Apple in 2004 and Partnerships?

[MacRumors]

MacWorld.co.uk reports on Apple's Fred Anderson and Peter Oppenheimer's talk at Morgan Stanley's Semiconductor and Systems conference (web stream).

Unlike last year ("year of the laptop"), Anderson claims no specific theme this year but a focus on growth with three key drivers -- "portable – mobility and wireless communications; the digital lifestyle and music, iPod, iPod mini and iTunes Music Store".

Anderson also hints that there are more alliances in the works (beyond Pepsi, HP and AOL), but that there is nothing to announce yet.

 

[iHack]

Sounds like the year of portable music...

 

[squatch]

Year of mobility and wireless communications

Sounds like the year of portable music...

It's more than just that, he specifically mentioned "mobility and wireless communications". To me, that sounds like something in the arena of the fabled iPhone, or hybrid PDA, or something. The severing ties that PalmOne has made now to Apple to not include Mac support with Cobalt can only translate to Apple being forced into that type of market. And if the iPod is any indication of how Apple can reinvigorate and eventually dominate a stagoring market (such as with handhelds), then I can't wait to see what the future holds.

 

[PPC970FX]

Do I hear Sony in the background???

 

[Sabenth]

Year of the laptop year of the music. Year of lets get some dam market share ...

Hopefully we will also see iTunes global .. Not apples fault i know

 

[vollspacken]

GODDAMN, bring on new hardware!!!

vSpacken

 

[Savage Henry]

It's more than just that, he specifically mentioned "mobility and wireless communications". To me, that sounds like something in the arena of the fabled iPhone, or hybrid PDA, or something. The severing ties that PalmOne has made now to Apple to not include Mac support with Cobalt can only translate to Apple being forced into that type of market. And if the iPod is any indication of how Apple can reinvigorate and eventually dominate a stagoring market (such as with handhelds), then I can't wait to see what the future holds.

The Phones and PDA markets should be dropped like a stone, there is no money there and they would add nothing to Apple's profile. For Jobs to go on record saying that phones and PDAs are not where it's at, but secretly harbouring desires and ambitions contrary to those remarks, would make him look like a bit of a lemon.

I love what Apple does, but presence in every technology product line would turn the company into a very ordinary and unprofitable business

 

[virividox]

it shoudl be the year of the lets kick some asss and put this puppy into high gear and roll out some hardware.

but thats just me

 

[ethernet76]

As noticed apple has only entered arenas where they thought they could improve upon current products. iPod for example came around when mp3 deviced where geek-only objects. The iPod changed that.

The same goes with iTMS. Back in April the only provider really that was on the radar was Rhapsody and that wasn't a download service. iTMS came around and with the avid Apple fanbase buying in reguardless, they were able to build up enough steam and hype to make it a success with Windows users as well. (All though I'll venture to say that disproportional number of songs are bought by Mac users. I.E. 25-33% with only a 5% computer marketshare.)

With the phones it's a totally different game. There are 10 or so worldwide makers of phones, with various sizes, colors, features to confuse even the most tech-savvy person. (Try looking at Japanese cell phones, they're clearly superior to even the best phones here in the States, and far cheaper too.) There isn't really anything apple could do to make the market better. Add mp3 playing ability? Already there. Better interface? They're good enough to the point where complaints are minimal. Style/Design? Don't think there is a problem there either. I know there isn't a market for an iPhone.

 

[KC9AIC]

Whatever Apple turns out, I want it yesterday, and for low prices. Yes, very easy to please, aren't I?

 

[~Shard~]

Year of the laptop year of the music. Year of lets get some dam market share ...

Hopefully we will also see iTunes global .. Not apples fault i know

First of all, I agree - hopefully this translates into more iTMS around the world. Although I understand the assosciated legal difficulties, it's been far too long!

Secondly, it's "let's" and "damn" and "Apple's", and lastly, I don't know why everyone is always so concerned about market share, and why they try to make it a priority and a be-all and end-all indicator of the success of a company. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Apple has any less market share in the computer industry than Porsche or BMW do in the auto industry - and those successful companies don't seem to care. Don't get me wrong, increased market share is always nice, but I definitely don't think it should be Apple's focus.

 

[~Shard~]

Whatever Apple turns out, I want it yesterday, and for low prices. Yes, very easy to please, aren't I?

Would you like that to be a G6 as well sir?

 

[dongmin]

With the phones it's a totally different game. There are 10 or so worldwide makers of phones, with various sizes, colors, features to confuse even the most tech-savvy person. (Try looking at Japanese cell phones, they're clearly superior to even the best phones here in the States, and far cheaper too.) There isn't really anything apple could do to make the market better. Add mp3 playing ability? Already there. Better interface? They're good enough to the point where complaints are minimal. Style/Design? Don't think there is a problem there either. I know there isn't a market for an iPhone.

i disagree. they're rolling out 3G services in Europe this year. These services will let you download--to your phone--sports highlights, news segments, and episodes of your favorite TV program. If this isn't made for Apple and Quicktime, I don't know what is. Quicktime is already compatible with 3G services. And Sony, I believe, has come out explicitly in support of using Quicktime in its products. I see soemthing big in the works that involve quicktime, wireless, and some sort of mobile gadget. It may be just a partnership. It may be a new services a la iTMS. Or it could be a brand new hardware. All of the above is my guess.

 

[eSnow]

and lastly, I don't know why everyone is always so concerned about market share, and why they try to make it a priority and a be-all and end-all indicator of the success of a company. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Apple has any less market share in the computer industry than Porsche or BMW do in the auto industry

There is a huge difference between computers and cars: to run a car, you need gas (completely standardized across car brands), a road (again completely standardized). To operate a computer, you need software (with the exception of Java, there is nothing like a cross platform standard here - and nobody seems to like Java) and interchangeable document formats (just look how many different word processors can read .doc - or how web pages are "optimized" to work with IE/Win and IE/Win only). Operating systems and different CPUs create trench effects in computers, much like available films and available players decided the VCR format war - and the most crappy standard VHS won.

Market share in the software business is Apples make-or-break measure of success - Adobe or MS leaving the platform and they are a second Commodore. To gain market share in software they need to sell hardware by the truckload.

 

[dukemeiser]

McDonalds anyone? As bad as McD food is for you, I think I would still change some of my fastfood habits if it meant free songs.

 

[eSnow]

Unlike last year ("year of the laptop"), Anderson claims no specific theme this year but a focus on growth with three key drivers -- "portable – mobility and wireless communications; the digital lifestyle and music, iPod, iPod mini and iTunes Music Store".

If Apple was not such an america-centric company, they could really score in Europe by cutting a deal with one of the large telcos which are about to introduce UTMS over the next 6 month and offer wireless broadband access with every PowerBook for its customers at a good price. Telcos have sunken billions into UMTS and are craving for paying users but get the pricing completely wrong for using the standard for mobile internet access (much like the music download companies before iTMS was born). But hey, it's only 350mio people...

 

[cubist]

Sounds like the year of portable music...

I agree

Nothing about Macs...

 

[Photorun]

GODDAMN, bring on new hardware!!!

vSpacken

I second Trogdor's GODDAMN!!!! Or rather, that's all fine and dandy, they can become the Gateway of trinkety sh** but they better not REPLACE development and constant upgrades ("constant" and "upgrades" talking about Apple, uh, yeah, that's a joke) with their PRO machines in place of this. Which, if you see how incredif***ingly STALE their entire pro line is one would think they are neglecting it. Morons!

 

[jouster]

For Jobs to go on record saying that phones and PDAs are not where it's at, but secretly harbouring desires and ambitions contrary to those remarks, would make him look like a bit of a lemon.

And, given that he's CEO of a publicly listed company, might even be illegal.

 

[Trowaman]

McDonalds anyone? As bad as McD food is for you, I think I would still change some of my fastfood habits if it meant free songs.

Poo, you said what I was going to. Oh well, that'll teach me to sleep in until 7 a.m. . . . . stupid midterm in an hour . . .

 

[agreenster]

GODDAMN, bring on new hardware!!!

vSpacken

Ditto. Everyone and their mother has an iPod already. Get me a RevB G5 please. (among all the other items needing an upgrade)

 

[whooleytoo]

With the phones it's a totally different game. There are 10 or so worldwide makers of phones, with various sizes, colors, features to confuse even the most tech-savvy person. (Try looking at Japanese cell phones, they're clearly superior to even the best phones here in the States, and far cheaper too.) There isn't really anything apple could do to make the market better. Add mp3 playing ability? Already there. Better interface? They're good enough to the point where complaints are minimal. Style/Design? Don't think there is a problem there either. I know there isn't a market for an iPhone.

Apple as a phone hardware maker doesn't make a lot of sense.

But Apple as a phone hardware, OS and developer tools maker sounds a lot more interesting. Especially if they license the OS to other hardware makers.

Although sales of smartphones are very good, I doubt there's very much revenue being made from smartphone software, it's too confusing and fragmented a market (and I say that as a smartphone software developer!). Getting everything from the one vendor with a significent market share would be a godsend by comparison.

Apple, with their 'lunatic fringe' who'll pre-order hundreds of thousands of anything they put on the market, has the oomph to be a big player in this emerging market.

 

[wdlove]

An alliance with Sony would make sense, they definitely have the marketing. Maybe that would prevent them from having there own music store.

I with others, where is the mention of hardware. Many want to see a G5 PowerBook. Personally I want to see the Power Mac upgrade, Rev. B with a dual 3.0.

 

[Spades]

Year of lets get some dam market share

Secondly, it's "let's" and "damn" and "Apple's",

You never know. Apple might have plans for the Colorado river, or maybe even the Mississippi! It might be cool if Apple became a power company. Wouldn't you sign up?

But then that would be yet another thing that's not a computer. RevB G5s would be nice, but I still don't need one. I'm hoping Apple will release something totally new. G5 Cube, eBook. Anything that will make a splash like the iMac did.

 

[Rocketman]

Mobility

Unlike last year ("year of the laptop"), Anderson claims no specific theme this year but a focus on growth with three key drivers -- "portable – mobility and wireless communications; the digital lifestyle and music, iPod, iPod mini and iTunes Music Store".

ATT Edge high bandwidth cellular internet everywhere is going to make some long invisioned devices practical.

Portable computers will all become mobile well beyond the base station. Handheld devices will become true internet workhorses.

It will be interesting to see if Apple actually leads this segment they are uniquely qualified to dominate.

Rocketman