Jobs Biographer Walter Isaacson: Apple 'No Longer the Most Innovative Company'

[nvmls]

Dual camera with dslr like blur
Thinner devices
Apple Watch
Touch bar on mac
Force/ 3D Touch with Haptic engine
True tone display
Apple TV App Store

Epic post.

dslr "like" blur = innovation. lol.
Thinner devices - *facepalm*
Apple watch - Another half baked unnecessary product in the process of becoming something.
Touch bar - this one is truly epic hands down, I love tapping 2 times for volume or mission control.
Force/ 3D Touch with Haptic engine - some good and some unnecessary wait to get things done.
True tone display - good to have it, hardly able to tell the difference if not on proper light conditions.
Apple TV App Store - not only Apple TV 4 is half baked but you bring it's store as innovation? lol.

Incredible consumer thinking, also innovation doesn't matter these days clearly since profit is off the hook.

 

[fel10]

He is not wrong

 

[rhett7660]

Innovation is a funny word, everybody fills it in differently. To me, and I suspect to Apple, innovation just means "making a product better", whether that is through iterations on an existing product or entering a market with a "revolutionary" breakthrough product. It's hard to name an Apple product that is worse than its predecessor or, if it's in a new product category, worse than whatever competing products existed before Apple's entry.

Every iPhone and iPad is better than the previous generation. iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch were at launch better than their competitors in fundamental ways. Sure, Apple makes some missteps, Siri is not perfect, and llook at the Mac Pro. But nobody is perfect and those are the exception, not the rule. It's hard to deny that Apple knows how to improve their products and knows how to get a new product category right when everybody else gets it wrong.

I think that's how Apple looks at innovation, but unfortunately what innovation means to a lot of people is flashy, different, futuristic, out there. iPhone 7 is not considered innovative because it looks similar to 6 and 6s, even when the 7 is better in subtle but important ways and people love their iPhones. Like Jony Ive said, it's very easy to be different, but very difficult to be better.

Bingo. This is also how I see Apple. If you look at their products over the years, some held the same case design for quite some time, six or seven years for some. Yes the inside received some updates such as faster processors etc, but the cases stayed the same, at least in their out word appearances.

I agree with that is not what many people think or feel is innovation is when it comes to Apple or other companies for that matter.

 

[satchmo]

I see a lack of excitement, a lack of coolness and lack of strategy coming from Apple. We get thinner products and emojis, but Amazon created Alexis. I mean Apple used to be the one that created products that people didn't know they needed, now Google, Amazon and the reviled and hated Samsung are doing that.

I see at times, Apple protecting its lead more then taking chances. To use Steve Job's quote they're not staying hungry staying foolish.

How many years have we heard Tim Cook say that they have some pretty exciting products in the pipeline, 4 years? 5 years?

Lately we see less true innovation and more following the crowd. I mean they're copying the popularity of snapchat with those emojis/balloons and other affects in Messages.

Yes, this.
And don't forget the autonomous cars, and augmented reality. Things that Tim has touted as being of great interest, but have already been implemented by other companies.

 

[macs4nw]

Well, it's the truth. I'd love to see Apple take some risks instead of playing it safe.

I like to think, or perhaps hope, that Apple is taking its time to get virtual assistants right, with respect to privacy concerns. I mean we're talking about cameras and mikes throughout our living spaces, you know.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Does this worry you? https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14315446

 

[Naraxus]

Nonsense. The guy is a has-been who's trying to stay relevant by trashing Apple, king of clicks. Predictably it worked perfectly on the vast army of MR haters.

You still here Nolamacguy? Why don't you try addressing the argument at hand rather than firing off insults per usual? The fact of the matter is is that Apple has been coasting for years now. Some innovation here and there but by and large, not a whole lot and certainly nothing like there was 7-8+ years ago

 

[Zedcars]

It's more like, since Steve. Tim Cook hasn't done nothing. Blah blah blah...

I agree...Tim Cook hasn't done nothing. He may not have done what others want him to have done (I'm angry about those languished Mac Pros too), and he's not really an innovation guy like Jobs was, but to say he's done nothing is nonsense.

To follow such a remarkable guy as Jobs and still continue to push the company forward was always going to be a tough gig. Personally I think he's done a pretty good job. I'm not exactly jumping up and down about him, but nor am I as dismissive as some around here.

 

[Millah]

Let's not forget that Tim/Phil and Steves wife have all tried to remove ties to Isaacsons biography, callling it out for the atrocity it is, and I'm sure this bozo is pretty offended by that.

Apple is still the most copied and imitated company in consumer technology. To me, that by definition means they are still just as influential. What smartphone company was talking about "Bokeh" before the iPhone 7 Plus? Or fingerprint scanners? Let's not forget all mobile wallet solutions we're completely scrapped, re-engineered, after Apple Pay. And they're now all just like Apple Pay. Removal of the headphone jack? No one dared do that before Apple. Now there are several following Apples guts to do that.

Give me a break. The trolls on this forum EAT UP any negative story about Tim Cooks leadership.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

I dunno, I somewhat disagree. I mean we are talking about home personal assistants. Not really a big deal imo.

Apple still has the bet mobile platform and iOS. Still the best ecosystem. Still the best continuity between devices.

I don't really feel any major tech company is "innovating".

Elon Musk is the innovation king as we speak. Everyone else is playing with toys.

Just going to point out that one of Musk's projects, the Neuralink, is just the ultimate personal assistant. It's the assistant that's so well integrated, you're not sure where you end and it begins (ultimately, it is you, just like your heart and subconsciousness are part of you.) If you haven't read up on it yet, take the rest of the day off and read this: http://waitbutwhy.com/2017/04/neuralink.html

 

[nikicampos]

Samsung: Bezel-less display (useful)
Apple: 3D Touch (useless; why would pressure sensitivity be natural in a TOUCH interface, stupid Apple, it's so overrated but I'm sure Samsung and Google will do it better)

Samsung: Samsung Gear IconX (incredible)
Apple: AirPods (ugly and nothing special)

Samsung: Samsung Gear S3 Smart Watch (sexy as hell)
Apple: Apple Watch (ugly as hell)

Samsung: Staedtler Noris S Pen (cool and beautiful)
Apple: Apple Pencil (ugly, useless)

Samsung: Bixby (super smart)
Apple: Siri (super dumb, NEVER understands me, not hyperbole whatsoever)

Samsung:
Apple: Swift (I had spaghetti for dinner)

Samsung:
Apple: APFS (my favorite color is blue)

Tragic to see where Apple is now.

How is a bezel-less display useful??

You have a weird brain if you think the Gear is "sexy".

Don't even get me started on your other points, dumbest post in the whole thread.
[doublepost=1494520929][/doublepost]

What revolutionary product has google recently released???? Name 1 , because I can't think of any

Exactly, none, and that goes for Amazon, the show, a videophone from 1990's??

 

[dss10]

Isaacson didn't show a lot of innovation in his Steve Jobs biography, 90% of that book was lifted from other sources. He is like Walt Mossbergh, no real value added except for their own self promotion.

 

[emm386]

Apple did not release a smartwatch the following month. Today, they dominate the space.

Only due to the lack of solid competition. Apple once Dominated the smartphone segment as well... until Google caught up and Apple failed to innovate their platform.

Apple still has the bet mobile platform

By what metrics? Or is it because Tim Cook said so?

 

[iapplelove]

By what metrics? Or is it because Tim Cook said so?

Why do I care what Tim Cook thinks? It's cause I say so.

 

[WiseAJ]

Only due to the lack of solid competition. Apple once Dominated the smartphone segment as well... until Google caught up and Apple failed to innovate their platform.


By what metrics? Or is it because Tim Cook said so?

More like until Google flooded the market handing out free to low cost garbage. Apple still dominates the smartphone segment where it actually matters.

 

[69650]

I agree with him based on Apple's lack of new products over the past few years.

 

[emm386]

More like until Google flooded the market handing out free to low cost garbage. Apple still dominates the smartphone segment where it actually matters.

The market was flooded with garbage phones before. And that didn't help a single hardware manufacturer to stay in business with these crappy devices.

Google handsets just became "good enough" to compete and eventually become the dominant platform.

Also "..to still dominate a segment...where it actually matters..." means "not really dominating the segment anymore, " when translated from your "alternative facts" - language...

 

[WRChris]

Everyone has something to complain about. The goal of a company is to make money not make everyone happy

There's still no way I would switch to android or windows, even with the lack of "innovation"

Making the screen curve an extra .5" is not innovative either. Making explosive devices is not innovative. Making a touch screen desktop for a niche market is not innovative. Half ass iris and facial recognition is half ass innovation. Didn't Alexa and ok google come after Siri? So which part is innovative there? They built on what Apple did and everyone thinks it's so special when a company other than Apple does anything.

All you whiny people ruin forums by hijacking threads with complete nonsense and bogus analogies that make zero sense in relation to the topic at hand.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Let's not forget that Tim/Phil and Steves wife have all tried to remove ties to Isaacsons biography, callling it out for the atrocity it is, and I'm sure this bozo is pretty offended by that.

Apple is still the most copied and imitated company in consumer technology. To me, that by definition means they are still just as influential. What smartphone company was talking about "Bokeh" before the iPhone 7 Plus? Or fingerprint scanners? Let's not forget all mobile wallet solutions we're completely scrapped, re-engineered, after Apple Pay. And they're now all just like Apple Pay. Removal of the headphone jack? No one dared do that before Apple. Now there are several following Apples guts to do that.

Give me a break. The trolls on this forum EAT UP any negative story about Tim Cooks leadership.

You are right people judge fast, but Apple is slacking and I think most would agree. Something internal is happening and that's not good for a company that size with major bills to pay. Sabotage perhaps? Or just loss of direction?
[doublepost=1494525087][/doublepost]

Everyone has something to complain about. The goal of a company is to make money not make everyone happy

There's still no way I would switch to android or windows, even with the lack of "innovation"

Steve told Ive something like that. "you just want people to like you"

 

[WRChris]

You are right people judge fast, but Apple is slacking and I think most would agree. Something internal is happening and that's not good for a company that size with major bills to pay. Sabotage perhaps? Or just loss of direction?
[doublepost=1494525087][/doublepost]
Steve told Ive something like that. "you just want people to like you"

I can't comment on what Steve Jobs may or may not have said but 1 possible reason for dripping updates is that they are still working on major overhauls that take time. They obviously milk every idea they have until its dry but that's business. They don't need to worry unless they update their products and no one buys them. It's safe to say that the people running Apple most likely don't want to run it into the ground. Don't forget they are way more business savvy then you or I and probably 99.99% of people who think they know what's going on.

 

[MH01]

Something like the Surface Studio is a niche product (which may be a very kind way to say it's a complete flop).

At about 27-30 millions pieces sold so far, and accelerating, the Watch is a big hit. Just stop comparing it to the world's most successful product ever, the iPhone.

If the Watch was from Microsoft, or Samsung, pundits would be declaring Apple in deep trouble because of that.

I honestly think the smart watch in general is a flop, all brands combined. It's a niche product, majority of people I see, still have mechanical watches. The smartphone is another matter, the majority of users have a smart phone.
[doublepost=1494528431][/doublepost]

I can't comment on what Steve Jobs may or may not have said but 1 possible reason for dripping updates is that they are still working on major overhauls that take time. They obviously milk every idea they have until its dry but that's business. They don't need to worry unless they update their products and no one buys them. It's safe to say that the people running Apple most likely don't want to run it into the ground. Don't forget they are way more business savvy then you or I and probably 99.99% of people who think they know what's going on.

I think it takes genius and huge effort that create something, taking over once setup....that is the easy part. And feels like once Cook took over, it was Cruise control , maximising the mileage . And he is great at getting the most out of the tank, question is does he now when to do some maintainance? Or will it matter, good chance the lot of them will retire soon....hence they are only interested in milking the products and maximising profits, and avoiding any risks.

 

[WRChris]

I honestly think the smart watch in general is a flop, all brands combined. It's a niche product, majority of people I see, still have mechanical watches. The smartphone is another matter, the majority of users have a smart phone.
[doublepost=1494528431][/doublepost]

I think it takes genius and huge effort that create something, taking over once setup....that is the easy part. And feels like once Cook took over, it was Cruise control , maximising the mileage . And he is great at getting the most out of the tank, question is does he now when to do some maintainance? Or will it matter, good chance the lot of them will retire soon....hence they are only interested in milking the products and maximising profits, and avoiding any risks.

Lol car analogies. You're the backseat driver in that analogy. Cook didn't take over he was chosen by none other than....Jobs. Do you think you could manage a multi billion dollar company without caring about maximizing profits and avoiding risk? Apple is doing what they need to do to make more money. It's not some elaborate hoax so a handful of execs can retire and then see their stocks tank. I just don't think you are looking at this from all angles, just from the unhappy consumer angle.

 

[Smith288]

He's right....

Also, sometimes apple apologists are worse than Trump and Hillary apologists. It's ok to be critical of your guy/gal/company folks.
[doublepost=1494529073][/doublepost]

Does this worry you? https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14315446

Beside YCombinator refuses to innovate their UI?

 

[MH01]

....what? Seriously?

What other company has put out a stable, completely new, modern filesystem for mass consumption in the last 15+ years? Let alone deployed it on tens of millions of devices in a single day? That's shocking from a technical standpoint. The fact that some of the features of APFS exist is simply because....file systems exist.

Frankly this segment read like someone who doesn't appreciate just how big a feat Apple pulled off on this one....but to be fair the entirety of tech "journalism" (read: people who review shiny new **** without any technical appreciation, beyond spec sheets, for pay) missed it too, probably because it isn't shiny.

I suggest you look through the file systems on this list

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_file_systems

Your statement is....interesting from a tech point of view....are you just choosing to ignore what has been released in the last 15 years.....or...are you actually saying that apple's APFS is the most impressive/innovative file system on that list ....

Given how iOS updates work, absolutely nothing amazing about the rollout! That is a red herring, we don't have a choice.
[doublepost=1494529255][/doublepost]

Lol car analogies. You're the backseat driver in that analogy. Cook didn't take over he was chosen by none other than....Jobs. Do you think you could manage a multi billion dollar company without caring about maximizing profits and avoiding risk? Apple is doing what they need to do to make more money. It's not some elaborate hoax so a handful of execs can retire and then see their stocks tank. I just don't think you are looking at this from all angles, just from the unhappy consumer angle.

If the question is about skill, it's not if I could do it, the question is could Cook run a company that is small and struggling, that is my point.

 

[WRChris]

I agree...Tim Cook hasn't done nothing. He may not have done what others want him to have done (I'm angry about those languished Mac Pros too), and he's not really an innovation guy like Jobs was, but to say he's done nothing is nonsense.

To follow such a remarkable guy as Jobs and still continue to push the company forward was always going to be a tough gig. Personally I think he's done a pretty good job. I'm not exactly jumping up and down about him, but nor am I as dismissive as some around here.

He doesnt do a very good job of separating his political beliefs from his business side, that I do not like whatsoever. But yeah he's doing a good job for the shoes he's in. It kind of makes you wonder what Hellary promised him in exchange for his support.
[doublepost=1494529414][/doublepost]

I suggest you look through the file systems on this list

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_file_systems

Your statement is....interesting from a tech point of view....are you just choosing to ignore what has been released in the last 15 years.....or...are you actually saying that apple's APFS is the most impressive/innovative file system on that list ....

Given how iOS updates work, absolutely nothing amazing about the rollout! That is a red herring, we don't have a choice.
[doublepost=1494529255][/doublepost]

If the question is about skill, it's not if I could do it, the question is could Cook run a company that is small and struggling, that is my point.

That's not a point, that's a question that there is not an answer for. He can however run Apple and very well at that.

I want products that Apple doesn't offer, but that doesn't mean Cook is a bad CEO. Just means I want something that doesn't exist, to blame someone else for that seems silly.

It would seem you just want to blame someone for being unhappy.