I have become something of an Apple fanboy, but I completely agree with this sentiment. I would love to see a company that could create an Apple-like computing experience but with a much more progressive view toward the computer industry (licensing, developer support, even product specification info). With Android, Google seems to be the strongest challenger, but I suspect they will likely never have the focus necessary to compete successfully in Apple's market, much less any other existing company.

The thing is, there are NO challengers in the hardware arena. Google et al do software pretty well and will continue to improve. But who else could create hardware as beautiful and functional as Apple? I've been a Windows-then-Linux guy for 15 years and it's the hardware behind MacBooks and iPhones that drew me to Apple. There is simply NO competition. And, unfortunately, it's much easier to be a software startup than a hardware startup. Microsoft and Google aren't even playing the same game.

Ditto. I think about this in the context of Steve Jobs's health. I hope he doesn't, but he might die soon. If so I wonder (a) how long can Apple continue to shine? and (b) what other company could develop a similarly excellent ethos?

What makes Apple so unique is it's unwavering faith in it's founding values (genius marketing + simple design + useful software).

I believe there WILL be another great to rise this decade, it seems like Google is the new Microsoft and Facebook is IBM's grandson. I just feel it in the air, it's only a matter of time before a few rebels come together do something that shocks the world...again.