Pluses and minuses of porting Apple applications to windows
With the recent port of iTunes to Windows, you have to wonder, what if Apple starts porting their Apps left and right. Maybe charging 29 bucks for iChat AV for Windows, or porting Final Cut Pro to windows, before you know it, Keynote for Windows. Will this happen? In an interview with Phil Schiller some time back, he said that Apple wants to build up their software so they are not as dependent on the hardware aspect of the company. This is a problem, because if they just put our software for Mac, then they will still depend on hardware. If Apple releases software for windows, but they stop making hardware, then they can still survive. From an executive�s stand point, they will keep making hardware, but ultimately will sell software to Windows, so they can be less dependent on Apple hardware earnings.
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If this is true, and Apple is developing software to Windows, what are the good and bad things about this? For one, I don�t think Apple is going to give away all of the iApps to Windows. These are the things that all PC users want and hate that the Mac has. The best digital jukebox, the easiest DVD and home movie creation, the best calendar App, and easiest to use photo organizer and presentation tool. These are great apps. To not charge for them, or port them entirely would hurt Apple, because when PC users see this software, they are amazed and want the Mac just for the free software.
What I do see happening, is tools like iCal, iSync, iChat AV, and .Mac being available to PC users. One reason, cross-platform. Look at rendezvous�. It is great, but it is only present on the Mac. They are pulling a Microsoft by not making this technology cross-platform. If Macs are really friendly in a windows environment, then let PC users use iChat AV with rendezvous�, so they can talk with their Mac counterparts, let PC and Mac users on the same network collaborate their calendars, and sync every sales rep�s cell phone with important dates, and contact info of their clients with iSync. This would make Apple more money, but selling these Apps for a small fee, or bundling them with a .Mac subscription.
The pro apps should happily be ported to Windows. Final Cut Pro, Soundtrack, and DVD Studio Pro need to be available for PC. Avid, and other video companies dominate the PC market, so why not take a piece of that too. I am seeing more and more Apple innovations getting awards in PC magazines, but cannot even run on a PC. Even if Apple picked up 15% of the Market in Film for Final Cut Pro for windows, that is more people, than 100% of the film industry on the Mac. It would be very simple too. Most Apple applications are based on QuickTime, especially media applications. As long as they are running the latest version of QuickTime, you have a homerun.
I don�t write much about rumors, so I will say just a small thing. Apple works needs to stay for Mac only. If there ever is an Apple branded iOffice that has Keynote, Spreadsheet, Document, and Safari bundled for 299-499, then it should be ported to Windows. This would give Microsoft a run for their money. If it is compatible with all of the Microsoft Office files, and have Apple�s great interface, many will jump on the bandwagon. PC users will admit, Apple has great software, but they don�t like the Mac OS. That is their opinion; so let them have what they want. Let them have keynote, with the little Luna blue bar around it to keep its windows look.
Apple can make a lot of money by porting to Windows. It has good and bad points, but if they truly want to make enough money to function without the hardware, they will have to port to Windows.
