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Where's Apple Inc. going?

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Armchair quarterback?

I think you aren't paying attention. The idea of an iPad mini flies in the face of the design ethos that Jobs had created over the past twenty years. Some people are just more sensitive to direction than others. Perhaps you are relatively insensitive to style.


First and foremost you contradict yourself in the above quote. First you say they have a duty to make profession and updated products. Then you go on say that there was nothing wrong with the previous 17" laptop.

People like to armchair quarterback all day and don't know the actual reasoning behind why a certain decision is made. As you probably know Apple doesn't manufacture anything except cases and motherboard designs. EVERYTHING else Apple uses are technologies other companies create. That said Apple is very good at making a product someone else makes and making it something that the original manufacturer only dreamed of.

You mention the kepler graphics. That is still a great video card. Apple has NEVER put in top of the line mobile GPU's and I am not sure why you would expect them to. They aren't creating gaming laptops they create professional laptops and that card is just fine for mobile professionals. If it isn't then your job requires a laptop that is 3" thick or a desktop plain and simple.

The lack of a MacPro is mainly because there honestly is no reason to rev them. Intel's current lineup of Xeon's aren't a huge change from what exists. Sure they have cooler stuff but it is designed for Server markets not high end desktop markets. So that said for them to invest such a large cost in a machine that will yield an end-user only USB3 and SATA3 and newer graphics cards it makes no sense for a refresh until Intel has something that is worth it. The MacPro is a very low volume machine, I think they made the right choice by dumping the prices and thats it. Even by todays standards it is still a fast machine a little spendy sure but Apple has a placed a value for what a machine of that caliber costs and they need to stick by it. If they dump the entry levels way down it lowers the perceived value of the MacPro brand and that ISN'T good for business. This is the longest they have ever gone without a refresh to this product line and it needs a refresh the problem again lies in vendors ability to supply new technology for Apple to package.

The iMac's in my opinion have been kept back in anticipation of a new display from a vendor. We shall see though. The mac mini won't get refreshed until the iMac does as they don't want those to have better features than the iMac.
 
It's interesting. Hackintoshes are not perceived as "Cool" by the public at large, or even the tech set. Those (us) that think they are cool are a very, very small minority.

On the other hand, the MBP is a (fashion) necessity for so many people. And in certain circles, the MP Is a must have accessory.

You can argue the other brands are ugly, that you are used to OSX, but think about it- If you were running SL two years ago, you probably had to update (read: Buy new software) everything when you updated to ML. Did you really want to pay money to change everything up (that was already functional)? IF your answer is "yes", Apple loves YOU.

This is right and this is the biggest problem. Apple is a fashion accessory. So, for the people that have been using the products for the past ten, twenty years - because they work great, this is not a good thing. Its quite possible Apple will become a victim of its own success. Nothing lasts forever.

I can definitively say after having the iPhone 5 for the past week, that it has nothing over the 4. I like the style of the 4 better. The 5 is lighter, but that is the only thing I like BETTER about it. Now, I don't dislike the iPhone 5... I just don't think it is any better than the 4.
 
Armchair quarterback?

I think you aren't paying attention. The idea of an iPad mini flies in the face of the design ethos that Jobs had created over the past twenty years. Some people are just more sensitive to direction than others. Perhaps you are relatively insensitive to style.

Kiyyto when in my posts have I EVER mentioned anything about an iPad mini?

Secondly now you are judging a company over a product that they haven't released? Sure there are very strong grumblings but that doesn't mean you know all the facts.

Thirdly I agree that the iPad mini(by rumor) is sort of a silly product. I never understood why anyone would want a 7" tablet, other than price.

Also your early ramblings about the iPhone 5. Ok so in your OPINION you think it looks worse and is not worthy of an upgrade. Cool, millions of people think the opposite. Everyone has a product that for them is the pinnacle. For you that sounds like the iPhone 4. For me, not so much.

You also mentioned about not wanting to upgrade from your current older gen MBP. Great yeah they haven't changed the body style so... They have certainly changed the internals and to me and lots of people in this world it is what we want. I don't understand your argument. It almost seems to me that people expect Apple to completely revolutionize every product they make every year. As mentioned earlier Apple is in the business of packaging goods not creating technology.

About killing the 17" yes lots of people loved that laptop I have had one for a very long time. I always bought the biggest screen because it had the best resolution. The retina machine strikes that perfect balance of high resolution and smaller physical space. What does that equate to? Well people that have normal eye sight can get a really nice display and be able to see more of their work on a smaller space. I agree though it sucks if your eyes suck. Me being such a big fan of the 17" though will also be the first to tell you the physical dimensions are a bit absurd and the weight kinda sucks. At the end of the day most of the people screaming at the death of the 17" are probably the same people that wish they made a 19" or 21" laptop. At a certain point the portable just isn't so portable. Yes I understand we are talking about a few inches and a few pounds but as ALL of you have said in this post Apple is the company that knows where the market is going before it has arrived. They are an extremely strategic company. I remember when they launched the iPod and was like who in the world is going to buy that stupid thing? Most of Apple's best ideas I have really hated at first. It is always a challenge to get people out of their comfort zone and try something new that they never thought they would ever like.
 
Even when Apple does a "Battery Replacement" they still just issue you a new phone. The Genius doesn't actually ever take-apart your product and install a battery. It is cheaper and easier to send things out and get refurbished then it is to repair them in-house.

Secondly this Foxconn debate is a debate for EVERYONE. There isn't a single major electronics manufacturer that doesn't use some sort of this labor. These practices took place when Jobs was at the helm as well nothing has changed here and I doubt anything will. Apple gets placed with all the blame because Apple is Foxconn's biggest client plain and simple. At the end of the day Apple has no control on how a third party will treat their employees other than to move their business elsewhere. Foxconn knows that that won't happen so they have little incentive to give up their massive profits. Sure Apple can and has subsidized some of these workers pay but again this isn't an Apple problem it's a Chinese government problem.(Withstanding Apple leaving to yet another factory that practices the same behaviors.)

Long story short spend $30 bucks on a battery and replace it yourself it takes all of 5 minutes. Either that or Apple replace your phone. Also the reason they can't give you one with iOS 5 is because of the aforementioned refurbishing process. That said the vast majority of people I know that actually USE the maps app have had ZERO issues. The biggest thing I have personally noticed is if I am somewhere and am looking for something the results aren't as good as they were. For instance the other day I wanted kfc. I typed kfc into the app. It only found 2 really far away. Did it again typing kentucky fried chicken and it found the ones closer to me. A nuance yes but things that will change. I have NEVER been failed by actually typing an address though. My job involves me driving to 5-8 different locations a day only by address as well. So yes you can say I live by the maps app.

Be very weary of the crap you read in the blogosphere. These outlets have only one goal and that is viewership. If they can run controversial stories and show the industry giant has somehow failed then they will as it get eyes. The real indicator in my mind of the health of a company is only by quarterly reports and stock market performance. Those have done nothing but go up since Jobs.

Dear Einsteiniac, it seems that you don't get the point of this topic. We're just telling things the way we see it about Apple Inc. Yes things have changed and no one can say the opposite. We're not trying to fight with each other here so please come down. And I must correct you about a few things. After a long struggle I managed to get my battery replaced and yes a Genius did took apart my phone. In order to get there I had make an appointment a the Genius bar, get there about 10 minutes earlier and ask for a manager, explained my situation and he then gave the instruction to his Genius, in front of me, to go replace the damn battery.

Foxconn may be a debate for everyone, and Foxconn is not Apple. But Apple chose Foxconn, that's my issue. How can a company, coming form a such free and righteous country, work with this Chinese company that exploits merely every employee. Apple have many possibilities rather than working with Foxconn particularly for the price people are paying at an Apple store.

Then I'd like to point out the battery issue, yes I can replace the battery myself, and for cheap but I see no reason why I should pay for a battery replacement! I payed about 600 bucks for the damned phone and the warranty covers it, why in the world should I pay for it?? And besides I am IT guy and I'm surely capable of replacing the battery but tell me about an old person, or any who is not skilled enough, what shall they do?

Finally, this is nothing I read out from your so called "blogosphere" of yours. This are things I believe and thought on my own. Besides I don't know where you live but I live in Paris and the new Maps App just doesn't work here. It can even find my home when I type in my address. So if I may tell, I believe that you should get out your comfort zone and start to se from other people's point of view. Most of us are Mac users, so we are no Android or Windows user trying to say that Apple sucks, we are telling what we see as professional users, and here understand professional as linked to professions.
 
Cool, millions of people think the opposite.

This particular sentence bothers me a lot. What did Apple Inc. used to say? "Apple Think Different". Please explain how being like millions of people is different?

Amuse me please!
 
This particular sentence bothers me a lot. What did Apple Inc. used to say? "Apple Think Different". Please explain how being like millions of people is different?

Amuse me please!

Think Different was a marketing campaign from well over 10 years ago. It's sole purpose was to invoke the curiosity of the minds that don't follow the herds. So that Apple can have its own herd. Do you honestly think Apple is in business to service 5% of the world? No, just like most every company they are in it for a few reasons.

• Make ungodly amounts of money.
• Leave a legacy.
• Get people on your wave length to create a following and have power and influence.

Now that all said what you do with the above goals is what sets people and companies apart.

It almost seems to me that your mad that Apple isn't your cool hipster friend any more now that they have gone all main stream.
 
Eisnteiniac, you don't need to be disrespectful to prove your point, which so far you haven't. So please understand our concern here. You don't agree, very well you've said it but don't keep throwing your inappropriate answers. And I hope you apologize to me for your above aggressions. I don't want a hipster company because hipsters are something that I dislike very deeply. I am talking here of professional matters. So please go hipster other people somewhere else. And if you did not understand my last post it was irony. I don't want Apple to keep in the past, technology moves fast, and so must Apple but they can do it properly. Throwing new connectors on every device, redesigning the charger to go back to the previous presentation only smaller is not interesting,selling unfinished OS's this is not progress. This is taking advantage of your success and eventually people will stop using Apple products when they will stop working. And no I'm not trying to tear anybody apart, the total opposite, I'm trying to gather people's point of view to see if my thoughts are wrong or right, my thoughts not world's thoughts!
 
Dear Einsteiniac, it seems that you don't get the point of this topic. We're just telling things the way we see it about Apple Inc. Yes things have changed and no one can say the opposite. We're not trying to fight with each other here so please come down. And I must correct you about a few things. After a long struggle I managed to get my battery replaced and yes a Genius did took apart my phone. In order to get there I had make an appointment a the Genius bar, get there about 10 minutes earlier and ask for a manager, explained my situation and he then gave the instruction to his Genius, in front of me, to go replace the damn battery.

Foxconn may be a debate for everyone, and Foxconn is not Apple. But Apple chose Foxconn, that's my issue. How can a company, coming form a such free and righteous country, work with this Chinese company that exploits merely every employee. Apple have many possibilities rather than working with Foxconn particularly for the price people are paying at an Apple store.

Then I'd like to point out the battery issue, yes I can replace the battery myself, and for cheap but I see no reason why I should pay for a battery replacement! I payed about 600 bucks for the damned phone and the warranty covers it, why in the world should I pay for it?? And besides I am IT guy and I'm surely capable of replacing the battery but tell me about an old person, or any who is not skilled enough, what shall they do?

Finally, this is nothing I read out from your so called "blogosphere" of yours. This are things I believe and thought on my own. Besides I don't know where you live but I live in Paris and the new Maps App just doesn't work here. It can even find my home when I type in my address. So if I may tell, I believe that you should get out your comfort zone and start to se from other people's point of view. Most of us are Mac users, so we are no Android or Windows user trying to say that Apple sucks, we are telling what we see as professional users, and here understand professional as linked to professions.

I am certainly not fighting with anybody I am pointing out holes in arguments and filling them with my own opinions or facts. If you think that's fighting I would hate to see what other conversations with you are like.

Bark loud enough at an Apple store and yes you will get what you want. The most likely thing that happened though is that he took the phone he was going to replace yours with and took out its battery then swapped it in yours. Apple had a pilot program to repair iPhones in the stores and it largely failed. I tell you this as fact not opinion. Now that said I am unfamiliar with Apple's retail operations outside the US but knowing the company like I do I would find it hard to believe they operate much differently.

I understand the point of the warranty you have a product in warranty and want it replaced in warranty. That said read that terms of that service contract. Nowhere does it say that they have fix that particular phone just that they will fix the issue. Again I am glad you got them to do it I was merely stating operationally what was happening in the store.

This Foxconn debate could be a whole separate forum. :) Suffice it to say when manufacturing products overseas with ANY company you will run into these poor working/living conditions. If they left Foxconn today and went to another provider there would still be the same issues. Until the Chinese government steps in and protects the rights of these humans this is what will happen. Now the argument is ok well manufacture in the US, Canada, or Mexico. That is fine but would you want to pay $800 for an item that was $600 last week? That then has a bunch of other ripple effects. I completely support the rights of labor workers but placing blame on Apple or Microsoft, or Samsung, or Sony is just wrong. It doesn't solve the real issue.

Lastly about the Maps app again I am not familiar with the happenings outside of my country as I don't live there. I am sorry it sucks so much for you there. I am referring to the large number of bloggers that are reporting these issues as if they affected their audience(USA) when the issues are very few and far between here. That all said I really do agree I think they screwed the pooch with the launch of Maps. I would have liked to have seen it kick off as, we still have Google Maps there but if you want turn by turn directions and 3D view etc check out the new Maps BETA.
 
Eisnteiniac, you don't need to be disrespectful to prove your point, which so far you haven't. So please understand our concern here. You don't agree, very well you've said it but don't keep throwing your inappropriate answers. And I hope you apologize to me for your above aggressions. I don't want a hipster company because hipsters are something that I dislike very deeply. I am talking here of professional matters. So please go hipster other people somewhere else. And if you did not understand my last post it was irony. I don't want Apple to keep in the past, technology moves fast, and so must Apple but they can do it properly. Throwing new connectors on every device, redesigning the charger to go back to the previous presentation only smaller is not interesting,selling unfinished OS's this is not progress. This is taking advantage of your success and eventually people will stop using Apple products when they will stop working. And no I'm not trying to tear anybody apart, the total opposite, I'm trying to gather people's point of view to see if my thoughts are wrong or right, my thoughts not world's thoughts!

I am not here to prove a point and I think that is where you are getting confused. As I said in the last post I am pointing out holes in arguments and injecting my own facts and opinions. That is what a discussion is. I am not here to convert any of you to my own way of thinking but honestly just show other sides of the coin that you may have never seen. You do realize the difference between a discussion and a debate right? You said very clearly you wanted a discussion on where Apple Inc was going. I am contributing my knowledge to the discussion. Debating on where you think a company is headed when you aren't the one at the helm of said company is useless.

I have read over everything I have written again three times and I don't see me giving inappropriate responses in any of them. I think you are reading my responses as direct attacks against you which they clearly aren't They are just intended to impart knowledge. How you wish to receive that knowledge is your choice not mine.

Please reread my last post. I never called YOU a hipster I called Apple a hipster.

As far as the connector goes In this iteration of iPhone it seems largely like a pointless scheme. That said it is my belief it is part of a bigger picture. It is the connector for a device that truly needs it for the space concerns. And sense this connector is used across all of the iDevices it is important to get headway early and let the aftermarket flourish. So that when said device drops it isn't playing catchup. That said I wish that one of the convertors was given in each iPhone 5 I think it would have eased this transition.

What OS is unfinished? Are you referring to iOS 6? It isn't the OS that isn't finished, its an App that isn't.
 
I am certainly not fighting with anybody I am pointing out holes in arguments and filling them with my own opinions or facts. If you think that's fighting I would hate to see what other conversations with you are like.

You really are an aggressive person. You aren't really saying anything except that, "if you don't agree with me than you are wrong."
 
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