Apple Inc (AAPL)

[Altaire4_2dot0]

How to compete in technology today

Pinza, Based on new Windows users of both iPods and iTunes, Apples move to Mp4 with AAC was the right move. Apple was smart to leverage this new format and not support Windows Media format. The AAC sound format is significantly better than mp3 and WMF. The fact that real is embracing AAC is a reaction to Apple's success with the iTunes store and the AAC format.

Incidentally, Real is suing Microsoft on anti-competitive grounds. That is what happens to companies that fail to offer a product with a competitive advantage over the status quo. Real should have introduced AAC before Apple in order to stay competitive with Microsoft.

This is why Steve Jobs gets the big bucks; He helps create markets that didn't truly exist in a meaningful way. One of these days Jobs will hit the motherload again and I want to be in AAPL when that happens.