Posts
6185
Joined
8/27/2006
Location
Acworth, GA
US
Edited Date/Time
12/6/2014 8:14pm
I am a tech junky. Just love it. I pay close attention to tech and tech news and get my hands on as many tech devices as I can.
There is no doubt that Apple is making money like you wouldn't believe. In fact, it is possible they may become the first trillion dollar company ever. They have a valuation of 600 billion.
That being said I am starting to see some major issues with there company and wanted to see if you agree. We all know that companies tend to go through phases and when they were once at the top they become out innovated by another company. MSFT was once at the top and now trying to re-invent itself. Google is the King of the internet. Apple has rose, fell and now have risen again thanks to the iPhone.
So this is the problems I am seeing with Apple and I am a huge Apple fan but not as much as I was 3 or 4 years ago.
1) Android and Android phones are rolling out features left and right and innovating very fast. You can get features on Android that are just simply not available on the iPhone. This was not necessarily the case 5 years ago. I am starting to see a trend where Android is really starting to outshine iOS platform. iOS is becoming stagnant and frankly pretty boring. I moved to Android last year with a Note 3 and I honestly don't know if I could ever go back to an iPhone and 3 years ago I would never consider leaving iPhone that's how much I loved it. That is a pretty big statement right there where my loyalty has switched.
2) I am not a huge fan of Windows 8. I hate the idea of 2 operating systems-the metro interface and the desktop interface. However, I am starting to see why they did this and I expect this to get much, much, much better in the next few years.
The major thing I am seeing with Windows is convertibles. I have seen some pretty sleek tablet/laptop hybrids where you can detach the screen from the keyboard and use as a tablet instead. They also have laptops that move 360 degrees.
This is a major feature for Windows. Features like this are going to make Mac OSx look ancient very soon. That being said I still prefer Mac OSx to Windows but for the first time I have been seriously looking at Window convertibles.
Apple has already started merging OSx and iOS to a certain extent but they honestly need to start working on a convertible here pretty soon. People are moving away from computers and more into tablets and larger smartphones however they still want the power of a computer and a keyboard so a convertible laptop is the next best thing. Also, huge advantage is all these are touchscreens as well so you get both a laptop and a tablet and the same experience on both with Windows 8.
Apple really needs to figure out how to merge an iPad and a Macbook Air together and pretty fast
One thing Apple needs to do to stay up top is to keep innovating. That is what brought them to the top and they need to keep doing it. Samsung is losing money like crazy but they are innovating fast. Google is innovating and moving along quickly while Apple is playing catch up for the first time.
They are also making some questionable decisions. They did a stock re-purchase program and with that money they could of bought Twitter, about 5 other companies and dumped billions of dollars into R and D for the same price they bought back some of there stock. Not sure that was the best decision for them. They are hoarding a ton of cash and I think they could of used that money much more wisely.
I am a huge fan of Apple because I like how there software flows and I like how there hardware and software work very well together. I don't think they build any more premium products than anyone else though anymore. There is nothing special about the iPhone compared to a Samsung S5 or HTC or a Nokia Lumia as far as build quality. I was extremely disappointed in the size of the iPhone 6 plus. It has a .2inch smaller screen than the Note 3 but is .2inch taller and it shows. It's a humongous phone and you wouldn't think .2inch would make a big difference but it does. With the money and R and D there is no reason they needed to make that phone so big with so much room below and above the screen. When they do things like this is has me scratching my head.
Anyways, what do you guys think about my assessment?
There is no doubt that Apple is making money like you wouldn't believe. In fact, it is possible they may become the first trillion dollar company ever. They have a valuation of 600 billion.
That being said I am starting to see some major issues with there company and wanted to see if you agree. We all know that companies tend to go through phases and when they were once at the top they become out innovated by another company. MSFT was once at the top and now trying to re-invent itself. Google is the King of the internet. Apple has rose, fell and now have risen again thanks to the iPhone.
So this is the problems I am seeing with Apple and I am a huge Apple fan but not as much as I was 3 or 4 years ago.
1) Android and Android phones are rolling out features left and right and innovating very fast. You can get features on Android that are just simply not available on the iPhone. This was not necessarily the case 5 years ago. I am starting to see a trend where Android is really starting to outshine iOS platform. iOS is becoming stagnant and frankly pretty boring. I moved to Android last year with a Note 3 and I honestly don't know if I could ever go back to an iPhone and 3 years ago I would never consider leaving iPhone that's how much I loved it. That is a pretty big statement right there where my loyalty has switched.
2) I am not a huge fan of Windows 8. I hate the idea of 2 operating systems-the metro interface and the desktop interface. However, I am starting to see why they did this and I expect this to get much, much, much better in the next few years.
The major thing I am seeing with Windows is convertibles. I have seen some pretty sleek tablet/laptop hybrids where you can detach the screen from the keyboard and use as a tablet instead. They also have laptops that move 360 degrees.
This is a major feature for Windows. Features like this are going to make Mac OSx look ancient very soon. That being said I still prefer Mac OSx to Windows but for the first time I have been seriously looking at Window convertibles.
Apple has already started merging OSx and iOS to a certain extent but they honestly need to start working on a convertible here pretty soon. People are moving away from computers and more into tablets and larger smartphones however they still want the power of a computer and a keyboard so a convertible laptop is the next best thing. Also, huge advantage is all these are touchscreens as well so you get both a laptop and a tablet and the same experience on both with Windows 8.
Apple really needs to figure out how to merge an iPad and a Macbook Air together and pretty fast
One thing Apple needs to do to stay up top is to keep innovating. That is what brought them to the top and they need to keep doing it. Samsung is losing money like crazy but they are innovating fast. Google is innovating and moving along quickly while Apple is playing catch up for the first time.
They are also making some questionable decisions. They did a stock re-purchase program and with that money they could of bought Twitter, about 5 other companies and dumped billions of dollars into R and D for the same price they bought back some of there stock. Not sure that was the best decision for them. They are hoarding a ton of cash and I think they could of used that money much more wisely.
I am a huge fan of Apple because I like how there software flows and I like how there hardware and software work very well together. I don't think they build any more premium products than anyone else though anymore. There is nothing special about the iPhone compared to a Samsung S5 or HTC or a Nokia Lumia as far as build quality. I was extremely disappointed in the size of the iPhone 6 plus. It has a .2inch smaller screen than the Note 3 but is .2inch taller and it shows. It's a humongous phone and you wouldn't think .2inch would make a big difference but it does. With the money and R and D there is no reason they needed to make that phone so big with so much room below and above the screen. When they do things like this is has me scratching my head.
Anyways, what do you guys think about my assessment?
As for the iPhone 6, you'll have to try again before I'll upgrade Apple. I just don't see enough there to move me away from my 4S and I hate the new trend towards the larger phones.
I don't know that Apples reign is over but if some of the other players make the right moves I'd say they'll end up on equal footing in the near future. I think the loss of a guy like Jobs will leave them looking for vision and leadership for a few years which could be the perfect opportunity for the others to leap over them.
One last thing, Microsoft can shove Windows 8 up their ass.
But I would not trade my Samsung Galaxy 4S for my wife's iphone5 for anything. Well, not literally.... But since no one would pay me to use an iphone, I would not give up my superior and easier to use Galaxy for the outdated iphone product. Trying to use her phone is like going back to 2011. That seems like decades ago in tech years.
Apple has gotten a little comfortable with their cash cow and is not being innovative enough to keep up with the tech pack. They used to be the leader, now they have become the follower. The follower with the most cash, but still a follower.
The Shop
I have an ipad air as well, but just dont use it, i run the lap top at home, and the iphone when travelling, I am going to give it to my neice and nephew for xmas,
I had a play around with a samsung, but i have always liked how apple works with each other, and I am not that technical to outdo the limits of the anything, and the iphone 6 on my plan was the same price as the samsung anyway,
Not much to look at, shitty camera and not many features, but that thing was tough as nails! Dropped it in the lake a couple times, ran over it with a Peterbilt when I left it on the rear tire while doing some maintenance, dropped it numerous times, that thing never died. It's beat and battered but works like a charm.
Back on topic, anyone seen the movie "Jobs?" Pretty cool movie, watched it the other night on Netflix. Talks about the rise and fall and rise of Apple. Jobs played a big part in making sure everyone else followed them. Now that he's gone, who knows.
This is a good article on Microsoft. Kinda off topic but a good read if your interested.
http://www.vanityfair.com/business/2014/11/satya-nadella-bill-gates-steve-ballmer-microsoft
http://financesonline.com/how-iphone-is-made/
I am old enough to remember their big "Big Brother" Superbowl commercial in the 80s. Then, similar to Google, they just went ahead and acted worse.
Then you have the fact their Chinese workers are hurling themselves out of Windows on a regular basis because of slave-like working conditions.
And Windows 8 is an abomination. I have it on two computers and can hardly do a thing. It totally sucks!
I am also pretty fed up with the cheap-ass HP laptops I have been buying.
We need some new players in this industry.
I've never gone in for the smart phones. Call me a fuddy-duddy, a Ludite, whatever. I use my phone to make phone calls and reluctantly text. Plus there are 5 phones on my account (family, you know), and I'm not about to take on an extra car payment just so people can visit Pinterest every 10 minutes and send pictures of cats to friends.
Now it looks like I'm the send tretter I've always believed I am.
That's right, send tretter. I'm so far ahead of the curve I can say it any way I please. Watch for people to be using that term in the near future. It will be all over the webbernet.
H
Android and iOS kind of compete, but kind of don't. Apple sells high end shit and has that cornered. Android is also fragmented... all the manufacturers add their own layers on top. Just look at some of the comments in this thread, normal people who aren't tech nuts like that Apple stuff all works the same.
Why would Apple want to merge the iPad and Macbook Air? Completely different type of device.
Product Hunt
I wish apple would put more effort into designing more software. That's where they seem to be lacking.
They could get back into iWeb and make it better-it's a wonderful way to create websites but they discontinued it. They could also make a powerful note taking app like Evernote instead or there basic Notes app and the same with reminders.
I am interested to see what they replace iPhoto with as that is being done away with and I love iPhoto. Just love it.
If they would just start innovating more and putting more resources into developing great software they could stay on top.
Pit Row
Apple got so popular, I expect people will be looking for a "new" version of it in another company and after a few years circle back around dipping back in to Microsoft etc.
3rd party developers will always create better software because they're specialized. They have to "one up" the default apps, otherwise nobody would buy them. Having great OoB software helps, but they also want a strong developer presence.
With that said, I agree that integration is huge, and something that every company should focus more on. Microsoft should know that because of how successful active directory is, but they are still lacking. I do have high expectations for windows 10. Windows 8 missed the mark...8.1 brought the vision into perspective, and 10 should nail it. It's always been that every other OS is a flop, for some reason.
They still own that market as far as tablet vendors are concerned as well.
http://rt.com/news/193032-mac-infected-hackers-reddit/
Also, windows phone has a pretty low risk of malware...the lowest of the "big three." Android has the highest, and interestingly enough, has the highest market share.
Edit: I scanned to fast my bad.
Updated on 11-06-2014 by Jeffrey Van Camp: An Apple representative has told Digital Trends that “We are aware of malicious software available from a download site aimed at users in China, and we’ve blocked the identified apps to prevent them from launching. As always, we recommend that users download and install software from trusted sources.”
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/wirelurker-malware-targets-ios-user…
I get it, you're a fanboy.
Take it easy pope man.
Mobile devices...I have an android tablet, and have used android phones for a while. I recently switched to a Nokia 928. WP8.1. I've been exploring the possibility of getting an exchange mcse, as well.
Wood, you can't call someone a fanboy if you're an MCSE.
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