Replies

"No, it's not. Name one person who bought an Xbox because it's running a modified version of Windows"

Listen, nowhere have I even come close to saying anyone bought XBOX consoles because of Windows.
Read my post dude.
I am talking about cost of development and speed to market.
Now that is the important part as far as Microsoft is concerned, and that is exactly where having a ready made Windows 2000 came in very handy.
My point is as valid as ever.

"You need to clear away some misconceptions you have about the console market."

I think its you that needs to clear the cobwebs from your head.

"Why is it that Microsoft using DirectX is an asset, but Sony using OpenGL isn't?"

Simple
I explained that already
Sony was in the market first with all the advantages.
It was up to Microsoft the new comer, to try and neutralize Sony's advantages,not the other way round.

"No, not really. Sony spent $2 billion on R&D in the years preceeding the PS2's launch, only on the PS2. Microsoft, five years later, is spending $6.8 billion on R&D FOR THEIR ENTIRE COMPANY"

Sony has a huge array of consumer electronics products that they need to keep spending huge amounts of R & D on just to fend off all the fierce competition they are getting from their South East Asian and Japanese rivals.

Today, Microsoft (at $6.8 Billion on R&D) outspends Sony in R&D by far no matter how you twist it.
Its not even close.
And again, Sony's R&D has to cover a vast array of consumer electronics products.

"Sony is in no such trouble: they are buoyed by their PlayStation divison and are using the PS3 as a leverage point for their new technologies. "

Sony's in deep trouble alright
They sales just keep falling, and they are facing fierce competition everywhere they look from nimbler, better South East Asian rivals, and even other Japanese rivals.
Read again their latest quarterly results that I sent you from Forbes above.

"I also find it hard to see how Sony is suffering from Samsung's competition, given that they are cooperating with Samsung in the LCD market."

Samsung is clobbering Sony in every other consumer electronics product they are competing in.
In fact it was Sony that sued for peace in the LCD business.
That still leaves DVD's, camcorders etc etc for Samsung to just keep taking share away from Sony.