Now I'm really considering becoming one of those Appletards and become cool for a change.
Showing posts with label Apple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Apple. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The new Iphone out July 11 for 199$ all over the world. And now? | PiZero Nokia & Symbian Design
The new Iphone out July 11 for 199$ all over the world. And now? | PiZero Nokia & Symbian Design
I have just finished watching this year's WWDC keynote. All I can say is that I'm stunned. Apple is not the one that I knew anymore; it is focused now on worldwide dominance, delivering this super beautiful looking device at 199 USD each, when everything else boils with inflation.
Now I'm really considering becoming one of those Appletards and become cool for a change.
Now I'm really considering becoming one of those Appletards and become cool for a change.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
US Internet will shrink to 2 strong players-report - Forbes.com
US Internet will shrink to 2 strong players-report - Forbes.com
......which fits exactly with my own prediction. Internet companies require vision, and among all those companies, only Google and Amazon have shown a constant vigilance and preparation for what it is to come. Ok, perhaps we should also add Apple to the mix, for it is now the largest music retailer on the internet, and perhaps the most successful mobile device maker by the introduction of iPhone 3G. Yes, people have always underestimated this company (including myself), but Apple has shown to attack when it is least expected. After all, Apple is going to own both the device (iPhone, iPod) and internet (expansion of iTune store).
......which fits exactly with my own prediction. Internet companies require vision, and among all those companies, only Google and Amazon have shown a constant vigilance and preparation for what it is to come. Ok, perhaps we should also add Apple to the mix, for it is now the largest music retailer on the internet, and perhaps the most successful mobile device maker by the introduction of iPhone 3G. Yes, people have always underestimated this company (including myself), but Apple has shown to attack when it is least expected. After all, Apple is going to own both the device (iPhone, iPod) and internet (expansion of iTune store).
Sunday, May 25, 2008
HP leaves Dell with an EDS-shaped hole | Channel Register
HP leaves Dell with an EDS-shaped hole | Channel Register
Where would Dell go for next step?
Among all enterprise IT vendors, Dell is the only vendor whom does not possess its own IT consulting arm. Honestly, that indeed may make Dell to stand in an unfavorable position.
On the consumer side, even Apple has surpassed Dell in PC sales. Standing under the shadow of IT giants like IBM and HP, Dell's line of PC Servers is going to suffer even fiercer competition. In age of consolidation, those whom don't buy get bought. But as always, it is easier said than done.
Dell might as well as learn from lessons of BEA, my former employer. BEA focused on its strength-middleware-and tried to be the sole significant independent enterprise software provider standing, and we know how it went.
People like Carl Ichan is always watching for suitable target. Who know which company is next after the market has digested Microsfot-Yahoo! takeover?
Where would Dell go for next step?
Among all enterprise IT vendors, Dell is the only vendor whom does not possess its own IT consulting arm. Honestly, that indeed may make Dell to stand in an unfavorable position.
On the consumer side, even Apple has surpassed Dell in PC sales. Standing under the shadow of IT giants like IBM and HP, Dell's line of PC Servers is going to suffer even fiercer competition. In age of consolidation, those whom don't buy get bought. But as always, it is easier said than done.
Dell might as well as learn from lessons of BEA, my former employer. BEA focused on its strength-middleware-and tried to be the sole significant independent enterprise software provider standing, and we know how it went.
People like Carl Ichan is always watching for suitable target. Who know which company is next after the market has digested Microsfot-Yahoo! takeover?
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Acer trumped Dell in Q4 07 world laptop sales | The Register
Acer trumped Dell in Q4 07 world laptop sales | The Register
The only truth of business is that everything changes with time. How could we imagine a powerful Dell being surpassed by Apple and Acer in sales?
Both Acer and Asus are Taiwanese brand that struggled for a decade to gain worldwide recognition. Decades ago, many Taiwanese PC manufacturers faced a difficult dilemma: to brand or not to brand? Many of those companies that chosen to brand their own PC/NB were severely punished by big names like IBM, Dell, Compaq and HP. Even today, many quality PC/NB manufacturers in Taiwan still are afraid of a branding strategy, for it means immediate retribution.
It makes me think to see the trend reversing. Actually, no matter which brand of PC or NB you use, it comes (with almost certainty) from a Taiwanese manufacturer. There is no obvious quality differentiation between those manufacturers. Even Apple's newest Macbook Air comes from Taiwan. Now, what makes you, a consumer, already knowing that the quality behind those products are pretty much the same, to choose a Dell over an Asus? Or HP over Acer?
For Apple, I think it's a different matter. At least Apple offers authentic and interesting design; for all I know, most Dell/HP models are designed inside-out by Taiwanese manufacturers. How will a brand like HP or Dell be able to differentiate their hardware?
My opinion is that branding strategy for PC/NB/gadgets providers should seriously include a software strategy. Software, after all, is what makes using computer an interesting experience.
The only truth of business is that everything changes with time. How could we imagine a powerful Dell being surpassed by Apple and Acer in sales?
Both Acer and Asus are Taiwanese brand that struggled for a decade to gain worldwide recognition. Decades ago, many Taiwanese PC manufacturers faced a difficult dilemma: to brand or not to brand? Many of those companies that chosen to brand their own PC/NB were severely punished by big names like IBM, Dell, Compaq and HP. Even today, many quality PC/NB manufacturers in Taiwan still are afraid of a branding strategy, for it means immediate retribution.
It makes me think to see the trend reversing. Actually, no matter which brand of PC or NB you use, it comes (with almost certainty) from a Taiwanese manufacturer. There is no obvious quality differentiation between those manufacturers. Even Apple's newest Macbook Air comes from Taiwan. Now, what makes you, a consumer, already knowing that the quality behind those products are pretty much the same, to choose a Dell over an Asus? Or HP over Acer?
For Apple, I think it's a different matter. At least Apple offers authentic and interesting design; for all I know, most Dell/HP models are designed inside-out by Taiwanese manufacturers. How will a brand like HP or Dell be able to differentiate their hardware?
My opinion is that branding strategy for PC/NB/gadgets providers should seriously include a software strategy. Software, after all, is what makes using computer an interesting experience.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Will fast-paced and relatively-efficient companies take over old corporate types?
If your dear readers have not yet read about it, you might want to do it now.
Apple, Google vs. Big Wireless
With Google and Apple both bidding for a wireless spectrum, strategies of those two companies are getting always clearer. One rule to make big bucks strategically: commoditize others in your value chain. This has never changed in the history of business evolution; what's different each time is approach.
Years ago, while Microsoft was climbing toward peak of its power, I thought that perhaps Microsoft had enough power to change the industry. It indeed had all capital and execution power to outplay all major vendor of IT value chain "one by one", but its tremendous success attracted too much fear. Microsoft wisely chose to stand aside and just happily be a very profitable software vendor; I can almost hear a sigh of relief from those worried industry giant. But now we have Google and Apple, companies ready to disrupt the industry again, and this time they won't settle easily.
Usually, by mature market we mean those market that are commoditized by fierce competition. In a sentence, more features are shipped with lowered price. The industry that Google and Apple are attempting to enter is, however, a mature market that doesn't show any of above mentioned signs. If Darwin was right, then what will happen next is pretty obvious. Either old corporate types would evolve to catch up, or face the fate of extinction.
One month ago, someone who worked in one big IB in Wall Street for 7 years told me: Google is just a company that does only web pages, nothing special about that. Hmm. I guess his opinion does not represent Wall Street, for Google stock price is well over 600+ now. And Apple worth more than IBM. Many would call Google and Apple as arrogant companies, but arrogance paired with capability is called pride; true arrogance is accompanied by ignorance. It would seem that ignorance is more a matter of heart instead of level of education.
Then what's next? I think the industry of air conditioner might be next mark. I have a friend who works at a very big Japanese company that produces air conditioner. If you spread their cost structure carefully, you will find out that 20-30% of revenue for each air conditioner sold goes to personal rebates, rebates that would end up in personal coffer of high executives in corruption speaking. Such situation just reflects a lack of fierce competition. We have wait until then for cheap and high quality air conditioners and refrigerators.
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