Tim Cook to Address Q1 Earnings Concerns at All-Hands Meeting With Apple Staff

[I7guy]

Well no. In fact that $29.00 battery replacement program was a great thing to do for customers, and maybe it did cause a lot of people to continue using their old iPhones. If the battery was closer to $100 probably a lot more people would upgrade sooner, but the good deed Apple did for its customers with this battery program probably will earn a lot of loyal iPhone customers and in the long run it’s good for Apple and good for everyone. Short term though, it might have affected sales numbers negatively but it was a great customer relations thing.

For me, apple replace two batteries (in two phones: 6s and 7) free of charge, without hassle. I have always had great customer service from Apple and part of the reason I will continue to buy their products that make sense for me. The price is worth it given the fact their products “just work”, the support and potential longevity of the phones.

 

[honeycombz]

Apple just needs to get back to making Cheesegrater Macs and cut it out with watch band colors. They can make the cheesegrater gunmetal gray, and have the grater holes shrink a bit to be more pinhole like, make the case 1-2 inch less wide... sorry, thinner, and friggin make the power light led a thin bar instead of round dot, add thunderbolt and some other ports, yank the headphone jack so you can sell your overpriced dongles, done launch. Took me 1 min to redesign. Sell it for $1200.

 

[Abazigal]

Well, well. When iPhone throttling gate started, Tim said it is not "planned obsolescence". Now that people joined the battery replacement program the same guy says that he is selling fewer iPhones because of the above program. Hey Tim are you lying or what?

He’s telling the truth in both instances.

I still believe that Apple introduced “throttlegate” to address a legitimate problem. Their intentions were pure, though perhaps it wasn’t handled in the best way, but I can see how a software patch was the most expedient and efficient solution.

That people might have been prompted to upgrade because their phones felt slow was a side-effect, but not the original intent.

That people are now holding on to their iPhones longer because of the battery replacement programme is also another fact. One that has contributed to fewer people upgrading their phones.

He’s not blaming anyone. It is what it is.

 

[ksec]

Breaking out the floggers and whips. Making sure the message they give is uniform with his.

Pretty sure we don't need that for All hands.

Because something more serious is afoot that Cook hasn’t dared reveal yet?

That was my thought as well. But Apart from China there is nothing bad about Apple's report. Very Strange indeed.

 

[Abazigal]

The products don't have good value currently. I don't want cheap Macs or iPhones. I would pay for good value. So either make the products cheaper or make them better.

For example I get free phones from my company every other year. I get to choose anything I want up to 500 Euros, everything that costs more I pay the difference. 2017 I bought my iPhone 7 and payed 300 Euros cause by that time the phones were sold for 800 if I recall correctly. The iPhone 7 is a great phone although I miss the headphone jack and its a major inconvenience. So actually I could have used it longer but since I would lose the 500 Euros for a new phone I bought it again last fall for just 100 Euros. It is being sold by Apple for just 600 so that is a good value. The prices of the iPhone Xs and Xr are just out of touch with reality. What are they at Apple thinking?? No way I am paying 1200 Euros for a phone!

Apple needs to get out of their bubble and check out what other high quality phones cost.

Their hardware margins actually appear to be shrinking. The simple truth may be that Apple is charging higher prices simply because they cost more to make. In that regard, it makes no sense for Apple to lower their prices.

If anything, a case could be made that perhaps the solution is to continue raising prices further. I think I mentioned it a couple of times that this might be only real viable strategy left for Apple. Higher prices, more accessories, and services.

People really need to look beyond their own noses. It’s easy to say that "Apple should cut pricing", yet the various ramifications and implications associated with that advice are rarely considered.

 

[threesixty360]

People only bought phones every year or two because they were subsidised by carriers. Before subsidise carrier pricing the phone market wasn't that big at all. Now that most people dont need to own several devices (computer, camera etc..) I feel their money is going into that one phone. And people want that product to last as long as their computer, and their camera etc..

Apple are responding to this by making their phones last longer than the competition. iOS is being offered pretty much fully featured to devices that are 5yrs old! Battery life is being optimised and batteries being replaced. I think Apple are ahead of the game here to be honest. They see the phone market turning into the laptop market. With 3-5yr replacement cycles. So they are pricing accordingly because they know your not coming back in 1 or even 2 yrs time anymore.

The problem with low price phones is ultimately they don't pay the bills and they definitely don't provide money for research. So you just get crappier and crappier products over the years as there are no margins.

I think Apple should stay firm. I'm not going to buy a top end phone because I dont need it right now but some people won't buy a top end laptop either, that's fine. The mindset that everyone must have the top end phone is going to die as the laptop model is embraced.

From a few years back I felt that Apple need to get away from the block buster yearly cycle of the iPhone and towards a sensible, release a product when its ready mindset that the laptops have. The only yearly blockbuster should be iOS that is unified and gives the new features, not the hardware.

I think they are slowly going in this direction.

 

[tubomac]

He’s telling the truth in both instances.

I still believe that Apple introduced “throttlegate” to address a legitimate problem. Their intentions were pure, though perhaps it wasn’t handled in the best way, but I can see how a software patch was the most expedient and efficient solution.

That people might have been prompted to upgrade because their phones felt slow was a side-effect, but not the original intent.

That people are now holding on to their iPhones longer because of the battery replacement programme is also another fact. One that has contributed to fewer people upgrading their phones.

He’s not blaming anyone. It is what it is.

I disagree. Apple decided about the battery replacement program AFTER some class actions. Apple could have let the user know about his device's battery poor condition in the same way Apple does, since a long time ago, with Macs . But Apple never did! she preferred to hide to the user his device's battery status and what happened since before the throttle gate, was that most of the users decided to buy a new device forced because he was thinking that his old device was just too old and there was no way to fix it. After the class action, Apple had no choice than offering a cheap battery program and give up (for a while) his planned obsolescence. I don't trust Tim.
[doublepost=1546598388][/doublepost]

Well no. In fact that $29.00 battery replacement program was a great thing to do for customers, and maybe it did cause a lot of people to continue using their old iPhones. If the battery was closer to $100 probably a lot more people would upgrade sooner, but the good deed Apple did for its customers with this battery program probably will earn a lot of loyal iPhone customers and in the long run it’s good for Apple and good for everyone. Short term though, it might have affected sales numbers negatively but it was a great customer relations thing.

I disagree. Apple decided about the battery replacement program AFTER some class actions. Apple could have let the user know about his device's battery poor condition in the same way Apple does, since a long time ago, with Macs . But Apple never did! she preferred to hide to the user his device's battery status and what happened since before the throttle gate, was that most of the users decided to buy a new device forced because he was thinking that his old device was just too old and there was no way to fix it. After the class action, Apple had no choice than offering a cheap battery program and give up (for a while) his planned obsolescence. I don't trust Tim.

 

[macHacks]

My thoughts exactly cook is blaming everything on other things but the prices of the products is what is hurting them I’d like to get a new Mac mini but I can build the same machine for about 500 if the would take it to about 600 drop the price to close to computing they would see a flood of money

Wow you’re a veritable genius - have you thought of becoming Apple’s newest most ferocious competitor by selling your $500 mini into the marketplace?
[doublepost=1546601157][/doublepost]

This is a two-prong problem:
1. No serious innovation
2. Overpriced products

Apple needs to address both problems.

Tim Cook is the wrong person to lead Apple in to the future. SJ was not an engineer but he was a visionary. Tim Cook is neither an engineer nor a visionary. He is a bean counter, and he has just spilled all of his beans in a major way. There is nothing that he can contribute anymore with his boring stage appearances. Go back to Alabama, Timmy, and get a teaching job at Auburn.

Perhaps you, with your obvious business and engineering acumen, can take over from “Timmy”? We look forward to your Monday morning quarterbacking of a $500+ billion company.

 

[sirozha]

You can't spend money on R&D if there is no innovation. IMHO, what Tim Cook should have used the money is the R&D in robotic manufacturing of iPhones and have the robotic factories built in the US. The problems with China were coming, and Cook was clearly told so (by a certain person whose name we shall not mention here lest we should upset the moderators).

Wow you’re a veritable genius - have you thought of becoming Apple’s newest most ferocious competitor by selling your $500 mini into the marketplace?
[doublepost=1546601157][/doublepost]
Perhaps you, with your obvious business and engineering acumen, can take over from “Timmy”? We look forward to your Monday morning quarterbacking of a $500+ billion company.

I think you should go see a shrink on Monday. You obviously have an issue with anyone who criticizes Tim Cook. And get over your crush already. He has a boyfriend.

 

[VulchR]

...
And for another example, even though the current iOS level is 12, one can use an iPod touch still running iOS 10.3 as a trusted device for purposes of supporting two-factor authentication. This even though the iPod touch model may not be able to avail itself of all the bells and whistles of the latest iOS. That may well prove more convenient than say having to fall back on some trusted phone number to get a verification code.
...

My 4S is running iOS 9.3.5 Apple is no longer supporting it, but as you say it still functions well (both as a phone and a WiFi device). Indeed, web developers have abandoned my iPhone before Apple did - they all (lazily) assume a large screen size, so I cannot even respond to various banners/cookie messages to access some web sites. And, as you say, it can be used for 2-factor authentication. I criticize Apple quite a lot, but they stand by their hardware and software fairly well and they are transparent about it (they guarantee support for new iPhone for at least 2 years). They still need to fix some fairly obvious bugs, work on the MacOS Finder, fix iTunes, etc. but if they simply get the ecosystem to be as reliable as it once was, then I'd be happy staying in it.

I was ready to upgrade the phone after the Christmas shopping shock, but the new iPhones a b****** crazy expensive. I might get a used one instead.
[doublepost=1546611133][/doublepost]

If they really wanted to be countercultural then yes.

My point was that some of the specific programs, policies and statements may be promoting positions that some potential or current customers don’t hold and are even strongly against. Whenever you mix in politics you risk alienating people. Some of the problem, as I see it, may be that Tim Cook has been much more vocal. Promoting certain positions might be less of a problem if this was done more quietly.

Fair enough, but most people in the US are for equality and against discrimination. Perhaps somebody at Apple has done the hardcore marketing analysis and this turns out to be a net benefit. Also, much of what Cook has to say is about how Apple manages its company and how the IT sector in general works, not how it interacts with customers. I think politicizing interactions with customers is both wrong and detrimental to business.

 

[semka]

I don't have a problem with higher prices if the new devices are compelling enough, but new Apple products are not, moreover these are downgrade to me.

I have iPhone 6S+. Why should I lose my headphone jack by upgrading to 7-8? I hate monobrow and FaceID is not that appealing to me over fingerprint security, so I will skip the current X generation. Yes, I replaced my 6S+ battery for $29 and that was great and made my phone as fast as new, but guess what I would do it even at full price $79 because my phone is that great.

Now let's look at MacBook Pro. I have 2015 model with all the ports I need and a nicest, responsive keyboard. I have to use VIM on Unix and I need to use Escape key all the time. On 2017 models and up Escape is not a hardware key anymore, it's in touchbar and it's sucks, let alone the whole butterfly keyboard issues. Why would I buy the new machines? Even cheap chromebooks run Linux and even Android apps now for 1/5-1/10th of the price of new Apple laptops!

I've been using Apple products since 1992 and know rules of the game, but sadly it feels like Apple is being run by Gil Amelio again now...

 

[VulchR]

...I hate monobrow...

Never heard somebody call the notch that - pure comedic genius.

 

[RiddlaBronc]

We need a HomePod Pro!

 

[jamesrick80]

Time for them to buy Tesla.........need some new products....stop depending on that iPhone.

 

[BuddyTronic]

I disagree. Apple decided about the battery replacement program AFTER some class actions. Apple could have let the user know about his device's battery poor condition in the same way Apple does, since a long time ago, with Macs . But Apple never did! she preferred to hide to the user his device's battery status and what happened since before the throttle gate, was that most of the users decided to buy a new device forced because he was thinking that his old device was just too old and there was no way to fix it. After the class action, Apple had no choice than offering a cheap battery program and give up (for a while) his planned obsolescence. I don't trust Tim.
[doublepost=1546598388][/doublepost]

I disagree. Apple decided about the battery replacement program AFTER some class actions. Apple could have let the user know about his device's battery poor condition in the same way Apple does, since a long time ago, with Macs . But Apple never did! she preferred to hide to the user his device's battery status and what happened since before the throttle gate, was that most of the users decided to buy a new device forced because he was thinking that his old device was just too old and there was no way to fix it. After the class action, Apple had no choice than offering a cheap battery program and give up (for a while) his planned obsolescence. I don't trust Tim.

I think you are probably right on the timing of events actually. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Apple made up for it and mitigated the issue for the long term. It’s slightly bad for the business bottom line short term but good for the long term I’d say. Pushing obsolescence makes more money for them for sure, but the iPhones are just built too well.
[doublepost=1546615404][/doublepost]

I don't have a problem with higher prices if the new devices are compelling enough, but new Apple products are not, moreover these are downgrade to me.

I have iPhone 6S+. Why should I lose my headphone jack by upgrading to 7-8? I hate monobrow and FaceID is not that appealing to me over fingerprint security, so I will skip the current X generation. Yes, I replaced my 6S+ battery for $29 and that was great and made my phone as fast as new, but guess what I would do it even at full price $79 because my phone is that great.

Now let's look at MacBook Pro. I have 2015 model with all the ports I need and a nicest, responsive keyboard. I have to use VIM on Unix and I need to use Escape key all the time. On 2017 models and up Escape is not a hardware key anymore, it's in touchbar and it's sucks, let alone the whole butterfly keyboard issues. Why would I buy the new machines? Even cheap chromebooks run Linux and even Android apps now for 1/5-1/10th of the price of new Apple laptops!

I've been using Apple products since 1992 and know rules of the game, but sadly it feels like Apple is being run by Gil Amelio again now...

Headphone jack? Come on. Get some AirPods and be done with that issue for good. Cords are horrible.

As for MacBook Pro. Yah keep the older one. I agree. MagSafe and ports and proper keyboard. Also an led indicator that you are charging, nobody complains about that one but they should. I have 2 newer mb pro and I dislike them both.

 

[MaciekP]

Apple arrogance, crazy prices, removed headphone jack, bend gate, incremental small innovations only. New Iphone 6S 32GB costs now 30% of a new Iphone Xs 64GB and works very well on iOS 12 and is just fine with a great price. 50% of my friends moved from Iphone do Android recently. All of this is just a smoke screen not a real reason...

and BTW, another "great" Apple product, a from tech GIANT for a premium price:
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/01/apples-beddit-3-5-sleep-tracker-in-depth-review.html

what a shame....

and I had Iphone 3GS, 4S, 5S, 6S, 7plus, X and Macbook 13" 2011, Macbook 15" 2013 and macbook 15" 2017, MAC Mini 2010 and IMAC 27" late 2015....so not a typical Apple hater

 

[kvyoung]

Wow you’re a veritable genius - have you thought of becoming Apple’s newest most ferocious competitor by selling your $500 mini into the marketplace?
[doublepost=1546601157][/doublepost]
Perhaps you, with your obvious business and engineering acumen, can take over from “Timmy”? We look forward to your Monday morning quarterbacking of a $500+ billion company.

Your statements display the same arrogance Apple is showing consumers. Maybe you should head the company and drive it into the ground.

 

[BoxerGT2.5]

If there was ever a time for Windows to get back into the mobile arena, this is it.

 

[BuddyTronic]

and BTW, another "great" Apple product, a from tech GIANT for a premium price:
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2019/01/apples-beddit-3-5-sleep-tracker-in-depth-review.html

what a shame....

and I had Iphone 3GS, 4S, 5S, 6S, 7plus, X and Macbook 13" 2011, Macbook 15" 2013 and macbook 15" 2017, MAC Mini 2010 and IMAC 27" late 2015....so not a typical Apple hater

Wow I have the old Beddit and was hoping Apple would make it better, not worse!

I guess Apple is becoming a country club for geniuses and there are no penalties if they waste time or screw things up. My pet peeve is the removal of MagSafe from MacBook Pro and no LED indication to show that the charger is functioning

Apple seems to clean things up and dumb things down. I hope they read this and fix. That beddit device could certainly be made better by Apple. I hope they see dc rainmakers review

 

[zombiecoops]

If they choose not to drop prices then they should compensate with storage, min storage should be 128 and they should all have the same storage options! They should also put the same camera software in them. Let the price variance be for a screen some users won't need. If my daughter buys her own phone this year I'll keep mine longer. My 8 plus is in great shape, I would prefer something smaller. But I won't pay over a $1000 for the X or XS and it irks me that the XR has a limited camera.

 

[VulchR]

If they choose not to drop prices then they should compensate with storage, min storage should be 128 and they should all have the same storage options!...

Apple wants on-phone storage to be expensive becuase they want the service fees for iCloud updates to back up photos. Bumping up the pixel count in the photos is one sure way of creating demand as well.

 

[macHacks]

I think you should go see a shrink on Monday. You obviously have an issue with anyone who criticizes Tim Cook. And get over your crush already. He has a boyfriend.

Awesome way to work in homophobia in there along with your dislike of Apple’s business - again if you’re a veritable genius maybe you’d consider taking over as CEO?

The great thing about a market economy is literally no one is forcing you to buy an Apple product or to buy a share of Apple stock. Maybe you’re in the wrong forum?

 

[sirozha]

Awesome way to work in homophobia in there along with your dislike of Apple’s business - again if you’re a veritable genius maybe you’d consider taking over as CEO?

The great thing about a market economy is literally no one is forcing you to buy an Apple product or to buy a share of Apple stock. Maybe you’re in the wrong forum?

The great thing about the freedom of speech is that I can say what I think without having to have your permission or approval. I don't like the Apple's business model anymore, and neither does Wall Street. I also don't like having a paper loss of close to a million dollars since October just in AAPL.

One doesn't have to be a genius like SJ to do a much better job at leading Apple than TC does. So, I would consider an opportunity.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Even though the stock price has dropped, my Apple products still work fine. Do yours?

I personally don’t think Apple is in financial trouble at this time. If revenue and profits keep dropping for the next few quarters, my opinion may change.

 

[semka]

Headphone jack? Come on. Get some AirPods and be done with that issue for good. Cords are horrible.

I have enough EMF radiation in my life. According to measurements, AirPods are ones of the worst among other wireless headphones in that regard, so I will keep my many wired options, thank you very much.