Tim Cook Says Apple is Always Focused on 'Products and People' Over Wall Street Expectations

[apolloa]

I am simply saying that not everything which can be measured matters, just as not everything which matters can be measured.

Time and time again, this forum sees people criticising Apple products for supposedly lagging behind in this area or that. Then sales go on to explode, proving that those complaints do not accurately reflect buyer sentiment as a whole. Either the gravity of the situation was grossly overstated, or it was never really an issue to begin with.

As a general rule of thumb, Apple products can be released at any time, as long as that ‘one’ headline feature is ready. For example, the iPod didn’t need that huge capacity of other models, it needed the touchwheel; iPhone didn’t need 3G, it needed that multitouch screen; HomePod doesn’t need a better Siri, it needs outstanding sound (which it does have).

Because Apple products are often about that headline feature, buyers are willing to either wait or completely forego anything else.

One thing is clear to me though - this device is the new Apple Watch. It’s going to be the tech media’s whipping boy for the next year or two while software is tweaked and functionality is broadened. Then suddenly there will be write-ups praising the HomePod for all the things it got criticized for on day one.

Firstly I don’t remember the Apple Watch being the whipping boy, apart from the fact Apple were selling one in a plastic box and a tiny bit of gold for 13,000 plus... yeah on that front they made themselves whipping boys for good reason, because the screen and internals were the EXACT SAME as the 400 dollar model.. a lump of gold that size does not cost 10 grand!

The reviews are rightfully slamming the HomePod because of Siri. All your still doing is making an excuse for Apple.
It may sound good, so it does ONE thing right, but so do a lot of other speakers at its price point.

If they wanted to sell a good sounding speaker then they should have done just that and ditched Siri, but this is Apple and the HomePod is a closed system with no way to connect a none Apple device to it.

So again the criticism is valid. But keep making excuses if you want, people can watch the MacRumors video comparison for themselves.

Siri as I said is a perfect example of why what Cook says in this article is just bogus rubbish, and the HomePod is an additional example highlighting this also.

It is a fact that the majority of the tech media will claim Siri is behind Alexa and Google assistants in reviews.
I think the majority of users will also feel the same way, so again it’s not true when Cook claims everything they do is for the user.

 

[Falhófnir]

The critics do seem to be having the worse track record overall though. Hard to take their words seriously when their criticism simply isn’t squaring up with reality.

I would disagree - at least with criticism, it is usually based on an issue, even if it is overblown. With Apple apologists, any valid issue is shot down - ‘it’s fine’ when it clearly isn’t or ‘you can’t possibly be justifiably upset’ because of course everything apple does is beautiful and pure and altruistic. These aren’t rational positions but they’re not that hard to find, especially on sites like this.

 

[I7guy]

I would disagree - at least with criticism, it is usually based on an issue, even if it is overblown. With Apple apologists, any valid issue is shot down - ‘it’s fine’ when it clearly isn’t or ‘you can’t possibly be justifiably upset’ because of course everything apple does is beautiful and pure and altruistic. These aren’t rational positions but they’re not that hard to find, especially on sites like this.

On the other side of the “apologists” for lack of a better word are the “bashers”. Since labels are the way to go.

The “bashers” constant criticism of virtually everything Apple is not any less valid then the “apologists” pollyanna view.

But I agree that polarizing views do exist all over the internets, as you can’t tell someone how to think, in as much as some would like to try.

 

[Abazigal]

If they wanted to sell a good sounding speaker then they should have done just that and ditched Siri, but this is Apple and the HomePod is a closed system with no way to connect a none Apple device to it.

Siri is there for playing music, which it does well enough.

It is a fact that the majority of the tech media will claim Siri is behind Alexa and Google assistants in reviews.

Just like it was a fact that the iPad ran a mobile OS with mobile apps, compared to windows tablet running desktop software with a desktop operating system.

The public turned out not to care. For many, the addition of iOS was actually more of a boon than a bane compared to legacy PC software.

So facts alone don't always tell the whole story.

It's easy to run all the AI assistants through a laundry list of commands. How many people will actually use all of them on a regular basis? You don't miss what you don't need, and it's a stretch to assume that all features are valued evenly by users.

I think the majority of users will also feel the same way, so again it’s not true when Cook claims everything they do is for the user.

Time will tell. But one bets against Apple to their own detriment.

 

[citysnaps]

The critics do seem to be having the worse track record overall though. Hard to take their words seriously when their criticism simply isn’t squaring up with reality.

For sure. And when that criticism is accompanied with childish junior high school snark, or slamming how a particular executive looks, and on and on, why would anyone take that criticism seriously?

When someone indulges in that kind of juvenile behavior, I assume that person is a child, which instantly reduces credibility.

 

[paucine]

Mr Cook should look down instead of up...shame on him.
Earning millions of dollars and we, the users, earn less and less. It's like saying goodby to the future.
The Apple website is in a constant freeze it seems, no innovation at all, so don't understand what Mr. Cook is talking about. I can remember times when surfing to the Apple website was a joy, but this is long gone.
I've made a list of all the Apple shortcomings nowadays and yes, I bought a cheaper Samsung S8 and will never buy the Homepod. My next PC will probably be a Microsoft Surface. No need to explain why.
I’m an Apple addict from the 80's and definitely moving away from Cupertino.
Let Apple join Elon Musk and give him some of the billions to really innovate, cause that's what’s Apple missing, a real CEO with a real vision and one without hollow phrases.
'Simplicity is the ultimate sophistification' but at Apple they don't understand what Jobs meant with that.

Gone:

the magsafe connector, great invention
led light on laptop power connector
wired mouse
headphone jack iPhone
toslink digital output
usb-B connector (removed too early)
disk utility advanced
touch id iPhone
color coding files
'save as', the most logical way of renaming and saving files to any location
start up chime: gone
illuminated Apple Logo (meaning not proud anymore?)

Design:

magic mouse charged on the bottom side, stupid design
Inferior keyboard on macbook pro's
touchbar is a gimmick, it says enough no other company is copying it.
Homepod is ugly to say the least and introduced too late, no Spotify or Tidal implemented
Applewatch too thick and ugly. Watches should be round and thinner

Software (High Sierra)

irritating notifications standard ‘on’ and not possible to put if off completely,
(some (pro) people do not want to update)
disk utility made way too simple
agenda never renewed
spelling checker, there should be one way to put it off in all apps
'view icon' gone when having multiple pdf's in mail, why?

I could go on,
wish Apple didn't...

 

[apolloa]

Siri is there for playing music, which it does well enough.


Just like it was a fact that the iPad ran a mobile OS with mobile apps, compared to windows tablet running desktop software with a desktop operating system.

The public turned out not to care. For many, the addition of iOS was actually more of a boon than a bane compared to legacy PC software.

So facts alone don't always tell the whole story.

It's easy to run all the AI assistants through a laundry list of commands. How many people will actually use all of them on a regular basis? You don't miss what you don't need, and it's a stretch to assume that all features are valued evenly by users.


Time will tell. But one bets against Apple to their own detriment.

If in your opinion Siri is ONLY there to play music, then apple must change its advertising as it is presenting it as an assistant, not a mechanism to only play music.
As for the iPad? Why are you comparing it to Windows tablets? I presum your thinking of the Surface which is what three or four times the price? What a strange analogy to make, they are different devices aimed at different users and uses and is not really comparable to the HomePod argument

As for your assumption on AI Landry list of commands, it’s exactly that, your assumption and opinion only, you are arguing that as far as your concerned people won’t need anything better then Siri because they will not know their is far better out there?
In fact that’s the age old argument that so what Apple tells you to, use only what Apple tells you to because they always know far better then you do.. the perfect apology for a giant electronics corporation after your money...

And time will tell yes, but I don’t see the Apple TV beating everyone else.... so that analogy is not always true and I think you’ll find the same with the HomePod.

 

[citysnaps]

If they wanted to sell a good sounding speaker then they should have done just that and ditched Siri, but this is Apple and the HomePod is a closed system with no way to connect a none Apple device to it.

Nope. You don't understand the purpose of HomePod and Siri's purpose with HomePod.

HomePod is a standalone always on (while dissipating only 1.7 watts) speaker to play music, which doesn't need to work with another device (iPhone, Mac, etc) that's powered on and ready. Though it can work with those devices, if desired.

Without Siri, how would one get HomePod to play, for example, Miles Davis' Kind of Blue album?

Siri is how users interface with HomePod.

I've had HomePod in my house for 14 days now, and have been using it many hours a day. Siri continues to bat 1,000 on my music requests. And the sound is outstanding.

If I wanted a so-called "smart speaker," I would have looked at Alexa. But a "smart speaker" is not something I need or want. If I need to purchase a box of detergent from Amazon, I'll use my phone or Mac, and have far more information presented helping me in making my choice.

What I've waited for, and what Apple has delivered, is an always on device that plays my varied music requests, automatically adapts to the acoustics in any room I choose to put it in, and with outstanding audio quality. And most importantly, can be easily accessed verbally and accurately, without needing another device.

If you want something more than that, simply get what makes you happy. Easy. That's what I did.

 

[laz232]

Man....there are some seriously cynical/angry people here. I don't really understand why this site gets so much traffic from people who really don't seem to like the company that is the subject of the site. Seems like a better use of your time would be reading about/discussing things that you actually enjoy.

Is everything perfect? No. Could Apple as a whole be better? Sure. Do they deserve constructive criticism when they have issues with software or hardware they release? Absolutely.

But the over-the-top torch and pitchfork routine is just a sign that some here need a new hobby.

I think it's because a lot of the long-time Apple customers remember a computer company that delivered the tools they used for their work and later a few select items for their pleasure (iPod, iPhone, first few generations of iPad) - that worked well *and* fullfilled a fairly immediate need.

Now it's become a lifestyle brand that just seems to sell shiny crap to people all the time pretending to still care about making equipment for professionals. Not to mention the forays into music, into TV series, into home-speaker systems, into gold-banded watches, into cars. Areas that I will they didn't bother with because there are companies that are way better than Apple at those things, whereas Apple is loosing ground on those products that people used to see them as class-leading: dependable HW and an intergrated OS and SW tools.

Well they've dumped all their professional SW tools, most of their Pro hardware (the "pro" moniker now means: need a large paycheck to afford the equipment) and their OS has increasingly started chasing a feature set at the cost of stability.

People are angry because those changes happened under Tim Cook - who talks like the emperor has no clothes.

Unfortunately those that think so are powerless to do anything about it, and this leads to an immense frustration as if witnessing a slow motion train-wreck. This creates a cognitive dissonance between a company that used to be beloved (and ignored by the world at large) and the current situation where Apple is in the headline news every other day, but is no longer making the products that the long-time users want.

 

[I7guy]

I think it's because a lot of the long-time Apple customers remember a computer company that delivered the tools they used for their work and later a few select items for their pleasure (iPod, iPhone, first few generations of iPad) - that worked well *and* fullfilled a fairly immediate need.

Now it's become a lifestyle brand that just seems to sell shiny crap to people all the time pretending to still care about making equipment for professionals. Not to mention the forays into music, into TV series, into home-speaker systems, into gold-banded watches, into cars. Areas that I will they didn't bother with because there are companies that are way better than Apple at those things, whereas Apple is loosing ground on those products that people used to see them as class-leading: dependable HW and an intergrated OS and SW tools.

Well they've dumped all their professional SW tools, most of their Pro hardware (the "pro" moniker now means: need a large paycheck to afford the equipment) and their OS has increasingly started chasing a feature set at the cost of stability.

People are angry because those changes happened under Tim Cook - who talks like the emperor has no clothes.

Unfortunately those that think so are powerless to do anything about it, and this leads to an immense frustration as if witnessing a slow motion train-wreck. This creates a cognitive dissonance between a company that used to be beloved (and ignored by the world at large) and the current situation where Apple is in the headline news every other day, but is no longer making the products that the long-time users want.

There are clearly some/many long time users of Apple products that don’t like the company as it is today. Apple, is headed in a new direction with a new boss that was hand picked.

Apple is making products somebody wants as evidenced by their revenue, even if long term users are not thrilled with the current crop of products.

 

[ugahairydawgs]

I think it's because a lot of the long-time Apple customers remember a computer company that delivered the tools they used for their work and later a few select items for their pleasure (iPod, iPhone, first few generations of iPad) - that worked well *and* fullfilled a fairly immediate need.

Now it's become a lifestyle brand that just seems to sell shiny crap to people all the time pretending to still care about making equipment for professionals. Not to mention the forays into music, into TV series, into home-speaker systems, into gold-banded watches, into cars. Areas that I will they didn't bother with because there are companies that are way better than Apple at those things, whereas Apple is loosing ground on those products that people used to see them as class-leading: dependable HW and an intergrated OS and SW tools.

Well they've dumped all their professional SW tools, most of their Pro hardware (the "pro" moniker now means: need a large paycheck to afford the equipment) and their OS has increasingly started chasing a feature set at the cost of stability.

People are angry because those changes happened under Tim Cook - who talks like the emperor has no clothes.

Unfortunately those that think so are powerless to do anything about it, and this leads to an immense frustration as if witnessing a slow motion train-wreck. This creates a cognitive dissonance between a company that used to be beloved (and ignored by the world at large) and the current situation where Apple is in the headline news every other day, but is no longer making the products that the long-time users want.

All of that makes sense, but it kind of drives to the heart of my point. If you no longer like what the company does and if you no longer like the direction in which they are heading, why keep coming here to complain about it? All the wishing or complaining in the world isn't going to course correct this path they are on to go back and turn Apple into the niche computer company they used to be.

Just seems like it would be better for all involved for the people who hate where things are now to go and find something that they actually do like and want to support.

 

[Naimfan]

What a blatant lie.

 

[Falhófnir]

On the other side of the “apologists” for lack of a better word are the “bashers”. Since labels are the way to go.

The “bashers” constant criticism of virtually everything Apple is not any less valid then the “apologists” pollyanna view.

But I agree that polarizing views do exist all over the internets, as you can’t tell someone how to think, in as much as some would like to try.

Certainly there are bashers who make criticisms based on nothing in particular, but the point I was making was that (short of the two sentence posts you can spot a mile off) generally the bulk of critical content I read here is justified and backed up (if not even constructive - ‘they could do XYZ better’ for example). There are a lot of apologists who see any sort of criticism as a personal insult (for some weird reason) and try to shut down valid discussion.

 

[ipponrg]

The reason why you even have a decent google maps app today is because of Apple maps serving as an important hedge. If Apple maps had not existed, we would be back in 2010 where Apple was completely at the mercy of google for a critical part of its ecosystem (and screw over Apple Google would).

And google maps has copied tons from Apple maps, namely its design language. So if you like the design aesthetic of google maps, again, you have Apple to thank. Google makes great services, but I don’t think they have a single design bone in them.

I am using Google Maps app more because it's far more ACCURATE, and not because of its design. For some reason the antenna in the Google Maps app points way more precisely than Apple's 1st party maps app. It has the correct landmarks, and it interprets results much more accurately. It also has better travel directions. I'm specifically talking about here in NYC. Apple Maps works fine in the bay area (surprise!).

I am not a fan of any of Google's material design philosophies.
[doublepost=1519423873][/doublepost]

One thing is clear to me though - this device is the new Apple Watch. It’s going to be the tech media’s whipping boy for the next year or two while software is tweaked and functionality is broadened. Then suddenly there will be write-ups praising the HomePod for all the things it got criticized for on day one.

I look forward to the day that the HomePod will be praised for the right reasons unlike right now by people for the wrong reasons.

 

[Abazigal]

I am using Google Maps app more because it's far more ACCURATE, and not because of its design. For some reason the antenna in the Google Maps app points way more precisely than Apple's 1st party maps app. It has the correct landmarks, and it interprets results much more accurately. It also has better travel directions. I'm specifically talking about here in NYC. Apple Maps works fine in the bay area (surprise!).

You have Apple to thank for that.

Because that google maps app certainly didn’t exist until Apple released their maps app in iOS 6 and removed the gimped google maps from their devices.

Cause and effect. When google maps was the only option there was, google could afford to hold its users hostage in a big to get Apple to give in to its demands for more data.

Now, google has no more leverage now that Apple has a mapping service of their own. If anything, google now has to work even harder to improve its own maps app to give users a reason to use it over the default Apple maps app.

 

[dilbert99]

The critics do seem to be having the worse track record overall though. Hard to take their words seriously when their criticism simply isn’t squaring up with reality.

One persons reality might be another persons fantasy...
Everyone is different, I for one have stopped drinking Apples cool aid

 

[Abazigal]

One persons reality might be another persons fantasy...
Everyone is different, I for one have stopped drinking Apples cool aid

Users come and go all the time. No need to sound like you have been living in the matrix all this while and have only just woken up.

 

[I7guy]

Or it can be a sign that Apple pisses off a lot of people.

If people don't complain, Apple wont improve.

Apple should always improve, but it will never please all people/some people no matter what it does.

 

[xxray]

Apple isn't perfect, and of course Apple cares about their stock, but I do somewhat believe Tim. Apple creates a hardware + software experience like no other.

 

[topmounter]

Who takes these idiotic pictures?

Fast Company today published an interview with Tim Cook after naming Apple the world's most innovative company yesterday.

Image Credit: Fast Company/Ioulex Photography​

Apple's CEO primarily reflected on the iPhone maker's culture and approach that has led to products such as the iPhone X, Apple Watch, AirPods, and HomePod, and as to be expected, he talked up the company he runs.

Cook said Apple's focus is always on "products and people," for example, rather than the company's earnings results or stock price.Apple is "not in it for the money" with Apple Music, for instance, according to Cook, who says the streaming music service is more about ensuring that artists are funded in order to have a "great creative community."He added that Apple is an "outlier" in the sense that Wall Street has "little to no effect" on the company--which is the world's most valuable.Cook said what drives Apple is creating products that "change the world for the better" with innovative new features.He added that one of Apple's unique qualities is patience in perfecting its products, rather than rushing to be first to the market.Cook's comments are similar to ones he has shared in the past, and the interview portrays Apple in the best possible way, but the full article is still a worthwhile read for those who want more perspective about the company's beliefs.

Article Link: Tim Cook Says Apple is Always Focused on 'Products and People' Over Wall Street Expectations

 

[ipponrg]

Now, google has no more leverage now that Apple has a mapping service of their own. If anything, google now has to work even harder to improve its own maps app to give users a reason to use it over the default Apple maps app.

Apple Maps might be sufficient in sparser areas like Singapore or the SF/Bay (simply because this is Apple's HQ), but here in NYC it sucks. Bursting your bubble, many here actually use Google Maps over Apple Maps when they learn how much better it is.

In NYC, Apple's mapping service has been pretty abysmal. It misses landmarks and POIs like crazy. A good example is if you type "Shake Shack" in the search. It actually uses Yelp as an aggregator instead of searching for locations via address. Zooming in on the 2D map, and it baffles you why it's missing so many names compared to Google Maps. It's nowhere close to predicting what I am looking for, nor is it actually efficient in displaying its listings. It's inaccurate in predicting walking/transit time or providing the right public transportation options.

So if anything, Google is fine where it is, especially now that they have Waze. Apple currently doesn't really have to worry either because of the amount of people who don't know better or have tunnel vision.

 

[Abazigal]

Apple Maps might be sufficient in sparser areas like Singapore or the SF/Bay (simply because this is Apple's HQ), but here in NYC it sucks. Bursting your bubble, many here actually use Google Maps over Apple Maps when they learn how much better it is.

In NYC, Apple's mapping service has been pretty abysmal. It misses landmarks and POIs like crazy. A good example is if you type "Shake Shack" in the search. It actually uses Yelp as an aggregator instead of searching for locations via address. Zooming in on the 2D map, and it baffles you why it's missing so many names compared to Google Maps. It's nowhere close to predicting what I am looking for, nor is it actually efficient in displaying its listings. It's inaccurate in predicting walking/transit time or providing the right public transportation options.

So if anything, Google is fine where it is, especially now that they have Waze. Apple currently doesn't really have to worry either because of the amount of people who don't know better or have tunnel vision.

I am not saying that google maps isn’t better than Apple maps. I am saying that google maps is better precisely because there is competition to keep it honest.

Like I said, it’s no surprise that google maps sucked up to iOS 6 and that google waited until after it was replaced by Apple maps as the default on iOS 6 before releasing its own properly updated maps app.

So people can use Apple maps if it is good enough for them and switch to google maps if the latter is better. I myself prefer Apple maps for the system integration but to each their own. How is choice a bad thing again?

 

[I7guy]

That's some interesting koolaid you're drinking there in your bubble.

Apple Maps might be sufficient in sparser areas like Singapore or the SF/Bay (simply because this is Apple's HQ), but here in NYC it sucks. Bursting your bubble, many here actually use Google Maps over Apple Maps when they learn how much better it is.

In NYC, Apple's mapping service has been pretty abysmal. It misses landmarks and POIs like crazy. A good example is if you type "Shake Shack" in the search. It actually uses Yelp as an aggregator instead of searching for locations via address. Zooming in on the 2D map, and it baffles you why it's missing so many names compared to Google Maps. It's nowhere close to predicting what I am looking for, nor is it actually efficient in displaying its listings. It's inaccurate in predicting walking/transit time or providing the right public transportation options.

So if anything, Google is fine where it is, especially now that they have Waze. Apple currently doesn't really have to worry either because of the amount of people who don't know better or have tunnel vision.

But to the point of Apple maps, I prefer Apple maps over google maps in Portland, Seattle, Phoenix, San Diego and my hometown of NYC. Neither is perfect and what one prefers is entirely subjective.

 

[ipponrg]

I am not saying that google maps isn’t better than Apple maps. I am saying that google maps is better precisely because there is competition to keep it honest.

Like I said, it’s no surprise that google maps sucked up to iOS 6 and that google waited until after it was replaced by Apple maps as the default on iOS 6 before releasing its own properly updated maps app.

So people can use Apple maps if it is good enough for them and switch to google maps if the latter is better. I myself prefer Apple maps for the system integration but to each their own. How is choice a bad thing again?

Choice is great, I agree. However it's frustrating to see 3rd party apps continually be more reliable and sufficient than 1st party apps on a 1st party platform. I would LOVE to have Apple focus again on their software unless they have decided to throw in the towel on their 1st party apps.

 

[Abazigal]

Choice is great, I agree. However it's frustrating to see 3rd party apps continually be more reliable and sufficient than 1st party apps on a 1st party platform. I would LOVE to have Apple focus again on their software unless they have decided to throw in the towel on their 1st party apps.

And I would argue that this is by design.
I think Apple walks a fine line between ensuring their default apps provide a minimum standard of quality, and not being so good that users are completely satisfied and don't bother with third party apps at all. As a general rule of thumb, I find that the stock apps give the user roughly 80% of what they need. As it is, stock apps already benefit from native system integration (extensions, Siri, the oddball feature here and there like mail drop or Apple Pencil support for notes).

The whole idea is to push software developers to work even harder to create great apps that give people reason to want to use them over the preinstalled defaults on iOS, but not make it so hard that they give up altogether.

Imagine how frustrating it would be if Apple were to continuously sherlock key features to add to their own apps. After a point, the developer would just give up, because how do you compete with default apps that have access to APIs they themselves lack? That's not how you maintain a healthy app ecosystem.