Apple Cannot Handle More Than 5-Percent

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the Tom's Hardware community: where nearly two million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Status
Not open for further replies.
i think the point is missed with this article. Apple doesn't want to lead. It costs to much to do so and maintain. Nokia spends craploads to maintain it's No.1 status yet Apple crushed them in earnings from their phone unit and they don't sell nowhere near the same amount. It's about how much each unit sell earns along with the marketplace earnings.

In that, Apple does understand the main point is shareholder value and not market share. MercedezBenz doesn't sell as many cars as GM, but they earn alot more per car.

That's the point of good business. It's not about leading, it's about earning profit.

BTW, my next phone will be the Captivate.
 
[citation][nom]caustin582[/nom]Side note: Tom's Hardware really should add an option for deleting one's own comments. My computer here at work choked all of a sudden and somehow posted my comment twice. Go ahead and rate down/hide the copy. Meh.[/citation]They have it, but only under "Tom's Hardware Articles"... on "Tom's Guide" you cant. Anyway, at the top of the comment section, you'll see a link for "View comments in FORUM"... click that, find your entry and delete one.
 
Oh, by the way regular people don't give a crap about "open source," they just want their stuff to work, preferably without needing a degree in computer science.
 
Microsoft has always put threw, my bit is that apple will lead the bunch.
 
[citation][nom]richpmd[/nom]What inane analysis. So you don't think Apple "will rule the world." Keep in mind the goal of all companies is to MAKE MONEY. Is it any wonder that an operating system that is given away for free is "outselling" iOS? Google on the other hand has not found a way to make money from anything other than browser based search. They may well become a sort of standard in smartphones in the same way mediocre Microsoft software has in the PC arena but will probably not enjoy the same fortunes as Microsoft who actually sells their software. Since browser based internet use will probably decline markedly over time, eventually I wouldn't be surprised to see Google fade away unless they change their business model to derive revenue from selling something other than advertising. Apple seems to find ways to MAKE MONEY selling high quality innovative products and probably always will. Their products are easy, nice and enjoyable to use for regular people. Their support is constantly rated as the best in the industry. As a company Apple will not only survive but thrive because they find ways to MAKE MONEY giving people what they want even if they don't "rule the world."[/citation]

Delusions of grandeur, Apples shares were $4 in 2001 because of this attitude. The question is not what Apple can and can not, it's that a 1 man show can not beat an army, whether, google finds a way to make money off android or not is irrelevant it's the fact that it's open and some will and will eventually be competition for apple. Microsoft sells their OS but that's not even what made them successful it's that they allowed their OS to run on any machine, and allowed anyone to develop software for their OS early on, and by sheer adoption of numbers kicked Apples tail. It's the same philosophy it's not about what Google does itself , it's the fact that Android has the potential to be come ubiquitous with Mobile OS as the Microsoft OS is for PC's, simply put it becoming the defacto standard would destroy Apples ability to make money, because, no one would care how innovative it is, because, it's not used. Think VHS vs BetaMax (Beta lost although the better tech).

Anyway, you keep thinking, Apples philosophy won't see them at $4 a share again.
 
Also in the mobile world no matter if the OP wants to ignore it or not. Windows Phone 7 will put a dent in the market and potentially (if Microsoft puts everything it learned from Windows 7, Zune, and Kin into the mix) could make a lot of headway just like Android. With Microsoft's much more friendly acceptance and handling of Developers, I feel a lot of Devs and users alike will switch to Windows Phone. The device's/OS is not out yet so nobody can say for sure. But so far things look good, functional, powerful, and usable. (Do not point out for the Dillionth time Copy/Paste, Flash, Side-loading, etc. We all know the current state and people should learn that things are coming/can change.)
 
I like my iphone4 alot more than my previous Nexus One. But Google can improve the android platform. Apple on the other hand, will always be the arrogant and controlling company we all know. I sure hope things continue to go Google's way, and even MS's when they release their phones.
 
[citation][nom]IM0001[/nom]Also in the mobile world no matter if the OP wants to ignore it or not. Windows Phone 7 will put a dent in the market and potentially (if Microsoft puts everything it learned from Windows 7, Zune, and Kin into the mix) could make a lot of headway just like Android. With Microsoft's much more friendly acceptance and handling of Developers, I feel a lot of Devs and users alike will switch to Windows Phone. The device's/OS is not out yet so nobody can say for sure. But so far things look good, functional, powerful, and usable. (Do not point out for the Dillionth time Copy/Paste, Flash, Side-loading, etc. We all know the current state and people should learn that things are coming/can change.)[/citation]

Very few will disagree that MS has by far the best tools for developpers. Visual Studio is better than the Eclipse/AndroidSDK combo, and both of these can't even be compared to the mess that is XCode and the useless language objective-c.
 
who knew the walled garden model wouldn't work? who knew that getting help, working with other companies, and treating your friends nice could actually pay off? lol, not apple
 
It is good an article about Apple that centers its analysis on, well, Apple as a company, its leader, products and behaviors and not on its customers. I wont defend Apple as I don't really have a personal interest in deny or reaffirm what is the real perception or reality from their problems or disadvantages. I don't necessarily agree with all said in this article but I respect this analysis a 100%. But also in general let me say I share many arguments.

My most serious complains about many Apple analysis, and is something I have seen here too at Toms is the hate Apple historically generates and particularly how this hate translates into insults and hate on Apple users. Friends, people, center your opinions on educated arguments about Apple and stop putting so much hate into the Apple user. A smart argument debate is always interesting but being insulted is simply not an argument.

I have my complains about Apple too, as I feel Apple payed excessive attention in the latest years to its new creations and not that much to its line of Professional software and computers. I get it, it is not exiting anymore to design desktop computers or workstations as there is little revenue for this products and now it looks like this products wont be the future of mass consumption. Not only for Apple, but seriously for the entire market and the industry. This makes me feel bad as I depend on powerful systems but also I need them to be affordable too. At $2500-3000 price point I have no interest in buying any of the latest Mac Pro as my 2008 3K system is still more powerful for what I do. I will invest this year on building a replacement for my PC, and I am exited about it.

What I don't share about the analysis in this article is that Apple is in risk not to increase its market share beyond a 10% in the US or 5% globally. And this is something I can say about Apple with Steve Jobs vision: Besides the Apple mistakes I am not justifying, Apple does not traditionally cares to have even 20% or more of the market. iTunes, iPods, iPhones and iPads are big exception as tied to Apple as many see them. Right or wrong Apple does not plays the popular game in this sense. Quite contrary, this latest Apple success is not Apple vision of Apple quality/price products. But Apple managed to produce high margin products at a price many still can afford. This is something different today about Apple.

What I share in this analysis is the concern with Apple managing its huge success. It is being Apple's game lately, but lets not get crazy this success wont last to long for Apple or for any other company. There are a number of capable companies today able to create smarter products at an attractive price. I don't know what the next Apple product will be or if the company will keep its current pace but I believe many companies today learned the "Apple lesson" for good and bad, so it will be harder for Apple to keep its momentum. But personally, I just want quality products I can use for what is important to me. In this sense I am only loyal to myself.
 
[citation][nom]matt314[/nom]Very few will disagree that MS has by far the best tools for developers. Visual Studio is better than the Eclipse/AndroidSDK combo, and both of these can't even be compared to the mess that is XCode and the useless language objective-c.[/citation]

Yep. And even though it sounds like their are a lot of limitations Microsoft is putting on what Devs can and cannot do atm on WP7 thus far, I believe a lot of it is aimed at what we have learned from Apple and Google. Microsoft wants to be able to update their entire list of phones without nearly as much chance of screwup and bricks while at the same time, allowing everyone to have the latest version, on any device, and it just work. The apps limitations will allow Microsoft to see how things play out, and possibly will have limits be lifted as they see fit to make sure that all phones (I would think) could use all the apps on the marketplace without having performance or hardware limitations. It's the best way to introduce a new device with a good marketplace and have the solid knowledge that everything will "Just Work" On release day (or at least we dang well hope so). I believe in the later part of next year or two, its going to be a real good showdown mainly of WP7 VS Android and overall, a really good land for Customers. No Carrier specific lockdowns, tons of apps, and 2 large companies battling for that Value Added extra.
 
I once repaired Apple computers for the public school and I thought there were absolutely the worst computers in the world. Until they switched to Intel. Then I finally realized that they could be something until now. Now, I own an iPhone, two MacBooks, one MacBook Pro, two iPod Touches, a Magic Mouse and an iPad. My iPod Touches died one me. My iPhone has been acting up. It's only 5 months old and in brand new conditions. And then my MacBook Pro keeps on freezing up on me. I could not even use to surf the web or watch more than two YouTube videos. As opposed to my cheap $650 Toshiba Satellite. It has been absolutely perfect for everything. So, what do I think of Apple now? I hope Apple goes to hell. I am not impressed with the iPhone 4. I am more impressed by the Evo. I am absolutely certain that the Android phones which continues to evolve on a daily basis because there are so many manufacturers competing to build the best Android phone will surpass iPhone 4 really soon. I am going to wait. iPhone 4 is built by Apple and Apple cannot afford to change it on a monthly basis like the Android phones.

So, will there ever be another Apple for me? Absolutely NOT!!!

Down with Apple. Up with freedom and competition!!!!
 
It's just history repeating itself, last time Apple had the lead was in home PC's (wayyy back when the Apple IIe was selling like hot cakes) they refused to allow clones but the PC market did... and there you have it.
 
Nice analysis. I liked it.
Is there any sizable market segment in which Apple is the "best?" I can't think of any; "easiest," maybe, a default for those unwilling, unable, or trained not to think; but "best," no. I think they're running on fumes.

Edit: Sad, but killerclick's observation is valid.
 
"no one really took Apple serious back then"
"but you just did not take them that serious"

Sorry, but I stopped reading after the second time the writer did that.

It's serious-LY. Seriously. The adverb form is seriously. Serious...LY.

Tom Lehrer could have been a big help here (http://dmdb.org/lyrics/lehrer.misc.html#ly), only I fear the writer may be too young to have watched "The Electric Company" back in the day.

Please, people...if you're going to write frequently for publication, you should at least be acquainted with the basic parts of speech.
 
[citation][nom]KevinTMC[/nom]"no one really took Apple serious back then""but you just did not take them that serious"Sorry, but I stopped reading after the second time the writer did that.It's serious-LY. Seriously. The adverb form is seriously. Serious...LY.Tom Lehrer could have been a big help here (http://dmdb.org/lyrics/lehrer.misc.html#ly), only I fear the writer may be too young to have watched "The Electric Company" back in the day.Please, people...if you're going to write frequently for publication, you should at least be acquainted with the basic parts of speech.[/citation]
You do realize English is not Gruener's native language, yes? I thought the article was actually well written from a grammatical standpoint considering it was written by a non-native speaker. How well can you write in German?
 
Quote:
- require Apple to start taking rivals seriously
- tone down its arrogance
- realize that consumers have a brain
- shift its business strategy
- and build strong and lasting relationships that can weather a storm

Apple will never bow down to these ridiculous request.
 
This is another article that seems to misunderstand everything, and consequently makes an extremely successful company seem stupid. It's not the company that's stupid.

Apple has never been about massive market share, or commodities. It's not about beating Google, or anything idiotic like that. They aren't trying to win the market share battles - they never have. You have to price too low, and Apple's not about that.

Ever since the Apple II, they priced way higher than they should have, but still managed to sell stuff.

5% of a huge market is still a lot of money, especially when you're getting the best 5% of it, not the bottom feeders. They'll take big market share when they can get it, but it's never been their business model, and probably won't be as long as Jobs is running the show.

So, it's almost a certainty they'll lose market share in phones, but that still doesn't mean they've lost to Google. One is going for the mass market, one is going for the affluent market. They can both succeed, just like Microsoft and Apple do now. Neither one is wanting for profits.
 
by not being open source, they are really giving up 95% of the market. if they loosen up, and chill out with all the proprietary BS, they will rise and shine
 
[citation][nom]thirdshop[/nom]You do realize English is not Gruener's native language, yes? I thought the article was actually well written from a grammatical standpoint considering it was written by a non-native speaker. How well can you write in German?[/citation]

Barely well enough to be understood, I'm afraid. High school was a long time ago and I haven't kept up with it.

You're right...the prose quality is admirable if it's coming from a non-native speaker. (I did notice the byline, but did not recognize the name; and I've had born-and-bred American friends with equally Teutonic names.) So if that's the case, I apologize for the tone of my post above.

I still would have said something though, even if I knew more about the writer. My mother and fiancee are both English teachers. So I really have no choice in the matter. 🙂
 
Getting back to the actual topic, the folks at National Review had a much more positive spin recently on the "gated community" model, in the context of a proposal to create a new .kids TLD. The relevant graf:

And our hunch is that mainstream businesses would welcome a .kids domain. The free market is already responding to the faults and limitations of the Internet’s Wild West character: Apple has enjoyed its brilliant success in part because it has addressed the desires of customers (who value ease of use and grace of design) ahead of others less attuned to consumer demand. Jobs clearly sees a wave coming — broad demand for intelligent content filters to help impose some commonsensical order on the chaos — and he plans to ride it.
Click to expand...

(http://article.nationalreview.com/437945/gated-or-x-rated/jonah-goldberg-nick-schulz)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom