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Apple Purchases Prismo Graphics
An anonymous user writes "Digit mag reports that Apple bought Prismo Graphics, another company that does video software. Prismo Graphics is known as a 'developer of motion
graphics for broadcast and digital video projects, including their DVFonts
and India special effects software.' This, just after their purchases of Nothing Real and Silicon Grail."
The subject line is purposefully alarmist, mostly to make fun of the others who seriously think the subject line is true.
The difference I see between Apple and Microsoft in this respect is fairly simple: Microsoft bought up the competition while Apple is (presumably) buying up resources. You squash competition. You use resources.
If (and only if) Apple turns around and releases crap products in the same fields as the companies they're buying up will I conceed that Apple is using sleazy business tactics. Unfortunately, it's something hard to tell until it's too late.
For now, I applaud Apple's efforts to expanding their presence in their strongest professional market.
This now concludes our broadcast day.
You write, "So it is bad when Microsoft buys up resources, but good when Apple does it?"
Most of the people that I know do NOT criticize Microsoft for buying promising products and repackaging them under the Microsoft name, as they did with Front Page and then with Visio. That's a common business tactic, practiced by virtually all large software companies. What's true for individual developers is true for businesses as well - it's easier (and cheaper) to reuse (good) existing code than it is to write new code.
It is definitely a Good Thing for Apple that they are clearly articulating a cohesive, comprehensive business strategy:
"If you create digital media, buy a Macintosh."
Why is this behavior acceptable for Apple and not for Microsoft? Because Apple is NOT a law-breaking monopolist. Microsoft is. Apple is explicitly permitted to engage in behavior from which Microsoft is expressly forbidden.
Don't complain because Apple is doing something legal. Stop and think about why Microsoft isn't allowed to do the same any more.