The widely labeled “tech industry” is no doubt the most fierce and competitive corporate battlefield on the planet today. Billion dollar companies can crumble in seconds and once invincible monopolies can become irrelevant within a few technological breakthroughs. Today it is companies like Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Facebook commanding people’s time and money but a brief historical look at Yahoo (NASDAQ:YHOO), Nokia (NYSE:NOK), and MySpace reveals what can happen when companies lose focus even for a split second.
With every press release, partnership, new service and product announcements – the balance of power is re-evaluated and company stock holders get into nail-biting mode wondering if this is the day that their beloved company becomes a dinosaur near extinction.
Apple Inc is Future Proof (NASAQ:AAPL)
Apple Inc, despite its 21% stock price jump in the past 3 months and repeated announcement of milestones and new products – hasn’t been immune to criticism and doomsday naysayers either. Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) particularly has been hot on the heels of Apple with its Android OS, Google TV, Google Editions, AdMob, and new iTunes “killer” among some of the ways that the company is battling with Apple, either directly or indirectly. This has led some to even claim the “end of Apple“.
But one thing that stock holders of Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) know is that Apple has something that other rival tech companies don’t. Unless Apple commits a grave mistake or the brain of Steve Jobs is taken hostage by Google-controlled micro organisms – Apple will continue to dominate the market that it has taken a commanding grip of. The reason is because Apple – through a troubled history with the ‘evil’ Microsoft, a superhero figure in Steve Jobs, and a consistent devotion to revolutionizing the much loved consumer gadgets sectors – has created a fan base that is not too unlike a cult. Apple has indeed transcended pop culture to become a phenomenon like no other company before it. Like the love a fan has for his hometown sports team, or the faith that a religious person has for his beliefs – Apple’s fan base is ready to defend Steve Jobs words and the consequential product releases no matter the apparent flaws, oversights, or weaknesses.
Perhaps Apple “fan boys” as they are referred by those against the Apple movement are not completely in the wrong. Sometimes great things, people, ideas – despite short term setbacks and falling short of being ‘perfect’ – need to be protected so that the long term ideals and existence of the subject in question are not put under threat. Whether warranted or not, Apple has achieved this competitive advantage and therefore barring consistent departures from what made them loved in the first place, they will continue to be a big player in the cutthroat tech market. This is something that no other company can claim. Therefore the next time you question Apple Inc’s (NADSAQ:AAPL) future – make sure not to compare Apples to oranges.
