BW: Softbank-Apple deal makes sense
updated 09:10 am EDT, Wed May 17, 2006
Softbank-Apple deal redux
Although Softbank called the report on its recent partnership with Apple "speculative," the company didn't deny that a music-playing cell phone was in its plans, according to a new report. BusinessWeek explores the background of Softbank, which has a significant stake in Yahoo, and the possibilities co-marketing the industry's first Apple-branded iPhone or iPod-based cell pohne. "Teaming up with Apple lets Softbank piggyback on the iPod's hip image -- something that Vodafone never got right with its bulky, dull handsets and constantly changing brand. And if the companies can get the first of the iPod phones in stores by November, they will have a good chance to convert some iPod users to Softbank's cellular service when new rules let consumers in Japan switch carriers while keeping the same phone number. The key will be for Softbank to 'banish memories of Vodafone's inferior brand image'...."
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Rule Britannia
What a sad reflection on Vodaphone. Yet another example of a Britich company outsmarting themselves (if smart can ever be used in this context) acting big, actually becoming the biggest Bull in the field even and then progressively through lack of focus, vision and imagination (and simply lacking a grasp of commercial and market realities) sell off one interest after another, rabbidly egged on by money grabbing short sighted shareholders till they become a minor player in the World and eventually become an irrelevance, or most likely simply a small part of someone else's business. Marconi here we come.
Could someone imagine what a British Apple would look like? A Tumbleweed in a desert comes to mind. Never mind we still have Alan Sugar whose own prospective employees seem to think still make computers, indeed last year's winner of the Apprentice could have 'owned' the computer business if he had wanted too, and who nearly a year ago said 'No one will have heard of an iPod in a year'.
They are making a new Carry on Film apparently seems there will be no shortage of potential participents.