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Apple improved on Sony's success by understanding how to integrate open or semi-open ecosystems which Sony still doesn't really comprehend. Apple's analog is w

Apple improved on Sony's success by understanding how to integrate open or semi-open ecosystems which Sony still doesn't really comprehend. Apple's analog is web services, which, to their credit they have tried harder to figure out then Sony ever did with open ecosystems, but which they likely will never be able to compete with Google. That said, I'm still not seeing the cracks yet since their software/hardware integration UX combo and ongoing mindshare with creatives is setting a bar that no one else has the vertical integration to approach. Google's services are clearly superior to Apple, but that only puts Android on equal footing with iPhone, it's a long way from a knockout blow.

agumonkey 12y ago
To me Sony lost because they didn't understand non embedded 'software'. Sony had talent and mastery over hardware internals and interfaces (fixed set of physical inputs). It was new and difficult, you had to make strict physical compromises, something nowadays software doesn't have to. Their pre 90s hardware did what you wanted earlier and better than others, now they're selling sub par products (they don't own TVs, laptops, media devices like they did) thanks to their past glory. The thing is, their skills aren't worthless, I often wonder how they managed to design and ship things that would work right away without the ability to fix it later at low-cost like a software patch. Also, I kinda miss dedicated physical interfaces. As amazing as speaking to your phone is, I think that touching stuff is valuable for mammals.
hrktb 12y ago
I think Apple really learned from Sony that they need to master the whole stack for a product. Windows was really a bad bad fit for Sony, i seriously think they should have bet the farm and tried to have their own OS, be it linux or a BSD variant and licensing a professional looking office suite. They did it with Playstation, they would have been in a better shape if they went this way from the start. About the cracks in Apple's integration, I think even the most vocal people only have mild complaints for now. But it seems money and power and mindshare are not enough for Apple to get the resources to fix these, and there are obviously planning to spread even thinner. I also think the competition doesn't have to be absolutely better than Apple, just bring unmatched features that would tip the balance for specific consumers. Like the digitizer in the MS surface, or waterproof android phones, etc. Once one of the device is a non Apple one, it brings the potential value of the whole ecosystem way down.

agumonkey 12y ago

To me Sony lost because they didn't understand non embedded 'software'. Sony had talent and mastery over hardware internals and interfaces (fixed set of physical inputs). It was new and difficult, you had to make strict physical compromises, something nowadays software doesn't have to. Their pre 90s hardware did what you wanted earlier and better than others, now they're selling sub par products (they don't own TVs, laptops, media devices like they did) thanks to their past glory. The thing is, their skills aren't worthless, I often wonder how they managed to design and ship things that would work right away without the ability to fix it later at low-cost like a software patch. Also, I kinda miss dedicated physical interfaces. As amazing as speaking to your phone is, I think that touching stuff is valuable for mammals.

hrktb 12y ago

I think Apple really learned from Sony that they need to master the whole stack for a product. Windows was really a bad bad fit for Sony, i seriously think they should have bet the farm and tried to have their own OS, be it linux or a BSD variant and licensing a professional looking office suite. They did it with Playstation, they would have been in a better shape if they went this way from the start. About the cracks in Apple's integration, I think even the most vocal people only have mild complaints for now. But it seems money and power and mindshare are not enough for Apple to get the resources to fix these, and there are obviously planning to spread even thinner. I also think the competition doesn't have to be absolutely better than Apple, just bring unmatched features that would tip the balance for specific consumers. Like the digitizer in the MS surface, or waterproof android phones, etc. Once one of the device is a non Apple one, it brings the potential value of the whole ecosystem way down.