Filed under: Apple Corporate, OS
Stop copying me!
Microsoft and Apple have a long history of saying one is copying the other (I think you can figure out where we at TUAW stand on this issue). The most recent example of this comes from His Steveness himself, at the recent shareholder's meeting. Flush from all those profits he couldn't resist take a few shots at Microsoft.Jobs said that Microsoft is busy copying Apple's innovations, but that they 'can't even copy fast,' referring to Longhorn (the next version of Windows) ever changing ship date.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Scott Williams said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
What I don't understand is why Apple (actually mostly just Jobs) must always compare themselves to Microsoft? If you have created a product that is so far beyond the competition, why even bring them up, you're just giving them free press. It honestly seems like an inferiority complex, and he has to keep on reinforcing the idea that he is better than them. He really doesn't need to do it either, its not like he needs to give people more reasons to buy more apple stuff...
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David said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
Actually, you (#1) are describing exactly why he needs to keep comparing himself to Microsoft. Budweiser far outsells Miller; responding to Miller would be dumb. Coke far outsells Pepsi; responding to Pepsi would be dumb. Miller and Pepsi are the comparative gnats that need the competition to acknowledge them.
Apple is the comparative gnat, and while they may be gaining ground, Apple needs to frame itself in terms of Microsoft if it hopes to replace Microsoft. That should be their goal, if they are going to be faithful to AAPL shareholders.
What perplexes me is why Microsoft would ever acknowledge Apple's existence given their dominance in the shared space.
I'm sure Pepsi and Miller consumers think those are great products.
Disclosure: Coke rules. Miller is approximately as crappy as Budweiser. Apple can exist in Microsoft's world quite happily.
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Jonathan Horak said 6:07PM on 9-07-2005
Scott, looking for a copy-editor? :) Imagine you meant "he couldn't resist taking a few shots".
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tim said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
Forget Jobs. Where do I get that Longhorn: It's what's for dinner" shirt?
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