This thread really isn't about Apple versus Microsoft, and their platform, but about marketing. And as such the flaming that broke out above is quite unnecessary, if we're to address the real issue.
Xavieritzman (a namesake - my middle name is Xavier) put his finger on it, by indicating that by previous management's reasoning, B&O itself would be a pretty uninteresting market to cater to. In fact, as evidenced by the number of other brands that wished to associate themselves with B&O through the years, we know B&O users comprise a very attractive market.
A monumental mistake was committed when B&O failed to understand what segment Apple addresses: architects, designers, musicians, music producers, filmmakers, television producers, people in graphics, advertising, writers - bla, bla, bla. But it's the same market that B&O appealed to in its heyday. (There's a reason why you find the Beolab 5000 in A Clockwork Orange.)
From the early 90s, Apple has been a partner of the music and film industries, co-developing products to fit with professional needs. Just the Core-Audio capabilities alone should be reason for a company such as B&O to have exploited this: Do you want the same quality that film and music professionals rely upon, through your B&O?
What better carriers of your message/your product? I've seen U2 members in Ireland each with a Mac in their lap; by now it's almost tiresome how often Mac's appear in movies and tv-programs. After the introduction of the iPhone, Apple's caught the public imagination - and B&O could have been part of it from the moment iTunes/iPods were launched.
Instead we got the BeoSound 2, with no drivers for Macs. And where B&O had to scramble when irate Mac-owners informed Struer "Why the **** can't I buy a BeoSound 2, are you crazy?"
Water under the bridge, but the fact that it's still not a priority is simply not acceptable.
What's B&O about: superior sound and image, conveniently accessible throughout your home.
Apple in A/V: Superior acquisition, storage, retrieval and playback of digital content.
The target market overlap between the two brands is strong, which isn't to say that there aren't a lot of very interesting, capable and wealthy people who use PCs. But B&O mgt totally ignored the Apple-user market, and the Apple-platform capabilities. The most serious consequence being that B&O peripherals seem old and clunky, when they aren't, it's the media handling that's out of date. And the brand is suffering as a consequence.
Imagine being a BeoMedia owner, and then checking out an Apple-TV ... which is controlled with a remote that has six button functions.
There should be a Fast Track Mission Urgent B&O/Apple Integration Team at B&O ... there isn't.
