Three strategic holes Apple will fill today
Apple Fifth Avenue Store, New York City
The threat from Android devices is great, they have more distribution channels, more devices and thus higher market share. However, most experts agree that the Android OS is inferior to Apple’s iOS. Sure, there are features that some Android devices support that iOS does not, but on a whole, the operating system and ecosystem of content are inferior. Apple will close the gap on some of those features and other advantages today with three key strategies:
- Increased distribution: Apple devices will be available at Sprint this month and T-Mobile either through the AT&T acquisition or through a deal between T-Mobile and Apple either in Q4 2011 or Q1 2012
- More devices: A much wider gap to fill, but Apple will try with the introduction of at least one additional device today. No, not just a price drop on the old model as is, but an update to the old model, a price drop and a new name (like 4Gs)
- Strengthened loyalty across Apple devices: Apple has already announced its iCloud service and it is expected to launch this month. This does two things: 1) allows the consumer to manage their content more efficiently across devices; 2) strengthens Apple’s grip on those consumers and gives them even more of a reason to purchase all Apple devices–MacBook, iPad, iPhone, iPod–rather than a competitive product in any of those categories.
