Apple (AAPL) will break (and transform) the cellular-phone carrier industry the same way it did with the record industry. It remains to be seen whether it will be able to do the same with the cable TV industry, but I wouldn't bet against it.
The iPhone will eventually be available without the carriers. You will be able to use wireless internet access. This will allow innovation and lower costs. This will be good news for Clearwire (CLWR), which provides wireless internet access.
The reason why this will happen is because of the convergence of the technology necessary, the power and vision of Apple, but also because Apple doesn't make money from cell-phone contracts so it has no problem with reducing profit in an industry that won't let go of it's monopoly in mobile phone access without force.
Similarly, Whole Foods (WFMI), the leading organic food retailer regardless of whether it is able to buy Wild Oats or not, will continue to beat the me-too grocers that have non-organic and now some organic as well. They can't market organic and natural foods and better environmental practices as well because they are selling the other stuff too.
Skype (EBAY) and other VoIP companies are another example of this. They are forcing change in the land phone industry.
It is hard for people to give up on the ways of doing business that give them power and profits in favor of innovation, competition, which would be destabilizing to them. New entrants are necessary to challenge the status quo.
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