“Looking at the press reports and comments this morning you could be forgiven for thinking that Apple’s payoff to Creative had a hidden agenda. The new battle ground is hotting up,” The Business News Source reports.
“Fat with its $100 million cheque from Apple, it seems that Creative is on the attack again – this time though its PR people have launched a full scale assault on one-time-partner, Microsoft,” The Business News Source reports. “In what must be the most amazing stroke of luck for Apple, it seems that the non-iPod player market is turning in on itself whilst Apple sits on the sidelines creaming in more sales and more plaudits. Typical of this PR onslaught is this excerpt below from Information Week:”
Creative Technology has launched a portable media player that will compete against former partner Microsoft’s Zune. Creative, based in Milpitas, Calif., released the Zen Vision W video, photo and music player on Thursday, the same day partner-turned-rival Microsoft unveiled details of Zune, which is expected to ship in time for the holiday season. In announcing the new device, Creative played up its support for Amazon.com and the online retailer’s Unbox movie and video store, which would compete with Microsoft’s Zune online store. Amazon launched Unbox this week.
“The marketing guys at Apple probably can’t believe their luck. To have two strong competitors fighting each other for ‘second place’ is likely to divide and waste their resources and lessen the impact of any marketing campaigns – splitting and confusing the messages to their target audiences,” The Business News Source reports. “Better still neither product is able to touch the newest Apple iPod’s in terms of specification or ‘cool’ appeal. What seems to be a good idea for Creative in the short term, will probably end up benefiting Apple significantly more in the longer term – Bill Gates must be fuming.”
Full article here.
Related articles:
Creative Tech: we will pursue all MP3 player- and cellphone-makers that infringe on ‘Zen patent’ – August 30, 2006
Apple investors cheer as Jobs wins again by getting Creative – August 24, 2006
Apple and Creative settle – the bigger picture – August 24, 2006
Analyst: Apple’s relatively small settlement with Creative removes threat hanging over iPod – August 23, 2006
Apple & Creative settle: Apple pays $100M for ‘Zen’ patent, Creative plans iPod accessories – August 23, 2006
