Sal, there's this interesting statement:
In addition to its acquisition and partner strategy, Microsoft explored ways to talk its most important ally, Intel, into dropping work relating to Java media technology Intel was collaborating on with Sun. In July, citing "changing Java market conditions," the leading chipmaker quietly abandoned work on its Intel JMedia Player, a software developer kit Intel had spent at least 14 months developing.
Is this another instance where "Microsoft must be free to innovate, but not anybody else", as when Andy Grove caved on that other matter? Or did Intel just realize what a fraud Java was?
As usual, I won't offer a legal opinion. What ever happened to Jerry anyway? All I'd ask is why can't Microsoft compete in the conventional sense, on the quality and price of its products? What does all this "mindshare" business got to do with, you know, the naive economic view of competion? Why does Microsoft have to direct Intel on the matter? It all seems sort of postmodern to me.
Cheers, Dan. |
