Google, Apple, and Microsoft

1154 Words5 Pages
1. Define and compare the business models and areas of strength of Apple, Google, and Microsoft. Apple: Its business model focuses on centralized control of almost all aspects of its hardware and software. It believes smartphones and tablets should have proprietary standards and be tightly controlled. It only allows apps from its App store, that have been vetted by the company, to be loaded to its products. Apple has a very loyal user base that has steadily grown and most likely will stay with Apple products in the future. Google: Its business model has always focused on the Internet and the Web. It began as one of many search engines. It quickly ran away from the pack with its copyrighted PageRank search algorithm which returns superior search results for Web users. It also has developed extensive online advertising services for businesses of all sizes. Google provides value to the user by using an inexpensive, flexible infrastructure to speed up Web searches and provide its users with a vast array of Web-based services and software tools. Microsoft: Its business model originally focused on the desktop computer running the Windows operating system and Office desktop productivity applications. The company and its products are staples for businesses and consumers looking to improve their productivity with computer-based tasks. While it is trying to expand its presence on the Internet, it still must try to keep customers bound to the desktop computer. 2. Why is mobile computing so important to these three firms? Evaluate the mobile platform offerings of each firm. This case demonstrates the fundamental paradigm shift from primarily desktop PC computing to mobile computing devices accessing services through the Internet that is currently taking place. This environment is projected to be a $400 billion e-commerce marketplace where the major acesss device
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