Korean Job Discussion Forums

[legrande]

Some are leaders. Some are meant to be led. After almost throwing in the towel in 1997, Apple succeeded by redoubling its resolve to find its own way. The Samsungs of the world may get rich, but they'll never earn the same level of respect. A maverick like an Apple may even stumble and crash because of the risks it takes, while the copycats live on, so it all depends on how one defines true success. Suffice it to say that Apple culture is weighted more on the side of breaking with convention, while Samsung et al. are about reinforcing them.

Apple juggernaut sends ripples through tech world

By Peter Svensson

NEW YORK � Consumer technology companies reporting financial results are looking like rowboats bobbing in the wake of Apple Inc�s supertanker.

Close to oblivion in 1997, Apple is now the world�s second-most valuable company, after Exxon Mobil Corp. On April 20, it reported net income of $5.99 billion for the January-to-March period, nearly double that of a year ago. It shipped a record 18.65 million iPhones during the quarter. Its iPad tablet computers are so popular, the company couldn�t make enough.

Apple�s ascendancy has produced many losers and a few winners, as underscored over the past two weeks:

Microsoft Corp: loser

Apple dethroned Microsoft as the world�s most valuable technology company a year ago. In its mid-fall report, it surpassed Microsoft in quarterly revenue. In the January-March period this year, it surpassed Microsoft in net income, too.

Microsoft reported that revenue from the Windows operating system declined for the second straight quarter because people are buying fewer Windows computers.

Some prospective buyers are going to Macs instead�Apple reported that it sold 28% more units. Others are going to iPads. Goldman Sachs now believes that more than 30% of iPads sold may be replacing PC sales. In the �90s, the trend was the opposite, as Windows PCs were crowding out Macs.

Nokia Corp: loser

Nokia said last week that it will slash 7,000 jobs through layoffs and outsourcing. It still sells more phones than anyone else, but it�s losing share to Apple, especially when it comes to smartphones.

Research firm Strategy Analytics also said revenue from Apple�s iPhone sales surpassed that of Nokia�s phones in the January-to-March period, as iPhones are much more expensive than the average Nokia phone. That makes Apple the world�s largest phone maker by revenue.

To better compete with the iPhone, Nokia is ditching its old Symbian software and adopting Microsoft�s Windows Phone 7. But the transition will take time; the first Windows-powered Nokia phones aren�t expected until late 2011 or early 2012.

Research In Motion Ltd: loser

The maker of the BlackBerry is in a predicament that�s similar to Nokia�s. RIM warned that net income, revenue and unit sales for the quarter ending in May will come in below its previous forecast.

The company�s high-end phones are looking old compared with the iPhone and ones running Google Inc�s Android software. They aren�t selling as well as the company expected.

RIM promised investors that new phones with revamped software will bring sales roaring back in the latter half of the year, but investors are skeptical, sending RIM�s stock down.

HTC Corp, Samsung Electronics Co and Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc: winners, indirectly.

Although all three companies compete with Apple�s iPhone, they are doing well. Unlike Nokia and RIM, the three are betting on Google�s Android system, which comes the closest to mimicking the look, feel and functions of the iPhone.

Motorola Mobility is a shadow of the old Motorola, once the world�s second-largest maker of phones. But its focus on Android-powered smartphones is showing signs of success. It reported on Thursday a near-doubling of smartphone sales in the first quarter.

HTC of Taiwan has been making smartphones for a decade, and sales are really taking off with the help of Android. It reported selling 9.7 million in the first quarter.

For South Korea�s Samsung, smartphone sales were a bright spot in the first quarter as overall phone sales declined and other electronics were weak. The company is embroiled in patent litigation with Apple.

Verizon Wireless: winner

The No. 1 U.S. cell phone carrier posted a jump in new contract-signing customers�the more profitable kind�after it introduced its version of the iPhone on Feb 10, which ended AT&T Inc�s exclusive grip on the device in the U.S. Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc of New York and Vodafone Group PLC of Britain.

AT&T and Sprint Nextel Corp: mixed

Verizon�s new subscribers came at the expense of AT&T and Sprint Nextel Corp. But neither carrier saw signs of current customers moving to Verizon for the sake of the iPhone. Rather, it seems customers weighing between carriers were more likely to go to Verizon because of the iPhone.

AT&T appeared to be splitting new iPhone customers evenly with Verizon Wireless.

Sprint lost lucrative contract customers in the quarter, but continued its long turnaround by signing up a record number of people on cheaper, contract-free plans.

[RMNC]

Doesn't matter if they do well, popular opinion isn't always right. They still make bad products that are more style than substance.

[Kheldar]

Get off Steve Jobs' nut sack already! I suppose you also worship Exxon who grossed over $100 billion the last three months! They can wipe Apple's profits with their arse.

[legrande]

Yeah Exxon's done well, but then again oil is more of a certainty. I don't own any portable Apple gadgets, I just like how they've fought back from the brink without falling into line with the pack.

[Kheldar]

If it wasn't for Microsoft bailing out Apple in 1997, they would be all but extinct. Remember, they were on top in the early 80's but their high prices, closed platforms and unwilling to share resources was the original Apple/Mac's demise. The difference today is at least the iPhone/iPod/iPad is reasonably priced but I can't say the same about their PCs. The PC market share would agree.

[happiness]

I love hearing my kids talk about "AIP-PEUL" the older generation (mostly engineers who knew it) called them MAEK-EN-TA-SHEE (Macintosh), and now ipad and iphone are common words.

Alot of new guys wont recognize it, but the iphone was fought tooth and nail before it was released here. But until then, very few foreign made phones were sold here (a few like sony and nokia have been here) and none were popular, becuase Samsung and LG was all about the latest color coded phone to sell to teens, but now, kids all want or know the iphone. You dont hear alot about the love of Korean phones anymore, or Korean products like the older generations. This is a good thing.