I’m not going to be a naysayer who predicts doom and gloom for Apple. They are not failing by any stretch of the imagination, but they are slipping and could fall behind the curve they set if they are not careful.
Since the passing of Steve Jobs Apple has been able to maintain incredible numbers as it released new iPads and iPhones, but recently those numbers have missed expectations. Although missing a few numbers is not a big deal, it’s not great either. The company has lost some of its mystique. We’ve seen more upcoming products leaked than in the past, and the last couple of iOS updates as well as iPhone refreshes have left something to be desired. Even more troubling is the fact that the company is starting to feel stagnant.
Many were disappointed when Apple failed to bring the iPhone 5 to market in 2011. The iPhone 4S just didn’t feel any better than the iPhone 4, and Siri was seriously lacking. We waited another year hoping that we’d get a bigger display that was on par with some of the Android phones. We didn’t want anything huge, but something in the 4” - 4.3” range would have been nice. We got a 4” display with the iPhone 5, but it’s an odd aspect ratio. The phone feels too tall for its width. I get that they are focused on one-handed use, but at a time when consumers are asking for bigger phones Apple is being stubborn. That’s the same mistake Palm made when they released the teeny weeny Palm Pre while everyone else was going bigger.
iOS was fine for awhile, but now it feels old. Having a row of icons to press is nice, but what about widgets? Shouldn’t there be a better way to look at the weather for example? What about shortcuts to turn on Bluetooth and WiFi? What about allowing better Google integration? I know Apple and Google don’t like each other, but I don’t know many Apple fans that don’t also like Gmail. Having a native Gmail app is crucial.
I love that iOS is more bulletproof than other OS’s. It crashes less and there isn’t a malware issue. I just wish it didn’t feel like they were holding some things back just to have somewhere to go in the future. I mean, not having shortcuts in the Notification Center for WiFi and Bluetooth is incredible to me.
Tim Cook is probably a genius at business, but he is not good at convincing the world that they need his products. I know they’ve sold a lot of product since he took the helm, but that feels like momentum carried over from Steve Jobs. Steve was able to get people to fall in love with Apple products. If he told you that you needed the iPhone, you needed it. Tim just doesn’t have that same charisma. Get Jony Ive up there and let him be the face of the company. Jony Ive is cool. He has the accent and the same shaved head and 3 day old beard. If he says it’s the best product we’ll believe it.
The recent move of ousting Scott Forstall and spreading the responsibilities over the remaining executives may prove to be a wise move. It could also be the beginning of the end of Apple as we’ve come to know it. Time will tell. Let’s hope that Jony Ive continues to wow us with his design and makes gadgets that we’re excited about.
Android has made incredible gains over the last 2 years, and the latest Android handsets are awesome! If I wasn’t so tied to Apple’s ecosystem I would be using a Samsung Galaxy S III or Nexus 4 as my primary phone. I haven’t been a fan of Android, but the latest phones feel different. They are where the action is and Apple is lagging behind. Even Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 looks refreshing and new, and they have been behind the curve for several years now.
I suppose it is very tough to stay number one forever, but I’m rooting for Apple. I really want to love my iOS gadgets again and right now I just don't. They're okay, but they don't feel special anymore. Crossing my fingers for the future...
Since the passing of Steve Jobs Apple has been able to maintain incredible numbers as it released new iPads and iPhones, but recently those numbers have missed expectations. Although missing a few numbers is not a big deal, it’s not great either. The company has lost some of its mystique. We’ve seen more upcoming products leaked than in the past, and the last couple of iOS updates as well as iPhone refreshes have left something to be desired. Even more troubling is the fact that the company is starting to feel stagnant.
Many were disappointed when Apple failed to bring the iPhone 5 to market in 2011. The iPhone 4S just didn’t feel any better than the iPhone 4, and Siri was seriously lacking. We waited another year hoping that we’d get a bigger display that was on par with some of the Android phones. We didn’t want anything huge, but something in the 4” - 4.3” range would have been nice. We got a 4” display with the iPhone 5, but it’s an odd aspect ratio. The phone feels too tall for its width. I get that they are focused on one-handed use, but at a time when consumers are asking for bigger phones Apple is being stubborn. That’s the same mistake Palm made when they released the teeny weeny Palm Pre while everyone else was going bigger.
iOS was fine for awhile, but now it feels old. Having a row of icons to press is nice, but what about widgets? Shouldn’t there be a better way to look at the weather for example? What about shortcuts to turn on Bluetooth and WiFi? What about allowing better Google integration? I know Apple and Google don’t like each other, but I don’t know many Apple fans that don’t also like Gmail. Having a native Gmail app is crucial.
I love that iOS is more bulletproof than other OS’s. It crashes less and there isn’t a malware issue. I just wish it didn’t feel like they were holding some things back just to have somewhere to go in the future. I mean, not having shortcuts in the Notification Center for WiFi and Bluetooth is incredible to me.
Tim Cook is probably a genius at business, but he is not good at convincing the world that they need his products. I know they’ve sold a lot of product since he took the helm, but that feels like momentum carried over from Steve Jobs. Steve was able to get people to fall in love with Apple products. If he told you that you needed the iPhone, you needed it. Tim just doesn’t have that same charisma. Get Jony Ive up there and let him be the face of the company. Jony Ive is cool. He has the accent and the same shaved head and 3 day old beard. If he says it’s the best product we’ll believe it.
The recent move of ousting Scott Forstall and spreading the responsibilities over the remaining executives may prove to be a wise move. It could also be the beginning of the end of Apple as we’ve come to know it. Time will tell. Let’s hope that Jony Ive continues to wow us with his design and makes gadgets that we’re excited about.
Android has made incredible gains over the last 2 years, and the latest Android handsets are awesome! If I wasn’t so tied to Apple’s ecosystem I would be using a Samsung Galaxy S III or Nexus 4 as my primary phone. I haven’t been a fan of Android, but the latest phones feel different. They are where the action is and Apple is lagging behind. Even Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 looks refreshing and new, and they have been behind the curve for several years now.
I suppose it is very tough to stay number one forever, but I’m rooting for Apple. I really want to love my iOS gadgets again and right now I just don't. They're okay, but they don't feel special anymore. Crossing my fingers for the future...