What is it about Apple that brings out the worst in the company’s many competitors?
Think about Apple’s place in the tech world. Among PC makers, Apple has barely 15-percent marketshare. Among smartphone makers, Apple has barely 15-percent marketshare. Among tablet makers… well, you get the idea, right?
At first glance, the fear of Apple appears to be disproportionate to the company’s product line and marketshare. Samsung sells perhaps three times the number of cell phones, but that doesn’t stop it from picking on Apple in advertising.
Microsoft’s Windows has an 85-percent marketshare, but somehow needs to humiliate Apple with advertisements that don’t compare apples to Apple. The latest is PayPal, which, in the face of Apple Pay, which isn’t even available anywhere yet, decided to attack Apple’s iCloud performance.
Is PayPal saying they’ve never had anyone guess a customer’s password, or they’ve never been hacked (that they’re willing to admit)? Or, is PayPal saying to the hacker community, “We dare you to try.” Sounds like it to me.
At second glance, it’s easy to see why competitors try to diminish Apple’s standing in the tech world. Samsung, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and now PayPal and the European watch industry are deathly afraid of Apple. Why?
Apple is the trend setter. Where Apple goes, the world follows, and Apple often leaves a trail of destruction in its wake.
The iPod and iTunes captured the heart, soul, and most of the money of the music industry. What do all smartphones look like these days? iPhones. What do all tablets look like these days? iPads. Apple has this habit of disrupting industries, and the players in those industries do not like to be disrupted.
The commentary from some credit card institutions over Apple Pay seems somewhat misplaced. After all, Apple Pay only works with iPhones, and only the newest models; iPhone 6. Why are they so worried?
The commentary from some executives in the luxury watch industry over Apple Watch seems somewhat misplaced. After all, Apple Watch only works with iPhones (back to that 15-percent marketshare figure). Why are they so worried?
It’s simple. Where Apple goes, industries follow, and in Apple’s wake there usually is a trail of destruction and disruption disproportionate to the company’s share of those industries.
No wonder Samsung, Microsoft, PayPal, and others are making so much noise. Squealing is exactly what a pig does before it becomes ham and bacon.