Tim Cook Thanks Apple Employees for Outstanding 2012 with Extended Thanksgiving Vacation Time

[Swift]

I normally dont go into these debates, but Im surprised he included that in the letter. What is the point unless that really is the way they look at it. I think we all knew they stopped focusing on PC's but I hope they keep investing in that area. I really think it has paid off in the past to have such an expertise in all things computer-related.

I think the Post-PC era is misunderstood. Apple makes more on the iPhone than Microsoft makes on anything. That's one dimension to it. Very few PC makers make any serious money, whereas the iPad's making a bundle.

That's the cash angle. But then there's the evolution of mobile computing, which is what Apple's venture into tablets and phones really was. They're still making money on the old computers, and its evolution is slowing down. Business and tech geeks will always need a computer with a ton of storage, processors and network. Normal mortals, more and more of them, will not. They'll also replace their phones and tablets every couple of years, but the computer will just burn away in the corner of your room.

I have a 2009 iMac, but it's still working fine and it's adequate to my needs. But I'm getting the iPhone 5 as soon as I can. I think that's pretty typical.

 

[swingerofbirch]

AppleCare phone support, online sales teams, etc. will keep running because there are far more people who work for Apple than are employed by Apple.

That fact is another reason Apple is having such a successful year. It would be nice if Apple acknowledged that those people exist.

 

[Swift]

They should have labeled it as a beta. Unfortunately, they've already done that to Siri. It will probably take Apple a long time to match Google Maps in "little things", like being able to see the outline of individual apartment complexes in some locations.

Get the way both things -- Siri and Maps -- are similar? They're on the network. This is a part of the business that they came to later. They don't know it as well. So with MobileMe (awful) and iCloud and Siri to a lesser extent, it's taking them some time to adapt. If you start from behind, you will look silly at the beginning.

Looking back, maybe the worst mistake that Steve Jobs made was letting Google do the maps and putting Schmidt on the board.

 

[Born Again]

So Tim Cook is Doubling Down on Vacation Time?

 

[Swift]

I never said it was, the DESK TOP market is pretty major though when you combine the products they've not refreshed....iMac,Mini,Pro

Will it change your buying behavior?

Two things are possible: that the update they've got coming is another mindblower, or (more likely) they're just waiting for enough differences to accumulate to bring out a new model.

 

[iMacFarlane]

I saw that and that was my first thought as well. In the other hand we all know professionals need the tools to make apps for the iToys, so I don't think Apple will abandon it completely.

Exactly. Dirt's pretty boring, but you need it if you want to sell apples, oranges, cotton, strawberries . . .

If they really want Apple to be "post-PC", it's time to release XCode for Windows.

 

[stuaz]

Does this only apply to USA retail stores? Yes I know he mentions thanksgiving but other countries do exist outside the USA (though you wouldn't know with there poor attempt at mapping..)

 

[thasan]

I left iPhone earlier this year and am really thinking about leaving Mac as well. Windows 8 looks fresh and like MS are trying to look at their OS with new eyes - Apple just keep churning out the same stuff with minor tweaks that they call "revolutionary".

There's no doubt 2012 has been great for profits and shareholders, but it's been awful for the Apple consumer.

Cook's comment about a 'post-PC' era confirms to me that they're putting the majority of their recources into mobile (which is a concern that the iPhone 5 is the best they can do after a year of development). I really and truly hate to say it, but I will seriously consider a Windows PC when my Air is ready for an upgrade.

Replacing air with a windows pc? I didnt know windows is THAT slow

 

[Mal]

Nice gesture and all but...

(total # Apple employees) - (Apple retail staff) - (Apple Support) = 1000 people. Maybe. And I still don't think all of them would truly have a 5-day week off. And the week that ends with Black Friday and the next business day is Cyber Monday. No way. Nooooooooo way.

Again, nice gesture...but folks who think this is 20,000+ people are incorrect.

Everyone gets an additional 3 days off (paid), including retail and support staff. They simply don't all get to use them for that week, and instead have to spread them out so the stores and call centers remain staffed. That's why it says "check with your managers about taking additional time off".

jW

 

[themachugger]

Thank you Tim but as usual, retail staff will not spend thanksgiving with family...

we will have to work...

so guys in their offices have their 3 days off, and people working their a_s_s off all year long will continue to enjoy working their a_s_s off for the company and will take these 3 days in Feb or March like past years

great

what a whiney, entitled generation you belong to. You have a job IN RETAIL during one of the heaviest shopping periods of the year and you want everybody to have that whole week off?? Sure, why not? Let's have Apple give its retail employees days off during the time of year it actually needs a hundred-fifty people standing around in there. Then, let's see if you have a friggin' job next year. Seriously, just shut it and enjoy the three bonus vacation days you'll be given or go work at McDonalds for a day to get a cold splash of reality in your face. A lot of us would love to have your "problem," you little crybaby.

 

[chrisbru]

Voicing ones opinion once or twice isn't committing for a lifetime of trolling or hero worship.

To make it clear, it's for those who prepare special events for the MacEXPO's, defend Apple like it's some religion, those who are fanboys and can't see them for what they truly are, or those who spend hours and hours, sucking down every bit of info on Apple's movement, like "glitch in the AppStore, must mean it's a new product release", or trying to be a fortuneteller by claiming they know what Apple thinks and what they will release...

In other words... spends more time online, or on their iOS device than with their girlfriends if they have any...

But hey, we all have different perspectives right? I used to be an Apple follower, I loved the expos, when Steve visiting I was ecstatic, like a freaking celebrity only better. But truth is, it's all fake, their business is nothing like any other because they found out, people out there want the dream and so that's what they sell them. 50% great product with some flaws, the other 50% is image.

I'm sure this isn't new to anyone here, but it's hard to explain how cheated and betrayed you can feel once you learn the truth having been working for them. I wish I could erase my experiences with them, and just be a customer, user if you will.

I liked imagining it was the best company out there, somehow it gave me comfort as a kid knowing that.

Never mind... sorry for the waste... I guess this is just another rant...

For all the Blue's... you do a great job... don't grow old working for Apple...

You sound like a child who just found out Santa Claus isn't real. I've never worked for Apple, but I hardly think it's as awful of an experience for everyone as it was for you.

 

[tekno]

Replacing air with a windows pc? I didnt know windows is THAT slow

I think that's a joke but I just don't get it! Are you saying the MacBook Air is a slow computer?

 

[Renzatic]

Tim Cook truly is a sad excuse for a CEO. Vacation times? Really? And so soon after apologizing, too. Pathetic. What's next, Tim? Pay raises and promotions based upon good conduct and performance? Please.

Steve would've never allowed this. He'd beat the employees until their morale improved.

 

[MacDav]

Steve Jobs never....well, you know.

You beat me to it. Upon second look I think my signature invalidates your signature.

 

[Rogifan]

Tim Cook truly is a sad excuse for a CEO. Vacation times? Really? And so soon after apologizing, too. Pathetic. What's next, Tim? Pay raises and promotions based upon good conduct and performance? Please.

Steve would've never allowed this. He'd beat the employees until their morale improved.

And he'd chain the maps team to their desks until it was 1000% better than all the competition combined.

 

[vartanarsen]

Devices scratch. Get a case.

Devices scratch out of the box? 33 pages... https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4326970?start=0&tstart=0

 

[shadowtrogan]

I better have my iPhone 5 (pre-ordered 9/14) before these slackers decide to go on vacation for a week.

 

[smoledman]

Let's face it at this point Apple is just marginally better then the competition, not leaps & bounds.

 

[Ice Dragon]

Again, I'm going to use another NFL comparison with NY Giants coach Tom Coughlin. Here's a guy that the NY media constantly picks at and wanted fired at the end of last season especially as the Giants were 7-7. His team wins the final two games of regular season followed by the final four games of the post season.

I am not saying Tim Cook is good. He's mediocre at best though I think things can and will improve. Maybe I'm just too optimistic. *shrug*

 

[Renzatic]

And he'd chain the maps team to their desks until it was 1000% better than all the competition combined.

All while cracking the cat 'o nine tails and verbally berating them for hours on end. You're stupid! *crack* You're a virgin! *snap* You're fired! *crack*

I have a feeling there's a lot of lingering stockholm syndrome in Cupertino.

 

[Shrink]

You beat me to it. Upon second look I think my signature invalidates your signature.

OT -

You may be right about my sig. I've seen the attributed quote in dozens of places, BUT, I've never seen anyone cite the source.

But I like it anyway...I never let facts get in the way!!

 

[dmelgar]

Cook may never be the visionary that Jobs was, but I think he will prove to be the better CEO. Cook strikes a more diplomatic tone with other companies and is better at generating employee morale. Apple has grown into a mature company (that still has growth potential) and going forward, I think management will prove to be more important than vision. (NOT meaning that it's unimportant, just not as critical as their earlier days). I think Jobs recognized this and it's why he chose Cook.

This kind of transition worked out well for Disney and IBM. It is also what's happening at Google - they used to churn out new products at an almost weekly rate.

I would like to agree, but I can't.

You'd think having a nice boss that gives you time off, raises, bonuses is what everyone would want. But its not.

Its more fun to be working on a kick-ass project that will take the world by storm. Knowing you're building something so amazing the competition will be left in awe. You get the drive, the excitement. Gotta make it the best it can be. The thrill of coming up with a new idea, new approach. Making technology products is a creative process. When you create something great its exhilarating.

Giving out dividends, giving take off. Asking for mediocrity in return. Tim Cook is no Steve Jobs.

 

[marksman]

The problem with doing this without specific goals is employs will come to expect it as a job benefit. So if next year Tim decides it was not a good enough year and does not give the extra days off then employees will be disappointed and upset they did not get the days off they were expecting.

 

[polyex]

Maps

Does that include the people who put together the maps application for iOS?

 

[CarlHeanerd]

No new iMacs, no new Mac Pros, a terrible iPhone 5 launch, closure of Ping, launch of a very mediocre 'new' OSX, Lightning adaptors not available on iPhone launch, disastrous launch of Maps... yes, I can see it's been an outstanding year.

You must be a charmer at parties.