with water and wipe face to preserve his youth and smoothness of the skin.
However, vinegar is useful to men to maintain vigor, physical strength and endurance. That it was diluted with water and drank the Roman soldiers during long trips. As part of apple cider vinegar – not less than 60 organic compounds. Modern folk medicine recommends the use of vinegar in the spring to prevent seasonal allergies – pollen plants. To do this two weeks before the blossoming of trees and grasses – in the morning on an empty stomach and at night before bedtime take this remedy:
1 cup boiling water, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar + 1 teaspoon of honey.
After the flowering season vinegar is recommended on drink another 2 weeks.
When poor-quality food poisoning, pain in the stomach and bowels, heartburn, infection, heaviness in the stomach – to take a month solution – 1-2 tbsp. tablespoons apple cider vinegar in a glass of water before each meal. When apathy, fatigue, drowsiness, reduced vigor, efficiency – 2 teaspoons to 1 cup boiling water + 1 teaspoon of honey. Consumed half an hour before breakfast. Always on an empty stomach.
Apple cider vinegar – the irreplaceable assistant hudeyuschego all, because it breaks down fats, regulates metabolism and reduces cravings for sweets.
In this case, take it to 1 glass before each meal.
On 1 st. water – 1st. tablespoon of vinegar and allowed 1 / 2 teaspoon of honey. When cystitis. 1st. spoonful of vinegar to 1 cup of water. Take 5-6 times per day before meals. When insomnia. 2 teaspoons vinegar + 1 teaspoon of honey in 1 glass of water. Drink before bedtime. Against the fungus on my feet. Legs wash and wipe a few times a day (overnight optional) undiluted apple cider vinegar and meta-affected wet nails. Diluted apple cider vinegar wipe the body at high temperature. Vinegar helps with insect bites in summer. Cellulite. Undiluted water 1:1 cider vinegar to rub on a daily basis in problem areas to obtain, the desired effect.
To get rid of fine wrinkles and prevent large.
1 tbsp. spoonful of vinegar diluted in the 1st. boiled water and wipe face with careful movements in the morning and evening. Such a composition can be used routinely instead of lotion and tonic.
For the pomp and splendor hair.
2 tbsp. tablespoons of vinegar per 1 liter of water – rinse your hair regularly after each wash it.
Apple cider vinegar is sold in stores and is inexpensive, but experienced people say that for medicinal and cosmetic purposes only suitable vinegar own cooking, since it is all useful properties.
Prepare it easy, even if there are no skills:
1. You will need:
1 kg over-ripe, sweet apples; 70 gr. sugar 1 liter of water
Preparation:
Apples are washed and cut into small pieces, lay in an enamel bowl and pour hot water so that water covered apples on 2 fingers. Put the pan in a warm place in the shade. From time to time a lot of stir. After 14 days, strain through cheesecloth, folded in two layers, and pour in three-liter jar fermentation. After 14 days, to pour vinegar into dark bottles, not filling up the neck of 6-7cm. Clogged. Store in a dark place.
2. You will need:
400gr. apples 2 cups water 50g. sugar 5g. yeast
Preparation:
Apples are washed, grate, to shift into the big jar. Water to boil, cool, fill with apple her weight.
Put jar in clear in a dark place, for example, in the pantry for two weeks. Massu to stir in the morning and evening with a wooden spoon.
Two weeks to filter through 2-3 layers of gauze and pour the liquid into a clean jar, cover jar with gauze and leave for six weeks, then strain into bottles.