I'd say Apple cares about owing app distribution because it provides the differentiation that increases the desirability of their devices. Without distinctive software, Apple doesn't really have anything that can't be quickly knocked off.
Google doesn't care about owning app distribution because they don't make money out of devices so differentiation is a problem they leave to the manufacturers. They just want to make sure Apple doesn't end up owning enough of the mobile space to threaten Google's ad business.
Amazon cares about owning app distribution because retail distribution is what Amazon does. As the retail of digital goods displaces the retain of physical goods, Amazon seeks to establish its position in the delivery chain, or risk losing out.
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I'd say Apple cares about owing app distribution because it provides the differentiation that increases the desirability of their devices. Without distinctive software, Apple doesn't really have anything that can't be quickly knocked off.
Google doesn't care about owning app distribution because they don't make money out of devices so differentiation is a problem they leave to the manufacturers. They just want to make sure Apple doesn't end up owning enough of the mobile space to threaten Google's ad business.
Amazon cares about owning app distribution because retail distribution is what Amazon does. As the retail of digital goods displaces the retain of physical goods, Amazon seeks to establish its position in the delivery chain, or risk losing out.