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Apple’s 2016 in review

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Re: Apple’s 2016 in review

#31

Post by datasage »

tsujamin wrote: post #19
mrmondo wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Of all the MacBooks, MacBook Pros and idevices I've had over the years (including my still running perfectly Jan 2011 MBP) I've never had a single issue with any power cord tearing / breaking or power supply even fail as far as I can remember. I always assume when I hear of people with this problem that they're disrespecting their hardware by jamming it in doors / desks or perhaps have pets that chew on them.

I'm onto charger 4 now I think? Usually have to replace it every ~12 months due to either cable sheath detatching from the inner cable and then splitting as I wind it up. Atleast two of them have also shorted out or only charged my macbook tl;dr they're pretty trash, but maybe so are other chargers.

My solution was to get one for work and another for home, and the only time I ever wrapped up the cable is when I am traveling.

Re: Apple’s 2016 in review

#32

Post by shmerl »

hoodoof wrote: post #20

Apple has forgotten how to compete in the computer industry. In the old days there was a ruthless and relentless refresh cycle with manufacturers working hard and fast to trump each other with more advanced products. Apple appears to simply no longer have that cycle as part of its business DNA, and no longer seems to even understand that is what the computer industry is (or was) about. I am looking ever more favorabl…

You started talking about hardware, but somehow switched to OSes. PC hardware is not tied to Windows and MacOS.

Re: Apple’s 2016 in review

#33

Post by aresant »

Apple is the world's most profitable business - twice the profits of #2 (JP Morgan Chase) and almost a 4x magnitude over Google.(1)

I agree with the author's final assessment - "meets expectations with some areas that need improvement" - and I think this is the key.

They are stoking the fire, keeping it burning, but clearly their focus seems to be diminished on their core business.

And even companies of this scale need hyper focus to drive what seem like small but obvious improvements, usually executives are faced with two choices:

(a) Focus on today's business and unlock maximum value in your product line / distribution.

(b) Innovate to turn a corner and plan for tomorrow.

I am surprised at how few people attribute the current challenges at Apple to what I suspect is an internal focus on planning for tomorrow.

How much more profitable is the iPhone going to get? The smartphone market is approaching saturation (2)

So what does the leadership do?

Are laptops, imacs, and apple pro's the future?

No, they barely represent 9% of Apples sales and have been FLAT for years (3)

What about Apple TV & Apple Watch (the "other" category) - those have already grown to 6% of sales - and moving in the right direction.

But is that it?

My suspicion is that Apple / Tim Cook knows something BIG that we don't that they are going to get PERFECT while they still have the cash fire hose of the iPhone to drive the engine.

(1) http://fortune.com/2016/06/08/fortune-500-most-profitable-co...

(2) https://www.cnet.com/news/smartphone-markets-glory-days-are-...

(3) http://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/26/q1-2016-results/

Re: Apple’s 2016 in review

#34

Post by jay_kyburz »

mrmondo wrote: post #13
ams6110 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Henry Ford: "If I asked people what they want, they'd say 'faster horses'"

Exactly, I find myself needing to use this quote all too often but it is a wonderfully well considered statement on product engineering.

Really? I have a lot of hay, and it grows in my field for free. Horse manure goes well on my roses. I don't have petrol. I really did want a faster horse.

Re: Apple’s 2016 in review

#35

Post by seanmcdirmid »

lowbloodsugar wrote: post #8

In 2009 I bought my first Apple product: an 8GB 13" MacBook Pro that cost $3000 ($1000 for the extra 4gb, like a dumbass). Quite soon after I got an iPhone 3GS. Now every computer in the house (family of four) is an Apple. Every phone is an Apple. Even AirPlay was an influencing factor in selecting a hi-fi receiver (HTR7065). Apple TVs sit next to actual TVs. Yesterday I replaced our fleet of TimeCapsules and Airport…

If you think MBPs have problems, it's nothing compared to the issues I've had with Surface. Microsoft really needs to execute much better in addition to creating innovative experiences, firmware and driver meltdowns aren't fun.

Heck, Apple has become the "conservative" choice for a computer that is boring but will work with fewer problems. How we got here I have no idea.

Re: Apple’s 2016 in review

#36

Post by Niksko »

I think this is a fair article and it echoes a lot of my sentiments. Something is going wrong over at Apple. No, they're not going to go out of business soon, but I think the sheer volume of criticism they've been receiving (not just from users, but also from noted Apple advocates) is troubling, and they need to do something about it.

My standout is the battery case they released a few years ago. The design of that case is just unspeakably hideous. They need somebody with a Jobsian level of ruthlessness, attention to detail and unified vision to steer the ship back in the right direction. Another example here would be the fact (mentioned in this article) that they effectively copied the rest of the market by providing a larger phone. The Apple of old didn't do this. They didn't really follow market trends, they started them. And then to be flummoxed by demand when people responded so positively to smaller phones is baffling to me.

I wouldn't be surprised if we see some C level leadership changes some time this year.

Re: Apple’s 2016 in review

#37

Post by jakelarkin »

the brand new Macbook Pro has last-generation Intel CPUs. I remember when Jobs announced one of the first Intel Macbook Pros with chips that no other manufacturer had even been given the chance to ship yet.

Re: Apple’s 2016 in review

#38

Post by Reedx »

panic wrote: post #5

How do they fix this? They need to do more talking — and even more listening — with their users. Engage with the influencers. Sit down and find out what their developers need that the current products don’t offer. Find out what is making their users unhappy. Asking people what they want will give you predictable results: complaints about any kind of change and positive feedback about shiny-looking features that demo…

Yep. I imagine this is (at least in part) why Blackberry and Palm didn't invent the iPhone. Prior to Apple's entry, how many people were saying what they wanted in a smartphone was to remove all those buttons?

Re: Apple’s 2016 in review

#39

Post by lobster_johnson »

lowbloodsugar wrote: post #8

In 2009 I bought my first Apple product: an 8GB 13" MacBook Pro that cost $3000 ($1000 for the extra 4gb, like a dumbass). Quite soon after I got an iPhone 3GS. Now every computer in the house (family of four) is an Apple. Every phone is an Apple. Even AirPlay was an influencing factor in selecting a hi-fi receiver (HTR7065). Apple TVs sit next to actual TVs. Yesterday I replaced our fleet of TimeCapsules and Airport…

It's not a rumour -- Apple has dissolved their internal router/networking group.

Re: Apple’s 2016 in review

#40

Post by tajen »

mrmondo wrote: post #15
quasse wrote: post #6

The day Apple makes a power cord that doesn't have a cable sheath with the consistency and durability of silly putty is the day I will recognize them as back on track. It's a small detail, but the power cord is the one part of the computer that users have no choice but to interact with every day and they've been ignoring the problems with them for the better part of half a decade. Every Mac at work either has detache…

Of all the MacBooks, MacBook Pros and idevices I've had over the years (including my still running perfectly Jan 2011 MBP) I've never had a single issue with any power cord tearing / breaking or power supply even fail as far as I can remember. I always assume when I hear of people with this problem that they're disrespecting their hardware by jamming it in doors / desks or perhaps have pets that chew on them.

I've destroyed the adapter by carrying it twice a day in my backpack. Who could have guessed Macbook Pro users are on the go. It's not a door, it's not jamming it between tables, but it's an inevitable place where it ends up being.
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