Tim Cook Talks Apple Watch, iPhone 6s, Apple TV, Cars, Privacy, and More at WSJDLive

[DC Wallaby]

And the Apple Watch is still useless.

Tell that to the 61.5lbs I've lost since I got mine.

There are very real criticisms about the Watch's functionality and software, some of which Apple will obviously address in future versions and others they probably will ignore. But calling it useless is nothing but blind hate.

 

[revjoel]

Tell that to the 61.5lbs I've lost since I got mine.

There are very real criticisms about the Watch's functionality and software, some of which Apple will obviously address in future versions and others they probably will ignore. But calling it useless is nothing but blind hate.

Congratulations on your loss. That's awesome! Were you on a diet/exercise plan prior to the Watch or is this a new plan since receiving it?

 

[Ronlap]

Apple CEO Tim Cook is on stage for the opening night of the WSJDLive conference in Palm Springs, California, with Wall Street Journal editor Gerry Baker interviewing Cook about a variety of topics. Live coverage of the interview is being offered by publications including WSJ.D and The Verge, and we'll be updating this post with highlights from the session.

Photo via The Verge​

- On whether Apple wants to control every facet of our lives: Apple does very few products, and puts a lot of care into them, but Apple does want you to have a seamless experience throughout your home and work life.

- Citing competitive reasons, Cook once again declines to share Apple Watch sales numbers. "We shipped a lot the first quarter, then last quarter we shipped even more. And I can predict this quarter we will ship even more." Addressing Baker's skepticism about the device, Cook refers to customer satisfaction being "off the charts."

- Talking now about iPhone 6s and the iPhone Upgrade Program, Cook insists it's not meant to compete with carriers. It's simply a plan for people who want to get a new iPhone every year. Addressing the need to keep innovating on iPhone and whether Apple is on a two-year cycle as it appears to many people, Cook stresses all of the new features included on the iPhone 6s.

- Cook says Apple Music has 6.5 million paying customers and 8.5 million more still on free trials. Cook stresses the human curation aspect of Apple Music and notes the company feels "fantastic" about customer uptake so far.

- Regarding Apple TV, Cook sees it as a "foundation" for a new type of experience as Apple tries to fix the "broken" experience of watching television. With Apple TV, providers like HBO can sell directly to consumers. The current system of "linear TV" with channels needs to be "brought up and modernized" and apps will help do that.

- Apple TV orders will kick off on Monday, October 26 with shipments beginning by the end of that week.

- Baker asks about Apple's car project, but Cook hesitates to say much. He does admit that software becomes increasingly important, and that enables other shifts like electrification and autonomous control. But in the short term, Apple wants people to have the iPhone experience in the car. "We'll see what we do in the future."

- On the retail front, Cook notes Apple will have 40 stores in China by the end of next year, and China currently provided in the "mid-20s" percentage of Apple's revenue. Angela Ahrendts has also been focused on integrating online and in-store shopping experiences.

- Cook and Baker talking about user privacy, with Cook giving his usual comments about how privacy is a key value for Apple but that the company believes it can still provide an excellent customer experience and services while maintaining that privacy. In response to a question about Apple's relationship to national security organizations, Cook says he is "very" comfortable with it and he shares the company's views that any software backdoors are unacceptable and encryption is a necessity. A rather tense debate about the tradeoff between privacy and national security ensues.

- Final question of the interview is about Apple increasing its willingness to speak out on issues and take leadership roles, and Cook notes Apple has a "responsibility to be a great global citizen." Cook points to the environment, human rights, and education as areas where it can lead. Cook says Apple has stepped up its efforts to "leave the world better than we found it" because "government isn't working well." Cook says Apple isn't worried about alienating customers with its stances, noting the company isn't forcing its views on anyone, and he hopes people who may be upset with Apple's positions in these areas can still think Apple makes great products and respect Apple for making efforts to put its values into practice.

Article Link: Tim Cook Talks Apple Watch, iPhone 6s, Apple TV, Cars, Privacy, and More at WSJDLive

 

[AustinIllini]

Tell that to the 61.5lbs I've lost since I got mine.

There are very real criticisms about the Watch's functionality and software, some of which Apple will obviously address in future versions and others they probably will ignore. But calling it useless is nothing but blind hate.

Congrats! That's no small feat.

 

[Ronlap]

Just my own opinion, but I agree that linear TV (you will watch what we want, when we want) is dead. I want to watch what I want, when I want with no concern about what channel it is on. The beauty of the new aTV is being able to search across channels. Content is king and how and where it is delivered is so last century.

 

[TMRJIJ]

6.5 million Apple Music subscribers is awful.

Just think: there are at least 800 million iTunes accounts out there; probably closer to 1 billion by now. And you can be sure that a lot of the current subscribers have either forgotten to turn off auto-renew or are trying it to see if it gets any better.

Tim Cook should be ashamed of himself for this debacle.

Is everything you say in these threads just nonchalant trolling?

How long has iTunes been around? You can't really compare a service that has been around for 14 years to another service that just came a few months ago.
Additionally, iTunes and Apple Music are completely different. iTunes is free, You don't have to pay a monthly fee, and in general, you're 'iTunes' account is not just for music; it is also for movies, apps, etc.
How many of those 800 million iTunes accounts are actually active? How many of them are just for music?

Apple Music is a subscription based service that in a way has to compete against an established music piracy.
Your argument about subscribers forgetting to turn off auto-renew is just stupid. People would notice $9.99 being charged to their credit card accounts every month just like they do with other services like Netflix.

 

[joueboy]

Tim talks to the media way more than than SJ. I think he already appeared more during his term than SJ's lifetime. He's like a politician and throwing informations that we already know, like figures. But when somebody ask him about specific question then his response that he's not allowed to discuss. Obviously person like him loved by the media. The only thing I could think that he contributed to the development of Apple products is when he asked them that he wanted a pink iphone.

 

[JohnApples]

You mean like the future-proofing of iPhones, iMacs, laptops, etc? Buy the device and there's no reason to upgrade to a better one in a few years? Got it...

"Almost definitely a case of them purposely holding back so they can sell us a "new new" Apple TV in a couple years with 4K."

Shocker. And?

I think you missed the point in what I was trying to say. Obviously Apple is going to want you to upgrade so they add new features. I'm saying we have a 1080p ATV so the next logical step for an upgrade would be 4K support. Now this wouldn't mean much, except Apple has shown that they are fully supporting 4K now, with the new iMacs and the 6S being able to shoot 4K. Yet they didn't include it in their brand new ATV.

And yes I'm stating the obvious. That was the point.

 

[blackcrayon]

WHAT?)) GAMING PERFORMANCE?)) Are we really talking about aTV and gaming?) what games u expect for aTV? Have u seen that stupid aTV introductiin and childich frogger like demo? Thats gaming on aTV aka noone cares...

The hardware should be pretty capable, at least Xbox 360/PS3 level games should be possible. I think your assertion that "noone" cares is a bit underestimated.

 

[akm3]

And that's one of Apple's challenges - customers who like products less than they did 6 months ago because they are just the same as they were 6 months ago.

I get your point. However, watch os2 was supposed to be amazing so we happily tolerated some os1 shortcomings because it was going to get better.

It didn't get that much better, so I'm disappointed.

 

[Fuchal]

about 14 million more than Apple Music and that was mid 2015

Spotify launched in 2006 and has only been able to accumulate 14 million more subscribers than Apple Music did in 6 months. For a subscription product not everyone needs, it's not a bad start.

 

[2457282]

Final question of the interview is about Apple increasing its willingness to speak out on issues and take leadership roles, and Cook notes Apple has a "responsibility to be a great global citizen." Cook points to the environment, human rights, and education as areas where it can lead. Cook says Apple has stepped up its efforts to "leave the world better than we found it" because "government isn't working well." Cook says Apple isn't worried about alienating customers with its stances, noting the company isn't forcing its views on anyone, and he hopes people who may be upset with Apple's positions in these areas can still think Apple makes great products and respect Apple for making efforts to put its values into practice.

I have no issue with Tim having his convictions about whatever it is he is committed to. However, I am concerned when companies begin pushing political or social agendas. This is the PACs in DC that line the pockets of the politicians. So here is the thing, I do care for the environment and I applaud all the environmental things that Apple does, but should they be pushing an environmental political agenda? And that is nowhere near as controversial as the LGBT agenda that he is now pushing. Again, I am not trying to politicize this thread, but I think it is a fair question to ask, where is the line for a company? Where should a company get involved and where should a company stay on the sideline? In my view, pretty much if there is a line, wherever it is, Tim has crossed it. He should be very careful how he proceeds. And we should keep a vigil eye. The biggest company with the most money and inserting itself with a statement, "because government isn't working well," scares me a little.

 

[quickcalibre]

Where can I see the full interview?

 

[Karma*Police]

He should admit the Apple watch is one of those products that isn't for everyone, just like the Mac book he released! And that the Surface was good inspiration for him...

Personally I think he is Apple's version of Steve Ballmer. Slowly sinking the ship

That doesn't make sense. Not every product Apple releases is for everyone. There's a reason why multiple lines of Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and even iPods exist.

As for the Surface, it was clearly inspired by iPad. A Smart Cover with keyboard was patented by Apple years ago and Apple has been working to perfect the stylus for a long time as well. The iPad pro is a continuation of what Apple started 5 years ago, which is to create a new class of device that will eventually replace traditional PCs for most people.

 

[69650]

It's not sufficient to say that the current TV model is "broken" and that somehow app's are the answer. They need to have a clearer vision of how they could revolutionise the current model. I don't think they have that clear vision yet which is why they've so far failed the disrupt the current model.

 

[sw1tcher]

Cook says Apple Music has 6.5 million paying customers and 8.5 million more still on free trials. Cook stresses the human curation aspect of Apple Music and notes the company feels "fantastic" about customer uptake so far.

I wonder how many of those 6.5 million paying customers simply forgot to cancel since the free trial likely just ended for many.

 

[npmacuser5]

What about aperture ?

Photos is an improvement on iPhoto , and a step backwards to aperture.

I'd argue the user is the looser, as they are told to use photos, removing choice.

There are other photo editing software for Mac and IOS. One example Pixelmator. A good deal of engineering goes into photo editing software at the higher levels. Apple might have decided to focus on other projects and leave the high end photo editing for others.

 

[RenoG]

Yes shiny remote that can't beam you 4K content. Maybe Apple will make a 4K Apple TV in 2017 and you'll buy that one too.

But guess what, my 2013 XBox One is 4K ready...

Then be happy with your Xbox then and leave the ATV on the shelf and stop trolling. Why do you even need to comment?

I couldn't care less about a 4k anything, why, because I have a perfectly running 1080p plasma still with absolutely no interest in anything else at this time so yes, this new Apple TV will be connected to my tv in the near future.

 

[watchexpert]

Tim is not filling Steve's shoes with new ideas, and his contrived humility is nauseating. His move to make a watch was to manage the stock price (watches are more profitable than phones) with a volume big idea... Trouble is, the watch is NOT a must have enhancement to their great phones, nor is it a replacement for a cool real watch. I wear a FitBit and a vintage Swiss watch. Now that's legit!

 

[gaximus]

As a person that owns a 4K TV: Absolutely unequivocally untrue. You can even tell the difference between a regular 1080p signal and an upscaled to 4K 1080p signal. And native 4K content blows both out of the water. It is at least as noticeable as going from SD to HD.

I agree, while I think a blueray 1080p signal upscaled to 4k looks better than a weak low end 4k stream, a 4k local stream looks better. Either way its easy to tell the difference, there is a sharpness that just isn't there with a 1080p signal.

 

[palebluedot]

I just wish that Apple would reverse course on the "disposable computers" outside of the tablet space. Why are iMacs and Mac Mini's non-upgradeable. Why remove target display mode?

 

[CFreymarc]

Tim is going out on a lot of public dialog lately. Steve hated these things as he felt the product and his monologue message was enough to sell product. Love to know the reasoning for the change in PR policy.

 

[CFreymarc]

I just wish that Apple would reverse course on the "disposable computers" outside of the tablet space. Why are iMacs and Mac Mini's non-upgradeable. Why remove target display mode?

While it is not getting much press, a lot of this cost cutting is a direct result of increased overhead to keep earnings at an even level.

 

[MH01]

There are other photo editing software for Mac and IOS. One example Pixelmator. A good deal of engineering goes into photo editing software at the higher levels. Apple might have decided to focus on other projects and leave the high end photo editing for others.

For me it was just a personal choice, as I got used to aperture. There are much better alternatives out there, and I have had to move on

 

[aront]

I know it's cool to hate Tim, but I really like him. Sorry not sorry.

The only people who like him are those he pays to like him, i.e., employees, especially PR/marketing employees who frequent forums. To everyone else he's just Apple's version of Steve Ballmer, slowly sinking the ship, as others have mentioned.