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The Scariest Company in Tech

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51–55 of 55 posts

Re: The Scariest Company in Tech

#51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Knowing Apple, I have no confidence that the peripherals that work for this iPhone will keep working for the next.

I sort of agree with this statement, in that I do think that Apple will mercilessly drop support for things that they think aren't worth continuing support. Alternatively, I think that helps keep their platform healthy. Compare OS X to Windows as an example: one of Microsoft's core tenets is backwards compatibility, and it means their platform has been a mess (you can still write Win16!! applications)[1]. [1] "Has be…

I partially agree, except that they've been known to make forwards-incompatible docks just so you had to buy new ones with your phone, even though it's basically just a USB extension. I don't think that's justifiable...

Re: The Scariest Company in Tech

#52
post #26
post #16

I think it would be wise, as this article does, to not think about the phone market in terms of platforms (iOS, Android, RIM & WebOS) but in terms of manufacturers (Apple, HTC, Nokia, Samsung, etc.) If you look at it in those terms, there are two manufacturers that are vertically integrated- Apple and Samsung. Samsung is weak on software, and software is the critical component of this age (more important than flash,…

Apple isn't vertically integrated at all. As you note, they don't own any production facilities, and outsource all production. Almost the total opposite of Samsung, who so almost everything themselves. I guess I'm a bit confused what you think vertically integrated means?

Apple designs the software, the hardware industrial design, the circuit boards, the processor and even the screens. Samsung merely manufactures things, and does not design the software (for android phones) or the CPU etc.

But of course what matters on this site is bashing apple and pretending like they suck, even if you have to redefine terms like "Vertically integrated" and be snide about it.

Re: The Scariest Company in Tech

#53
post #52
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple isn't vertically integrated at all. As you note, they don't own any production facilities, and outsource all production. Almost the total opposite of Samsung, who so almost everything themselves. I guess I'm a bit confused what you think vertically integrated means?

Apple designs the software, the hardware industrial design, the circuit boards, the processor and even the screens. Samsung merely manufactures things, and does not design the software (for android phones) or the CPU etc. But of course what matters on this site is bashing apple and pretending like they suck, even if you have to redefine terms like "Vertically integrated" and be snide about it.

Actually, Samsung does all that (including as much CPU design as Apple does: http://hothardware.com/News/Analysts-Confirm-Apples-A4-Simil... ) except for the core Android software. However, they do have Badu, which is their own custom OS.

I was genuinely puzzled what you meant by "vertically integrated". Now at least I understand what you are talking about - I still don't think that's a conventional definition of vertical integration - but my response wasn't trying to be snide.

Re: The Scariest Company in Tech

#54
post #53
post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple designs the software, the hardware industrial design, the circuit boards, the processor and even the screens. Samsung merely manufactures things, and does not design the software (for android phones) or the CPU etc. But of course what matters on this site is bashing apple and pretending like they suck, even if you have to redefine terms like "Vertically integrated" and be snide about it.

Actually, Samsung does all that (including as much CPU design as Apple does: http://hothardware.com/News/Analysts-Confirm-Apples-A4-Simil... ) except for the core Android software. However, they do have Badu, which is their own custom OS. I was genuinely puzzled what you meant by "vertically integrated". Now at least I understand what you are talking about - I still don't think that's a conventional definition of ver…

Apple is "forward" vertical integration.

Re: The Scariest Company in Tech

#55

One interesting competitor to Samsung is Vizio. While they only really have a presence in Home theater equipment, I find them to be very interesting. They are a completely new player. In a lot of ways they are similar to Hyundai. Hyundai essentially had no name brand or history to sell it's products. So they built the best car they could and sold it at a great price. The Hyundai Genesis was born. Now Hyundai is becom…

Vizio isn't a Samsung competitor, really. It's basically an American front for AmTran, a Taipei-based contract manufacturer. Neither AmTran, nor Vizio make their own electronics/panels (one integrates, the other brands/markets). I wouldn't bet the house that Samsung didn't actually make the panels that go into Vizio TVs...it's a crazy world over there!
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