4 ms·
"I’d argue that this is probably the single most important tech acquisition of all time." Microsoft buys the pieces that eventually become MS-DOS? Going back
by EliRivers 10y ago
"I’d argue that this is probably the single most important tech acquisition of all time."
Microsoft buys the pieces that eventually become MS-DOS?
Going back further, pharma companies buying tech that they turned into mass produced antibiotics and gave us the sulfa drug revolution?
Apple buying NeXT hardly compares to the acquisition of steel smelting.
- pedalpete 10y agoI'd suggest the author's definition of 'tech' meant 'computers'. I don't believe Microsoft acquired QDOS, just the IP. Furthermore, bringing Jobs back to Apple resulted in Apple going from nearly bankrupt a top 5 Market Cap Company in the world (http://dogsofthedow.com/largest-companies-by-market-cap.htm http://dogsofthedow.com/largest-companies-by-market-cap.htm)
- EliRivers 10y agoI'd suggest the author's definition of 'tech' meant 'computers'. I wouldn't be surprised. It's a common affliction around here.
- Fnoord 10y agoIt was no doubt an important acquisition, but 'the most important'? Someone who makes such a bold claim has gotta be someone who really knows computer history extremely well. This is just one of those 'what if' scenarios. If Apple didn't buy NeXT someone else would've innovated a good capacitive touchscreen device. Maybe it would've been Nokia. They were busy with experimenting with that long before the first iPhone got released, see the Nokia 770 and Maemo (or actually check its successor, the Nokia N800). Perhaps Elop would never have become the CEO of Nokia. Perhaps Nokia would've still be around. Perhaps not? We'll never know. Everything's connected.