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Viewing All "microsoft" Posts
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Apple TV Set-Top Box Predicted to Sell 4 Million Units, Grab 32% Market Share in 2011
Apple is dominating the smart TV market, which is still in its infancy. Not bad considering that the Apple TV it is just a hobby.
I wonder what would happen to the Apple TV if it ever became more than just a hobby?
As Apple prepares for its expected launch of smart TVs in 2012, rival platforms must accelerate their development plans to keep Apple from running away with the connected TV business, as it has done in smartphones and digital music.
Oh yeah, this is great news for those who believe the rumors that Apple is building a television.
One thing worth noting – According to the report, the Xbox 360 does not qualify as a connected television, so it was not counted. This seems a bit unfair given Microsoft’s support for the Xbox as a media center. Regardless, Apple is in a great position.
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On Microsoft Office’s Perilous Future
Microsoft’s technology dominates corporate IT departments. The sad reality is that businesses have been slow to adopt the new cloud stuff. And yet, when it comes time for businesses to finally upgrade their tech, they are realizing that Google’s offering is not only superior to Microsoft’s, but it is also a lot cheaper.
Google maximizes the appeal of documents, calendars and spreadsheets at a cost of $50 a person a year. Many companies say that is 50 percent to 80 percent cheaper than Office.
Not to mention, Google is forcing Microsoft in to spending a bunch of money on customer retention. Slowly, Google is chipping away at Microsoft’s profit share.
Most corporate software is sold through big consulting firms, like I.B.M. or Accenture, but Google has yet to use a partner. “They have approached other companies, but others think it’s not in their best interest,” said David M. Smith, an analyst with Gartner. He estimates Google gets just $150 million a year from Apps, and that it is not enough to cover costs. Google says it does make a profit.
Instead, it uses the business in “asymmetric warfare” with Microsoft. “Google spends $1 to make Microsoft spend $10 defending itself, because Microsoft went after Google on search,” Mr. Smith said.
Microsoft is dismissive of the situation.
Your new home office will sit in the cloud and be paid for by your employer. Face it, that is the future. Look at the current crop of recent college grads. An unprecedented number of us are working from home on our computers (me!).
This setup benefits not just the employee, but also the employer. Employers can use the cloud to cut costs. Social interaction with your coworkers will be done in the cloud, not at the physical office. At least, that is what Marc Benioff wants us to believe.
When it comes time to upgrade their infrastructure, businesses will make a rational choice and choose Google Apps over Microsoft Office — it is cheaper and easier to use.
(Source: techmeme.com)
