Microsoft vs. Apple REMATCH!
It is clear today that Apple is making big progress selling their operating system, software, computers, and mobile devices in the consumer and business market. The stock prices clearly show who is essentially "worth" more and who is dominating the market. Apple is trading at around $190 per share, whereas Microsoft is at $29 per share. However, Microsoft still dominates the business world. Roughly 90% (if not more) of businesses world-wide operate on a PC-Windows platform standard complemented with Microsoft Office applications, though, on the other hand, Mac hardware is now capable of running Windows OS and tapping into the Windows/PC market.
Apple's Mac OSX operating system is near flawless with a record having nearly no viruses or spyware infections on its computers and operating system-giving it an advantage over Windows operating systems. Also, Apple has managed to corner a unique market with its iPod Touch and the iPhone, giving users the capabilities to connect to wi-fi hot spots and download 'apps' from the app-store from Apple. The iPod Touch is basically an iPhone without the phone part of the hardware giving users the ability to play games, sync their (Apple) home computers just like the iPhone. Furthermore, the newly released iPod Nano is not only extremely compact and about the size of a pack of gum, but it can shoot up to 16 hours of video thus raising the bar once again.
This match has been fought for over 25 years since the invention of the personal computer. in 1984 Apple entered the consumer market having the more popular computer (Apple I) that (at the time) gave users an interface on a screen similar to an office layout: desktop, trash can, filing cabinet with folders, etc. However, microsoft would respond with MS-DOS on Altair-8800 personal computers.
Most technologist know the bitter history between Windows and Mac, Steve Jobs/Wozniak and Bill Gates, and today the battle is more than just hardware and operating systems. Today, Microsoft attempts to compete with the iPod and the iTunes store with its own media device Zune. One key ingredient that Microsoft still has a presence in is software development. The MSDN, or the Microsoft Developers Network is an online community where software developers can share ideas, learn, and tryout new programming concepts and languages. MSDN essentially makes the world go around by giving consumers and businesses the tools and support that they need to develop applications to run their businesses day to day.
Microsoft's secret weapon MUST be the XBOX360 and the XBOX Live online community because Apple has yet to respond or find a way to directly compete with the XBOX. The XBOX360 is probably one of the best gaming consoles ever created. It allows users to not only play games with up to four people locally, but it also allows connectivity to XBOX Live and the ability to play games with others world-wide.
XBOX360 is also tied to the MSDN via the XNA Network giving gamers/hobbyists the capability to develop their own video games-something that NO other gaming console on the market today offers. The XBOX360 also allows one to sync their Netflix account in order to stream movie rentals through your Internet Connection. Its 120 Gigabyte hard drive also allows one to store music, movies, and gaming content. It is also backwards compatible making it possible to play original XBOX games on the new 360 console.
Microsoft and Apple are two titans fighting for technology dominance. This battle is more than likely to carry on long after we leave this world. Though Microsoft and Windows dominated in the mid-1980s and 90s, its evident that Apple is taking the lead back, slowly but surely. Although the financial markets tell us that Apple is winning this battle, one cannot rule Microsoft out since Mr. Gates has worked very hard to secure Microsoft's place in the global economy.