“You have been able to download Microsoft Photosynth for years.”

Not for Windows Phone you can’t, and that’s the context of this article.

“You can use a better camera and lace it all together on your laptop / desktop.”

You’re missing the point — I don’t want to do that, and that’s specifically what having some mobile device operating system on a camera would allow us to avoid. And that’s just one example. If your argument were the over-arching case, then there’s no point having any applications on any device at all.

Totally agree with this. Get real Keith!

The kid was 12 years old or maybe less. When the teller behind the counter informed the mother that the game is for adults only she froze for a brief moment before agreeing and then proceeding to buy it anyway.

All that information was entered into the Game Stop database just in case someone asks why they sold this game; similar to buying cigarettes.

For me this was unimaginable — why did she still proceed with the purchase? It’s like getting porn DVDs, alcohol or cigarettes for your kids! Any parent out there agree?

Personally, I think that ANY company would struggle to topple what Apple has now, even five years from now, and in five years, Apple will be 10 years ahead, so it’s a never ending struggle for manufacturers.

I think the problem is, most companies think its all about unit sales, as you pointed out. Apple are making billions, so for us to make that sort of money, we have to sell millions of devices. The problem is, while the likes of Google will easily out-sell Apple, they will never replicate the overall experience of the end user.

Im a die-hard Apple fan, and that’s NOT because they sell lots of products. It’s because the products they do sell, along with the software and services that go along with the devices, all ‘JUST WORK’, to coin an overused phrase.

I like Apple products because I know that my iPad will sync with my iPhone, which will sync with my iMac, which will sync with my Macbook Air, which will sync with my four Apple TV Units… you get the picture.

Companies need to realise that consumer electronics is no longer a numbers game. If they want to win, they need to perfect the entire ecosystem, from sales, retail stores, customer service, OS, the hardware, after-sales service. Once they crack this, they also need to make their brand DESIRABLE… something Apple has perfected.

Personally? I don’t think any of the big players right now have any chance whatsoever in beating, or even replicating, what Apple has.