Apple Drops Over Twenty Spots in Latest Company Reputation Survey

[robbyx]

Actually it's not a rant. It's a list of solutions. I love Apple. Major investor with them since 2004. It's just difficult to watch the decision making (actually the lack of decision making) and not speak up about it. I don't have time to make a board meeting or conference call. I would welcome a sit down face to face if anyone worth whole wants to come to Chicago. I support Apple. I just think I am more passionate for solutions and growth than Tim Cook is, and that's unfortunate. I rarely trust anyone's word on things, I look at results.. and for the past 4-5 years, those results are lacking in many areas.

Lack of decisions? While I don't love the direction Apple is taking, you can't accuse them of being indecisive. The past 4-5 years have seen tremendous growth. In other words, RESULTS. I'm not sure what you're talking about. Look at quarterly sales numbers. Look at the stock price. How can suggest they are not growing? Absurd. Apple has released new products, Apple Watch and HomePod, developed a new programming language, Swift, brought the App Store to the Apple TV, and plenty more. iPhone X has some great tech. FaceID is pretty awesome. Sure, others have offered facial recognition in the past, but Apple is the first and only consumer electronics company to offer SECURE facial recognition. You can't accuse them of doing nothing. You might not like what they are doing, but Cook is delivering.

Much of the Cook criticism on this site and others is unfair in my opinion. The reality is, technology ebbs and flows. There are periods of great growth followed by long plateaus. We're in a plateau. No one else, Google, Samsung, Amazon, Microsoft, etc., is outdoing Apple in the tech department. Many are catching up, however. I worry about Apple's focus on Services revenue. I know it looks good on paper, but it also suggests a lack of new ideas. Apple was always a hardware company. While that is still true today, things are changing. Time will tell.

 

[loby]

Lack of decisions? While I don't love the direction Apple is taking, you can't accuse them of being indecisive. The past 4-5 years have seen tremendous growth. In other words, RESULTS. I'm not sure what you're talking about. Look at quarterly sales numbers. Look at the stock price. How can suggest they are not growing? Absurd. Apple has released new products, Apple Watch and HomePod, developed a new programming language, Swift, brought the App Store to the Apple TV, and plenty more. iPhone X has some great tech. FaceID is pretty awesome. Sure, others have offered facial recognition in the past, but Apple is the first and only consumer electronics company to offer SECURE facial recognition. You can't accuse them of doing nothing. You might not like what they are doing, but Cook is delivering.

Much of the Cook criticism on this site and others is unfair in my opinion. The reality is, technology ebbs and flows. There are periods of great growth followed by long plateaus. We're in a plateau. No one else, Google, Samsung, Amazon, Microsoft, etc., is outdoing Apple in the tech department. Many are catching up, however. I worry about Apple's focus on Services revenue. I know it looks good on paper, but it also suggests a lack of new ideas. Apple was always a hardware company. While that is still true today, things are changing. Time will tell.

True...it is a new era for Apple, including technology. Times have changed, focus has changed, C.E.O. Has changed....

I personally don’t like the direction Apple is going as do many here on this website...

BUT...no one really can say if they are truly honest and truly understand business (and it’s ways), that Tim Cook is not doing his job. He is a C.E.O. He is not a S. Jobs. Tim Cook is VERY VERY successful at his job as per the definition of a C.E.O. The company’s profit, revenue etc. is at its highest, including being probably the most successful company in the world and maybe ever to date. He is not riding S. Job’s prior wave now. He bean counts and makes decisions by financial spreadsheets, marketing, forcasting etc. and Apple’s stock is soaring, including Apple’s board giving their praise.

Just because many on this website (including myself) like the old era Apple and do not like the direction and focus of Apple now, does not mean Tim Cook is not doing the right thing for Apple as a “company” - in it to make money and stay alive in a time of uncertainty, including technology’s direction.

The bubble has burst for many to realize that Apple is not what they thought. Apple’s focus is revenue and not changing the world, not ‘thinking different”, pirates or pushing technological advance or whatever people desired to want to believe in their need or desire to see Apple as something more than what they REALLY are and HAS Always Been....just a business.

Yes, it may be unfair, but the issue could be and why people on this website complain so much is that Apple “could” be both the “Old” Apple and the “New” Apple..even now.

Apple has enough revenue and resources to make every sector of their customer base “happy”...but...they choose not too. They focus on only what sells and brings in the most money, showing their true colors...just a business.

This is why maybe people are upset...the bubble has truly burst.

 

[chris1958]

Tesla? Really? The Model 3 was like vaporware for a long time for many pre-payers.

Tesla 3 vaporware: Isn't this exactly teh reason, why Tesla still has a good reputation. Judging from some reviews, the reputation may plummet as soon as more Tesla 3 are delivered to customers.

 

[sammy2066]

I don’t think Tim needs to go, I just think Apple needs to work on cleaning up and updating the product line, Apple is starting to look like it did in the 90’s except the Performa, Qudra and PowerMacs are now the MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with the iPad and iPad Pro shoved in between.

Finally somebody who gets it. Thank you good sir.

 

[cardfan]

Apple dominates with software/hardware and ecosystem integration which includes computers, tv, and mobile. The real concerns are services like Siri, Maps, Cloud, lack of essential software, etc. You don't run a search without google. You don't type a spreadsheet without MS. If your expectations in an AI is simply asking questions, you stay the heck away from Siri.

I'll stick with Apple as long as I can use all these other platforms on macs or iOS and enjoy the integration of macs and iOS. No other system competes IMO even if I do think Apple hasn't connected to the mainstream on selling it. It's simply a shame Macs aren't really much more mainstream then they were before iOS.

The recent Homepod? Sometimes you simply say no to bad ideas and not release a product that only highlights how bad Siri is. Airplay 2 is still a rumor at this point. Other things like cloud, photos, or even watching an iphone video in 4k on apple tv just need work.

 

[TonyRS]

When your Mac product line represents one of the least profitable product categories, but one of the most expensive in terms of R&D, what do you expect? Apple is not in the business of "pleasing pros" or holding on to its glorious past as a computer manufacturer. Their mandate is to increase shareholder value through an increase in YOY sales and profit, among other things (including using its own stocks as a manipulable financial instrument).

Look at the mandate and look at the numbers. It's a disappointment that Apple has turned into iPhone, Inc., but stop acting like this is really going to change.

 

[Evil Spoonman]

While I am also in the "Apple needs to find its way again" camp. This list is not illustrative of that.

This list is pure sensationalist insanity with no reasonable trend or meaning. We should not care about it whatsoever.

 

[I7guy]

While I am also in the "Apple needs to find its way again" camp. This list is not illustrative of that.

This list is pure sensationalist insanity with no reasonable trend or meaning. We should not care about it whatsoever.

Sometimes the most sensible posts are further down in the page list.

 

[palmerc]

#2, #6, and #8 are regional grocers. They shouldn't even be on the list. HEB is big in San Antonio and nowhere else, and I've never heard of Wegman's.

Regional US grocery stores is a weird choice to compare Apple to.

 

[Ray2]

Thanks Richard. I’m sure we all appreciate your opinion but I’m sure there is a reason you’re not the CEO of a 900 billion dollar company. One can always dream though.

But he's correct. "CEO of a 900 billion dollar company" is not what's needed.

 

[7thheavengtr]

Registered today.



LOL

View attachment 754300


Who cares they dropped 20 places on that list.

So because I joined on the day I posted, I wasn't able to form an opinion prior? Your logic is flawed.
[doublepost=1522742729][/doublepost]

Lack of decisions? While I don't love the direction Apple is taking, you can't accuse them of being indecisive. The past 4-5 years have seen tremendous growth. In other words, RESULTS. I'm not sure what you're talking about. Look at quarterly sales numbers. Look at the stock price. How can suggest they are not growing? Absurd. Apple has released new products, Apple Watch and HomePod, developed a new programming language, Swift, brought the App Store to the Apple TV, and plenty more. iPhone X has some great tech. FaceID is pretty awesome. Sure, others have offered facial recognition in the past, but Apple is the first and only consumer electronics company to offer SECURE facial recognition. You can't accuse them of doing nothing. You might not like what they are doing, but Cook is delivering.

Much of the Cook criticism on this site and others is unfair in my opinion. The reality is, technology ebbs and flows. There are periods of great growth followed by long plateaus. We're in a plateau. No one else, Google, Samsung, Amazon, Microsoft, etc., is outdoing Apple in the tech department. Many are catching up, however. I worry about Apple's focus on Services revenue. I know it looks good on paper, but it also suggests a lack of new ideas. Apple was always a hardware company. While that is still true today, things are changing. Time will tell.

Ask a pro user that relied on the Pro eco-system (Mac Pro, Display, Software, etc..) if the "tremendous growth" is alive and well. The largest company in the word hasn't updated that eco system in 5 years.. half a decade??? THAT is a HUGE problem. And while all those fans watches, phones, etc. exist.. the content is created on those pro machines.. which are very outdated. The beats acquisition was the a HUGE mistake. The last 4-5 holiday seasons have missed product cycles, releases and availabilities. Shall I continue???
[doublepost=1522743144][/doublepost]

When your Mac product line represents one of the least profitable product categories, but one of the most expensive in terms of R&D, what do you expect? Apple is not in the business of "pleasing pros" or holding on to its glorious past as a computer manufacturer. Their mandate is to increase shareholder value through an increase in YOY sales and profit, among other things (including using its own stocks as a manipulable financial instrument).

Look at the mandate and look at the numbers. It's a disappointment that Apple has turned into iPhone, Inc., but stop acting like this is really going to change.

Apple's core values were based on principles and creation, NOT profit margins and wall street. It is WHY they became successful. Steve Jobs could care less about WallStreet. Tim Cook lives by it. I am a major share holder and I don't like Tim's execution timeline, nor his ability to multi task and stay focused. I agree, the iPhone is a money cow for Apple, however the main reason Apple is winning in many categories has everything to do with he eco-system. And a major part of that eco-system is CREATED with PRO users and PRO machines and PRO software. It's risky to neglect that. With the revenue Apple has coming in, its unacceptable to allow that to fall short in any area.
[doublepost=1522743569][/doublepost]

Finally somebody who gets it. Thank you good sir.

Don't you think he has had more than enough time to fulfill the demands of the user base? You really think the last 5 years he has done a great job? Have you been paying attention to the last 4-5 holiday cycles, where they missed having products to sell that were in demand and announced and not released in time? In the past Apple announced and released in the same financial quarter.. since Tim has taken over that batting average has severely dropped to splitting the announcement in one quarter, release in the next, financial in the 3rd... how is it that possible? Its not like they don't have the money to hire and diversify the manufacturing process to prepare for the holiday season... which hasn't changed in 2018 years. I clearly see Tim's mis-steps an challenge him to fix the growing list of issues that need a vast improvement. I'm not here to bash Tim personally, this is business. And I am passionate about Apple... more than you ever will know.
[doublepost=1522743916][/doublepost]

Please post this as an open letter that everyone who wants to can sign. I have never seen a more comprehensive list of definitive improvements apple can strive for. I also worry that 98% of their paying customers (the iPhone and iPad consumers) dont give a rats arse about most of the items on this list. And therefor either does the brass at apple.
g\

I did a year ago.. not with the list.. and I never really promoted it...
https://www.change.org/p/apple-board-of-directors-remove-tim-cook-as-ceo-of-apple
I can consider doing a updated one and actually promote it.
[doublepost=1522744418][/doublepost]I updated the petition I created a year ago if you agree with my points and like to sign it. Hopefully it is seen and addressed - https://www.change.org/p/apple-board-of-directors-remove-tim-cook-as-ceo-of-apple

 

[robbyx]

Ask a pro user that relied on the Pro eco-system (Mac Pro, Display, Software, etc..) if the "tremendous growth" is alive and well. The largest company in the word hasn't updated that eco system in 5 years.. half a decade??? THAT is a HUGE problem. And while all those fans watches, phones, etc. exist.. the content is created on those pro machines.. which are very outdated. The beats acquisition was the a HUGE mistake. The last 4-5 holiday seasons have missed product cycles, releases and availabilities. Shall I continue???

No need. Apple is not a computer company any longer. Those days are long gone. I hope they get back into the display business when the new Mac Pro ships but you need to get real. The Mac, and the Pro market in particular, will never be Apple’s focus again.

Missed product cycles don’t seem to be a problem. A few months late or not, the products sell really well. Until Apple’s sales start to decline steadily and the brand loses its appeal, you can’t argue that Apple, or Cook, is doing something wrong. You might not like their focus and priorities these days, but I suggest you get used to them.