Einhorn Calls on Microsoft to Fire Ballmer

[rjstc]

Aren't there plenty of second and thirds into the game that still make a lot of money? Droid comes to mind as an example.

[bargainman]

Aren't there plenty of second and thirds into the game that still make a lot of money? Droid comes to mind as an example.

 

Yes and no.  Android is given away for free and monetized via search.  Google's business model allows it to give things away which makes it easy for them to compete against an established player.  But the second and thirds that tend to win have a major advantage.  Take the iPod.  There were a ton of mp3 players out there, but Apple came in with a great design, and as importantly a great vertical strategy, plus the market was massively fragmented, so Apple could take it over and own it.  MSFT goes in with Zune after Apple has massive market share. it gets its act together on mobile after RIMM, Apple, and Google have carved out huge portions of the market.

 

2nd and 3rds can win, but it depends on who they're following.  Apple and Google are pretty formidable acts to follow...  (Back in the day it was easier to follow Apple, but Apple's huge now, and a lot smarter than they were in the first OS war..  IMHO)