In pattern of events almost as old as the personal computer itself, a business model perfected by the Cupertino, California-based Mac, iPod and iPhone maker is being “embraced” by the company’s old rival in Redmond. As always, the software giant is blatantly ripping off cribbing quite liberally from Apple, even going so far as to build “Guru Bars” into its yet to open chain of retail outlets.
The Apple rumor mill continues to churn out guesses about the details of the tablet device. Some of that conjecture is is interesting and possible; other guesses border on the absurd.
Back in the ’90s, Microsoft nearly flattered Apple to death with its imitations of the Cupertino, CA-based company’s Macintosh operating system. Today, as Apple’s innovative computers, media players and smartphones increasingly dominate, Redmond’s ham-fisted efforts to keep up seem tired and sadly misdirected.
One columnist has made the statement that the Apple App Store represents an evil monopoly and now it seems that everyone else is climbing on the bandwagon to let the world sell iPhone apps.
Yes, once again our favorite fruit is the best of the best of the best when it comes to innovating. They’ve got the iPod + iTunes thing rocking the music world, plus the Jesus phone + App Store printing money like it’s going out of style and don’t forget how the Mac’s tripled its market share in recent years. But, why in the name of Peter Cottontail hasn’t Microsoft been laughed right off the listing?
If teens are the future, then pretty much all of the technology companies both large and small who make handheld mp3 players, not to mention media download sites, should be looking for other lines of business. For example, when asked about their media player buying intentions, 600 students surveyed recently had only one answer and it wasn’t the Zune.
Mrs. Microsoft says that iPods or iPhones are on a list of things that are banned in their home and for their children. Still, she admits in a recent interview that she wouldn’t mind having one of Apple’s fashionable and stylish smart phones.
A tongue in cheek preview of Redmond’s foray onto main street and the many, many ways that the maker of Windows, Office and Internet Explorer will likely founder as it seeks to follow in Apple’s highly successful, well documented footsteps.
Over the last week or so, quite a few companies have announced earnings for the 2008 holiday shopping season, including our favorite fruit company—record profits on record revenues.
NBC announced the release of their new online distribution service, NBC Direct, earlier today. NBC direct will allow users to download recent releases of the channel’s popular shows and keep them for up to a week. Unfortunately, Mac users can begin their weeping and gnashing of teeth, as NBC has seen fit to shun the entire OS X using community by making it a Windows-only feature.
Technology news Windows News iPhone & Touch Mobile technology news Green tech Buying guides Gaming news Photography news
