Tim Cook's Impact on Apple Detailed in New Profile Along With Plans for New Board Members

[cgc]

I don't like some of things Tim has done and I think he needs to either focus more on Macs or spin that division off and focus solely on the mobile markets (e.g. money-makers). The iMac update was meh, the Mac Pro update was decent though how many profesionals want to have a bunch of components interconnected on their desktop and how do you rackmount a cylinder. OSX seems nice...good work there Tim and iOS 8 and the pending phones seems good as well.

He's no Steve Jobs but those types of people are rare...he's more than capable of running Apple and being successful but I think I speak for a few when I ask him to please update the desktops.

 

[the8thark]

If Steve Job's greatest creation was Apple itself, then Tim Cook's greatest is the new Apple 2.0 that we're seeing emerging. I for one see it as a positive thing.

-the old Apple was divided into fiefdoms and so focused it couldn't do two things at once; it constantly ripped engineers off one team and onto another. There was an OS X team and an iOS team. Now there's a "software" team that was absolutely prolific this year- with Homekit, Healthkit, iOS 8 extensions, an OS X redesign, Metal, and Swift

-the old Apple insisted on siloing apps and processes; the new Apple gives us features we've been clamoring for for years - Extensions, custom keyboards, etc.

-the old Apple was a workplace dependent on Apple zealousness and fear of Steve Jobs, with frequent burnout. The new one is kinder to its own kin, in an industry where it traditionally ranks quite low on perks.

-the old iOS seemed under lock and key from Jobs' fave, Scott Forstall. iOS 7 and 8 are huge leaps over the old stuff, despite complaints over subjective aesthetic choices.

-the old Apple was so secretive that it was like talking to a brick wall. Now, a few execs chat it up on twitter, publicly release environmental/labor reports, etc.

- That's the Jobs influence. In his mind perfection meant total dedication to one task only. The new way is better as ideas in one area help another.

- That's the 90's creeping in. Jobs didn't want a repeat of the 90's so he limited many 3rd party things. I think the 3 party things need to be limited. We don't want another 90's all over again. I don't care if Apple has the billions to afford it. It's a bad precedent.

- No being scared of being fired by Jobs on a random elevator ride. So the workers at Apple HQ will be happier.

- I agree. iOS 7/8 is amazing. Having hardware and software people have input into both the hardware and software is integral to Apple. Vertical integration has to start from the initial thought process. An iPad is hardware + iOS. You have to think how both will interact from day one.

- I have to agree Ferdeghi and co can have a joke and it's nice to see. Less burn out that way.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

Since Tim took over after Steve's death Apple's revenue has increased $106B. That's more than the annual revenue of Microsoft or Google. At the same time in the most recent quarter Apple reported that on average they carry less than a week of inventory, far less than the nearly 8 weeks for Samsung. When the iPhone 4 was released Apple reported 1.7M sales in the first weekend on sale. Only three years later they reported 9M for the 5S (and 5C). IMO these are the things Cook doesn't get enough credit for.

Now I assume you're american because I must tell you something that I shouldn't, which is that money is often not what counts in life You have your eyes on the wrong things.

Even when running a company, while money IS important, it's far from being the most important. Apple has enough money anyway, but does Apple seem like a friendly company to you? To me it doesn't… which is weird because there's big companies that do spread this feeling… Apple is all fake. Obviously for many there's no other choice than Apple (like for me - always been on Apple, dislike Windows even more and not a fan of Linux) and Apple knows that.

But who says one day someone doesn't create a new OS and their company is so friendly and all that it becomes a hit and everyone jumps onto it and leaves Apple? Because that's exactly what it's about… having long term customers. Look back at how Apple became successful so quickly in the last decade, who would have thought that? Apple was basically "out" not even so long ago and was mobbed by so many people, this just proves how quickly thing can turn again. Be aware Apple! You are overrating yourself which costs you many points in this game…

 

[namethisfile]

apple store is out of control with too many blue shirts

i was at an apple store (won't say which) to have my ailing 2010 mbp diagnosed and i was kind of scared to be greeted by so many blue shirts. it was as if they were in competition with each other. you can tell they were all watching the front door and customers coming in and then they would eye each other to see who will help the new person walking in. one of what seems like an army of blue shirt broke out his ipad to check my reservation and kindly pointed me to the genius bar. the store is in a mall in a rural place so it's small. but, i am near nyc and i am familiar with the bigger apple stores there. i bring up this point b/c it doesn't take many ppl to make a small apple store in a mall look overcrowded, even if it's in the middle of march. i did notice the one designated store greeter though. but behind him--were every other apple employee crammed in that boxy white and glass boutique for computers eager to help every and any person that haplessly walks in. i should know what they're called. i think they're called apple geniuses? i've applied to apple several times and never got a job. lol. but, the name escapes me now. anyway, i walked to the genius bar and waited. it's also not a bar-bar, so you can't get a drink while you wait. as i waited there, i could easily overhear one of the geniuses next to me helping a woman with her macbook. and it was classic computer-talk. but, not in a good way. the best way to describe it is when someone is talking down to someone to make them understand about something they have no clue about. but about computers which just ends up being not funny and i remember thinking, "God, i hope that jerk is not the one who helps me." so there was that apple genius jerk to my right and to my left were products. i looked behind me and you can see the entire store. i remember looking back and seeing the store crowded with people. most of them, 99% of them being ppl wearing blue shirts. so the store was filled with its own employees. i'm not sure if i walked into a special over-hiring day but that was the picture. i remember thinking, glad i wasn't hired by apple. anyway, after waiting for like 15-20 minutes someone who had been standing there the whole time decided to not just stand there anymore and asked me what he could do. i explained and he was kind enough to diagnose my computer.

there is always that ******* apple genius computer guy that tries to make an impression on people how much they know about computers. and i'm not saying this only happens at apple stores. these guys are everywhere. but, i do feel like the apple store experience is different now that steve jobs is gone.

so, the success of apple were many things. rejuvenating the imac, introducing the ipod, iphone and the god damn apple store experience. i feel like the macbook pro (2010 and 2011 models) have gone to shyt and the apple store experience is totally ruined now. who is responsible for this?

TIM TOOK is who!!!!

 

[Rogifan]

Steve Jobs also handpicked John Sculley.

Was Sculley's time at Apple really that bad? While he was CEO revenues increased from $800M to $8B. He was pushing things like the Newton and Knowlege Navigator which I think were ahead of their time. Sculley was also against licensing Mac OS (one of the reasons he was forced to step down). The whole Mac clone disaster happened after Sculley left. I think he gets more of a bad rap than he deserves. Spindler and Amelio deserve it, but Sculley maybe not so much.

----------

Because people are stupid, irrational, immature, self-entitled, and self-centered. You are spot-on and the guy is doing a remarkable job following in the footsteps of a legend. Let's see some other schmuck even attempt to do that. Their own hubris would get the best of them and they'd be trying to make a name for them every chance they could get. Tim on the other hand has remained calm, collected, and very thoughtful. Steve Jobs obviously chose the guy for a reason.

Yep, he is doing a remarkable job. As I mentioned in another post, since he officially took over as CEO Apple's revenues have grown $106B which is more than the annual revenue of Google or Microsoft. At the same time average Apple inventory is around less than one week, compared to about 8 weeks for Samsung. All these people saying Apple is spreading itself too thin or losing its ability to focus (and say no) aren't taking into account that Apple is a much bigger company than it ever was under Steve. Just focusing on a few things is pretty much impossible now.

 

[SusanK]

namethisfile, I think the Apple store experience is different too. In SJ's time it was a place of awe. Store employees seduced us with wonderful products and information on the products. I wanted everything.

Now I think the store is much more sales oriented. I don't have many opportunities to visit a genius but genius bar visits have always been a positive experience for me.

I miss the insanely great that kept my American Express card at risk each time I was close to the Apple store. At least now I'm not spending so much so I guess that's a good thing.

I still remember the first time I saw Airport. Not at Apple stores then. Steve didn't do Apple retail yet. I saw Airport and wanted it very badly. I had no idea of what it was or what it did but I wanted it.

My husband told me to buy it. I protested as I didn't know what it was. He gave me his pat response. Told me that if i liked it enough I'd learn to use it.

 

[namethisfile]

namethisfile, I think the Apple store experience is different too. In SJ's time it was a place of awe. Store employees seduced us with wonderful products and information on the products. I wanted everything.

Now I think the store is much more sales oriented. I don't have many opportunities to visit a genius but genius bar visits have always been a positive experience for me.

I miss the insanely great that kept my American Express card at risk each time I was close to the Apple store. At least now I'm not spending so much so I guess that's a good thing.

I still remember the first time I saw Airport. Not at Apple stores then. Steve didn't do Apple retail yet. I saw Airport and wanted it very badly. I had no idea of what it was or what it did but I wanted it.

My husband told me to buy it. I protested as I didn't know what it was. He gave me his pat response. Told me that if i liked it enough I'd learn to use it.

yep. i feel this too. i'm not sure if it is from the over-hiring and seeing way more apple employees than customers in the middle of march at this apple mall store i went to; the attitude you speak of about it as a sales pitch opportunity; which i saw as the itchiness, over-eagerness from the apple employees just by being there and surrounded by them; the go-go-getter, sell-sell attitude; i don't know...

but something is different. i don't feel this in apple stores in nyc. but the apple stores outside nyc is like shark infested by its own sharks, if that makes sense.

i remember apple being like a library. a tech museum. a computer art gallery. when i first started visiting it in the early 2000's. now it is and might be even worse than one of those numerous electronic stores in time square... where you're hounded, even if nicely, by the pressure of sell-sell-sell, help-help-help this person... UGH!!!!

i blame TIM TOOK!!!!

 

[AppleScruff1]

I have no complaints about the Apple store that my wife and I use. We use the same salesman for any purchases, he earned that from the first time we dealt with him. We have had questions answered and browsed the store and gotten information and help from other employees too and they have all been good. No hard sell, actually no attempt to sell at all, they just answer questions and let you play. Excellent service, just like Nordstrom, in fact, at Nordstrom we have had salespeople who were on the pushy side. The Apple store I'm talking about is very busy in a busy mall. I've also shopped at the Microsoft store which is two doors down and they also gave excellent customer service.

 

[SusanK]

When I visit Apple to make a purchase service is good. Had a less than positive experience at personal setup twice. Since then I set up at home. No biggie. I think the fast shuffle at personal setup is due to blue shirts having obligations in the red zone. Time constraints on staffers.

Not so long ago Apple was a house of worship. Now it's an electronic store. Staffers are trained to sell. As retail experiences go Apple is better than most but not like it once was.

The Apple store near me has changed not for the better. I'm hopeful that this will reverse. Cycles in retail environment.

Apple offers what many do not. The genius bar has always been extremely helpful. Apple Support Communities is a huge positive IMHO. I have learned so much reading posts. People there are genuinely helpful and most generous with their time and expertise.

I love reading posts on the wireless forums at ASC. To me there is still an element of magic in wireless.

To be able to truly appreciate Apple I would have to go elsewhere. So far I am not tempted by the alternatives.

 

[jasonbogen]

Hey I said Beats is still a head scratcher for me. I can defend Cook without being rah rah about Beats.

Anyway my belief is that Steve knew how big Apple would become and felt the right man to run Big Apple was Tim Cook. Obviously the executives that work for Cook (many of whom also worked for Jobs) feel the same way as none of them have left.

To me, this is a key. The focus people talk about in the past was using a few products to lay the groundwork for the expansion we see now. Jobs always talked about convergence and you can be sure most of the major things going on now were part of his plan. Tim Cook will never be Steve Jobs and I don't think Jobs expected him to be. I think, as you point out, he wanted someone in charge of the Big Apple, leading a team of people that understood his vision. That being said, it will be interesting to see 10 years from now how that develops.

 

[sixrom]

Oh my how revealing, it's the Wall St Journal reporting, bed pal of the New York Times, a decades long Apple shill.

The ghost of Steve Jobs returns to save the day. If not for Steve's brilliant strategy many years ago, the WSJ/NYT juggernaut wouldn't be at the forefront, keeping the positive spotlight on Apple.

If Samsung got half the attention and image building press Apple does, the party honoring Apple would have been over long ago.

Nothing like having silent partners like Uncle Walt (Mossberg) scurrying around to make Apple look good.

 

[oliversl]

Like you for instance

Like who? Name someone.

 

[inkswamp]

Now I assume you're american because I must tell you something that I shouldn't, which is that money is often not what counts in life

Apple is a company, not a person. It doesn't have a life. Money counts when you're a company.