Tim Cook Discusses Steve Jobs, Apple's Rivals, and Calls Apple Watch 'The First Modern Smartwatch'

[centauratlas]

It was the same with the Mac - "power users want a command line," "a GUI won't work well for most people," and "it is a toy."

(After recently doing some work on Windows 8.1 for a friend's company, I can see why people say "I hate computers." The difference in little things between, say, iOS or OS X and 8.1 is amazing - not smooth mouse movements, IE rendering and glacial, fonts that are just not clear, hours of AVG scanning the computer, etc. The difference between a good UI and human factors experience and not is tremendous.)

 

[LordVic]

In short words - sales / marketing pitch.

Enhancing their products vs competitors ( which all companies do ).

I have serious ethical and moral qualms with sales and marketting people who peddle their wares by using falsehoods, inccorect histories, or belittling opponents products to make your own look better.

Apple makes fantastic products.

Their business ethics stink from so many ****ing directions it's disgusting

 

[Stella]

Fashion & beauty ... all in the eyes of the beholder!

It may be correct to say the Apple Watch will be the first mainstream smart watch. The current ones on the market are niche products for tech-minded folks, and certainly far from fashion accessories.

Pebble Steel is trying to take on a more fashion approach, but it still has more appeal to geeks than it does to "mainstream" folks. The first thing a "normal" person will notice on the Pebble Steel is the display that looks like an EGA display from the early 1990's. Yes, it gets great battery life, and digital ink is neat, but it's just.... ugly. The visual quality of the display, which is just barely utilitarian, is a complete mismatch to the hardware.

Apple at least has produced something with a phenomenal display, and the hardware is certainly well-built (though you either like the square body or you don't), the tradeoff being much less battery life compared to the Steel.

 

[iamPro]

It's called the "reality distortion field". Tim Cook and the Apple Faithful are known for revisionist history.

Apple is a great company at taking existing trends, making them pretty and beautifull, and being able to sell them to the masses instead of just "geeks".

but they're very rarely first. And I find it interesting how he claims that Apple "invented" the "modern day smartphone" instead of just "smartphone".

He's a very, VERY smart speaker. He knows that by saying this, people who listen to his everyword will eventually drop "Modern day", but not the "smartphone" in their own discussions about devices, which automatically becomes "Apple invented the smartphone". This is the reality distortion field at work. in Prime form.

I really wish Him and Ive and the rest of the Apple top brass would speak in public less.

Your reality distortion field is that Tim said "modern day" with the intention of people quoting him to drop "modern".

I hardly doubt Tim believes Apple invented the smartphone nor does he have this conspiracy of fooling people to believe so as well. Apple, as evident even in that very interview, was always publicly open at admitting they were not the first, but rather the first at being better if not the best. So, I don't see why Tim, here specifically, would want to be sly about who invented the first smartphone.

 

[2457282]

We changed our connector, even though many people loved the 30-pin connector.

Yes, but now we have, lightning, thunderbolt, and USB-C. Cant we agree to one and move on. PLEASE?

 

[Keirasplace]

Why wait, it it quite fact that it the same as others (except the heart beat, drawing pictures and taps). Or are you arguing that the most sold is the best?

Its not the same as others, it is much smaller, especially the smallest one and the build quality is better. There's much more variance which is very important in a fashion setting. It does more than all but the biggest ones who look like bricks next to it.

The software is very different than Android Wear, with a totally different UI (doesn't look like ANY UI out there) and its relation with the phone is also very different; this mean they'll be a big quantity of apps compatible with it at launch, compared to a very low number for the Android wear. If the heartbeat function is as accurate as Apple claims, it won't be matched.

 

[BCWorld]

True, but Apple is making their product lines too wide. In particular, look how messed up the iPad line is (especially the Mini). The Macbook line is also getting unruly, but it seems it is once again in a transition period. I hope Tim realizes this and starts simplifying things again.

I like the Watch, but I think Tim and company did not do a good job on the Marketing side. With the iPhone and iPad Steve spent a long time in each Keynote explaining why the product exists. I don't think it was done properly with the Watch this time around. I can't wait for it however....although I wish Apple made more bands for the Space Gray/Black models.

The Macbook looks awesome, but this generation is underpowered...in a year or so it should be a decent performer and awesome. There will be more USB-C peripherals available also.

Apple needs to put a little more time into the Software. Tim mentions the iPad as revolutionary, but it is waining and the problem is iOS. The iPad needs some attention with this.

+1

I totally agree.
The last time we seen all the apple products in a unified form was in 2011 right before Steve jobs died. It seems apple hasn't been on that page since.
I don't really understand why apple can't get their products unified like before?
Now we have a $1300 "macbook" that cost as much as the "MacBook Pro"?
We have a "MacBook Pro" that hasn't be updated in 3 years, and a "MacBook Air" that is thicker than the "new macbook"?? I don't get it.

 

[Oletros]

It was the same with the Mac - "power users want a command line," "a GUI won't work well for most people," and "it is a toy."

(After recently doing some work on Windows 8.1 for a friend's company, I can see why people say "I hate computers." The difference in little things between, say, iOS or OS X and 8.1 is amazing - not smooth mouse movements, IE rendering and glacial, fonts that are just not clear, hours of AVG scanning the computer, etc. The difference between a good UI and human factors experience and not is tremendous.)

What AVG scanning do you talk about? Fonts not clear?

Are you sure that you have used Windows 8.1?

 

[bbeagle]

He's a very, VERY smart speaker. He knows that by saying this, people who listen to his everyword will eventually drop "Modern day", but not the "smartphone" in their own discussions about devices, which automatically becomes "Apple invented the smartphone". This is the reality distortion field at work. in Prime form.

Wow. Way to spin.

You don't like that Cook didn't say 'first smartphone', so you spin what he actually said into what you wanted him to say. You graduated from the Rush Limbaugh school of spin.

 

[DakotaGuy]

I agree with him on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod.

But the Watch--it's just like any other smartwatches out today from LG, Samsung, Lenovorolla, Sony. They were late this time but did not provide any significant differentiating feature either.

The Apple Watch does the exact same things my LG G Watch R does only it costs more money and leaves you walking around with a black screen on your wrist.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I'm surprised he didn't include another big reason for changing connectors... Changing a connector is an easy way to take money from your pocket and put it in his.

Yes, because we all know that accessories is where Apple really makes their money...

 

[lobbyist]

So mystical how Jobs' aura only seems to expand and shine ever more with time - how people are still so infatuated and fascinated by him.

 

[Keirasplace]

+1

I totally agree.
The last time we seen all the apple products in a unified form was in 2011 right before Steve jobs died. It seems apple hasn't been on that page since.
I don't really understand why apple can't get their products unified like before?
Now we have a $1300 "macbook" that cost as much as the "MacBook Pro"?
We have a "MacBook Pro" that hasn't be updated in 3 years, and a "MacBook Air" that is thicker than the "new macbook"?? I don't get it.

The Mac Book Pro's delay are obviously linked to Intel dragging their feet. Apple is totally dependent on Intel for a decent processor here.

The Air will eventually be reintroduced in the new format, or more probably dropped by the end of the year. The new machine will drop in price after the new year in 2016 to fill the void.

 

[ZCT]

I'm surprised he didn't include another big reason for changing connectors... Changing a connector is an easy way to take money from your pocket and put it in his.

I'm just waiting for the next generation MacBook Pro with the "new and improved" single connector. Don't worry they will offer a bunch of "magical dongles" starting at $79.95 to make it the "most versatile" computer ever.

I think that in computers you have to move with the times.

Let's face facts, that old 30 pin connector was huge. The lightening one is awesome; small, allows for a smaller phone, it's all good.

I don't buy that Apple are just changing stuff to make money on peripherals. I really do believe that they want to keep innovating.

If Apple went back to the 30 pin connector today, and offered you a full refund on any adapters and non-30 pin connector cables you've purchased, would you really want to go back?

 

[AppleScruff1]

I agree with him on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod.

But the Watch--it's just like any other smartwatches out today from LG, Samsung, Lenovorolla, Sony. They were late this time but did not provide any significant differentiating feature either.

You can send a real time heartbeat with the Apple watch and you can't with the others.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

I wonder what the plan for Steve's office is when they move to Campus 2. Will they disassemble it and bring it with them?

Will Campus 1 become a entire ghost campus, and Steve's ghost office will be one among many?

 

[Bubba Satori]

Cook just gets it. Every word in that interview is Cook just getting it so damn well. I'm glad he's the Apple CEO.

Top of the morning, Phil.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Tim Cook and Apple get it that is why they are hugely successful.

iHaters and competitors will always be ********, and really at the end of the day will always remain followers (or jealous critics) no matter what Apple says or does.

Apple and Tim Cook are not perfect by any means. Great to hear they know that.

/rinse and repeat.

It seems that Apple has the followers.

 

[Keirasplace]

The Apple Watch does the exact same things my LG G Watch R does only it costs more money and leaves you walking around with a black screen on your wrist.

BTW, a Laptop also does the same thing but I'm not going to strap it to my wrist... They're not the same because they're not built the same, there is a greater variability, and the software is very different. If, saying they're all the same is sooting, continue doing it : everybody needs a mantra (sic).

 

[DakotaGuy]

Yes, because we all know that accessories is where Apple really makes their money...

It is their main profit maker? Of course not. Is there a VERY handsome profit to be made on a plastic $79.00 dongle? You bet!

 

[numlock]

Cook just gets it. Every word in that interview is Cook just getting it so damn well. I'm glad he's the Apple CEO.

since you get it like mr cook maybe i should ask you instead him.

who actually loved the 30 pin connector?

what was gained by removing optical drives on desktops?

its one thing to look to the future and embrace than to see a big market for high markup dongle.

 

[RockSpider]

Man this guy talks absolute rubbish and he keeps mentioning Jobs because he knows the faithful will simply swoon.

He knows Apple is falling further behind everyday so he has to keep talking the company up.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

You can send a real time heartbeat with the Apple watch and you can't with the others.

I said significant feature. I would say this is a gimmick unless you can give me a use case for this feature.

 

[thejd]

People didn't realize they had to have an iPod, and they really didn't realize they had to have the iPhone. And the iPad was totally panned. Critics asked, "Why do you need this?" Honestly, I don't think anything revolutionary that we have done was predicted to be a hit when released. It was only in retrospect that people could see its value. Maybe this will be received the same way.

The difference with the iPhone and iPad is everybody could see the writing on the wall when those devices were unveiled. The air in the auditorium was electric at the iPhone announcement. If memory serves correctly, the iPad event was much more quiet because of the astonishment of what that device was all about. I do remember the iPad getting panned by a very vocal few but the masses knew precisely how much of a big deal it was.

Apple Watch is different. The hard core fans and techie geeks will definitely buy one. But I've got to be honest, there is no mainstream buzz otherwise. I see the so-called "wearable" category, not just the Apple Watch, in general, as Apple's Ping service. There might be a market for it, but the products themselves haven't been around long enough to see what needs to be improved upon. That's what iPod did to MP3 players and what the iPhone did to smartphones. The iPad is the only iDevice so far to create its own category.

 

[DakotaGuy]

BTW, a Laptop also does the same thing but I'm not going to strap it to my wrist... They're not the same because they're not built the same, there is a greater variability, and the software is very different. If, saying they're all the same is sooting, continue doing it : everybody needs a mantra (sic).

I never said it was the same. I only said it did the same things. Tim Cook seems to think his magical Apple Watch does things that have never been done before with a watch. Previous Apple products were a huge departure from what was currently on the market the Watch is not.

They are counting on the brand to sell these things and no matter how bad or expensive they are the logo will sell them. I have seen estimates of 30-40+ million watches being sold the first year and I don't doubt it, but the question remains is if they can maintain the sales and have people keep upgrading these expensive accessories year after year.