Apple Passes Microsoft as No. 1 in Tech

The big buzz today is about Apple overtaking Microsoft as the lead Hi Tech company in the US.
Apple Passes Microsoft as No. 1 in Tech

Last year Apple was predicted to double its sales of iPhones and iPods. This year they have over 89% of the smart phone market. I went into my local Sprint store to look at the competition. I looked at the Google Android, as the nicest smart phone they had. The Sprint sales rep said that it is selling well. They plan to get iPhones in when the AT&T exclusive contract allows.

I asked to see a Windows phone. The Windows 7 phone is not quite out yet. I played with it awhile. It reminded me of the older Windows phone which I tried and returned because it would blue screen and needed to be rebooted now and then. Alas, even as a Microsoft .Net software developer, when it come to phones, I want a phone that doesn't have to be rebooted when I want to answer a call.

I asked the Sprint sales rep how the Windows phone was selling. He said they only sold 2 out of this store. He said it is only good for business users. People are buying the Google Android and Blackberry.

Time to market is tough. The Windows 7 phone is coming very soon, and will be competing with the Google Android in the market of conservatives who wouldn't want to be caught dead with an iPhone or iPod in their pocket.

As a Microsoft .Net software developer, I'm looking at the big picture here. Microsoft's new .Net architecture includes Silverlight. Silverlight doesn't run on iPhones. iPhones have 89% of the market. The public world wide is increasingly moving to smart phones as their internet connection and away from desktops and even laptops. As a Hi-Tech geek who wants to keep up with the latest trends, this moves me away from Silverlight and towards Cloud Computing, and internet apps that are iPhone and iPad compatible.

The world is going crazy over the iPad. There was a Windows version, but it was not widely accepted. What is the secret sauce? It doesn't have to be re-booted, it's friendly, simple, beautiful, clean, and has personality. Windows Tablet PC came to market first, but really... Put it side by side next to an iPad. The world tried the Tablet PC and it just doesn't make it.