With the dawn of the New Year, a new era of change is set to take over. Only a few years ago, Microsoft was the ‘Master’ of software. Today, Microsoft is struggling in the phone business and new winners like Apple with its own operating system and Google with Android have emerged. Software rules how hardware is designed and software manufacturers give specifications to Far Eastern companies to produce their products. Top Asian companies like Samsung, Sharp and Sony have become component suppliers. Also, the lead in new concepts and products is taken by companies like GoPro for action cameras and DJI for drones.
Why aren’t the Japanese majors fighting back? I expect 2016 will answer that question.
H. S. Billimoria
