Apple's new iAd advertising platform not only extends services for the iPhone, but also continues a collaboration-versus-competition dynamic between Apple and its partners, according to iSuppli.
“The launch (points to) a pattern of initial amicable association between Apple and its partner companies that then turns into a competitive relationship,” said principal analyst Francis Sideco.
Should Apple continue to operate in this manner, the company might find it difficult in the future to form an association with best-in-class partners—connections in which friendly partnerships at the beginning alter and then deteriorate into aggressive rivalry.