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Today Marks the 15th Anniversary of Apple's First Two Retail Stores
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That just wasn't Apple's market, unfortunately. The sad thing is that it, and OSX Server, peaked right about at a time when it could have been a market of theirs if they'd kept going. But, I think the iPhone took off so fast that the company literally couldn't handle both, so they pulled resources off of OSX to go after iOS success.
After Snow Leopard, OSX Server was junk, so why have an xServe? The other problem was that corporate IT expects red-carpet service with such devices, and Apple just didn't have that infrastructure. (We had to fight tooth and nail to get our xServes, and corporate wouldn't have allowed me service on them, except that I could literally carry a broken one a couple of blocks to the Apple Store.)
Yea, not sure how innovative it was other than the form factor at the time. It's just sad they've let that one go too. It was once quite a little power-house (quad-core i7!). Now, it's pretty overpriced, underpowered. Apple would really do well to create a kind of non-pro Mac Pro or super-charged mini again. But, they don't really care about OSX-based computing anymore.
That one was almost comical. Cool design, but totally missed the target market. The really funny thing is that I think they think they nailed it.
Maybe, if they produce an updated version with all the latest tech, with extra unnecessary expense, the form fact might start to work again for that crowd. That's if they make it... and put effort back into OSX... and that crowd doesn't move on.
This, and OSX might have been as big or even bigger than the iPhone, in terms of innovation and accomplishment. And, we probably wouldn't have the iPhone if it weren't for some of this.
Also, note that the PowerPC was holding it's own at the point of transition (the last G5s were still kicking the Intel chips booties at the time), but Apple saw the power issue, and yes, the lack of commitment from the PowerPC partners. Intel might have been in huge trouble as well. I'm betting Apple played a big role in their move to multi-core and power efficient. The Intel chips at the time of the G5s were nasty... they were just on a quicker roadmap.
I think you're underestimating that one a bit. It changed laptops. And, I'm sure had a huge influence in the capability for iPhone and iPads in terms of manufacturing and materials.
I think they floundered a bit on that one, and have only recently re-applied it a bit. The previous AppleTV (to the current gen) was an incredible product, especially as a media-hub extension to the Mac/iOS. It's incredibly small, simple, and 1W of power that can put content/display of the rest of the lineup on an external screen. That's powerful in the living room, but also in the board room or training room. I don't think Apple played that up for what it was worth. It changed how presentations are given and how people deal with media.
The latest generation is just amplifying that, by allowing apps. That's a good move, but I think the concept in general (with AirPlay, etc.) was bigger, actually.
Yes, that's part of the complaints, which pretty much mirror the complaints from industry analysts and Wall Street. And, I agree in how/why they are wrong.
BUT, there are also a core of Apple loyalists who've been around this scene a lot longer than that (30 years for my part), who've noticed a fundamental shift in Apple's focus and priorities. And, it ain't a good shift.
Wow how things have changed!
Now to get to the Genius Bar you first have to get approval from an associate to even get in the queue for the bar. And when you do you get a kid that was wet behind the ears when Steve made this speech and doesn't know anything that will help your problem except nope can't help you, next. Their more concerned about selling you a new phone or computer instead of fixing the problem.
Now to get to the Genius Bar you first have to get approval from an associate to even get in the queue for the bar. And when you do you get a kid that was wet behind the ears when Steve made this speech and doesn't know anything that will help your problem except nope can't help you, next. Their more concerned about selling you a new phone or computer instead of fixing the problem.
I also still don't get it that it took/takes so long, it's a shopping paradise, lots of tourists visit Sg each year so lots of sales not only from Singaporeans but also from foreigners.
Personally I can't stand spending time in Apple stores anymore. Just a huge "tool" vibe. I go in, buy the thing I want and peace. Don't need the overly superficial atmosphere that has seem to arise the past 5 years
If that's the case, that's really sad. I haven't lived by an Apple Store for years now (or really needed one that badly), but when I used to go there often (due to work) they always bent over backwards to 'do the right thing' in terms of customer service, and while I often knew more than the person behind the bar (because I'd been doing it for 20+ years at the time) they were generally quite competent.
It was just an illustration. Cars are an easily-identifiable industry. People understand cars.
Here was my point:
At one time Apple only made Macs. Then they added iPods. Then they added iPhones. Then they added iPads. (I'm speaking in broad strokes here... not including EVERY single product.)
So the Ford analogy would be they used to only make cars. Then they added pickup trucks. Then they added vans. Then they added SUVs. Then they added crossovers. Again... I'm speaking in broad strokes.
Once those product categories are created... what else can they do? There are only so many types of vehicles Ford can create. There comes a point where they have to stick with what they've got and just make incremental changes.
I'm not talking about features... I'm talking about actual product categories as the earlier commenter mentioned.
He suggested that Apple created many products and categories from 2001-2011... but not so much anymore.
So my conclusion was... maybe everything has already been created?
Don't like cars? How about TVs.
You could buy a television 80 years ago. And you can still buy one today. Oh it may look different... and have more features... but it's still the same basic product with the same basic function.
Apple made the first Mac... and then they made incremental Macs afterwards. They may have changed sizes and shapes... but it's still the same basic product. It's the same idea.
So yeah... Apple created a lot of new categories from 2001-2011. But now they don't. What exactly do you want them to do?
Most companies... including Apple... can't keep introducing new categories every few years. At some point the product categories are mature and they just have to maintain them.
Fair enough I agree with all of that 100%
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Cute.
Really great to see Steve again. It is awesome how each of these concepts has really launched industry change. The part that made my smile was "we've got the 6 best MP3 players" and realizing it was pre-iPod.
What's hilarious is he mentions the Mac Pro, which hasn't been updated in almost 3 years. So if anything, that's now an example of the new problems with Apple.
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But the MBair is already thin and light enough. At a certain point, thinner and lighter is a law of dimishing returns. But thinner and lighter is the only 'innovation' apple seems to care about - and it's at the expense of battery life, computing power, etc.
Exactly, and the innovations will only come along at certain points because of technology advances meeting certain needs, etc. Apple couldn't have forced the iPhone, say 2 years earlier, but the semi-smart-phone industry was ripe to be disrupted. Who knows what that next thing will be. I just hope it's Apple that is watching and ready for it. Or, maybe it would be better if it were someone else, anymore?
But, to stick with that analogy, what's stupid about Apple today, is if Ford were to say, 'Hmm, look at this pie chart here. We sell more trucks than cars. Lets put all our efforts into trucks, because they are the future. And, we'll just kind of let our car lines dwindle down and let the quality of them drop because they aren't important any longer. Oh, and rockets, we should clearly get into the rocket business, because Elon."
My beef with them is that they aren't doing a good job of even maintaining. And, when they do make changes, it's for marketing and profit margin purposes, rather than user-experience. They don't need tons of new products, they just need to be the best of whatever products they make.
Yea, unfortunately I think Apple has abandoned the pros and creatives. They are now a mobile/consumer product company. If that doesn't change, we long-time Apple folks will have to find somewhere to go.
re: thin - For sure, especially for the phones. It would be interesting to do a big poll and ask whether people wanted the next phone/laptop to be thinner, or have more battery-life/performance. I'm betting nearly 100% would go for the latter. My only explanation for this (because Apple does study this kind of thing, or at least used to) is that thin is someone's pet project (probably Ive) and no-one is reigning him in.
Dr. Dre will turn things around
True. But it's a double edged sword.
On one side... people complain that Apple needs to focus on quality control... especially in software. So they should focus on fixing what they've got and don't release new products or categories.
And on the other side... there are people who say Apple doesn't release new categories like they did in 2001-2011 (which is where I jumped into this conversation)
You can't win 'em all!
Definitely. Best $3 billion a company ever spent.
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That may well be what you saw. But even if it's true, it only proves my point. Why does Apple limit themselves to such a limited target market? How many of those iPhone 6 purchasers were settling for something not really what they want? How many Samsung purchases would rather buy an iPhone but Apple just doesn't offer a phone that suits their needs?
Why is their notebook market so limited? I used to be their target customer, now they've shifted their target to a much more basic user and they don't really have a machine for me. Meanwhile Dell covers the whole range, from ultrabook to cheap basic laptop to gaming powerhouse.
You're not kidding! I use to be able to go in there and spend copious amounts of time in the Apple Store. It use to be a very special experience when I started going in back in 2003. Now... I just want to get my stuff and "move along."
I'm not asking for anything revolutionary. Maybe that's where I'm being misunderstood.
I want a macbook that compares well with other company's laptops circa 2016. I want a phone with a modern high res OLED screen like I can get a lot cheaper from other companies. Have you compared OLED displays to the iPhone? The iPhone 6s looks like stone age garbage even next to $300 android phones. I want a desktop with high end modern desktop parts. A real CPU and a real GPU.
I'm not asking Apple to reinvent the wheel even better. Just keep their current product lineup up to date when they work on new magic in the background. The problem is the stooges running Apple right now pretend every little tweak is magic innovation when the reality is they aren't even keeping up with the Dells and HPs.
Yeah man, seems like we're on the same wavelength here. Back in the early to late 00s, it used to be so chill. Now it's full of googly eyed smiles and just an overall tooly vibe
Gotcha.
Yeah I misunderstood you when you listed a bunch of things that were created during that 10-year span.
Yes... I agree that Apple should spend more time fixing things and improving things.
And they'll probably have a lot of time on their hands since they won't be creating another earth-shattering category like they did with iPhone and iPad.
One can hope!
True. But it's a double edged sword.
On one side... people complain that Apple needs to focus on quality control... especially in software. So they should focus on fixing what they've got and don't release new products or categories.
And on the other side... there are people who say Apple doesn't release new categories like they did in 2001-2011 (which is where I jumped into this conversation)
You can't win 'em all!
They should focus on the people saying QC, as that is a real problem. The others are just the 'industry experts', 'analysts', and 'Wall Street' types Apple has always had to deal with, and who Jobs ignored/played.
Note, I sort of agreed with the 2001-2011 thing though, as I'm not sure what they have been doing... it doesn't seem like a whole lot of innovation OR QC in the last 5 years. I had hoped it was just disorganization due to the rapid growth of the company, and they'd get it back under control. But, now I think they've actually changed in values and focus. About the only great/valiant thing they've done recently (which has made me proud to be with Apple again) is their privacy battle with the FBI (assuming we're getting the whole story).
Apple never covered a *large* range. If anything their current offerings cover a much larger range than ever before.
I'd assume they were talking about useful range, not number of product items.
It used to be Apple - while maybe segmented more by those who could afford or appreciate their products - covered the beginner to the highest pro with their product line in computers. Now, they are aimed at computing-appliance people.
And, the large number of models Apple currently has in mobile doesn't really represent use-range but marketing tactics and bad product line practices (like selling outdated models at reduced prices).
Apple could *easily* design their products to cover a *much* larger range of users with only like 2-3 products per category. But, that isn't their aim anymore...
That was great. People forget that it was really the iPod that turned the company around, and it only became massively popular with the 3rd or 4th generation. The iMac was doing well in the education market, but that had always been Apple's corner. Two years after the RIAA -v- Diamond case had decided that MP3 players were legal, the marketed MP3 players had very little flash memory or were gigantic hard drive based units. The iPod's simple interface combined with small form factor hard drives and killer marketing set the company up for the massive growth in the following years.
An overpriced tool in an Apple Store? Perish the thought!
AKA YOU don't like that product so you assume no one else does. Never mind all the posts about people who actually have one and love them. Next month the laptop YOU want will be updated. Come back and complain when that model doesn't have enough for you.