Analysts See Record-Breaking Sales for iPhone and Mac in Holiday Quarter

[ksuyen]

You cannot call it innovative if it comes out with the same core features as the current smart watches already out today. It may well be a disruptor though since it's Apple, and people will line up in droves to buy it regardless of what other competing products are out there.

That depends on what do you mean by innovation. According to Wikipedia, Innovation is a new idea, device or process. Innovation differs from invention in that innovation refers to the use of a better and, as a result, novel idea or method, whereas invention refers more directly to the creation of the idea or method itself. That to me sounds very Apple.

Can Apple Watch be viewed as the application of better solutions that meet new requirements, inarticulated needs, or existing market needs? Regardless of who came first and called their product SmartWatch or whatever, an imitating functions based on rumours surrounding Apple Watch, we all knew Apple has been working on it far too long before any rumours leaked. Can those Android devices claimed they are first innovating Smart Watch?

 

[gnasher729]

Linux had App Store before Apple

Linux still doesn't have an app store that I have ever heard of. If it has an app store, it's a well kept secret.

 

[SirCheese]

an imitating functions based on rumours surrounding Apple Watch

Yep, they totally imitated something from a RUMOR....

 

[MasterRyu2011]

The people who see the world as you do were able to say the iPhone was just like the phones of the time by ignoring the massively superior screen and innovative input mechanism (no keyboard). Conveniently, you chose to ignore the substantial differences in input mechanism (digital crown) and massively superior screen- most wearables today have pixelated black&white or greyscale displays (or no display at all like the fitbit and activité) and the few that don't are flawed in other serious ways (ie. the Gear). Again, you're not learning from history but you repeat it well.

I'm not sure if you just didn't read my post at all or only skimmed it, but I was arguing that the iPhone indeed WAS NOT like other phones. It was truly innovative.

I cannot say the same for the Apple Watch if it comes out with the features that Apple advertised back in its unveiling. It won't be any more innovative than the offerings from Motorola, LG, Sony, and Samsung that are already out in the market. True, maybe these OEMs did bank on the Apple rumors and jumped first, but they did beat Apple to it.

Massively superior screen?? It's dubbed a retina touch screen. We'll have to wait and see what its resolution actually is, but the current crop of smart watch screens (Moto 360, LG G Watch R, Samsung Gears) are perfectly fine. Indeed the screen of the Samsung Gear S watch is already retina quality at 300 PPI.

 

[Thunderhawks]

I wonder how much of the amount of people sticking with the 4S and older has to do with people not wanting to get giant phones and the record sales are from people switching from android now that they can get their phablets on iOS?

I know if my 4S hadn't died I would still be on it, as it is I switched to android to get a smaller screen than the 6 or 6+. So I wonder if those on the 4S will really upgrade to newer iPhones in as large of numbers as these analysts predict...

Still on 4S, but as my eyes get weaker I can see going to a 6S. Plus is just too big for how I work with it.
They finally went to 128GB (should be 256 by now) and I usually skip th first generation of an Apple product.

By 6S they'll be okay and plenty of supplies after the impatient get theirs.

 

[Lexdexia]

Spoken like someone who has never actually used competitors products, like most Apple users.

Your response is written like someone who can't handle the truth that Apple products are simply better than the competition.

 

[ksuyen]

Yep, they totally imitated something from a RUMOR....

And yet where are they 2-3 years ago before the rumour? You can't deny the facts. I use the word 'imitate' loosely, it might be something worse, something like 'let's create Smart Watch - regardless of any tech, premature or not - before Apple release it, for the sake of being the first one to capture the market, and don't let Apple disrupt the market' in a tone that is very Samsung-ish.

 

[proline]

I'm not sure if you just didn't read my post at all or only skimmed it, but I was arguing that the iPhone indeed WAS NOT like other phones. It was truly innovative.

Your position that the iPhone was innovative because of its unique UI and superior screen is inconsistent with your assertion that the Apple Watch's unique UI and superior screen do not constitute innovation. Your utter inability to resolve this dissonance speaks to opinions that are not well informed. [/QUOTE]

I cannot say the same for the Apple Watch if it comes out with the features that Apple advertised back in its unveiling. It won't be any more innovative than the offerings from Motorola, LG, Sony, and Samsung that are already out in the market.

This is just cut and paste 2007 drivel. The iPhone didn't have any 'features' that Motorola, LG, Sony, and Samsung didn't already have. It couldn't even load apps!

Massively superior screen?? It's dubbed a retina touch screen. We'll have to wait and see what its resolution actually is

Maybe do a little research? The resolution was released a long time ago. It's 326 ppi.

, but the current crop of smart watch screens (Moto 360, LG G Watch R, Samsung Gears) are perfectly fine. Indeed the screen of the Samsung Gear S watch is already retina quality at 300 PPI.

I think reading comprehension is an issue here. Where did I say there weren't any wearables with good screens? I said they either have crappy screens (e-Strap), no screen (Activité, fitbit), or are hobbled by crippling flaws. The watches you mention here are in that category which is why none have sold in numbers beyond what you can count on your fingers. The Gear, for example, was designed by people who despise women, so that gives you an idea how well it is right there.

 

[SirCheese]

Your response is written like someone who can't handle the truth that Apple products are simply better than the competition.

And it's your opinion they are.

----------

And yet where are they 2-3 years ago before the rumour? You can't deny the facts. I use the word 'imitate' loosely, it might be something worse, something like 'let's create Smart Watch - regardless of any tech, premature or not - before Apple release it, for the sake of being the first one to capture the market, and don't let Apple disrupt the market' in a tone that is very Samsung-ish.

What facts? It's not fact that they responded to Apple. Just what you want to be fact, nothing more.

 

[Karma*Police]

I think this is a very clear cut example of Tim Cooks Apple researching and then following market demand and trends to maximize profits and increase market share. What it does not do though, is follow the pioneering spirit and vision which was Steve Jobs to make products that were innovative, cutting edge, inventive, and above all...ones that took a chance and were the stuff of imagination.

I think Mac Pro, Apple Watch and iOS 7 are "innovative, cutting edge, inventive, and [are] the stuff of imagination." And that's all just within the past couple of years.

Steve Jobs did not disrupt markets every year as many seem to think. Expecting Apple under Tim Cook to reinvent markets every year or even every 5 years is unrealistic.

 

[Traverse]

I still think it's because many consumers won't need to upgrade their iPads every year. not because people don't want tablets or iPads.

Well, and a part of that is that iPad development is so strange compared to similar products. An iPad Air 2 is thin, fast, and light, but what can it do that an iPad 2 can't?

Yeah, Air Drop and a few apps are better optimized for the A8X, but a 2nd gen product from 2011 can still do 95% of what a 6th gen product from 2014 can. That's okay if you want iPad development to mirror PC/Mac development, but Apple and investors want growth. Apple needs to better develop the iPad's software and make newer iPads do something new in order to keep growing sales.

----------

Linux still doesn't have an app store that I have ever heard of. If it has an app store, it's a well kept secret.

There's a Ubuntu app store of sorts, but like you I've never heard of this old Linux app store.

----------

The A8x is an example of extreme innovation in reality, there simply isn't comaparble hardware out there.

I agree, but aside from a few third party apps, how is anyone benefitting from it?

The iPad has extreme potential as Apple truly does innovate the hardware, but their software is far too underdeveloped. Core iOS isn't leveraging the A8X any more than it leverages the iPad 2's A5 chip aside from higher FPS when swiping and the translucent effect.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

Your position that the iPhone was innovative because of its unique UI and superior screen is inconsistent with your assertion that the Apple Watch's unique UI and superior screen do not constitute innovation. Your utter inability to resolve this dissonance speaks to opinions that are not well informed.

I never said the iPhone was innovative because of its unique UI and superior screen. They're important, of course, but IMO it was innovative because it combined a slew of technologies and features that complemented each other well in a way not fully realized before: all screen front face with that slab form factor, the multi-use home button, multi-touch and pinch to zoom, and of course a full fledged App ecosystem a year later.

This is just cut and paste 2007 drivel. The iPhone didn't have any 'features' that Motorola, LG, Sony, and Samsung didn't already have. It couldn't even load apps!

Yes it did. A very large touch screen with multi touch packaged in an elegant package. That slab form factor was also pretty much made the standard in 2007.

Maybe do a little research? The resolution was released a long time ago. It's 326 ppi.

Point taken. Ok, it's 326 PPI. Maybe it would matter 5 years ago, but having a retina screen is nothing that screams innovative when your competition also has screens that are almost as dense with 300 PPI (Gear S) and 278 (Zen Watch). The Moto 360, which I have, is no slouch either even with its paltry 205 PPI. It's a little pixelated, but definitely perfectly fine for the watch faces and photo viewing.

Where did I say there weren't any wearables with good screens? I said they either have crappy screens (e-Strap), no screen (Activité, fitbit), or are hobbled by crippling flaws. The watches you mention here are in that category which is why none have sold in numbers beyond what you can count on your fingers.

If you think they have crippling flaws, that's your opinion. Sure they're not perfect, but as a product they seem just as capable as the Apple Watch per what has been revealed about it thus far. Oh..come on..they don't sell well because the devices don't have a fruit logo on it.

The Gear, for example, was designed by people who despise women, so that gives you an idea how well it is right there.

That was cringe-worthy indeed. But what does a bad commercial have to do with the quality of a product?

 

[oldmacs]

iPad Sales are down as they're not bought on contracts (well rarely bought on contracts), so there is less impetus to upgrade. Also iPads are treated more as long term devices, and Apple's continued support of the iPad 2 for example has meant that for many the iPad 2 still does everything they need. I would be classed as a power user (well a power user with a limited budget) and my iPad 2 while a bit less snappy than with iOS 4,5,6 and 7 is still perfectly usable.

In terms of that large percentage of people on the 4S and earlier, I'd put that down to older models increasingly handling their last and 2nd last versions of iOS better The 4S runs iOS 8 better than the 3GS ran iOS 6, and the 4 ran iOS 7 for example. The 4S also ran iOS 7 much better than the 3GS on iOS 5 and the iPhone 4 on iOS 6.

The iPhone 5 handles iOS 8 VERY well (Performance wise), even better than iOS 7 on the 4S..

 

[proline]

If you think they have crippling flaws, that's your opinion. Sure they're not perfect, but as a product they seem just as capable as the Apple Watch per what has been revealed about it thus far. Oh..come on..they don't sell well because the devices don't have a fruit logo on it.

It's not my opinion. The Moto 360 and pals are deeply flawed as judged by more than 99% of the world's population who have chosen to give them a pass. I don't know what your standard for flawed is, but that's a pretty high bar. 'A fruit logo' does not create a successful product- the 1st gen Apple TV, G4 cube, Ping, etc. all had a fruit logo and failed. If the Apple Watch outsells the Moto, and believe me it will, it's because it's better. Plain and simple.

That was cringe-worthy indeed. But what does a bad commercial have to do with the quality of a product?

Seeing as around half of watch buyers are female, a company that views women as little more than props isn't going to have a good grasp of how to make a good one. And it isn't "a bad commercial"- Samsung has been very consistent in their demeaning stance towards women- the S4 launch being a great example.

 

[macs4nw]

I think this is a very clear cut example of Tim Cooks Apple researching and then following market demand and trends to maximize profits and increase market share. What it does not do though, is follow the pioneering spirit and vision which was Steve Jobs to make products that were innovative, cutting edge, inventive, and above all...ones that took a chance and were the stuff of imagination. I think that the average person can see the total different direction under two different CEO's. It may not necessarily be a bad thing, especially for the profits of Apple, but I think that people who try and make the case that this company has any soul of what it once was, is lying to themselves and us. Apple is now officially a "me-too" bandwagon company that makes very refined products that its core audience and followers will of course, embrace. Nothing less, and certainly nothing more now.

I so hope the above assessment won't pan out, but speaking long term, I am deeply worried as well.

Apple may need a new visionary, who is a perfectionist at heart as well.

 

[larry t]

I think this is a very clear cut example of Tim Cooks Apple researching and then following market demand and trends to maximize profits and increase market share. What it does not do though, is follow the pioneering spirit and vision which was Steve Jobs to make products that were innovative, cutting edge, inventive, and above all...ones that took a chance and were the stuff of imagination. I think that the average person can see the total different direction under two different CEO's. It may not necessarily be a bad thing, especially for the profits of Apple, but I think that people who try and make the case that this company has any soul of what it once was, is lying to themselves and us. Apple is now officially a "me-too" bandwagon company that makes very refined products that its core audience and followers will of course, embrace. Nothing less, and certainly nothing more now.

And what devices are thoughts, because the iPhone, and iPad are once in a life time devices. It will be decades before we see devices that have this type of effect on society. Other than the Apple watch. Most people never cared about Apples innovation until the iPhone. Apple cant make any device first anymore, because there competition even copy's Apples rumor mill devices, like the Apple Watch. People said what you are saying even when it had the so called "soul of what it once was" whatever that means.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I think this is a very clear cut example of Tim Cooks Apple researching and then following market demand and trends to maximize profits and increase market share. What it does not do though, is follow the pioneering spirit and vision which was Steve Jobs to make products that were innovative, cutting edge, inventive, and above all...ones that took a chance and were the stuff of imagination. I think that the average person can see the total different direction under two different CEO's. It may not necessarily be a bad thing, especially for the profits of Apple, but I think that people who try and make the case that this company has any soul of what it once was, is lying to themselves and us. Apple is now officially a "me-too" bandwagon company that makes very refined products that its core audience and followers will of course, embrace. Nothing less, and certainly nothing more now.

Thats not really true. Apple has been working on many of these features long before google samsung or anyone has. Thay take their time to think everything through. Samsung and others troll the rumor mills nd patent applications for stuff they can rush together before Apple brings it to market. Take the watch for instance...weve known it was coming down the pipeline for 3+ years long before so much as a hint of a watch from Samsung and others. The same goes for NFC. The big phablet and the mini tablet were Samsung ideas.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

It's not my opinion. The Moto 360 and pals are deeply flawed as judged by more than 99% of the world's population who have chosen to give them a pass. I don't know what your standard for flawed is, but that's a pretty high bar.

Ok buddy. Whether the world buys a product has no bearing on its intrinsic quality and you know it. Motorola is notorious for its bad marketing. The 2013 Moto X smartphone was one the best of 2013 as evidenced by pretty much every tech news site out there, but it failed to garner an attention from the general public.

If you must try to put down the Moto 360, at least be aware that it has a 4/5 star rating on Amazon out of 200+ reviews and 4.5/5 rating from Best Buy out of 800+ reviews. I'm not saying that these reviews are the end-all, but I highly doubt a product with "crippling" flaws would obtain such high ratings.

'A fruit logo' does not create a successful product- the 1st gen Apple TV, G4 cube, Ping, etc. all had a fruit logo and failed. If the Apple Watch outsells the Moto, and believe me it will, it's because it's better. Plain and simple.

A fruit logo on most "high profile" products in the "post-iphone" era is pretty much a guarantee sell vs any other competing brands. The Apple of today is NOT the same company in 1999.

Seeing as around half of watch buyers are female, a company that views women as little more than props isn't going to have a good grasp of how to make a good one. And it isn't "a bad commercial"- Samsung has been very consistent in their demeaning stance towards women- the S4 launch being a great example.

It's a bad commercial. Bad acting with cringe-worthy scenes. Superbowl halftime quality, sure, if you want unintentional comedy. Really, whatever argument you're trying to make to put down Samsung (go right ahead...I'm not their biggest fan) has nothing to do with my opinion that Apple's watch does not seem to be as innovative compared to the rest of the smart watches (not fitness bands and their brethren) out now. Of course, my tune may change once the watch is out; indeed I am already considering getting one. I like a refined product as much as the next guy, even if it's not that innovative

 

[Keirasplace]

Ok buddy. Whether the world buys a product has no bearing on its intrinsic quality and you know it. Motorola is notorious for its bad marketing. The 2013 Moto X smartphone was one the best of 2013 as evidenced by pretty much every tech news site out there, but it failed to garner an attention from the general public.

If you must try to put down the Moto 360, at least be aware that it has a 4/5 star rating on Amazon out of 200+ reviews and 4.5/5 rating from Best Buy out of 800+ reviews. I'm not saying that these reviews are the end-all, but I highly doubt a product with "crippling" flaws would obtain such high ratings.




A fruit logo on most "high profile" products in the "post-iphone" era is pretty much a guarantee sell vs any other competing brands. The Apple of today is NOT the same company in 1999.




It's a bad commercial. Bad acting with cringe-worthy scenes. Superbowl halftime quality, sure, if you want unintentional comedy. Really, whatever argument you're trying to make to put down Samsung (go right ahead...I'm not their biggest fan) has nothing to do with my opinion that Apple's watch does not seem to be as innovative compared to the rest of the smart watches (not fitness bands and their brethren) out now. Of course, my tune may change once the watch is out; indeed I am already considering getting one. I like a refined product as much as the next guy, even if it's not that innovative

The reviewers come from the very few who bought the watch, so 4/5 doesn't mean much at all. If your ready to spend money on some geeky things, I'm pretty sure you know what your getting. Apple's task is harder since they're going for the mass market.

 

[SirCheese]

It's not my opinion. The Moto 360 and pals are deeply flawed as judged by more than 99% of the world's population who have chosen to give them a pass. I don't know what your standard for flawed is, but that's a pretty high bar. 'A fruit logo' does not create a successful product- the 1st gen Apple TV, G4 cube, Ping, etc. all had a fruit logo and failed. If the Apple Watch outsells the Moto, and believe me it will, it's because it's better. Plain and simple.


Seeing as around half of watch buyers are female, a company that views women as little more than props isn't going to have a good grasp of how to make a good one. And it isn't "a bad commercial"- Samsung has been very consistent in their demeaning stance towards women- the S4 launch being a great example.

It actually is your opinion.

 

[SirCheese]

The reviewers come from the very few who bought the watch, so 4/5 doesn't mean much at all. If your ready to spend money on some geeky things, I'm pretty sure you know what your getting. Apple's task is harder since they're going for the mass market.

Apple isn't the only one going for mass market. 4/5 does actually mean quite a bit, obviously people are liking it, I know this doesn't fit into your narrative of your defense of Apple but that's how it is. I know, it's hard to believe people like other products besides Apple! THE HORROR!

 

[szw-mapple fan]

I think this is a very clear cut example of Tim Cooks Apple researching and then following market demand and trends to maximize profits and increase market share. What it does not do though, is follow the pioneering spirit and vision which was Steve Jobs to make products that were innovative, cutting edge, inventive, and above all...ones that took a chance and were the stuff of imagination. I think that the average person can see the total different direction under two different CEO's. It may not necessarily be a bad thing, especially for the profits of Apple, but I think that people who try and make the case that this company has any soul of what it once was, is lying to themselves and us. Apple is now officially a "me-too" bandwagon company that makes very refined products that its core audience and followers will of course, embrace. Nothing less, and certainly nothing more now.

I think Apple needs to take a fall, maybe 5 years or so from now, and shrink to their 2006~2008-ish size. Being a smaller company would allow them to be more accepting to bigger risks.

 

[lowendlinux]

Linux still doesn't have an app store that I have ever heard of. If it has an app store, it's a well kept secret.

If you consider the MAS to be a SW repository which I do then Linux has always had an "App Store" in the sense that your all your SW comes from a repo. The Ubuntu derivatives do have the Ubuntu Software Center which is a graphical way to install paid and free SW as well as books and magazines.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

The reviewers come from the very few who bought the watch, so 4/5 doesn't mean much at all. If your ready to spend money on some geeky things, I'm pretty sure you know what your getting. Apple's task is harder since they're going for the mass market.

Actually, just read the reviews. They are not "OMG, it's so awesome..it's gold and pretty and shiny." There is substance to it. They address concerns like battery life, Android Wear OS, and the pros & cons of the watch. If we're going by your logic, then we should discount reviews on Amazon with 2 stars or 3 stars also. I find Amazon reviews most trusting (more so than Best Buy) as they tend be more comprehensive.

Regarding the bolded part, that is so far from the truth. It's usually the geeky person who would be more critical of their product or praise their product in a legitimate way. Not "OMG, it's so shiny" type of reasons.

 

[Keirasplace]

Actually, just read the reviews. They are not "OMG, it's so awesome..it's gold and pretty and shiny." There is substance to it. They address concerns like battery life, Android Wear OS, and the pros & cons of the watch. If we're going by your logic, then we should discount reviews on Amazon with 2 stars or 3 stars also. I find Amazon reviews most trusting (more so than Best Buy) as they tend be more comprehensive.

Regarding the bolded part, that is so far from the truth. It's usually the geeky person who would be more critical of their product or praise their product in a legitimate way. Not "OMG, it's so shiny" type of reasons.

You act like I've not touched/seen the thing... My friends are all technophiles with too much money (one even has Google glass, oh my!)... And I have put my hands on most of the current batch of watches. Apple will undoubtedly be better than those, that's my first hand impression. Is that good enough for everyone's needs? Probably not. That's why we have a diversity of offer.

Also, there's plenty of bad reviews about the Moto 360... Sure you know how to Google them since you were so keen on telling me about Amazon.