Who will win in the battle of Apple's iPhone versus Google's Droid phone? The competition in today's day and age proves to have more advantages than disadvantages. This causes competition to become one of the most important parts of the economy. Competition in the dictionary reads, "compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others" (Princeton WordNet). The definition spoken of in this sense is the business relation between two parties in competition to gain customers. Competition validates a company's idea, so when other companies come out with similar products, society knows the first company had the right idea. Competition also pushes companies further; it helps the company not become stagnant. Competition lowers prices; society as a whole knows that companies are looking to spend as little money as possible. While competition is something society does not often think about, it is important from the economic point of view in that it helps provide better quality and satisfaction in the consumer world. All of these important reasons, as a whole, have caused the United State's economy to become fired up. Competition is not only a good fascination, but it is a phenomenon.

As this debate on whether or not this economical competition is more admirable than not will most likely continue, the most apparent argument for the admirable party consists of that if a company has a superior product; other inferior companies will duplicate that idea or feature. Once the inferior company duplicates that idea, that company will also have to one-up the superior company. In this sense, that inferior company will essentially become the superior company. For example, looking at the classic competition between Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts, society can see that Dunkin' Donuts was strictly donuts and coffee. Starbucks introduced the frappuccino, which is an iced coffee that has been trademarked under the Starbucks company. Starbucks also offered new gift cards and assorted coffee drinks. In retaliation, Dunkin' Donuts introduced the dunkaccino, which is essentially the same beverage as the frappuccino; not only did Dunkin' Donuts introduce the dunkaccino, the donut company introduced gift cards, new coffee drinks, and smoothies. As one can see, Dunkin' Donuts achieved these promising and innovative ideas through competition. The competition still continues today as both companies innovate and try to out-due each other. As these two companies go back and forth, the consumers from everywhere benefit from a higher grade device or product. Ultimately, it drives more customers to make buying decisions.

In order to avoid becoming a stagnant company, companies must have some sort of competition. In 1997, Microsoft bought 150,000 shares of Apple stock. Essentially, if Microsoft did not help its struggling competitor, there would be no iPod that the world loves and adores. The fact that consumers are always looking for the device or service that "does it all" inquiries that innovation is the key to success. Since innovation is the key to success, this drives companies to become innovative and continue to develop new ideas. Looking at Google's Droid versus Apple's iPhone, the phones clearly have innovation put into them. One might recall Google releasing the Android Droid 2, which is one of the fastest cell phones available. As one may also recognize, Apple released its new version the iPhone. This new iPhone carries one of the most ground-breaking features on a phone: the front camera. This camera will allow someone to have a live video phone call with another person. As both companies continue to introduce something new to the world, the consumers ultimately benefit from this.

Society knows that lower prices grab the attention of the consumer. With that being said, competitors drop their prices as low as they deem pertinent. As society might notice, Walmart thrives off lowering its prices. The reason for this is because one may notice that society usually goes for the cheaper price. Walmart offers its cheapest pair of jeans at the price of $10.97. Walmart also presents small aisles and cheap shopping carts. As one might recognize, Walmart's whole advertisement campaign is aboard with the scheme of lowering prices. Target, Walmart's competitor, offers a more upper-class feel to its store. Target's lowest pair of jeans are priced at about two dollars more. Target offers fairly wide aisles and a sturdy, more reliable, shopping cart. Lowering prices is in the minds of competitors because they know that society is looking for the cheaper prices. Both Walmart and Target allow for consumer preferences. Therefore, competition creates the opportunity of choice for the consumer. Not only does competition help the consumer; it also innovates these companies to produce something durable while saving money.

The world may never see an end to the opinions thrown back and forth between pro-competition and anti-competition supporters. As shown between Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts, society can see that competition does raise the need for innovation. Furthermore, when one looks at the classic competition between Apple's iPhone and Google's Droid 2, the world can learn that companies cannot become stagnant; another company will just run them over. Additionally, when seeing the shopping comparison between Walmart and Target, one sees that consumers have a choice of where they want to shop along with the opportunity to choose the quality of their product. Competition causes this world's economy to spin. Prices are lowered, products are more advanced, and companies are more innovative.


References

MS Bites into Apple accessed July 01, 2010 from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/cyberspace/july-dec97/apple_8-6a.html

WordNet Search accessed August 01, 2010 from http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=compete