The Battle Rages on Between Apple and Microsoft
November 19th, 2009
Ever since the mid to late seventies when both companies were created, Apple and Microsoft have always been trying to get ahead of the other with new operating systems for computers. But in the 21st century, the battleground now has reached cell phones.
In 2007, Apple came out with the innovation known as the iPhone. Apple used AT&T to take the iPhone to the next level with internet. Now AT&T is being used by Microsoft for the first Windows phone, the HTC Pure. This phone comes with applications you would see in a Windows computer: Excel, Word, Outlook, Internet Explorer, etc. This is probably part of2 Microsoft’s response
to the iPhone. The Pure also comes along with a similar type of app idea that the iPhone had. Microsoft has a pretty clever ad campaign as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F92k35PIro.
Although Apple overpowers Microsoft when it comes to the best phone, Microsoft has another response to the iPhone: Windows 7. Although Windows 7 does not seem like the iPhone of operating systems, it puts the battle back on the turf that Microsoft knows best: computers. But, Apple has done a fair job of demoting Windows 7 though advertising. Here is an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nHOWWDdpLo. Microsoft had Windows 7 ad campaigns also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU84T7T0mzY. While Apple has advertised its iPhone, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zm-TUQKQgw), other cell phone companies, especially Verizon Wireless, have launched major ad campaigns against the iPhone and AT&T http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECF-tBIK6pw.
As I was reading a Newsweek article about the battle between Apple and Microsoft (written by Daniel Lyons), I realized that this is what happened 25 years ago when Apple released the original Macintosh. Six years later, Windows finally responded with Windows 3.0. For those six years Apple dominated the market. But now Windows trumps the market share with 90 percent while Apple just gets by with 5 percent. Now, that Apple is making the big bucks on the iPhone, will it find in three to five years on the verge of defeat? What was the mistake Apple made with Macintosh? Apple CEO Steve Jobs is a fanatic of keeping the software tightly connected with the hardware. Mac did not allow companies license its software. Microsoft let any PC user license its software creating a more un-predictable experience. This was bad news for Apple as Microsoft soared above. It seems as Apple has learned from its mistake 25 years ago encouraging customers to create their own apps for the iPhone.
While I will always be a Microsoft guy, it has always been fun to study the differences, the similarities, the mistakes, and what they did right. This seems like a crucial point in tech history. Is Windows 7 a good response to the iPhone or will Apple take the lead and keep it for a long time? The battle between Apple and Microsoft continues……..
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