American Intercontinental University Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to find two firms with similar problems but from different countries. The other purpose for this essay is to make a comparative analysis and determine the impact these differences have on management’s decision making. Lastly, this paper will support its analysis with academic citations and aligned references.
Cell Phone World Collide For the past few years the cell phone industry has been in a bitter race to claim the top spot as the world’s leader in smartphone technologies. Apple and HTC (high tech computer corp.) have been neck and next for the coveted top spot, with apple only edging HTC out by a small margin. In fact the companies are similar in their execution of the delivery of their product, which both of their biggest problems come not from their products themselves but in the company’s that operated their devices. The CEO of apple decided that unlike the rest of the computer industry, who at the time was focusing on a smaller versions of a PDA’s (Personal Digital Assistants), would instead focus its attention on a mobile cellular device that could do all the things a PDA could do but also allow the user to be able to listen to music and even have video capability. Apples first venture into mobile phone devices was a little mostly unheard of device called the ROKR E1, the first mobile phone to use iTunes. However, Jobs was unhappy with the ROKR lacks of success due largely to his belief that the phone was flawed because apple had to compromise with the designer of the ROKR, Motorola. In September of 2006 apple decided not to work with Motorola any longer on the ROKR project and began secretly working on the IPhone. Since the IPhone’s inception apple has sold millions of units worldwide and has expanded its mobile devices and the new iPhone 4 builds on a successful formula with a thinner, more luxurious design, higher resolution display, and improved camera paired with a front-facing camera and video-calling software. In fact to date, apples biggest problem has been only the fact that AT&T can’t provide all the services the IPhone is capable of handling. When Apple introduced the IPhone 3 it came along with a lot of cool features to go with is faster 3G-network speed. One of the best features was the ability to tether. Tethering is the ability to use your phone as a mobile hot spot to access the web Cell Phone World Collide with your lap top or even another smartphone. This feature was already available on other phones in other countries like, Japan, and Europe but had not yet been brought over to the United States. However AT&T could provide these services and could only offer their customers an apology and a promise to have it in the near future. Meanwhile AT&T was being criticized about it lack of ability to handle a network with the vast market that apple had created. Apple eventually took its product over to another carrier (Verizon) and since then has not only made more money; they have also forced AT&T to step their game up and provided better service for the IPhone. (AS of February AT&T has announced that they will be offering tethering on all IPhones for an additional $20 fee per month). Founded in 1997 by Cher Wang, Chairwoman, HT Cho, Director of the Board & Chairman of HTC Foundation, and Peter Chou, President and CEO, HTC is one of the leading companies behind some of best mobile devices on the market. It has partner with key mobile brands, including the leading five operators in Europe, the top four in the US. Business Week ranked HTC as “…the second best performing technology company in Asia in 2007…” as well as giving the company the number 3 spot in its Global listing in 2006. Since become its own company 18 months ago, HTC has introduced many new devices to the cell phone industry. HTC prides itself on being at the forefront of the cellular industry and
