Android outsells iPhone OS for first time
Out of context: Reply #26
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Maybe this is similar to the battle Apple and Microsoft had in 80s?
Apple; produces a beautiful and functional software and hardware based system that they have full control of. The user can be assured that choices made on their behalf will benefit their user-experience, but will have to sacrifice some freedoms.
Microsoft; opened up the hardware platform, allowing the IBM PC to become a commodity device. Any company could produce hardware based on the platform - opening up the market, and allowing hardware manufacturers to compete with each other based on price. A reduction in the price of hardware, leads to a large increase in the number of compatible devices available. They produce software (operating systems / applications) which _compliment_ the commodified hardware. Every customer who bought an IBM PC compatible PC was tied in as a likely customer. The vast user-base ensured success over Apple.
Google; following in Microsoft's footsteps. They've managed to find a way to commodify the hardware and get their software on the phones. The game has changed since the 80s, because Google makes money from services, rather than selling closed-source software - but the basic idea is the same. Take over the industry through the creation of commodities and compliments.
It's macroeconomics innit?!