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Apple made better chips than Qualcomm because Qualcomm is a monopolist, and thus doesn’t need to actually compete. The moment a competitor sprung up, they got t

by bogwog 3y ago

Apple made better chips than Qualcomm because Qualcomm is a monopolist, and thus doesn’t need to actually compete. The moment a competitor sprung up, they got their ass kicked. Yes, no other company but Apple could have pulled that off, but that’s only because Apple themselves are a monopolist with the market power to fight another monopolist. That’s not a good thing. The solution to monopolies isn’t more monopolies. A much smaller company than Apple could have theoretically created a better processor than Qualcomm, but it just couldn’t happen due to multiple anti-competitive factors. Like how Qualcomm has a patent portfolio that gives them a monopoly on 4G modems, and can use that to force companies to purchase other components from them if they want a modem. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/qualcomm-us-ftc-apple-chips-smartphones-phones-patents-monopoly-court/ https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/qualcomm-us-ftc-apple-chips...

jonhohle 3y ago
I ask this every time it comes up, but what exactly does Apple have a monopoly in? They don’t control majority of anything in any category that they participate in. They are a major purchaser of high end fab processes, but that doesn’t allow them to control PC, phone, steaming, messaging, audio, home integration, or any other market. They are one of the most vertically integrated large companies, but they are allowed to monopolize their own products. There is no iPhone market - that’s a product within a huge market of other mobile devices that anyone can join.
- bogwog 3y ago
  These types of discussions on this site are pointless. I can tell that no matter what I say, you’re going to end up moving the goal posts. Why do I know this? Because you non sarcastically are trying to say that Apple doesn’t have a monopoly. The amount of mental gymnastics is takes to frame it that way is only possible if someone cares more about defending the honor of their favorite megacorp than finding any kind of truth. And if I’m completely wrong about you, then I apologize. My patience for these internet arguments isn’t what it used to be. To answer your question, there are no doubt thousands of comments on this website about that topic. Ignore the ones that seem to come from Apple fanboys, and you’ll find the right answers.
  - ddingus 3y ago
    I think about this topic often and am also curious, but not an Apple fanboy, unless we end up talking about the 8 and 16 bit 6602, 65816 based computers. :) The way I see it, Apple has targeted a very specific kind of customer. And these people have a few things in common: Value privacy Value great hardware Willing to recognize and pay for all the ways Apple adds value: packaging, UX, etc... And there are some more, but I feel listing more won't add value here. I do like the Apple M1 computer I own. And I like the older 8 and 16 bit ones too. The reasons are very different with the older machines being open and hackable and the M1 being fast with crazy good battery life given the overall performance. However, I flat out won't own an Apple phone. Too closed down, and the UX is not well aligned with how I prefer to do things. I disagree strongly with many things Apple does and feel their products often are too restrictive. But, I do not have to use anything they make either. Some have argued that Apple has serious lock in on their products. Yep. Except for the computers, I agree! That is why I won't use any of their stuff. Yet lots of people want it that way and Apple delivers it to them and asks those people to pay right up, and those people do pay up and a whole lot of those people are happy having seen good value for their dollar. In my view, Apple gets to do that. And nobody has to like them doing that, right? How is any of it a monopoly? Serious question.
  - musictubes 3y ago
    “These types of discussions on this site are pointless.” So you’re a troll then. Don’t start shit if you don’t want to engage. If you really think it’s pointless don’t bring it up. As you say, many people disagree with you. It is very possible they have more of an argument than then just being idiots or shills or whatever disparaging label you want to give them. The question you are responding to is a legit one. People will continue to ask for justification whenever you proclaim Apple a monopolist. The fact they haven’t been convinced by the thousands of comments means your position isn’t as self evident as you think.
  - jpadkins 3y ago
    your reply missed the part where you said what market Apple has a monopoly in. (I own zero Apple products, not really a fan of any mega corp)
  - 3y ago

by bogwog 3y ago

jonhohle 3y ago

I ask this every time it comes up, but what exactly does Apple have a monopoly in? They don’t control majority of anything in any category that they participate in. They are a major purchaser of high end fab processes, but that doesn’t allow them to control PC, phone, steaming, messaging, audio, home integration, or any other market. They are one of the most vertically integrated large companies, but they are allowed to monopolize their own products. There is no iPhone market - that’s a product within a huge market of other mobile devices that anyone can join.

bogwog 3y ago
These types of discussions on this site are pointless. I can tell that no matter what I say, you’re going to end up moving the goal posts. Why do I know this? Because you non sarcastically are trying to say that Apple doesn’t have a monopoly. The amount of mental gymnastics is takes to frame it that way is only possible if someone cares more about defending the honor of their favorite megacorp than finding any kind of truth. And if I’m completely wrong about you, then I apologize. My patience for these internet arguments isn’t what it used to be. To answer your question, there are no doubt thousands of comments on this website about that topic. Ignore the ones that seem to come from Apple fanboys, and you’ll find the right answers.
- ddingus 3y ago
  I think about this topic often and am also curious, but not an Apple fanboy, unless we end up talking about the 8 and 16 bit 6602, 65816 based computers. :) The way I see it, Apple has targeted a very specific kind of customer. And these people have a few things in common: Value privacy Value great hardware Willing to recognize and pay for all the ways Apple adds value: packaging, UX, etc... And there are some more, but I feel listing more won't add value here. I do like the Apple M1 computer I own. And I like the older 8 and 16 bit ones too. The reasons are very different with the older machines being open and hackable and the M1 being fast with crazy good battery life given the overall performance. However, I flat out won't own an Apple phone. Too closed down, and the UX is not well aligned with how I prefer to do things. I disagree strongly with many things Apple does and feel their products often are too restrictive. But, I do not have to use anything they make either. Some have argued that Apple has serious lock in on their products. Yep. Except for the computers, I agree! That is why I won't use any of their stuff. Yet lots of people want it that way and Apple delivers it to them and asks those people to pay right up, and those people do pay up and a whole lot of those people are happy having seen good value for their dollar. In my view, Apple gets to do that. And nobody has to like them doing that, right? How is any of it a monopoly? Serious question.
- musictubes 3y ago
  “These types of discussions on this site are pointless.” So you’re a troll then. Don’t start shit if you don’t want to engage. If you really think it’s pointless don’t bring it up. As you say, many people disagree with you. It is very possible they have more of an argument than then just being idiots or shills or whatever disparaging label you want to give them. The question you are responding to is a legit one. People will continue to ask for justification whenever you proclaim Apple a monopolist. The fact they haven’t been convinced by the thousands of comments means your position isn’t as self evident as you think.
- jpadkins 3y ago
  your reply missed the part where you said what market Apple has a monopoly in. (I own zero Apple products, not really a fan of any mega corp)
- 3y ago