Why is Blackberry the only company in the world with a decent portable email terminal? And why is the iPod out-selling every other MP3 player?
Could it be because they both use unique technologies? The Blackberry uses a technology which pushes messages out to the handheld, instead of you having to dial in to access the messages, and the iPod has its famous wheel.
Neither Blackberry, nor Apple, developed those technologies. As both have found to their cost, others did the technology invention, and have rightfully demanded the fruits of their labours in legally enforced reparations.
But Blackberry and Apple were smart enough to identify those technologies as world-beaters, and put them into uniquely successful products.
Just as, 29 years ago, Apple used the floppy disc, the GUI, the mouse and Visicalc to make a success of the Apple II.
It goes to show that the high-tech industry is not quite ready to be handed over to the MBAs and the accountants.
If so, why is the decision-making of so many large chip companies nowadays focused on cost-cutting?