Me: That's exactly my question. So I asked ChatGPT - why not?

ChatGPT: Developing an application software ecosystem from scratch is not easy and it takes time. It is best to outsource application software to a software company - they have the knowledge, skill and experience. Let them do it and save your time and resources doing your core specialty - hardware and OS.

e.g. Outsource to Microsoft the development of Excel and Word for NeXT instead of NeXT building up an application softward for a spreadsheet and word processing. Microsoft already has the experience and tenure in the software ecosystem to deliver that.

1. It takes time - hardware/OS might be ready but the application software may not be ready, delaying shipping date
2. Spreading your resources too thin - NeXT was a fledgling company to be taking on this much burden
3. Alignment with existing Excel and Word users - user migration to NeXT becomes easier because users are already familiar with the GUI
4. Vibrant software ecosystem - outsourcing also encourages other software developers to develop software for NeXT
5. Limited market - NeXT's target market was a niche market - university researchers. Developing a broad suite of application software for a limited market may not be cost effective
6. Stratetic alliance - Microsoft was the big player in the industry while NeXT was still a fledgling. Aligning with Microsoft lends prestige to NeXT as a serious platform

When the company becomes big enough with more resources, then they can embark on developing its own suite of application software. This is actually what happened when Apple bought NeXT. It developed its own software for its suite of products - iPhone, iPod, iPad