Apple Passes Google In Value. Is This A Changing Of The Guard?

[onthebottom]

Next up, M$

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/ByteOfTheApple/blog/archives/2009/08/apple_passes_go.html

OTB

 

[Don]

Maybe for a bit. But Apple will never make it in the biggest emerging market in the world - China. Their products are too expensive and too uncustomizable/proprietary/closed to succeed in China.

 

[Never Compromised]

I can understand the Apple/Verizon partnership as American supporting American but what's the motive behind the American/Canadian partnership? Where's the Canadian supporting Canadian love?

I believe it is known as the Free Market, and Bell wishing to maximize its profits by actually trying to give the consumer something wanted.

 

[onthebottom]

Maybe for a bit. But Apple will never make it in the biggest emerging market in the world - China. Their products are too expensive and too uncustomizable/proprietary/closed to succeed in China.

I'm not so sure:

Concerning the iPhone's future availability in China, Apple's Chief Operating Officer Timothy Cook told investors last month that the deal continues to be a priority project for the company. Cook also said he expects the iPhone to be available in China within a year.

http://www.dgshi.cn/content/200908/112172.html

OTB

 

[r_s426]

Maybe for a bit. But Apple will never make it in the biggest emerging market in the world - China. Their products are too expensive and too uncustomizable/proprietary/closed to succeed in China.

Closed? On the computing side, Apple has always been more prone to piracy than PCs. Even now, Apple ships iLife, and iWorks without any real copy protection. You just need a valid serial number, but the programs never all home to validate it. Same with MS Office for the Mac.

iPhones and iPods will play pirated mp3's just as well as any other brand. Also, it is pretty easy to hack your iPhone and make it very customizable....

Since they pretty much own the high end of the electronics market all on their own now, they should be able to ship less units than their competitors but be more profitable overall. I'd argue that the Chinese are very brand conscious... and if they are willing to pay a premium for Gucci or Louis Vuitton, why not for Apple products?

 

[Perry Mason]

Ho-hum!

Wake me up when it surpasses M$.

Perry

 

[Don]

Closed? On the computing side, Apple has always been more prone to piracy than PCs. Even now, Apple ships iLife, and iWorks without any real copy protection. You just need a valid serial number, but the programs never all home to validate it. Same with MS Office for the Mac.

Closed in terms of third party software. For example it is much easier to get a free codec needed to play a video on a PC than a Mac.

Since they pretty much own the high end of the electronics market all on their own now, they should be able to ship less units than their competitors but be more profitable overall. I'd argue that the Chinese are very brand conscious... and if they are willing to pay a premium for Gucci or Louis Vuitton, why not for Apple products?

Some wealthy Chinese will pay a premium but the vast majority will not. Even if it is within their budget. They will pay for a quality knock off product that is more suitable for their tastes.

As someone who does business often with China, the story is low cost and high volume.

 

[WoodPeckr]

As someone who does business often with China, the story is low cost and high volume.

Exactly!
Only the smug may buy Apple for bragging rights to 'show-off'.
They are doing the same with the cars they purchase, preferring the GM Buick over others..... for bragging rights.....

Buick is the top seller in RED China today, to prove to friends you are doing well.