Some of Apple's recent announcements are quite exciting. Apple AR and VR is certainly a nice move in the right direction -- a platform vision that allows for future growth. In fact, IOS 11 in general is a nice lift for iPad, and albeit nominal shift for iPhone.
What concerns me is the ego-driven product release cycle. Skip iPhone 7s, release iPhone 8 instead, and oh, wait, also skip 9 and release iPhone X. This feels 10x more like a publicity stunt than it does good consumer engagement. IPhone 7 was an acceptable evolutionary change from iPhone 6s, maybe most importantly because of adding waterproof design (even though I still dislike the lack of a headphone jack). The more people I talk to, I think the consumers really were happy with iPhone 6s, and would have been happy with the SAME phone with added waterproof design. I suggest this in reaction to the strong response to iPhone SE -- a classic form factor with updated internals, and people loved it, even more than Apple would like to admit.
I am all for innovation, but when ego and marketing drive delivery instead of maturing the tech, you end up with some of the same issues we are seeing: supply and manufacturing issues with iPhone X. A half-baked aesthetic of iPhone X (really? you LIKE that little cut-out for camera stuff on that screen?). Or even worse, a new generation of iPhone 8 and 8 plus that is selling terribly because people don't see any value over the previous model, or a big difference in perceived value with the "also" coming iPhone X.
This technogeek's opinion is that iPhone 8 was a complete waste of time. Better to have put the extra resources into making iPhone X something even more crisp. Don't skimp on the wireless charging tech. Make the screen perfect and beautiful without open doors for criticism, make sure all of the tech works perfectly and scales before announcing dates for preorder, make sure all suppliers are ready to meet demand. This is 101 stuff here, no company should jump that deep without planning better, least of all with ALSO trying to release a lackluster evolutionary design *JUST* because "we always do that."
What is your thought? Is the same thing happening with Apple Watch? or iPad ? Are other device manufacturers doing better? or worse? I'm scrappy, start a argument with me here, or on twitter @aschwabe
What concerns me is the ego-driven product release cycle. Skip iPhone 7s, release iPhone 8 instead, and oh, wait, also skip 9 and release iPhone X. This feels 10x more like a publicity stunt than it does good consumer engagement. IPhone 7 was an acceptable evolutionary change from iPhone 6s, maybe most importantly because of adding waterproof design (even though I still dislike the lack of a headphone jack). The more people I talk to, I think the consumers really were happy with iPhone 6s, and would have been happy with the SAME phone with added waterproof design. I suggest this in reaction to the strong response to iPhone SE -- a classic form factor with updated internals, and people loved it, even more than Apple would like to admit.
I am all for innovation, but when ego and marketing drive delivery instead of maturing the tech, you end up with some of the same issues we are seeing: supply and manufacturing issues with iPhone X. A half-baked aesthetic of iPhone X (really? you LIKE that little cut-out for camera stuff on that screen?). Or even worse, a new generation of iPhone 8 and 8 plus that is selling terribly because people don't see any value over the previous model, or a big difference in perceived value with the "also" coming iPhone X.
This technogeek's opinion is that iPhone 8 was a complete waste of time. Better to have put the extra resources into making iPhone X something even more crisp. Don't skimp on the wireless charging tech. Make the screen perfect and beautiful without open doors for criticism, make sure all of the tech works perfectly and scales before announcing dates for preorder, make sure all suppliers are ready to meet demand. This is 101 stuff here, no company should jump that deep without planning better, least of all with ALSO trying to release a lackluster evolutionary design *JUST* because "we always do that."
What is your thought? Is the same thing happening with Apple Watch? or iPad ? Are other device manufacturers doing better? or worse? I'm scrappy, start a argument with me here, or on twitter @aschwabe
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