I agree re: the software, but this sort of argument holds no water. The people working on these shows are not people who would otherwise be working to improve the software.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Working on 'Swagger' TV Show Based on NBA Star Kevin Durant
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I agree re: the software, but this sort of argument holds no water. The people working on these shows are not people who would otherwise be working to improve the software.
Warriors wouldn't have won their last championship without Durant...so, yeah, he did earn it.
True - but there is some validity to the thought that Apple is simply spreading their sphere of concern too widely.
Adulthood. It happens. Things that seemed so important in your life... well, they just aren't anymore. I can add, oh so much more to that list.
Apple is going all in on developing video content so they are bringing some of the top people in the industry into their new video development team. Here's a sample, and why Netflix, Amazon and others are worried now that Apple has decided to compete with them to bid on new series, movies, documentaries, etc. They have specialists in areas of comedy series, documentaries, worldwide video distribution, etc. (just hired one away from Amazon).
https://www.fiercecable.com/online-video/apple-keeps-poaching-sony-tv-execs-for-its-video-team
https://www.fiercecable.com/broadca...g-to-snatch-up-james-bond-films-rights-report
You think Craig Federighi and his thousands of software engineers are spending time on this?
Maybe. Though probably the only person who would have software responsibility who is also involved in this is Tim, and he's not been to useful corralling the software side anyway.
A bigger concern is if the folks working on the TV app are distracted from making it work properly (anyone else sick of constantly having to re-authorize sign-ons?) to support "the Apple TV streaming service"
Is it me or does it feel like Apple has it's hand in too many "pots" so to speak. I understand wanting more content etc, but when other things are starting to fall by the wayside, you'd think a company would stick to what they know best and perfect what matters most for the Apple consumers first.
Apple just keeps making this easier for me to not subscribe to their tv content. Not a single show they have in the works interests me in the least.
Siriously, what is Apple doing? They should be able to come up with better ideas than this.
I wonder how Planet of the Apps, and Carpool Karaoke are doing. I haven't watched either, but I look forward to some of their more serious series being released.
I wonder how Planet of the Apps, and Carpool Karaoke are doing. I haven't watched either, but I look forward to some of their more serious series being released.
Last edited:
Welcome to the club. If your not a teenager spending your parents money, not into modern pop music funded by government money, or not into anything having to do Hollywood fashion/pop culture, then Apple does not care about you.
Just a working person trying to get along, then Apple does not even see you. If Jobs' product mystique (build on quality and innovation) ever goes away Apple is going to be dropped like a hot potato, because except for marketing, they don't have anything to draw people to the brand. And now its only the young and inexperienced that go along blindly.
I know exactly how you feel, but with this particular case I'm not sure they know who they're target demographic is either. They obviously think they do, but all of these media efforts seem absolutely aimless and uninformed so far. I'll admit I don't use my Apple Music account for video content of any kind, but I can't think of a single person I know that would watch anything described so far. I guess we'll see one way or the other.
But the management is the same. We know that Apple management can't walk and talk at the same time, because of the way they abandoned products, both hardware and software, without so much as a second thought. Its like they can't be bothered. With regard to software they can't be bothered to get it right before launch and we cannot expect them to get it right later because everyone at the top will be focused on TV programs, meeting the stars, and being part of pop culture. This is Cook's legacy, all the interviews, TV programs, etc. He could care less about software quality.
Yes, chasing new markets when your 'house' isn't in order is a fools errand.
[doublepost=1518552582][/doublepost]
They can't be bothered because the money is still rolling in. They don't realize that all it will take is one bad quarter for things to start unraveling.
It does hold water. I doubt anyone really thinks that software developers are being redirected to work on 'TV' deals or emojis. However, if you can't execute your core business you should not be venturing into new, potentially risky markets.
No, it's not just you. And one of the ones I might have been interested in—the JJ Abrams series—they got outbid on. There's a few that could be OK (Amazing Stories and the untitled Ronald D. Moore space thing) but it's pretty slim pickings so far. By virtue of their reach and influence, Apple can never be considered a small player or be counted out, but unless they accelerate like 10X they are going to have their lunch eaten by Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and others. Not every single piece of original content from those providers is a home run, but they're trying a lot and generally it is high quality content across the board. As you say, Apple is a long, long way from being considered on par with them, both in quality and quantity.
One thing I still don't understand about Apple's video content effort is how is it monetized? Is it to be some sort of new subscription? If so, how much and what is included? Is there a family sharing option? Does everything continue to fall under Apple Music (weird), including how it's payed for? Is everything sold off piecemeal in iTunes TV (like how you can currently buy/rent other shows)? This is a key question that needs to be answered in order to figure out how it stacks up to other services.
Believe what you want to believe. Adding Durant is what prevented the Cavaliers duplicating their winning strategy from 2016 where they just manhandled shorter players like Curry/Thompson on the perimeter.
Apple's advantage is that they don't have to rely on the programming to keep them relevant as a business. It remains to be seen if the huge spending by Netflix and Amazon will really do much for them other than create debt.
Apple's service business is growing far faster than its iPhone business. Chances are it will be apple's "core business" before long.
[doublepost=1518554243][/doublepost]
What managers work on both this stuff and software? Just tim cook, no?