Microsoft 10-K warns of ‘substantial’ Apple threat

“In a recent internal memo, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer discussed the various threats to the company, including the surging Apple,” Joseph Weisenthal reports for paidContent.

Weisenthal reports, “In its just-filed 10-K, Microsoft introduces a new risk factor that wasn’t there last year: ‘A competing vertically-integrated model, in which a single firm controls both the software and hardware elements of a product, has been successful with certain consumer products such as personal computers, mobile phones and digital music players. We also offer vertically-integrated hardware and software products; however, efforts to compete with the vertically integrated model may increase our cost of sales and reduce operating margins.’

Weisenthal writes, “There’s obviously just one company they could be talking about there.”

Full article here.

MacDailyNews Note: Microsoft’s 10-K also states, in part, “Apple takes an integrated approach to the PC experience and has made inroads in share, particularly in the U.S. and in the consumer segment…. Windows Mobile software and services faces substantial competition from Apple, Nokia, Openwave Systems, Palm, QUALCOMM, Research In Motion, and Symbian.”

Microsoft’s 10-K form is here.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “John H.” for the heads up.]

49 Comments

  1. “We also offer vertically-integrated hardware and software products”

    Really? What are they talking about? The XBox? If so, they need to rethink the end point of vertical integration because they are not there on anything.

  2. Zune PC?

    I’ve dreamt about one for years. Bring in on, Microsoft! Show Crapple how it’s done.
    Just like we showed Crapple on the Zune Player. We will kick their ars all over again. Zune rules- just that bastard Mascot jumped ship with his iTouch! LOSER! We have three million hard core users to Apples 280 million. Niche players rule!

    Your potential. Our Blunder.™

  3. These Microsoft 10k filings are the greatest bit of comedy… Apple’s “threat” to MS has been real since Jobs returned to Cupertino 11 years ago, yet only now does Ballmer acknowledge its identity. And what about Google, who are doing so many dances on Ballmer’s moribund body, he can hardly know where to itch? Can they expect to get a mention in the 10k filing by 2019 perhaps, when MS is operating from the back room of a Bronx retirement shelter and has $2.47 in fighting funds left in the bank?

  4. Wow, schizophrenic Zune Thangs. I sure like the second one. Kinda reminds me of the movie with Jim Carrey, “Me myself and Irene” although I think the Zune Thang version is more like “Me myself and iRim”

    Fortunately Zune Thang has not been perceived as a threat/risk to microsofties out there.

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