Apple - Strengths

Strengths

• Brand awareness: Apple is well known brand for new technology in terms of entertainment with the iPod/iPhone, smartphone with the iPhone and personal computers with the iMac.

• Cash: Apple has huge cash reserves which could be used anytime for diversification, strategic alliances or mergers/takeovers.

• Innovative product line: The iPhone was, at the time of launch, an innovative product offering a new approach to mobile industry with the introduction of a touchscreen and new applications. It topped the smartphone market then and now with release of the iPhone 4S and iCloud, the prospect of a more powerful yet small piece of hardware is even better.

• Compatibility: Apple products are compatible with one another.

• Communication: Apple does not make use of hard to understand computer jargons to show its product to the world. Instead, if you look at their website, they use easy language and 3D picture display to show how good their product is.

• Easy to use: One touch running of the machines is extremely useful. Only one click and people can make calls, access music files and videos and connect to the world.

• Price: Value perceived pricing means that customers are willing to pay the price to have possession of Apple product. iPhone 4S release did not have major impact on price of iPhone 4 as only a negligible reduction in price has been noted . Customers are still willing to pay the price set by Apple to have an iPhone 4, even though outdated.

• Quality: Design and material used to make the iPhone are innovative and durable. The screen of the phone is made of a new fibre which is like plastic but twice as solid as plastic. The slick design and slim nature of the phone is also new. Softwares are easy to install and use. They are mostly more resistant to computer virus than rivals' softwares.