Apple CEO Tim Cook Teases 'Great Innovation' in Product Pipeline on CNBC's Mad Money

[modeyabsolom]

I hope there is some genuine basis to Tim Cook's optimism! And this isn't just CEO jargon to placate investors and customers...which seems the more likely scenario to me at the moment.

 

[6749974]

Actually, I'm not an early adopter. Bought my MacBook Air in 2012. Didn't buy an iPhone until the third gen - 3Gs.

I understand. You're right. We're not early adopters in most things, but occasionally we become an early adopter of a product category.

This is how companies fund a project:

1. First they create the concept technology/product
2. Then they make their first sales with early adopters.
3. Then they take new cash-profit (from early adopters) and reinvest in the next iteration of the product.
4. Eventually they break "The Chasm" and create an amazing version of the product that solves the pain-points of the "Early Majority."

So someone who buys the first Apple Watch is an early adopter of the Apple Watch, because most people will not buy the first version.

Early Adopters are product specific. I'm not insinuating that you have a personality-type that makes you buy the first version of every product you enjoy.

Here's a graphic of the model:

[doublepost=1462298835][/doublepost]

The only one who is wrong here is you. Apart from the Watch, every one of Apple's products are at the mature stage of their product lifecycle so you can't claim the "network effect" because that's been and gone.

I agree with you. Thats what I'm saying. Macs, iPhones, iPads—mature. Apple Watch is the new product category that first sells to early adopters, and as it gets better sales will pick up to a wider market. Most people don't buy Apple Gen 1 products. Things pick up maybe Gen 3 or 4. See iPod. So, why are you being so confrontational with me?

Thing is—Apple will still make steady income from these mature products. There is just less "growth" to be had. Investors want growth. Which is why Tim Cook was on CNBC talking about growth. Thats my only point. He's doing exactly what he's supposed to do which is to address speculation and control the story as much as possible.

What exactly is this "next stage of technology" Apple is supposed to be heavily investing in? The Electric Car already exists as does Virtual Reality headsets.

You answered your own question: the electric car, virtual reality, and so on. Apple never creates the seed of an industry, so much as they take a new frontier and—over time—develop the product so that it is accessible and desirable to a majority market. See "smart phones". Apple didn't invent smart phones. But they developed their version of it so that 3 or 4 or 5 generations in, someone like my mom is buying a smart phone. Apple didn't invent face to face digital communication, they improved and simplified and made more intuitive the technology so that FaceTime calls are an easy thing. THATS what they will do with cars, for example. They didn't invent the electric car. They will aim to change the format and popularize it and take a significantly lucrative chunk of the market. That's what Apple cares about, and investors (the people who own Apple Inc.). They care about steady income from existing products, meanwhile entering new markets for new, growing revenue streams.

By the way, I don't count a new range of watch bands as "innovation".

Me neither, in a sense, but to be pedantic: Innovation means "make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products." So, for example, introducing new colors to an existing product is innovation. Successful innovation? Depends on whether it meets the objectives of the company, via the needs of the market. If Apple Watch enthusiast (those who spend hundreds on watch bands) are dying for new bands, and Apple delivers, thats innovation. Especially considering that Apple has to invent and problem solve in terms of form, material, manufacturing, and so on, in order to meet demand. Do I want new watch bands? No. But is new watch bands innovative? Yes. Just not to me because I'm not the target market. FYI innovation isn't synonymous with chips. A book can be innovative. A chair or sculpture or art can be innovative. Just changing the form of a chair to better fit your anatomy is innovative. You don't need to add a chip to something to call it innovative. The tech industry doesn't have a monopoly on the word and it's meaning.

But I get your point, and I agree. I'm not excited by Apple's direction 100% of the time, and couldn't care less about the watch right now. But I can separate me from the market.

As for your last comment - if you had bothered to do a little research you would have found out that far from investing for the long-term, Apple executives are selling their shares as fast as they're allowed. I've no doubt Apple will continue to make shed loads of money for the foreseeable future - just a lot less than they did previously as their YoY sales start to decline.

I don't disagree. I'm just trying to bring some nuance to the conversation.

The company isn't just one stream of sales revenue. They have many separate streams. As one stream's growth slows down, that doesn't mean the company is doomed, or Tim Cook is a fraud. It means they are reaching saturation—time to introduce a new product (while the old product brings in steady income).

Apple released Apple Watch last year. It will grow from that stream year over year. Meanwhile their Mac sales won't.

Again, my point is Tim Cook would look like a fool to go on CNBC and say "don't worry guys, we're gonna update the Mac Pro soon" because even if they did, that is such a small fraction of the market, it won't grow a 500 billion dollar company. Apple makes 70% of sales from iPhones alone. So investors want to hear, "We have plans for Apple Watch. Version 1 sold X amount. Version 4 will sell 8X amount. More so the watch-buyer will be using Apple pay which we make fees from, and buying apps and media which we make a percentage of. Keep your money invested for the long haul guys." Thats what he said, essentially. He did his job. And he's prob right. Version 4 will prob sell a lot more. And Apple will grow.

But you know what? Apple is changing into a services company. They have so many revenue channels. Selling you a phone/watch is just a little portal to extract even more money from you, the big plan being Apple Pay services and all the media the devices consumer (eg. Apps).

Apple's plan is working before my eyes. So why is everyone saying they aren't doing their job? I'll never know.

Thing is, a small company can grow 30x year over year in the beginning, but once you're huge and dominate, you can't grow at the same rate—you're already maxing. Like a baby will grow at a high rate, but once you hit 18 growth slows down to a crawl. You, instead, mature. Apple can still innovate, but growth will be slow unless they can reach new markets with a combination of strategies. That's the road Apple is on right now. To say they are not on that road makes 0 sense.
[doublepost=1462299312][/doublepost]

I can't tell if your trolling and making fun of the kook aid drinking zealots or if you are one.

I'm not wearing my consumer hat. Personally, I would love to see refreshed MacBooks, Mac Pro's, OS X, etc. Which I guess they are getting to at WWDC in a couple months.

I'm wearing my business manager hat. And nobody with at least a business 101 understanding thinks Apple is doomed. Only people on forums like this one. I'm doing my part to explain myself though. See my posts if you're interested. If not, no worries. Later.

 

[_mdavenport]

Oh, Timmy. Great poise throughout the interview.

 

[Ghost31]

So TC has been in charge since 2010 (earlier if you include SJs absences). In that time we have nothing.

In the years 1997 to 2010 Steve gave us iMacs, iPods, iPhones and iPads. He also gave us iTunes music and responded to demand and gave us app stores. Along the line he switched to Intel brilliantly. Oh, and he was the CEO of Pixar. Regardless of what anyobe says about it being the work of others: the point is that he focused these organisations and led great innovation. That time has gone. As upsetting as that is, it goes to sow how brilliant the man was.

Perhaps it is unfair of us to compare Tim to him.

This is exactly why I cringe so hard I want to explode every time people try to trivialize jobs and say "he was just a great salesmen. Nothing else". I'm not surprised these days...when you start off with a bias against Apple and are already set to hate everything jobs has touched, it must be hard to see the good with blinders on

 

[linuxcooldude]

holy damage control mode, batman!

I see it more as setting the record straight. Overall the global smartphone industry is showing a decline. Market saturation, along with other factors such as getting rid of phone subsidies by carriers.

 

[6749974]

Dominate what world market? They haven't got any more markets to enter into and the ones they have they are beginning to now lose in. It's a bit of a pipe dream to think they plan to dominate markets around the world. And if you are going to discuss world markets, perhaps you should use facts from world market and not your own.



Well seeing as Apple, rather usefully, has refused to release sales figures for it's watch then you go by analysts who state so:
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/07/31/apple-watch-sales-below-analyst-expectations/



No, we are not the same, I can tell I have different tastes as I happen to like the design of the Apple Watch so you are wrong there.
It's hardly a surprise to state Apple is in for the long term, you don't need to teach me that. It's the same as every other corporation. And it's plan is faltering whatever it may be but when you fail to update your products for 3 years, your plan is flawed.
Also their plan is failing as their iPad sales have fallen even more than the iPhone, and the iPod sales too, some great plan they have, for one device.

How exactly do YOU know what Apple's vision is for it's watch? Did you speak to Tim Cook or Jony Ive personally? A watch that is so amazing no one will buy it.
You really don't seem to understand do you? The only reason Fitbit is so successful is because it sells it's devices for fitness, because it knows no one wants a watch. Yet Apple IS selling it's device as a watch, the majority of people ditched watches a long time ago because they now have their phones, they are not going to go out and spend hundreds of pounds to buy something that they chose not to have to copy what something they already have does.
It is purely Apple hype that has sold the Apple Watch, it's sales will fall further because IMO Apple has mis-read the market for these devices.

So Apple needs to sell a product for it to reinvest into R&D, erm no it doesn't. Have they got an Apple car on the market already? Didn't realise that, and Apple's idea of R&D hardly costs the earth, making tiny design changes and getting your suppliers to make a better screen isn't ground breaking.
They have sold lots of Mac Pro's but that's not been updated for 3 years so that proves your theory as flawed too.
Apple does NOT need to sell products for R&D research.

As for your theory on vision of components, yeah that's called progress NOT vision, and Apple has NOTHING to do with that, it's components suppliers do, they make all those WiFi, GPS, LTE etc chips, not Apple.

Let me say it again, people stopped buying and wearing watches because they had a phone that told the time, they are not going to buy a watch that is expensive and does the EXACT SAME THING as their phone but on a tiny screen, when they had already stopped wearing a watch by choice.

The Apple Watch will NEVER be as successful as the iPhone based on these facts in my opinion.

In fact the sheer ideology that they are making a car potentially is a fail, they are an electronics company and have never done anything else, so they are completely changing what the company is and does, I do not know as a fact but I very much doubt Steve Jobs ever wanted Apple to build a car.
Investors will be very very nervous the day Apple launches a car, if it does, it will be interesting to see what happens over the next 5 years.

I'm not going to reply point by point, as you have so many points that I disagree with, I guess we'll have to then agree to disagree, respectfully.

The only thing I care to leave you with is that, while you may "feel" a certain way as a consumer, it would help the conversation to gain a new ability to separate yourself from the market.

Think of it this way: there are near infinite numbers of products that don't interest you, that still sell. Thats because you are not the entire market, and most likely not the target market, even if you think you are.

You are just one person. AND, you are frozen in time. You don't see the master plan, or the organic nature of how companies grow. Just because a tree, for example, is bare, doesn't mean it isn't working hard under ground, in its root system. You can bet all you want that the tree is dead or dying, but come spring there will be new leaves.

You seem to be so committed to the idea that Apple isn't innovating, Apple Watch is a complete failure, and that this is the end of Apple. All I can say is, please read a book called "Corporate Lifecycles: How and Why Corporations Grow and Die and What to Do About It" or better yet google for a summary—and then you will see how off your opinions most likely are.

The only way Apple is doomed is if they rest their laurels on Macs and iPhones and remain complacent. If that were the case, then it would make sense to call Tim Cook a bad CEO. Fortunately for growth, they are investing in new streams of revenue. The #1 job of a CEO is capital allocation—to invest incoming cash into the right places for future company development (growth, market strength, etc). Investments have a gestation period. You can't make money in return, right away, and at 100% market saturation upon release. I don't know how many other ways to say that.

Sorry Apple hasn't shared with you the top secret details so that you can sit back in comfort. It's not gonna happen. You're going to have to watch the show like everyone else.

 

[linuxcooldude]

I would too if I was the editor of an Apple centric site.

Actually a few staff members have shown negative comments about Apple before, so why should being positive about Apple be any different?

 

[PowerMac G4 MDD]

You must be blind at Apple's degeneration. Things have been going downhill. It starts with a leader who's cheap and has no pride in Apple's products.
[doublepost=1462301173][/doublepost]

Pretty optimistic for an ******* who's ruining Apple.

My comment was censored and I was given a notice by the moderator... which is odd. Using a symbol is exactly how one censors a word, so I'm not sure why I got in trouble for it. Additionally, I don't even use that word in person, nor do I even cuss in the first place. I find what I said to fit rather appropriately, and I made sure not to spell out the full word. This is disappointing, MacRumors Forums. I'm not offended - I'm a bit surprised.

 

[apolloa]

I'm not going to reply point by point, as you have so many points that I disagree with, I guess we'll have to then agree to disagree, respectfully.

The only thing I care to leave you with is that, while you may "feel" a certain way as a consumer, it would help the conversation to gain a new ability to separate yourself from the market.

Think of it this way: there are near infinite numbers of products that don't interest you, that still sell. Thats because you are not the entire market, and most likely not the target market, even if you think you are.

You are just one person. AND, you are frozen in time. You don't see the master plan, or the organic nature of how companies grow. Just because a tree, for example, is bare, doesn't mean it isn't working hard under ground, in its root system. You can bet all you want that the tree is dead or dying, but come spring there will be new leaves.

You seem to be so committed to the idea that Apple isn't innovating, Apple Watch is a complete failure, and that this is the end of Apple. All I can say is, please read a book called "Corporate Lifecycles: How and Why Corporations Grow and Die and What to Do About It" or better yet google for a summary—and then you will see how off your opinions most likely are.

The only way Apple is doomed is if they rest their laurels on Macs and iPhones and remain complacent. If that were the case, then it would make sense to call Tim Cook a bad CEO. Fortunately for growth, they are investing in new streams of revenue. The #1 job of a CEO is capital allocation—to invest incoming cash into the right places for future company development (growth, market strength, etc). Investments have a gestation period. You can't make money in return, right away, and at 100% market saturation upon release. I don't know how many other ways to say that.

Sorry Apple hasn't shared with you the top secret details so that you can sit back in comfort. It's not gonna happen. You're going to have to watch the show like everyone else.

Sigh, I never stated the Apple watch has failed I said it will never be as successful as the iPhone which, which you seem to think it will be, I never said this is the end of Apple. Please don't insult me by stating so.
You are the one who stated you are happy if they didn't update their computers, and now you claim they will be doomed for doing so? Your contradicting yourself now.
They are not innovating, the majority of posters here claim that, according to YOU these posters on here are all stuck in time, you are in the minority stating otherwise, they are not investing into new streams of revenue unless you yourself have seen their business plans for the next 5 years, or are you talking about a car? New watch straps are not new streams.

As I said, when t comes to watches I don't think you understand the market at all.

 

[jedifaka]

The Apple I started following made computers that turned its customers into an unpaid and relentless sales force. When I had colleagues insist I buy a Quadra, I doubt share price was very much on their minds. But with the runaway success of the iPhone, AAPL stock seemed eventually to become the point - more so than the products. Somewhere along the way, I think being the most valuable company appealed to fans, albeit different fans, than the Think Different ones of the past.
I'm skeptical Apple (or anyone else) can continue to keep both camps happy. Maybe one has to choose to be a fan of the products or a fan of the stock. What's good for one is not necessarily the best for the other.
If Apple were to return to being a minority player making stuff its customers adored and with a modest market capitalization, would the denizens of this site perceive that as a positive or a negative?

 

[6749974]

Sigh, I never stated the Apple watch has failed I said it will never be as successful as the iPhone which, which you seem to think it will be, I never said this is the end of Apple. Please don't insult me by stating so.

Then I apologize for the mixup. Replying to many people here. Sorry.

You are the one who stated you are happy if they didn't update their computers, and now you claim they will be doomed for doing so? Your contradicting yourself now.

Yeah, I don't remember stating I was happy. I remember stating with several posters here that as a consumer I am UN-happy about that. I love my macs, personally, more so than iDevices.

And you misunderstand me—I said: read the book. It shows that if a company releases a product line and relies on it solely for time infinite, the market will out innovate it because 30+ competitors X the natural progress of things (eg. People stopped buying CDs) means that if a company stays in place, they will slowly die (its called "complacency" in the book). So if Apple only releases Macs/iPhones, and doesn't innovate in new product categories, they will be on a slow trajectory toward death.

But Apple isn't complacent, are they? They have controlled the rumors about the car so that investors keep their investments in Apple. And they just released the Apple Watch last year, which will grow like the iPhone has. (I don't know it will will hit the exact numbers as iPhone. I would think not, but a luxury version of the Watch can sell for $30,000 possibly where as a phone will be capped at around $1,000).

They are not innovating, the majority of posters here claim that, according to YOU these posters on here are all stuck in time, you are in the minority stating otherwise, they are not investing into new streams of revenue unless you yourself have seen their business plans for the next 5 years, or are you talking about a car? New watch straps are not new streams.

Wow.

• First of all, thanks. Being in the minority is a complement. Never be in the majority, people. It's called hive-mind.
• Secondly, "they are not investing into new streams of revenue unless you yourself have seen their business plans." Really? Is Apple Watch not a new stream of revenue that will grow as the watch improves and sells to the majority? Is upcoming Apple Car not a new revenue stream? Is Apple Pay not a new revenue stream? Is the growth of the ecosystem not a new revenue stream?
• "New watch straps are not new streams." It's called cross-sell. You went to the movies for $12, then bought $8 in popcorn & drink. Thats $20. When Apple releases accessories and bands, etc, they make money. Who would have thought?

As I said, when t comes to watches I don't think you understand the market at all.

Ok. If I have to pick between business 101, Tim Cook, and the history of Apple—or your emotional line of thinking, forgive me if I pick the former.

 

[thekeyring]

Have you seen the Samsung Galaxy 7? I won't change, but outside of the US, that model is En Fuego.

Yes and like normal with the Galaxy phones is they're neck and neck with iPhone. A difference which can be explained (if either side appears to take the lead) by the 6 months difference in their release schedules.

 

[fastasleep]

I call BS. Dell and HP have had Skylake machines for seven months now.
Broadwell has been out even longer.
I bought my daughter a Haswell MBP when she went to college. She is now a senior.
This has nothing to do with Intel and everything to do with a neglectful Tim Cook.

You don't understand the difference in the chips and chipsets that have come out and are due to come out under Skylake. The ones that'd be appropriate for new MBPs are not out yet. Same with discrete GPU options.

 

[warnergt]

What I hope is in the pipeline
7. Arm based laptops to eliminate the constant product delays due to Intel

You do realize that Apple desktops are two generations behind in Intel processors, don't you?
HP and Dell have been shipping Skylake desktops for seven months now.
You absolutely and positively cannot blame Apple's processor delays on Intel.

 

[2457282]

You do realize that Apple desktops are two generations behind in Intel processors, don't you?
HP and Dell have been shipping Skylake desktops for seven months now.
You absolutely and positively cannot blame Apple's processor delays on Intel.

Wait, you're right. I just totally forgot that Apple still shipped desktops. /s
Please note I said laptops in my list; not desktop.

 

[warnergt]

You don't understand the difference in the chips and chipsets that have come out and are due to come out under Skylake. The ones that'd be appropriate for new MBPs are not out yet. Same with discrete GPU options.

Well, I was thinking of desktops but
look at all these laptops with Skylake processors:
15 ultraportables,
21 13- to 13.9 inch ultrabooks,
14 14- to 14.9-inch ultrabooks,
27 15-inch (and bigger) Skylake laptops,
0 MacBook Pros.
http://www.ultrabookreview.com/8162-skylake-ultrabooks/

 

[Karma*Police]

Well, except that Android Auto was announced Jan 2014 and CarPlay was announced March 2014. You could argue CarPlay was based on iPod Out which was sort of released in 2011 - but then you're stuck with Ford Sync by Microsoft in 2008... and which got a graphical display in.. 2011.



No other company has them.. well, except Microsoft who has Health Vault which is used by actual doctors and health care systems... including national systems in several countries... and it ties into their Microsoft Band product. It also supports many retail testing hardware and yes, it's designed to share this with doctors. BTW, most doctors aren't really interested in it. Contrary to how Apple presents it - most doctors won't want 24/7 monitoring of their patients unless they have a chronic/dangerous condition and in those cases, they prefer to push that to medical labs trained to filter out the details and hand them summaries.



I'll give you speakers - although I'm not sure why you'd want to adjust *frequency* when adjusting *amplitude* makes more sense. As for Pencil.. how do you know that it's 'completely different from active digitizers'. For one thing - 'active digitizers' isn't a technology - it's a broad class of them - basically any digitizer where the stylus provides information or signal as opposed to 'passive' where the stylus uses pressure or capacity to cause a sensor in the screen to detect the stylus. Ergo, Pencil is an active digitizer. More importantly, Apple's never explained the technology in the Pencil, but TechRepublic cut one open and guess what? Looks a lot like pretty much all other battery powered styli. The actual innovations seem to be a tilt sensor (which Wacom has had for a long time), and a rechargeable battery - which everyone else has avoided because of the short working time.

As for it being recognised as 'the best stylus' - I'm sure I could find a LOT of Wacom Cintiq fans who would be more than happy to disagree.



Apple invented the attached keyboard? How exactly is that true? The Microsoft TabletPC started in 2002 and many models had attachable keyboards. In fact, they also generally came with Wacom pens... predating the iPad Pro by.. mm.. 14 years. The granddaddy of them - the Compaq TC1000 came with a detachable keyboard/dock and a Wacom pen - and looked uncannily like the iPad although it came out 8 10 years earlier.



Let's go back to.. yes... 2002 again and Windows Media Center systems. Most of the current streamers are actually based on that by way of XBMC - now Kodi - which was an attempt to put WMC on the XBox.
As for the iPad interface.. interesting thing - most media centers aren't little boxes or even computers... today, most of them are *built right into the TV*. And they use grids of icons to represent the things you can watch and do. Sooo. No. Not terribly innovative.

Apple certainly has innovations - saying they have none is overdoing it - but it's equally silly to try and claim that Apple is the ONLY company that innovates.

For example: no one has anything like Microsoft's HoloLens.

But, let's let history make a comment.. in the form of a cartoon published in 2012 by Hijinks Ensue that not only sums up the problem so well - it actually predicted exactly what happened in the future...

I think my original point was completely lost somewhere if you think I was claiming that Apple was the only innovator. I don't think that at all, though I do think they're still the overall trendsetter in markets which they compete.

My original point was to address the misguided sentiment about how Apple no longer innovates because people's expectations for Apple have become unrealistic.

Apple has innovated the same as they have under Steve and the innovations I mentioned are just examples.

As for Android Auto and Heathvault, they both evolved to become very much like Apple's implementation. Actually I think MS developed Health Services to compete with HealthKit though admittedly I haven't kept up with their developments as they've become mostly irrelevant in the mobile space.

If we want to go back to the beginning of tablets, technically, Apple was first to launch a tablet with Newton. But I was comparing modern day tablets and the Surface was clearly inspired by iPad more than traditional PC tablets. So my point still stands that MS's Surface is derivative of iPad and not the other way around, and Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil are unique and improved solutions over existing ones. Wacom's expensive, clunky (and loud) solution to a very specific problem will soon go the way of the dinosaur as a result of Apple's more elegant solution which has no equal in the mobile space.

I'm sure you brought up other things but again, my point wasn't about who did what first or that no one else is innovating, but that Apple *has* been innovating post Jobs and that if the same standards were applied to Apple's competitors, they would most likely look far worse.

 

[apolloa]

Then I apologize for the mixup. Replying to many people here. Sorry.





Yeah, I don't remember stating I was happy. I remember stating with several posters here that as a consumer I am UN-happy about that. I love my macs, personally, more so than iDevices.

And you misunderstand me—I said: read the book. It shows that if a company releases a product line and relies on it solely for time infinite, the market will out innovate it because 30+ competitors X the natural progress of things (eg. People stopped buying CDs) means that if a company stays in place, they will slowly die (its called "complacency" in the book). So if Apple only releases Macs/iPhones, and doesn't innovate in new product categories, they will be on a slow trajectory toward death.

But Apple isn't complacent, are they? They have controlled the rumors about the car so that investors keep their investments in Apple. And they just released the Apple Watch last year, which will grow like the iPhone has. (I don't know it will will hit the exact numbers as iPhone. I would think not, but a luxury version of the Watch can sell for $30,000 possibly where as a phone will be capped at around $1,000).





Wow.

• First of all, thanks. Being in the minority is a complement. Never be in the majority, people. It's called hive-mind.
• Secondly, "they are not investing into new streams of revenue unless you yourself have seen their business plans." Really? Is Apple Watch not a new stream of revenue that will grow as the watch improves and sells to the majority? Is upcoming Apple Car not a new revenue stream? Is Apple Pay not a new revenue stream? Is the growth of the ecosystem not a new revenue stream?
• "New watch straps are not new streams." It's called cross-sell. You went to the movies for $12, then bought $8 in popcorn & drink. Thats $20. When Apple releases accessories and bands, etc, they make money. Who would have thought?

Ok. If I have to pick between business 101, Tim Cook, and the history of Apple—or your emotional line of thinking, forgive me if I pick the former.

Ah so you are going to pick the mythical car as Apples saviour? And according to you, the Apple Watch will bring them the money for the next 5 to 10 years until their car is ready.
You do realise you are basing your comment on a RUMOUR right? Apple may not build a car, so your arguments are flawed, please stop claiming I have seem Apple's plan when your analysis is based on pure speculative rumour.

As for your claim that Apple watch straps are a new revenue stream..... no, they are not, they are an existing revenue stream in a different colour, not a totally new product and revenue stream.

 

[btrach144]

Depends on which Pro, I bought the Early 2015 MacBook Pro 12 inch with Broadwell processors which is still current. Yes, the 15 inch is still out of date.

he was talking about the mac pro, not the MacBook pro so his claims are correct.

 

[Dr.Chroma]

Well, Steve "hand appointed" John Sculley, how did that work out? How about you explain why AAPL is such a dismal performer over the last 4 years? How about you explain why we should have confidence in Cook and his "pipeline BS" that he has been spewing over the last several years?

No one can control what Tim Cook says or doesn't say in an interview and or recorded conversation. Tim Cook is an engineer and Steve Jobs was a salesman, FACT. I, as a consumer pay for a result, not a product. I have been happy for one on my Apple Purchases, but I can speak for myself. Apple is chastised for its heritage and legacy over the years, up's and downs. Has Apple Had its shortcomings? Yes, they Have., but what BILLION dollar company hasn't!? You asking me for a retort on John Sculley compared to Tim Cook is Apples and Oranges. Different generation and time in Apple's growth, I could write a 10 page synopsis on that alone. That's like comparing the iPhone 6s to the iPhone 3GS, so where are we now? Where is Blackberry? Where is Nokia? Battleship sunk by Apple, no difference in the demise of Pebble, which they are on their way out. Apple's mainstream competitor is Samsung. Are their really any other competitors anymore? Or at least the public hears of? No. No one cares about the "Little Guy" anymore, its all about the latest and greatest.

I have been with Apple since day one, avid purchaser, stock/share holder, and of course, Apple supporter, and guess what? No Matter the leaps and bounds Apple defies, you, myself and every other Apple fanatic will support their products and growth, guaranteed. I agree they are a few steps behind the competition in innovation at times, but don't tell me Apple does not have something bigger, greater in which we all be "Wowed", and Macrumors will post an article on the success of Apple and rave about the positive reviews.

Can Apple be stagnant at times, Yes. Let me end by saying this, Apple is way smarter than you can comprehend, and if you think for a second that you can gauge their success rate by watching a 5 minute Jim Cramer Mad Money clip and or reading a "Posted Article of a Decline in Apple Watch or iPhone sale", then your narrow minded and ignorant. Checks and Balances!

 

[routine_analyst]

No need to be offensive. How do you know what car I drive? "not a loyalist?" You've got to be kidding me. Sorry I don't drink the BMW cool-aid

Judging by your responses, you don't have much of a sense of humor so kidding you would be a waste of time.

First of all, traffic updates are not 4g, that's your sirius XM radio. As a loyalist you should've known that. Now it is true that you don't need an active subscription for traffic but the maps themselves are never as good as something that updates all the time. Your map app is literally static and your software is static. Your'e done, they're not adding any more functionality to it.

I have dynamic traffic that reroutes me constantly. Perhaps turn on the modes that make it work for you. And functionality, UI changes, interaction changes .... they keep doing them and all you need to do is request a dealer to update that software when they do the service.

Next, you want local businesses? No 4g connection means you aren't searching for any new businesses, your'e stuck with what the car software has. Apple carplay has yelp now, and I trust yelp more than a built in BMW system.

The car DOES have search. It connects to the ConnectedDrive server which is updated frequently. Trust whomever you please.

Touchscreen does take your eyes off the road, and that's why SIRI is such a big help. But you know what else takes your eye off the road? responding to texts. Checking scores. Checking what music to play. Maybe switching to a podcast. What device do you use to do those things? A phone. BMW will always be a middleman representation of those things. Carplay will literally be your device. How will BMW interface reflect spotify? Apple music? Not well, they rely on your phone having those apps, additionally none of your BMW interface will help with that. Voice control, can you tell BMW to play a music on apple music? no.

Asking SIRI to read your texts if you have game have potential to unleash embarrassment or a disaster depending on who you have in the car, however, ConnectedDrive already has that function. Carplay is not the device. It's a shared system that has a CarPlay mode which takes your iPhone UI and positions it on a screen built into the dash. BMW already gives you app downloads in a ConnectedDrive store.

On that subject, does BMW have continuously updated apps? Can you take your car into BMW and ask them to integrate MLB at Bat for example? Can you tell your car to schedule an appointment for you?

Yes they do update the apps. They release newer and newer ways to interact with these apps and release them on the ConnectedDrive Services. My car is also linked to the MyBMW internet portal where I have chosen a default dealership that messages me reminders when I need services appointments. But then again, why do I need someone else scheduling something for me when I simply do it on my own? I don't see how CarPlay will assist with that? Dialing a number to a service department still running DOS and broken email services?

I think it's actually completely hilarious to me how much your'e defending the idrive interface system. The idrive interface will forever be the middleman between your car and your phone. Why not let Apple control that interface? I think it's sad that you don't realize car manufacturers are making a killing selling an interface to you that you'll end up just looking down on your phone for that interface instead.

I barely look at my phone when I am in the car. I have a heads up display on the windshield for quick actions like dialing numbers, navigation, speed, gear shift and song/album selection. You are missing the point when it comes to touchscreen lodged into the dashboard. You have to point your finger in a direction and make eye pattern trail to the device to select a button you cannot feel unless you are looking at the touch points and during that exact moment that is no different then picking up your phone and doing the same thing. I defend the iDrive because it's a wheel with built in click and touch pad on top. A wheel that has been placed in the most natural spot for a driver to interact with all UI... near the gear shift. You are suggesting a person do a whole slew of additional actions to interact with a larger version of your iPhone screen 2 feet from where your hand rests naturally while driving. That's laughable at best. The only killing that will be had will be the lives lost when more and more people take their eyes off the road to attempt to find buttons to tap on. For now, I'll just use my already installed Voice recognition in the two modes: BMW Voice and Siri hands free.

 

[sw1tcher]

AAPL closed up $1.54 (1.64%) on a day where the overall market was down. Was up as high as $2.10 (2.24%)

I guess your appearance on Mad Money last night was a success, right, Mr. Cook?

 

[American Hero]

AAPL closed up $1.54 (1.64%) on a day where the overall market was down. Was up as high as $2.10 (2.24%)

I guess your appearance on Mad Money last night was a success, right, Mr. Cook?

Looks like the same gesture he makes whenever the idiots in the front of the audience go, "whoooooooooooo!!" at every little thing. Tim could tell them they're getting a 50% pay cut and they do the same thing. I probably won't watch another keynote again, as long as Tim is here.

 

[drumcat]

Yes and like normal with the Galaxy phones is they're neck and neck with iPhone. A difference which can be explained (if either side appears to take the lead) by the 6 months difference in their release schedules.

That's bogus. 6 month leads? No. The 7 is the first one that is hardware-based superior to the iphone "flagship" (i hate that word.)

If you offered me a Galaxy 7 with iOS, I'd take it in a heartbeat. And that's the first time that's even been a relevant question.

 

[Apple Corps]

I'm not going to reply point by point, as you have so many points that I disagree with, I guess we'll have to then agree to disagree, respectfully.

The only thing I care to leave you with is that, while you may "feel" a certain way as a consumer, it would help the conversation to gain a new ability to separate yourself from the market.

Think of it this way: there are near infinite numbers of products that don't interest you, that still sell. Thats because you are not the entire market, and most likely not the target market, even if you think you are.

You are just one person. AND, you are frozen in time. You don't see the master plan, or the organic nature of how companies grow. Just because a tree, for example, is bare, doesn't mean it isn't working hard under ground, in its root system. You can bet all you want that the tree is dead or dying, but come spring there will be new leaves.

You seem to be so committed to the idea that Apple isn't innovating, Apple Watch is a complete failure, and that this is the end of Apple. All I can say is, please read a book called "Corporate Lifecycles: How and Why Corporations Grow and Die and What to Do About It" or better yet google for a summary—and then you will see how off your opinions most likely are.

The only way Apple is doomed is if they rest their laurels on Macs and iPhones and remain complacent. If that were the case, then it would make sense to call Tim Cook a bad CEO. Fortunately for growth, they are investing in new streams of revenue. The #1 job of a CEO is capital allocation—to invest incoming cash into the right places for future company development (growth, market strength, etc). Investments have a gestation period. You can't make money in return, right away, and at 100% market saturation upon release. I don't know how many other ways to say that.

Sorry Apple hasn't shared with you the top secret details so that you can sit back in comfort. It's not gonna happen. You're going to have to watch the show like everyone else.

No, the number 1 job (result) of the CEO of a publicly traded company is ROI to shareholders. On that, Cook is a disaster.

You state "You can't make money in return, right away, and at 100% market saturation upon release". You appear to make a statement to support your point of view that has not been made by others as I read through all these posts. Cook has been CEO for 5 years - stock performance has been a dog with him at the helm. He has wasted over $120,000,000,000 on buybacks and the stock continues to tank - hello.....

For some perspective - Apple cloud services are marginal. What if Cook had taken $12,000,000,000 and purchased Akamai in a hostile takeover with a 50% stock premium? That is what Apple should be doing along with a superior AI team and a network contract for streaming content, etc.

He has been wasting cash because he has no clue on what to do. Why does AAPL need to be propped up ?????