Today I was just reading about some new smartphones and a Sony branded phone popped up which was kind of interesting to think about. It’s not usually a brand you think of when it comes to phones as companies like Apple or Samsung would be the names that normally pop up. However, a lot of smartphones actually use Sony products when it comes to the camera sensors. So in a way, they basically get a piece of the sale from all its competitors regardless if they sell their own phone.
It makes you wonder why even compete in that regard. It’s like the old stories of people saying they aren’t going to try and dig for gold but instead they are going to sell everyone else maps and shovels. That’s not a bad idea financially. Or in like this case, if you are the maker of the shovels you will do really well. That’s something to really think about when you are thinking of selling stuff for a living.
Perhaps it’s because the company wants the actual userbase as that alone can mean more money such as people buying other things in your ecosystem. It’s interesting where a company doesn’t have to but they still try.