TechStew

The Nokia of old is dead! Last year I predicted that this year would mark the demise of Nokia, at one time the biggest cell phone manufacturer in the world. After its disastrous dithering and the resulting market failure Nokia was snatched up by Microsoft for a measly $7.2b, a fraction of its worth from just a couple of years ago (in comparison, Skype was bought for $8.6b). However, I do not think that Microsoft really wanted to buy Nokia, rather it was forced into this move by Nokia’s dismal performance, and the fact that Nokia carried 90 per cent of all Windows Phone sales. Microsoft had no choice but to purchase the flailing smartphone maker in order to save its position in the market.

With Apple's stock down 25% since its peak, industry watchers and stock market analysts are beginning to pose this almost unimaginable question. Of course, Apple is still a fabulously successful company. They remain the most valuable and profitable corporation in the world. Apple's design, manufacturing and distribution capabilities are the envy of consumer product companies. Their innovation, marketing and merchandising prowess is legendary. Any ripple in Apple's skyrocketing success can be a catalyst for Apple watchers to question Apple's future. Analyst predicts Apple's 2013 product lineup, includes new iPad mini, iPhone 5S