Tim Cook Says Apple Working on 'Some Really Great Stuff' in New Product Categories

[cdmoore74]

No that's means a 4 year old Apple product is still more desirable than the crisp out there!

So would you buy an iPhone 4 at over $300? When I sold my wife's iPhone 4 two years ago it was already starting to show it's age. You couldn't give me one for free. Why subject yourself to old tech when there are so many options today?

 

[maflynn]

What game changing product did Apple deliver between the iPod and iPhone besides iTunes Store? Most of what happened under Jobs would be considered iterative or just incremental updates by today's standards.

Your right between the iPod and iPhone there was not much, but then Apple was in a different position and there was less competition. Now there's major players like Samsung, Microsoft and Google. The growth potential the iPhone is plateauing and others like Google and Samsung are rolling out new products where as Apple is just giving us iterations of the existing products.

I understand Apple always does the incremental update, but they produce a brand new product like the iPod and iPhone and then incrementally improve it. Cook is getting pressure form the Board, and stock holders to keep on innovating since the other products are maturing. All we get is promises that stuff us coming.

 

[o0smoothies0o]

We hear rumors have some nice stuff, iWatch, iTV etc, but so far its only vaporware. Apple needs to step up their game under Cook. imo, Jobs was a hard driving man who forced people to produce, Cook seems to be a bit more laid back in that department and the result is that we only get a longer iPhone (iPhone 5) and a smaller iPad (iPad Mini)

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The nMP is truly the only new product. iPhone 5 - longer iPhone does not count as a new product. MBA was around when Jobs was. A plastic iPhone does not count as innovation, similarly nor does a small iPad.

I'm not say apple isn't releasing new iterations of existing products, what I am saying is that they not rolling out new stuff that Cook keeps promising that is coming.

What's next for the iPhone 6 - being larger like the Note 3? That's not innovation, that's just producing variants of an existing product.

Lol I would absolutely love to hear your idea for the iPhone 6 which will be so innovative, please humor us all.

 

[BvizioN]

Just fix all the bugs and bad UI choices in iOS7. My iPhone 4s never crashed under iOS6, it's why I never switched to Android or Windows Phone because it was bullet proof. Now it is just garbage, even my over priced iPad Air crashes 3 or 4 times a day - especially Safari.

Honestly I can't remember the last time my iPhone running iOS 7 have crashed. But that may be due to it being iPhone 5s.

 

[o0smoothies0o]

Your right between the iPod and iPhone there was not much, but then Apple was in a different position and there was less competition. Now there's major players like Samsung, Microsoft and Google. The growth potential the iPhone is plateauing and others like Google and Samsung are rolling out new products where as Apple is just giving us iterations of the existing products.

I understand Apple always does the incremental update, but they produce a brand new product like the iPod and iPhone and then incrementally improve it. Cook is getting pressure form the Board, and stock holders to keep on innovating since the other products are maturing. All we get is promises that stuff us coming.

You guys have some serious problems lol. I'm about 99% sure Tim said they had great stuff last year, but NOT new product categories! He said there will be new product categories THIS year. Note the caps lock words to really hammer that home in your heads. If you guys expect new product categories every year.. well I don't really need to say anything about that..

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Honestly I can't remember the last time my iPhone running iOS 7 have crashed. But that may be due to it being iPhone 5s.

His has a bug, he's too smart to restore the OS though. You'd think people would realize it might be their OS when they read the majority of people's are working fine.. Sad.

 

[smakdown61]

It's interesting how the tech industry has somehow adopted the idea that Apple needs to create some industry changing product EVERY year in order to be a successful. Apple has never done that (or any company for that matter) in its history. Everything they've released with that effect has been about 3-4 years apart.

The last game changer was the ipad in 2010 so 2014 is a reasonable expectation for either a watch or tv (I don't expect both). As for "re-inventing" an existing product like the iphone or ipad, don't expect any revolutionary changes in either one in the near future (from any company).

 

[WardC]

What's he going to say...."We have a bunch of stuff that we think is going to flop this year. We We are having production difficulties across the board, especially shipping the new Mac Pros on time...."

COME ON.

 

[o0smoothies0o]

Any new product/category Apple announces is going to be scrutinized to death. I'm sure Cook & Co. know this and want to make sure there isn't another maps fiasco. Samsung can release a POS like the Galaxy Gear and no one cares. If Apple releases a wearable device that's not ready for prime time the stock will get hammered, there will be calls for Cook to be fired and the Apple is doomed meme will be louder than ever.

Are there any new consumer products/categories out there that are making you go "wow" and wondering why Apple isn't doing something similar? Whenever "iWatch" stories come up most of the comments are that people don't care and haven't worn a watch in years. In fact, of all the rumors floating out there the only one that seems to have people interested is an Apple TV box with an App Store. Aside from a larger iPhone (which isn't a new category) what exactly do people want to see from Apple? What is the new product that they're waiting for?

To answer your questions, the majority of people are highly unintelligent (even on these forums, I've found), and they are not imaginative or educated enough, to understand the possibilities of what a wearable with a plethora of biosensors is capable of doing for humans. The default brain dead response is 'watches are old tech that no one uses hahaha' (read that in your mind with the stupidest voice you can conjure up).

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It's interesting how the tech industry has somehow adopted the idea that Apple needs to create some industry changing product EVERY year in order to be a successful. Apple has never done that (or any company for that matter) in its history. Everything they've released with that effect has been about 3-4 years apart.

The last game changer was the ipad in 2010 so 2014 is a reasonable expectation for either a watch or tv (I don't expect both). As for "re-inventing" an existing product like the iphone or ipad, don't expect any revolutionary changes in either one in the near future (from any company).

Most intelligent comment thus far. However, I think they might both be coming in 2014.

 

[osx11]

Your right between the iPod and iPhone there was not much, but then Apple was in a different position and there was less competition. Now there's major players like Samsung, Microsoft and Google. The growth potential the iPhone is plateauing and others like Google and Samsung are rolling out new products where as Apple is just giving us iterations of the existing products.

I understand Apple always does the incremental update, but they produce a brand new product like the iPod and iPhone and then incrementally improve it. Cook is getting pressure form the Board, and stock holders to keep on innovating since the other products are maturing. All we get is promises that stuff us coming.

Understand that future 'product categories' will probably replace existing ones. Apple isn't going to keep adding products until they have 20 unique products. Instead, they might axe the iPod line-up and release an iWatch. (this is just an example). Apple knows that you won't upgrade 10 apple devices on a regular basis. However, they know that people will constantly upgrade a few every couple of years. So their next "it" product will probably make other devices less needed. Kind of like the iPad is replacing SOME of the Mac capabilities for everyday tasks.

 

[cdmoore74]

Honestly I can't remember the last time my iPhone running iOS 7 have crashed. But that may be due to it being iPhone 5s.

My iPhone 5s had nothing but low memory crashes especially when using Safari. It's the reason why I no longer have that phone. It was either software or hardware. And because I was on my 2nd iPhone (screen lift) I chalk it up to software.
Just look at the "find my phone" bug macrumors was able to reproduce. There are plenty of these software bugs spread throughout iOS. It's not like Apple has 20 different models to worry about on a yearly basis. And it makes no sense why a 1st party app like Safari loved to crash on a daily basis.

 

[xnu]

Still waiting on my Mac Pros from December, how about we concentrate on making some of those first… then you can announce a product that isn't ready and make us order it.

 

[NutsNGum]

I disagree. I think the 5c was Apple's answer to having to create aluminum cases for two generations of phones at the same time. It was never intended to be cheap (and it certainly isn't). I share your cynicism of marketing and CEO-speak, but I think this was a pragmatic move to handle demand better.

Yep, I realise it was to prevent cannibalisation of the 5S by the aluminium 5, but I still find it hard to believe that they were proud of the 5C and weren't compromising standards. In this case, to fit a market that they'd priced the product too highly for and weren't really interested in going after in the first place. It's an odd decision.

 

[vomhorizon]

They also want to carve out niche markets and grow the size of both the market and their presensense in it (apple tv). The iPhones sales are growing and its fairly "safe" to assume that apple will enter into newer niche markets within smartphones to increase its sales..The 4" and greater market (all the to the phablet category) is somewhere apple has never existed..Expect the iPhone sales to grow YOY because of this move. Apple may even offer 2 phones which increases choice and therefore sales. You could well have 4 iPhones for sale come september (2 a year old and 2 brand new) in addition to the really older designs. Apple sells a boat load of phones in the highest price/profit category and I expect them to still grow despite competition. Market share may come down but sales would continue to grow.

New categories will create more revenue..I don't think doing a new iPad, new iPhone, a new wearables device will really throw too many products at folks in one go. I don't see many consumers choosing between a new 12 inch iPad or a new iPhone6 or a iWatch vs upgrading a new phone. I believe the categories would be well thought out by apple and devices would look to bring capability that would comprehensivly convince a lot of consumers to adopt that device into their list of apple devices.

 

[Rogifan]

Your right between the iPod and iPhone there was not much, but then Apple was in a different position and there was less competition. Now there's major players like Samsung, Microsoft and Google. The growth potential the iPhone is plateauing and others like Google and Samsung are rolling out new products where as Apple is just giving us iterations of the existing products.

I understand Apple always does the incremental update, but they produce a brand new product like the iPod and iPhone and then incrementally improve it. Cook is getting pressure form the Board, and stock holders to keep on innovating since the other products are maturing. All we get is promises that stuff us coming.

I don't want Apple to release new stuff just for the sake of it or just because Wall Street and tech geeks are impatient and have the attention span of a 3 year old. The bar for Apple is so much higher than for anyone else. Samsung can release a POS like Galaxy Gear and no one cares. Can't say the same for Apple. Cook knows this. He doesn't want another maps fiasco.

 

[cmChimera]

We hear rumors have some nice stuff, iWatch, iTV etc, but so far its only vaporware. Apple needs to step up their game under Cook. imo, Jobs was a hard driving man who forced people to produce, Cook seems to be a bit more laid back in that department and the result is that we only get a longer iPhone (iPhone 5) and a smaller iPad (iPad Mini)

----------



The nMP is truly the only new product. iPhone 5 - longer iPhone does not count as a new product. MBA was around when Jobs was. A plastic iPhone does not count as innovation, similarly nor does a small iPad.

I'm not say apple isn't releasing new iterations of existing products, what I am saying is that they not rolling out new stuff that Cook keeps promising that is coming.

What's next for the iPhone 6 - being larger like the Note 3? That's not innovation, that's just producing variants of an existing product.

Retina Macbook Pro is glaring at you. So hard.

 

[thekeyring]

iOS 7.1 will come out in the spring alongside the new Apple TV iOS, and all new reimagined Apple TV which is a new product category, taking it out of hobby status, and revolutionizing TV (albeit not by way of an actual TV, but instead the upgraded box).

You think? I kind of imagined they'd come out all guns blazing with a TV launch: Not just an upgraded box or "4th gen" of an existing product.

 

[Rogifan]

Yep, I realise it was to prevent cannibalisation of the 5S by the aluminium 5, but I still find it hard to believe that they were proud of the 5C and weren't compromising standards. In this case, to fit a market that they'd priced the product too highly for and weren't really interested in going after in the first place. It's an odd decision.

So basically people are hating on the 5C because it's plastic, I guess forgetting the flagship 3G and 3GS were plastic. What's interesting is people who own the phone really like it; it got good reviews (aside from price) on all the tech sites. It's just people who never had intentions on buying it in the first place crapping all over it.

 

[Arran]

What's he going to say...."We have a bunch of stuff that we think is going to flop this year. We We are having production difficulties across the board, especially shipping the new Mac Pros on time...."

COME ON.

He'd be better saying nothing. Like Steve.

Because saying vague things like, "We're working on Really Great Stuff", is just getting everyone's hopes up. Apple fans interpret it as "a liquidmetal-shape-shifting-iWatch-tv-remote with a free unlimited data plan and no need to recharge, EVER!!!!!", whereas Tim's really talking about a 4.5TB time capsule upgrade with a 0.7564% reduction in component costs. Awesome.

So Tim ships his upgraded Time Capsule in the summer and nobody notices. Come the fall, we're still wondering where the "Really Cool Stuff" is.

Next spring, Tim promises "Really Cool Stuff" again, but we just roll our eyes.

I think Tim's, "Really Cool Stuff", is perhaps him slipping back into CFO mode and addressing nervous investors? It's meant to reassure them. It's not meant for us, and he may not even realize we're hanging onto his every word.

Steve knew how to talk to customers. He could generate buzz without saying anything.

 

[kenroberts83]

Honestly I can't remember the last time my iPhone running iOS 7 have crashed. But that may be due to it being iPhone 5s.

I have to say, mine crashes all of the time. I have a 5s as well. Safari crashes at least once a day.

Edit: Since it seems like other users are being insulted above, I'll add that I'm an electrical engineer by education and regularly build my own computers. I'm not doing anything wrong with the phone. Some combination of settings is causing the frequent crashes. It generally happens under high demand. Never happened with iOS6, but then I'd expect a major OS change to have quite a few bugs.

 

[ksnell]

Tim's choices of words never get me as excited as Steve's did... He really is quite boring. Great choice for COO, not so much for CEO.

As much as I agree, lets face it - no one can ever replace Jobs.

 

[wovel]

Didn't he say this last year

At some point he needs to take responsibility due to the lack of new products

He did. He said exactly that. There would be new product categories in 2014. So far, he hasn't been wrong. He has been saying it for a while.

 

[cdmoore74]

So basically people are hating on the 5C because it's plastic, I guess forgetting the flagship 3G and 3GS were plastic. What's interesting is people who own the phone really like it; it got good reviews (aside from price) on all the tech sites. It's just people who never had intentions on buying it in the first place crapping all over it.

The hate comes from the fact that Apple made the iPhone 5 cheaper (aka 5c) but it did not reflect in cost savings to the customer. Based on Apple's previous game plan the original aluminum iPhone 5 would have received the $100 discount anyways.
They made a worst product compared to the original. The 3G and 3GS never had a metal body so comparing those is useless to the 5c. They took a step backwards with the iPhone 5 by going with plastic.

 

[luckydcxx]

What's next for the iPhone 6 - being larger like the Note 3? That's not innovation, that's just producing variants of an existing product.

I am really sick and tired of people saying that the next generation of iPhone is not innovative enough. It's a a freaking cell phone, there is only so much you can do with it. It's not going to teleport you or wipe your ass.

How much has a house, car, refrigerator or any other thing changed in the last 20 years? The phone is nearing a plateau in regard to being revolutionary. They can make the screen clearer or stronger or the processor faster but it boils down to it being a CELL PHONE.

 

[wovel]

We hear rumors have some nice stuff, iWatch, iTV etc, but so far its only vaporware. Apple needs to step up their game under Cook. imo, Jobs was a hard driving man who forced people to produce, Cook seems to be a bit more laid back in that department and the result is that we only get a longer iPhone (iPhone 5) and a smaller iPad (iPad Mini)

----------



The nMP is truly the only new product. iPhone 5 - longer iPhone does not count as a new product. MBA was around when Jobs was. A plastic iPhone does not count as innovation, similarly nor does a small iPad.

I'm not say apple isn't releasing new iterations of existing products, what I am saying is that they not rolling out new stuff that Cook keeps promising that is coming.

What's next for the iPhone 6 - being larger like the Note 3? That's not innovation, that's just producing variants of an existing product.

Under Steve Jobs Apple released completely new products every 4-5 years. Was actually a touch longer between the iPod and the iPhone. Why do you expect Tim Cook to release new product lines faster than Jobs? Is hour expectation reasonable? If you think Apple is missing the boat, you should go beat them to market with your great ideas.

 

[pmau]

I am really sick and tired of people saying that the next generation of iPhone is not innovative enough.

I'm really sick and tired of wearing panties ;-)