Apple is AWOL from the world of software-as-a-service, on demand software, cloud computing and storage, and virtualization. So just what are Apple's plans to thrive, or maybe just survive, in the quickly emerging ecosystems of SaaS and utility services? Does Apple have a plan, or are iPods and movie sales supposed to sustain Apple's future? Apple's been suspiciously quiet with the exception of announcing new Mac models, selling tons of iPhones, and bringing out their iPhone SDK.
The silence has been deafening, but I in no way am counting Apple and Steve Jobs out of the game. Jobs is certainly no dummy -- just the opposite, the guy creates new industries and product categories. Matter of fact, he's usually years ahead of the industry, frequently redefining the game in ways uniquely to Apple. As I said, Steve's silence is deafening, which leads me to believe he's got some very significant plans up his sleeve.
Robert Cringely over at PBS is speculating that Jobs is shopping Apple's software applications (Final Cut video editing software) as a pre-emptive move to buying up Adobe, removing any potential anti-trust objections. Apple's got some new found ready cash after significantly increasing their share of Macs within the PC market. Cringely says Apple has over $19B cash on hand.
It's not clear though that Adobe's on the block to be sold, or looking for an acquirer. Of any major software company, Adobe fits best with Apple, given it's focus on publishing and online, visual media. Adobe's working to continue Flash's dominance while also promoting Flex and AIR for next generation applications. What's interesting to me about an Apple acquisition of Adobe is it would turn the tables on Microsoft, giving Apple dominance in publishing applications (Illustrator, Photoshop) on Windows platforms, much like Microsoft has through Office apps on Mac OS X. Flex and AIR would also position Apple as the lead dog in Silverlight's battle to gain dominance.
All this said, I still don't see any signs of Apple's SaaS or utility software play. That tells me there's a lot more yet to be revealed by Jobs on this front. And you know whatever plans are underway, it won't be any me-too move by Apple.
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Mitchell Ashley is CEO and Chief Strategist of Converging Network, LLC, providing product and technology strategies to emerging technology companies. A serial entrepreneur, Mitchell has created many successful products and services in the networking, security, convergence, Internet and IT industries. In addition to blogging for NetworkWorld, Mitchell regularly blogs at TheConvergingNetwork and co-hosts the widely popular Still Crazy After All These Years podcast.
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No SaaS story from Apple
I agree, for a savvy marketing business with Jobs at the helm it seems odd that there is no clear position.
Well here are 2 thoughts:
1. It's just not relevant and they don't care. They are a consumer product company, where physical, in your hand beauty is their stock in trade. And if you really need them to prove that they can so the hosted software stuff, then look at their "software plus services" offering in the form of iTunes, but remember this is just a way to lock in the hardware sales.
2. There is a clear vision for where they want to be, however there has been no pressure on them to deliver against a compelling competitor who has taken any lead in their space. When they look at Microsoft's poorly coordinated marketing for their "Live/Online/S+S/Mesh/...." reaction to Google/Salesforce et al, they are sitting back and saying, let's make sure that when we make an announcement, it is clear, complete and totally compelling within the space we want to occupy.
For me the second makes more sense, however we will just have to wait and see (maybe Jobs will let the cat out of the bag at WWDC08 in San Fransisco)
Media and Mobile(?) - Apple's core DNA
Stephen,
Those are some very clear thoughts about Apple. Thanks for posting.
I have a similar theory that Apple is really a consumer only company and would love to move out of the mainstream Mac products and expand just into media kinds of products; basically to be the next Sony.
Also, since Apple doesn't build the core of their operating system, i.e. they are layered on top of BSD, it's much more difficult for Apple to shift its Mac OS X into a virtualized software services model until core BSD or Linux does. Apple could though move into the virtualized application model but they'd have to figure out who to partner with for app virtualization technology or create their own.
I think we'll still hear silence for a while until Apple figures out its strategy, and how to uniquely go after the market. Or they may just hold on and work towards the consumer market and focus on mobile and media apps, something that seems to fit Apple's DNA much better.
Mitchell Ashley
Converging Network, LLC
Personal blog: http://theconvergingnetwork.com
Personal podcast: http://www.clickcaster.com/ss