Its true, eventually all company's decline..look at GE and Microsoft..they were once at the top. For now it looks like Apple hasn't come close to peaking. In their most dominent product, the iPad, they 'only' have about 70% of the market. They have room for growth in many of their products.
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Apple Hits New Highs as Tim Cook Celebrates One Year as CEO
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Its true, eventually all company's decline..look at GE and Microsoft..they were once at the top. For now it looks like Apple hasn't come close to peaking. In their most dominent product, the iPad, they 'only' have about 70% of the market. They have room for growth in many of their products.
I can afford it just fine thanks. My point was I'd be a much richer man and the house I'm buying would be paid for easily.
There are other more prominent reasons for our down economy than my choice of home purchase.
You're taking this too personally. That is not what I stated, I do not have an important sense of self much less an over-important one. Of course I understand your position and I respect it very much, it's true. I do not make any assumptions, in fact I make a point in avoiding sweeping generalizations as I speak from experience and not for any one particular person.
Apple makes great iPad's and iPhone's, I have them and use them daily as well. However, I also need power systems for my work, which I cannot do with those other devices. Apple used to make such systems, or in the least keep a good focus on updating them. So for us, who were around before iOS and the iPhone, we have been shown the proverbial backdoor from Apple. This means we have to reinvest thousands of dollars in other systems and software, as well as the time in learning these new systems. With the billions in cash alone in addition to so much capital, Apple can more than afford to use some of that to invest into the professional market and make a profit. We are still here, we still have hope, and we have the cash. Apple simply choses to neglect it. Recall when Jobs took control of Apple? He slashed area's that were not making profit and created a quadrant: consumers and professionals on one side, laptops and desktops on the other. Now, it seems that quadrant has become a row.
Let's not take this into a personal area, we're all friends here
A lot of heated discussion on whether Tim is as good as Steve, or if he can maintain Apple's renowned level of design and intuitiveness. Steve was a one of a kind, that much can't be denied. But I highly doubt Tim would have been put in charge if he wasn't a capable leader. I'm sure he doesn't fill the exact same role that Steve did, but there are probably things Tim does now that Steve never got involved in. We can only hope that there are multiple Apple employees filling the gaps left by Steve's absence. Johnny Ives is a perfect example of someone along with Cook, who is working hard to maintain the same standards Apple's always been known for. It's never going to be exactly the same, but different doesn't mean worse either.
This world has too many "glass half empty" people in it....
Isn't that a "half glass empty" perspective?
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That's equivalent to saying Jobs wasn't all that important to Apple's success.
But the sad part is, no matter how amazing it is going to be (and it's going to be amazing) its still going to get picked apart and the most minor things about it will be exploited. It's a shame, it seems like the media has made it "iPhone vs. the World".
Also, because (we think) we know so much about the next iPhone, people will say "Oh it wasn't ground breaking" or "It just didn't 'wow' me, you know?" when it comes out. It's hard to be surprised with something when everyone is is bending over backwards to try and figure out what the next Mac or iOS device is going to do, and then it's broadcasted over nearly every news outlet.
But that doesn't deter me from looking it up every day...
I don't see that as the problem.
IMO the problem is that what is being introduced is still recognizably an iPhone. At some point, Cook's version of Apple needs to come up with the Next Thing, not spin variations of the Old Thing.
And that's hard...
When Tim Cook first took over, I had a very good feeling about how he would lead Apple.
I was surprised that there were quite a number of naysayers. Now that he's had a year at the helm and things have worked out so well, it's great to see he's gaining more support, recognition, and acknowledgment all around.
Going forward I believe he will only get better. Apple is deep with talent, Tim Cook is well liked by department heads, and other leaders within the company, he's purpose driven, highly focused and a very consistent leader. Just what any company in Apple's position needs.
I was surprised that there were quite a number of naysayers. Now that he's had a year at the helm and things have worked out so well, it's great to see he's gaining more support, recognition, and acknowledgment all around.
Going forward I believe he will only get better. Apple is deep with talent, Tim Cook is well liked by department heads, and other leaders within the company, he's purpose driven, highly focused and a very consistent leader. Just what any company in Apple's position needs.
Well, Apple has weathered the Foxconn working condition scandal. They have faced an onslaught of Android tablets, seen Samsung become a fierce competitor, and seen a deteriorating economy in Europe and Asia. Through that, they have had several successful product launches, and unlike in the Steve Jobs days there has generally been enough product to go around.
I agree that the real test will come once we see a full cycle of products not on the long-term plans Steve left behind, but also remember that there's a difference between having a plan and executing it. Even if Steve Jobs had plans for a great device for 2015, technological or market developments between now and then may change things. If Steve Jobs had died in 2005, would we have the iPhone as we know it today? Sure, it was in the pipeline, but a lot of changes happened between 2005 and 2007.
I think we need to dispel the notion that a single person will replace Steve Jobs' role. Tim Cook is overseeing the day-to-day business. Jony Ive is still out there leading the way with design. Someone else (perhaps Scott Forstall) will need to be the product visionary. Someone else may yet emerge as the primary pitchman at product releases.
I don't see how Apple is going to maintain it's margins. Tim has picked a huge fight with their main supplier, Samsung. So they have a major battle on the consumer front where Samsung, not Apple, has technology and manufacturing advantages.
Meanwhile Microsoft just woke up and is creating convergence across devices aimed at a fairly unsatisfied enterprise market. I have a rMBP, it's beautiful, but enterprise is dying for a tablet with touch that's small like the ipad, but isn't crippled and MS and it's ecosystem will be bringing those to market within months.
i think the iphone 5 is timed right and will do very well in sales, but I bet margins are weaker. They're going to be cutting it close with the 13" MBP and their going to be in for a hell of a fight with the iPads.
Meanwhile Microsoft just woke up and is creating convergence across devices aimed at a fairly unsatisfied enterprise market. I have a rMBP, it's beautiful, but enterprise is dying for a tablet with touch that's small like the ipad, but isn't crippled and MS and it's ecosystem will be bringing those to market within months.
i think the iphone 5 is timed right and will do very well in sales, but I bet margins are weaker. They're going to be cutting it close with the 13" MBP and their going to be in for a hell of a fight with the iPads.
Tomi Ahonen's blog makes an interesting point. Within 2-3 years, it is likely that the OS with the largest market share will be: Android.
Mobile devices are where the growth is. Google knows it. Apple knows it. Microsoft knows it. That's why they are trying to force Windows 8 onto the market. Enterprise is a cash cow from Microsoft, but if they rest on those laurels they will experience another decade of moving sideways. They are attempting to leverage their strength in enterprise to move into the mobile space, with little success so far based on their past efforts.
Apple's challenge will be sustaining what it has, and diversifying its portfolio. There is still room for growth, but we won't see the explosive growth we have for the past 3 years. Half of Apple's stock price is iPhone-driven. As we all know, the mobile device market is fickle. Just as Motorola, Nokia, Sony, and HTC. iPad is a good start for Apple in expanding. TV may be another. I don't see much room for Apple in the enterprise market. It is a very difficult market to crack, and it isn't a rapidly growing market either. Let HP, Dell, Microsoft, and IBM fight over enterprise software and services.
M
Mr.damien
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So funny that analyst and people think that last year product release was from the job of Tim Cook.
It still all projects started and managed by Steve Jobs. In a year or two, we will see the real Tim Cook management effect on Apple ...
It still all projects started and managed by Steve Jobs. In a year or two, we will see the real Tim Cook management effect on Apple ...
Apple's stock price doesn't seem sustainable to me, and I remember hearing that when companies pass this level of valuation, they do run into problems.
I think it's wonderful they're still doing well, even after Steve Jobs' passing but stock prices like other assets are susceptible to being in a bubble, and I only hope that Apple's price will have an orderly correction, rather than a crash.
I think it's wonderful they're still doing well, even after Steve Jobs' passing but stock prices like other assets are susceptible to being in a bubble, and I only hope that Apple's price will have an orderly correction, rather than a crash.
You sound like you work for MS marketing. Yeah I'm sure Apple is quaking in its boots over MS's Surface. Especially when a lot of companies have or are implementing BYOD policies. Companies aren't going to shell out for laptops/desktops and a Surface tablet and I just can't see a company choosing the Surface over a laptop. Also with BYOD out of the bag it will be pretty hard for companies to reverse policy and only allow Windows devices. So in the end I think it will come down to the consumer and do they really care that much about Office and Exchange?
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Apple's P/E is less than Google or Amazon. If any stock is over valued its Amazon with a P/E of 299.32. By contrast Apple's is just under 16. Google's is just over 20.
Didnt all the chicken littlest say this about the last the last 3 quarters? Just call a duck a duck and state that Tim will always be responsible for any perceived misstep that Apple makes. Especially by the silent minority who only make up a minuscule percentage of Apple consumers?
My argument is the tech equivalent of a two front war. Neither front is a problem, but two are divisive. Apple isn't quaking over Samsung. And it isn't quaking over MS. But Samsung is going to erode the consumer market. And Apple has more or less given up on enterprise, so MS doesn't have to do much there to really have an impact.
BYOD really means laptops and phones with Office. If Office were easily available on iPad I'd agree with you. But it isn't. Those products are hugely important to enterprise. And so for anyone who travels, and bulk sales, the surface will be a no brainer. Apple simple does not have a competing product. MS is going to sell a lot of them.
What Apple must do.
1. Make a semi-autonomous pro division that creates roadmaps and talks to professional users.
2. Stop that Dixons guy turning Apple Stores into another McRetailer.
3. Never release products that aren't ready. Would Jobs have allowed a thicker, heavier, hotter iPad 3? No. He'd have said, 'Come back when it's ready'.
4. Stop being anaemic when it comes to the cloud. Make it multi-platform. Make it like Google Apps but sexier. Buy Dropbox or something too. What Apple calls the cloud now is lame.
1. Make a semi-autonomous pro division that creates roadmaps and talks to professional users.
2. Stop that Dixons guy turning Apple Stores into another McRetailer.
3. Never release products that aren't ready. Would Jobs have allowed a thicker, heavier, hotter iPad 3? No. He'd have said, 'Come back when it's ready'.
4. Stop being anaemic when it comes to the cloud. Make it multi-platform. Make it like Google Apps but sexier. Buy Dropbox or something too. What Apple calls the cloud now is lame.
I think it is extremely poetic justice that Samsung had its butt handed to it on the anniversary of Steve stepping down. You couldn't have planned it better.
Also, the heat thing? Never noticed it and neither has the wife. It may get a little warm if you are charging AND using the device at the same time but what computer devices doesn't.
Apple did just fine. I love the New iPad. Best iPad yet by a mile!
You're quite wrong on all three things. I have owned iPads 1, 2 and have two of #3. The iPad may be ever so slightly thicker and the the tiniest bit heavier, but I have never once paused and thought "too heavy/too thick" -- and I've owned them since Day 1. In fact, the difference in thickness is slight that 99% of the time, you can use the same case on #3 that you had with #2.
Also, the heat thing? Never noticed it and neither has the wife. It may get a little warm if you are charging AND using the device at the same time but what computer devices doesn't.
Apple did just fine. I love the New iPad. Best iPad yet by a mile!
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