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Apple Marketshare, iTMS Windows and Apple as a Software Company...
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Re: Re: Apple Marketshare, iTMS Windows and Apple as a Software Company...
How in the world did you get OS X for Intel from Apple becoming more of a software company?
How in the world did you get OS X for Intel from Apple becoming more of a software company?
whooleytoo
macrumors 604
Re: Re: Re: Apple Marketshare, iTMS Windows and Apple as a Software Company...
I think you're spot on Arn.
I'd be quite happy if this statement simply meant, "We're less dependent on hardware revenues, so we'll be charging for our software more often, and lowering our hardware margins".
I think you're spot on Arn.
I'd be quite happy if this statement simply meant, "We're less dependent on hardware revenues, so we'll be charging for our software more often, and lowering our hardware margins".
Frobozz
macrumors 65816
Re: Re: Apple Marketshare, iTMS Windows and Apple as a Software Company...
This post should have finished the "independance of hardware" sentence with "for revenue." I knew people would start thinking Intel again. Apple has consitently tried to diversify their product offerings and it's image to make sure selling CPU's are not their sole source of income. If you look at the numbers, you will need iPods, for example, account for $111M of last quarter's revenues. That's huge.
This post should have finished the "independance of hardware" sentence with "for revenue." I knew people would start thinking Intel again. Apple has consitently tried to diversify their product offerings and it's image to make sure selling CPU's are not their sole source of income. If you look at the numbers, you will need iPods, for example, account for $111M of last quarter's revenues. That's huge.
Snowy_River
macrumors 68030
Re: Independence
You forgot that they already have an Entourage/Outlook replacement with the growing combined capabilities of Mail, iCal and Address Book.
You forgot that they already have an Entourage/Outlook replacement with the growing combined capabilities of Mail, iCal and Address Book.
Snowy_River
macrumors 68030
hvfsl
macrumors 68000
I think software is the way to go, M$ loses money on all the hardware it makes. From input devices to its Xbox games console. M$ even stopped making game controllers for the Mac/PC recently. They only make money on Windows and Office (but a lot of it).
It does look like there is still a need to go to Intel/AMD because Apple still can't make fast machines that are comparitively priced. Apple only has the speed crown on the top end machine. Not including the G5s, Apple's computers are very slow compared to PCs.
It does look like there is still a need to go to Intel/AMD because Apple still can't make fast machines that are comparitively priced. Apple only has the speed crown on the top end machine. Not including the G5s, Apple's computers are very slow compared to PCs.
I know a lot of people that would go to OS X if it was on intel, but its going to be a LOOONG road to that point, I kinda feel that Apple is testing waters with the g5, to see if the (tower)hardware biz is still a legit business. They want to see how dedicated IBM really is, and in the mean time, they are building more emphasis on software...just in case.
I think in 10 years Apple will be more of a software company, but its not going to be how anyone is imagining it now.
I think in 10 years Apple will be more of a software company, but its not going to be how anyone is imagining it now.
Re: Apple Marketshare, iTMS Windows and Apple as a Software Company...
Yes Please, i'm dying to get my computer... the prospect of OSX on my gateway is interesting also, maybe somebody will make use of the power PC's always promised but failed to deliver: and who better than apple! 😀
Yes Please, i'm dying to get my computer... the prospect of OSX on my gateway is interesting also, maybe somebody will make use of the power PC's always promised but failed to deliver: and who better than apple! 😀
Re: Don't freak out
I am not sure this has to do with catastrophes. Becoming more of a software company does a couple things for them.
#1. Everyone is so fond of pointing out how long people keep their Macs. The problem is that Apple usually makes nothing on these people. Becoming more of a software company allows Apple to make more profits on people who already own Macs.
#2. Following from the previous reason, because Apple can make money in more ways on Mac users they could potentially get more competitive in pricing. This might help them gain market-share. The extra share and profits from other products could offset the lost profits from slimmer HW margins.
They are still likely to be bound to IBM. But having a diverse set of products has got to be a plus!
I am not sure this has to do with catastrophes. Becoming more of a software company does a couple things for them.
#1. Everyone is so fond of pointing out how long people keep their Macs. The problem is that Apple usually makes nothing on these people. Becoming more of a software company allows Apple to make more profits on people who already own Macs.
#2. Following from the previous reason, because Apple can make money in more ways on Mac users they could potentially get more competitive in pricing. This might help them gain market-share. The extra share and profits from other products could offset the lost profits from slimmer HW margins.
They are still likely to be bound to IBM. But having a diverse set of products has got to be a plus!
Nitpick time!
I have two comments about the slide labeled "Mac Advantages in Business":
1. One of the bullets was "Windows compatibility". How can that be an "advantage" over Windows? At best, by definition, it makes Mac OS X equal to, not greater than, Windows for business compatibility purposes. I conclude that this is either inflated marketing fluff or a careless mistake.
2. One of the bullets was "Virtual virus immunity". Isn't that like issuing a challenge to virus-writers - "We dare you to exploit a Darwin bug"? I think it's smart to tout Unix security over Windows security, but not to make overboard claims of "immunity".
Another thing I noticed: The slide showing a switcher says "Yes. I'm a PC guy that switched to Mac." Even if PC users are inferior to Mac users, don't you think they should still be afforded the dignity of being called "who" instead of "that"? 🙂
I have two comments about the slide labeled "Mac Advantages in Business":
1. One of the bullets was "Windows compatibility". How can that be an "advantage" over Windows? At best, by definition, it makes Mac OS X equal to, not greater than, Windows for business compatibility purposes. I conclude that this is either inflated marketing fluff or a careless mistake.
2. One of the bullets was "Virtual virus immunity". Isn't that like issuing a challenge to virus-writers - "We dare you to exploit a Darwin bug"? I think it's smart to tout Unix security over Windows security, but not to make overboard claims of "immunity".
Another thing I noticed: The slide showing a switcher says "Yes. I'm a PC guy that switched to Mac." Even if PC users are inferior to Mac users, don't you think they should still be afforded the dignity of being called "who" instead of "that"? 🙂
Of course it might all just be spin because we aren't getting Powerbook G5s or iBook G4s for 12 months.
😉
😉
i know this may not hold true, but with the recent viral attacks we've had, it seems that these "virus-writers" almost consider themselves modern day robin hoods fighting an evil corporation, whereas apple doesn't necessarily have the stigma that M$ has.
anyways just a thought...
SiliconAddict
macrumors 603
Re: Re: Apple Marketshare, iTMS Windows and Apple as a Software Company...
Keep in mind that most companies like round numbers or fudge with them so "more then 7 million people have switched to OS X". Usually companies don't like pinning down numbers so it leaves the persons imagination to fill in the 7,xxx,xxx digits.
Also as others have stated its a forgone conclusion that sales of Panther have most likely flat lined after June's preview of Panther. No one in their right mind would buy Jaguar with Panther so close at....hmm...paw?
Also as others have stated its a forgone clonclusion that sales of Panther have most likely flatlined after June's preview of Panther. No one in their right mind would buy Jaguar with Panther so close at....hmm...paw? 😉
As for the rumor itself.....
OK I'm lost. Will this be THE official announcement of iTunes for Windows or just the equivalent of the G5 announcement back in June? This software NEEDS to ship ASAP.
As for the potential comment:
Apple hardware is good but there have been times where its boxed them into a corner. The Moto dilemma for example. Eggs in one basket analogy comes to mind. Personally I think it just means Apple wants to further diversify how the company makes its $$$. Let me paint a very ugly picture. Imagine what would have happened if IBM had turned down Apple on the G5 and was stuck with Moto. Im wondering if Apple may be starting to learn that it cant fully depend on computer hardware to rake in its earnings. Everyone says Apple is a hardware company. This may be so but its a hardware company dependant on other hardware companies to survive. This is a bad thing.
But if this comment does pass the lips of Jobs this may be a fundamental shift on how Apple does business in the future. I say may because people overreacted to the whole Year of the Laptop. thing too. God only knows what this could mean. Oh and as always..IMHO
Keep in mind that most companies like round numbers or fudge with them so "more then 7 million people have switched to OS X". Usually companies don't like pinning down numbers so it leaves the persons imagination to fill in the 7,xxx,xxx digits.
Also as others have stated its a forgone conclusion that sales of Panther have most likely flat lined after June's preview of Panther. No one in their right mind would buy Jaguar with Panther so close at....hmm...paw?
Also as others have stated its a forgone clonclusion that sales of Panther have most likely flatlined after June's preview of Panther. No one in their right mind would buy Jaguar with Panther so close at....hmm...paw? 😉
As for the rumor itself.....
OK I'm lost. Will this be THE official announcement of iTunes for Windows or just the equivalent of the G5 announcement back in June? This software NEEDS to ship ASAP.
As for the potential comment:
Apple hardware is good but there have been times where its boxed them into a corner. The Moto dilemma for example. Eggs in one basket analogy comes to mind. Personally I think it just means Apple wants to further diversify how the company makes its $$$. Let me paint a very ugly picture. Imagine what would have happened if IBM had turned down Apple on the G5 and was stuck with Moto. Im wondering if Apple may be starting to learn that it cant fully depend on computer hardware to rake in its earnings. Everyone says Apple is a hardware company. This may be so but its a hardware company dependant on other hardware companies to survive. This is a bad thing.
But if this comment does pass the lips of Jobs this may be a fundamental shift on how Apple does business in the future. I say may because people overreacted to the whole Year of the Laptop. thing too. God only knows what this could mean. Oh and as always..IMHO
-hh
macrumors 68030
Re: Re: Independence
There's a Microsoft timebomb on the horizon, though...
With Longhorn, M$ is looking at "Upgrading" Office with digital rights management "features", and the implication that all prior revisions of Office (Windows & Mac) will be incompatible.
Won't be a huge problem on the PC side...that's simply Microsoft's Cash Cow in operation.
On the Mac side, the $64K question is...will there be another MacOffice revision to support digital rights management, or will M$ purposefully dead-end the Mac OS?
They've already shut down IE. Place your bets now.
-hh
There's a Microsoft timebomb on the horizon, though...
With Longhorn, M$ is looking at "Upgrading" Office with digital rights management "features", and the implication that all prior revisions of Office (Windows & Mac) will be incompatible.
Won't be a huge problem on the PC side...that's simply Microsoft's Cash Cow in operation.
On the Mac side, the $64K question is...will there be another MacOffice revision to support digital rights management, or will M$ purposefully dead-end the Mac OS?
They've already shut down IE. Place your bets now.
-hh
Jerry Spoon
macrumors 6502a
Good that Apple is #1 in portables in education. Seems like the majority of what we purchase is laptops, and I think more districts will be purchasing laptops for every student as some already are. I'm guessing this will pick up when state budgets are on a rebound and consequently, education budgets are increased as well.
Jerry Spoon
macrumors 6502a
Re: Re: Re: Independence
When will we see Longhorn though. Didn't Microsoft just push back their previous release of 2005? I think it might look much different then and who knows what might change.
Yea, but IE didn't make them any money, and Office does. Depends on sales. $$$ is still the bottom line for M$.
SilentPanda
Moderator emeritus
Re: Independence
Ahhh... that just sold me... I almost forgot about that... usually I just type things up in Appleworks, put 'em on my iDisk, format them at work (on the Windows 2000 box that they make me sit at), and then send them to the appropriate parties in Word 2002 format... but it would be nice to have something at home for the once every two months or so I need it... but I don't need it that bad... I'll wait for AppleOffice or whatever they call it... 😎 😎
Ahhh... that just sold me... I almost forgot about that... usually I just type things up in Appleworks, put 'em on my iDisk, format them at work (on the Windows 2000 box that they make me sit at), and then send them to the appropriate parties in Word 2002 format... but it would be nice to have something at home for the once every two months or so I need it... but I don't need it that bad... I'll wait for AppleOffice or whatever they call it... 😎 😎
Re: Re: Re: Independence
It is a race. Will open source and standards reach critical mass before DRM Office arrives?
Life on the knife's edge... Many countries around the world (latest stories) are railing against MS and pushing open source. By the time DRM-Office rolls into town, there may be enough global momentum behind open source (or at least open formats/standards) that MS's closed and proprietary approach may kill the Office cash cow.
It is a race. Will open source and standards reach critical mass before DRM Office arrives?
