Eddy Cue: Best Product Pipeline in 25 Years Coming Later This Year From Apple

[proline]

Really? I don't believe I've ever heard him say that before...why this year?

Dude, someone from Apple's executive team says this every year. Steve Jobs used to always finish MacWorld SF in January (you're probably too young to remember) by saying something along the lines of "we've got lots of great stuff planned through the rest of the year" even though most years it was just speed bumps. Tim Cook also said "great things for the fall and into 2014". Again, that didn't mean new product categories although he has said that more recently.

So what does this really mean? Its easy to interpret if you know how. Yes, there will be ONE new product category (Apple never releases two in the same year). However, most of the announcements will be improvements to Apple's usual product lines, making them the best they've been in 25 years (eg. a 2014 Mac will be better than a 1989 Mac, etc.). I know this seems too obviously to hype but this is how Apple execs talk. He DOES NOT mean that this year's new product category will have more effect on the company's future than the iPhone or iPad. Get that through your skull and your expectations will be properly set.

 

[jonnysods]

That's a big statement!

 

[Godzilla71]

I am both excited yet skeptical hearing about this.

 

[acslater017]

Cue's statement is completely meaningless.
He could've been at Apple for 1000 years: 2014’s iPhone & iPad are better than
2013's, 2012’s, 2011’s .... 1000's, 999’s, 998’s, etc., etc.
Just more mindless PR drivel from Apple.
.

Can't tell if you genuinely don't understand Cue's statement or you're just trolling. It's a given that almost any Apple/electronics product is better than it was X years ago.

He's saying the product pipeline, or lineup if you will, is the strongest he's ever seen. The improvements to each product line, or introduction of new ones, is going to be the strongest he's ever seen. That's a VERY specific boast - one that, to my knowledge, has never been made before by Apple. Under Steve, they pretended like the future didn't exist until Steve dropped it on us. This is a VERY different statement than "this is the best iPhone we've ever made".

 

[LordVic]

its now june 2014.

the Reality distortion field from the 'masters' has been saying 'good things coming' for a couple years now. they've been claiming to be working off a roadmap by steve jobs, they've claimed a lot of things.

the last year for Apple has not been all that kind. There haven't been great things.

there have been good products. Iterative updates and some good tweaking to existing products.

but in 2013 and 2014? Aside from the niche Mac Pro, there has been nothing that most of us would claim were "great things".

Making something 1mm slimmer, while sacrificing other features is not "the next great thing". sorry Cook

 

[pmau]

Under Steve, they pretended like the future didn't exist until Steve dropped it on us. This is a VERY different statement than "this is the best iPhone we've ever made".

Yes, totally agree. But I think it's kind of scary.

In the past Apple would surprise you with innovation claiming that it's the best they have done.

Today they have to convince you beforehand, looks like they doubt their ability to lead innovation.

... but we'll see. I'm more excited about iOS8 than any hardware or manufacturing advances they can achieve.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

So much for under promise, over deliver.

As soon as they open their mouth and give a hint, Samsung will start working on it

 

[dvoros]

What a joke

Again, Apple is waiting until later in the year to think about releasing anything new. They are not in the news as much since Steve passed. I think the whole campus is collecting dust as it stagnates.

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Apple once again is waiting to release anything new. The whole campus is just collecting dust. The conference next week will be another ho hummer.

 

[SusanK]

Naked Emperor

The Emperor is not wearing any clothes.

 

[Rogifan]

The Emperor is not wearing any clothes.

You do know that Eddy Cue was one of Steve's closest friends at Apple? According to the book Inside Apple only 4 Apple employees were present at Steve's burial service - Tim Cook, Jony Ive, Eddy Cue and Katie Cotton. Aside from Angela Ahrendts, the people running the show at Apple are people who were put in place by Steve. This is the team he groomed to run Apple after he passed on.

 

[MacRazySwe]

Don't lose your breath, I consider this to be PR of the typical Apple-fashion.

However, a trip down memory lane really does prove that a lot has happened since the early 2000's...

During the PowerPC era, Apple was truly "think different". I had a PM G4 at the time, and while it was the best computer I had ever owned until that point, compatibility was awful in some regards. All of my friends had PC's, and sharing files/documents, hell - even using simple chat-programmes like MSN was troublesome between the two platforms. At this day and age, not even one of the regular local electronic-shops sold Macs.

In 2006 - Apple announced the Intel-change. While many people hated it, I think this was the best thing to ever happen to the Mac. The Intel-change led to improved compatibility between the two platforms, and the option of running Windows (in case you'd ever need it). This is where Apple and the Macintosh in particular really started getting momentum, especially in my area. Within a year or two, nearly every local shop started selling Apple-computers, and soon - Apple computers were the hottest thing since sliced bread. (This could be coupled to the growing success of iPods as well ofc..)

In 2007 - Apple announced the iPhone, which was a game-changer, and revolutionized the mobile computing industry. Some people claim that Android has passed Apple by now - I for one have tried Android several times, and although none of the OS's are without faults, I much prefer the iPhone and iOS.
2007 also saw the introduction of a radical design change at Apple, with extensive use of aluminum and glass. First implemented in the iMac, it soon spread over the entire product-range. Plastic was now a thing of the past.

In 2009, we saw the introduction of the iPad. Although not as much of a revolution as the iPhone - it has proved a very successful product, and in some ways eliminated the need for laptop computers, making access to the web a lot more user-friendly - especially for elderly people, or people without heavy computing needs.

In 2010, Apple started the trend of high-resolution display technology with the iPhone 4. For the first time, the iPhone also sported a full glass-design. At the time, the iPhone 4 was revolutionary. In 2010, the MacBook Air also received a significant price-cut, making ultra-portable computing accessible for the masses - without compromising on speed, function or quality.

However, since 2010 - things have been a bit lackluster, haven't they? Other than removal of SuperDrives and the introduction of the Retina-display in iPads and the notebook-line, not that much has happened. The Mac Mini looks the same as it did in 2009. The iMac looks the same as it did in 2009. The MacBook Air looks just like it did in 2010. The MacBook Pro, well, that has changed a bit. The only product to have received a significant upgrade is the Mac Pro. The iPhone looks pretty much the same as in 2010, other than a wee-bit larger screen and the Touch-ID fingerprint sensor. iPads look more or less the same and provide the same functionality as they did four years ago.

(Yep, I did leave out software..)

2006-2010 was IMO definitely the golden era of Apple, so far. I can't help but thinking that Apple are now a bit stuck. I can't help but wondering what will come next? I sure hope it won't be ARM-based computers.

I hope the brand new Mac Pro will pave way for a significant design change across the entire range. Aluminum and glass has been done now, and it would be interesting to move on. But where do we go from here? How do we improve upon aluminum and glass? I honestly don't know (which is why I don't work at Apples design department). I would at least like to see radical changes to the iMac, MBA, TBD (To go with the new Mac Pro) and iPhone.

Before two years time - I would like to see the following:

- A significant design change across the product range
- Retina Displays implemented in ALL devices (it's time..)
- SSD-disks across ALL devices (as standard)
- 32GB memory standard for flagship iPhones
- Increased RAM-memory standards

The new iPhone will probably be the greatest change in all of iPhone-history. iPads will probably gain multi-window support, which could improve their functionality by large. A Touch-ID implementation for the iPad could also allow a sophisticated multiple-user support. While wearables are undeniably very hot as of now, I doubt it will change the industry in the same way that the iPhone, iPod or iPad did.

Either way, I really hope to see Apple revisiting their revolutionary spirit of 2006-2010.

 

[mtneer]

WWDC is usually primarily about software. We'll see the product hardware in autumn.

Agreed. Apple does sell hardware and software 'products'

 

[IJ Reilly]

how is the new pages working for you?

but the whole premise of your post is based on this hyperbole of needing to satisfy ones urges every 90 seconds which is somewhere between nonsensical and insulting that im not surprised it got a few likes.

these so called random people are only reacting to the nonsense (so far) that leaves the mouths of the current execs at apple. ever since jobs died we have been hearing about 4-5 years worth of products (apparently that meant updates) and new and exciting products coming later this year/next year etc.

but you do nice deflecting

Deflecting what, exactly? I read these boards too. I see how everything Apple does or does not do these days is the subject of the same bitter complaints. At least one person in every single case gripes about "how that would have never happened when Steve was alive." Well, that's just horse poop. These people are conveniently blocking out of their minds everything that did not go perfectly in the Steve years. Forgetting the brilliant MobileMe rollout, are we? Forgetting the miserable iCloud transition? Forgetting how the abrupt loss of Rosetta screwed things up for so many? Was the new product cycle really faster under Steve? In reality, not. This is to name a few of the items that the Cult of Steve members fuzz over in their minds in order to feel just terrible and miserable about the state of things at Apple today.

 

[somethingelsefl]

Cue's statement is completely meaningless.
He could've been at Apple for 1000 years: 2014’s iPhone & iPad are better than
2013's, 2012’s, 2011’s .... 1000's, 999’s, 998’s, etc., etc.
Just more mindless PR drivel from Apple.

As was pointed out above, Cook promised "great products all across 2014."
Well, here we are at almost the second half of 2014 and there's been nothing.

Oh, wait, I am sorry: there've been significantly updated Apple apps so far this year,
and Apple apps are great products, so I guess that's what he meant.

And guess what? He's gonna say that again next year, too.

This is just like their "best iPhone ever" tag line. it's accurate, but useless. Consumers are catching on. They want excitement and sincerety about the "passion" that Apple's founded on. These tag lines are very clearly a product of Tim Cook's "enthusiasm" rather than a meaningful tool to tell consumers that Apple still has great products to offer.

Create an Apple where the company can keep secure secrets AND still have consumers waiting in anticipation. Not an environment of smoke and mirrors while Samsung sneaks behind with witty adverts and marketing.

 

[Digital Skunk]

I really hope so. It's the same story every year now it seems.

I was going to say the same thing.

I recall Jobs, Cook, Ive, Schmidt, etc. saying the same thing about 6 years ago (the last time I was a tickled pink Apple fanboy) and I am still waiting.

Totally satisfied with the lineup/pipeline, but nothing that I'd consider breakthrough or amazing, especially compared to comparable offerings from other companies.

I agree with the poster that said it should be promise and deliver. Apple has a knack for over promising, then scaling back that promise, then scaling back the delivery.

Just say what your going to do then do it.

 

[FrozenDarkness]

So one of us is going to look very stupid. Either Eddy Cue - well known big-wig at Apple, or me - random internet guy of unknown location, age or profession.

Oh no! Hope I'm right! I don't think I'd ever live down the embarrassment.

Oh no! Eddy Cue wishes he's right! I don't think he can ever live down the embarassment!

Protip: Eddy Cue doesn't care, this is his job. I'm glad you admitted you're just some random internet guy though, it says a lot about the confidence you have in your statements.

 

[oliversl]

I like Eddy Cue, but he is desperately bluffing, in the last 25 years we are talking about OSX, iPod, iTunes, iPhone, iPad.

Come on, there are no product in any pipeline in any company that can take only one of those product and be more successful.

I may print this post in december 2014 and eat it if what Eddy say turns ups true.

 

[Thunderhawks]

If it's once a year like it appears to be. Why call it a "pipeline" ?. That pipeline seems to be clogged.

PipeDREAM doesn't have marketing appeal!

 

[numlock]

You do know that Eddy Cue was one of Steve's closest friends at Apple? According to the book Inside Apple only 4 Apple employees were present at Steve's burial service - Tim Cook, Jony Ive, Eddy Cue and Katie Cotton. Aside from Angela Ahrendts, the people running the show at Apple are people who were put in place by Steve. This is the team he groomed to run Apple after he passed on.

and nothing says competence as being a friend.

Deflecting what, exactly? I read these boards too. I see how everything Apple does or does not do these days is the subject of the same bitter complaints. At least one person in every single case gripes about "how that would have never happened when Steve was alive." Well, that's just horse poop. These people are conveniently blocking out of their minds everything that did not go perfectly in the Steve years. Forgetting the brilliant MobileMe rollout, are we? Forgetting the miserable iCloud transition? Forgetting how the abrupt loss of Rosetta screwed things up for so many? Was the new product cycle really faster under Steve? In reality, not. This is to name a few of the items that the Cult of Steve members fuzz over in their minds in order to feel just terrible and miserable about the state of things at Apple today.

im not forgetting anything. i didnt say the past was better for apple. i can however see how some would feel that any 3-4 years in the last decade before jobs died were more exciting or promising than the ones since but i suppose thats part of the rise to the top.

i certainly feel that as a company they are much more arrogant and less accommodating to us customers than before which is the reason i mentioned pages. you mention rosetta but they way users that prefer ios6 for instance are treated these days i doubt they would even offer a rosetta transitional phase these days.

however as i highlighted this current management ever since jobs died regularly talks about how promising and exciting the products around the corner are. first of all i dont recall jobs doing that, needing to do that and third its an invitation for criticism when those promises dont meet the expectations.

as oliversl says it would take an awful awful awful to be more impressive than the last 25 years.

 

[Mildredop]

Protip: Eddy Cue doesn't care, this is his job.

You've just proved my point - this is just his job. Even though we all know Apple don't have "the best product pipeline in 25 years", he's got to say it to keep the Apple PR wheels turning. He doesn't care that he's lying.

And come December, we'll all have the proof he was lying.

 

[sixrom]

I want to see Dre hug Tim, what a great attention getter to start things off right. Steve would be so jealous. The juiciest keynote ever with hot new products, this will be one for the gossip sites, TMZ is most certainly salivating at the thought. SF will never be the same

 

[mrxak]

WWDC is usually primarily about software. We'll see the product hardware in autumn.

While I agree with you completely about hardware release timelines, we may see some APIs and services in OS X and iOS that will reveal what Apple is going to bring out this year. We may very well see an announcement of hardware to come, as we did with the Mac Pro (think iWatch).

Anyway, I don't know why everyone is so upset over Eddy Cue's statements to these interviewers. It's such a carefully scripted event and the interviewers are basically useless. You're not going to get a product announcement at a Re/code stage interview, sorry if that's a shock to anyone.

 

[plasticphyte]

Every time someone at Apple says they have great stuff/exciting things planned for the upcoming year, I always cringe. Inevitably it is just another iPad/iPhone/iPod/iMac/Laptop/Desktop that has been made thinner/lighter/faster/blah blah.

But that doesn't mean those improvements aren't awesome, just that it is a big let down.

 

[Azzin]

You've just proved my point - this is just his job. Even though we all know Apple don't have "the best product pipeline in 25 years", he's got to say it to keep the Apple PR wheels turning. He doesn't care that he's lying.

And come December, we'll all have the proof he was lying.

Wow, what's with all the bitterness?

All EC is doing is what every person who has something to sell does-hype it up.

That's kinda business 101, sell the product(s)...

 

[Arsenikdote]

So one of us is going to look very stupid. Either Eddy Cue - well known big-wig at Apple, or me - random internet guy of unknown location, age or profession.

Oh no! Hope I'm right! I don't think I'd ever live down the embarrassment.

If you are some random person on the internet and desire it to be that way, why post at all? Does it make you feel good when people agree with you? Does it give you a rush of emotion when people don't agree?

Personally I post on the internet to share ideas with others. I take pride in sharing of myself with others regardless of how well they know me.

The reply Frozen made to yours was layered. It was a poke at many things and I appreciated the subtly of his comments. By your lack of addressing the subtle points to his message, you must have just keyed off his use of the word stupid and reacted to it.

Why am I posting this? Mostly to show Frozen some appreciation for his well crafted response. And a 0.001% chance that you will see that your "drama machine" that you call posting, may actually be a great expression of your thoughts and opinions if you change your "random internet guy" persona into one that actually has respect for himself and the way in which he is represented. In this way I doubt you will react so quickly to the use of the word "stupid" and instead see the other meanings in people's words. But, again with my assessment of 0.001% chance, I certainly won't be holding my breath

As a person note, I think that Apple has a LOT of new products that WILL change other market segments just like they have done so many times in the past. I just think people are impatient and spoiled and want instant gratification. Just going off of the ones brought up at the conference:

iMac - 1998
iPod - 2001
iPhone - 2007
iPad - 2010

3 years in-between the iMac and iPod. 6 Years in-between the iPod and iPhone. Again, 3 years in-between the iPhone and the iPad. It has only been 4 years since the iPad was released and everyone is complaining? Seriously? And I think the 3 years between the iPhone and iPad released is somewhat skewed because of how similar those devices are. I think the time between them being only 3 years was due to how many shared components they could have. If indeed Apple is going to do an iWatch, a 4 year gap is NOTHING.

Patience is something I just don't think many people have these days.

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iMac - 1998
iPod - 2001
iPhone - 2007
iPad - 2010

3 years in-between the iMac and iPod. 6 Years in-between the iPod and iPhone. Again, 3 years in-between the iPhone and the iPad. It has only been 4 years since the iPad was released and everyone is complaining? Seriously? And I think the 3 years between the iPhone and iPad released is somewhat skewed because of how similar those devices are. I think the time between them being only 3 years was due to how many shared components they could have. If indeed Apple is going to do an iWatch, a 4 year gap is NOTHING.

Patience is something I just don't think many people have these days.

Oh, and if ANYONE else happens to turn an entire market segment on its end multiple times over a 12 year period....THAT person has the right to complain. I don't think the majority of people living today will appreciate what Apple is doing to these market segments. Only looking back through a broader view of history will it become apparent the actual geniuses and amazing company that they are. This should be evident whether you like their products or not. What other company on the planet can strike fear into the executives at other companies just by the mere mention that a new competitor is coming into their market?