TODAY: Between Microsoft and Apple!
Microsoft and Apple, the two legendary companies lately have their competition display through retail products and creative advertising. The comparison covers Windows and Mac, Windows Mobile and iPhone, Zune and iPod, and Gates and Jobs.
Apple was founded in April 1976 by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. Until 1980, they had released Apple I, Apple II, Apple IIe, Apple ///, Apple///+ and Apple III; only Apple II witnessed success while the rest had poor market response. However, Apple Computer, Inc. was popular for its user friendly innovations of their computer designs.
But somehow, Gates worked towards a dominating market for the Microsoft Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office. The fact that the industry was not measured by who has the most innovative technology but by who has the most open system that was adopted by most other companies.
For instance: In 1990, Windows 3 was launched; within a year a million of copies were sold creating a huge demand for Microsoft. The fact that Windows 3 was inspired by Apple’s GUI (Graphical User Interface), we can notice the smart planning; Gates, at every stage in the PC’s development joined the leading hardware company which leaded a dominant market share for his product by carving out a dominant market share for his product, made his software as industry standard.
Source: PBS special of triumph of the nerds
But amidst the ongoing rivalry, it is clear that nobody can win the entire market. Apple is aimed at artsy types; the ones that will not compromise on price or style. One good thing about Apple is that their core business is not only based on a single product, therefore they have multiple popular products like ipods and iphones to protect them. Whereas Microsoft is purely Software Company, however it is a strong Software company. Therefore, even if Windows somehow lost an entire share from the market, they have Office, Virtual Services, Windows Live etc. to make up for that loss. Therefore, they would still be one of the most powerful computer companies on the planet. So far, we can enjoy the Microsoft and the Apple Ad and videos for Marketing Strategies.
Sources: http://www.thocp.net/companies/microsoft/microsoft_company_part2.htm
