Does anyone else feel like Apple is becoming too complacent?

[ChrisTX]

Let me start off by saying I have owned 3 of the 5 iPhones, every version of the iPad, several Macs, and Apple TV.

With that being said, I am beginning to feel a little underwhelmed with the new iPhone rumors this year. Last year, I neglected to upgrade my iPhone 4, to the 4S due to the lack of major hardware revision. But also because iOS 5 was so good, it made my iPhone 4 feel like a completely new machine that I didn't find it necessary. However this year the rumors seem a little underwhelming with iOS 6. So far all we have to go on is a replacement for Google Maps(which I might add are quite good, even on the iPhone) for Apples own purported 3D maps. Secondarily, Apple is also rumored to bring major revisions to it's iTunes, iBooks, and AppStore, but what else? I guess I should reserve final judgement until next week, but so far there's just not as much excitement this year.

Don't even get me started on the stretched iPhone 4 design with the headphone jack on the bottom. I don't care if the iPhones screen size never goes beyond 3.5", I have an iPad for those needs. However it just seems like a longer iPhone will have a funny look to it. Maybe I'm just being too nitpicky, but as a longtime Apple Fan(boy) WWDC just doesn't seem as exciting this year. Let's hope the new Macs bring some killer upgrades this year.

Edit: Thanks for moving this, I wash't sure where this belonged.

 

[KnightWRX]

Another one of these threads ? The fact is Apple is being the same Apple they've always been.

And btw, the 4S was a major hardware revision. SGX543MP-2, A5 dual core processor, revised antenna design (auto-switching to prevent the touch of death scenario), much better optics in the camera, better camera sensor. What wasn't major about all those ?

The case being the same ? Some of you guys are way too superficial.

 

[snberk103]

No, I don't.

 

[ppilone]

Serious questions for those members that were active between 2001 - 2007: were these kinds of threads normal back then, too? If Apple introduced the iPod in 2001 and only "upgraded" their computers the next few years was there this same "Apple is too complacent" or "Apple is out of ideas" mentality that there is now?

 

[ChrisTX]

Another one of these threads ? The fact is Apple is being the same Apple they've always been.

And btw, the 4S was a major hardware revision. SGX543MP-2, A5 dual core processor, revised antenna design (auto-switching to prevent the touch of death scenario), much better optics in the camera, better camera sensor. What wasn't major about all those ?

The case being the same ? Some of you guys are way too superficial.

Honestly I like the 4S an an upgrade quite a bit, and what I meant by major hardware revision was mainly external. I wasn't one of those people screaming because there was no complete refresh. Just pointing out that as an iPhone 4 owner, and someone that wasn't eligible for an upgrade, I didn't find it necessary to pay full retail for the 4S.

Serious questions for those members that were active between 2001 - 2007: were these kinds of threads normal back then, too? If Apple introduced the iPod in 2001 and only "upgraded" their computers the next few years was there this same "Apple is too complacent" or "Apple is out of ideas" mentality that there is now?

To be fair, I have been using Macs long before iOS was around (2004 I purchased my first Mac). However with the new batch of rumors(I understand rumors aren't concrete facts) it just seems like the new version of iOS is shaping up to be a bit of a letdown, or minor refresh. Sorry if this topic has been rehashed 1 million times, as I don't tend to read a lot of these types of threads because they're usually started by trolls with the intent to start a flame war. This was a serious question btw, glad to see most of you think the opposite of me.

Just trying not to get my hopes up too high for WWDC, but there are some products in serious need of an upgrade. I know Apple tends to focus on minimalism, but we're nearly half way through the year, and Apple has launched only 1 new product. The second half of 2012 is going to be a busy one for Apple.

 

[takeshi74]

Does anyone else feel like Apple is becoming too complacent?

I'm sure others do but this is just yet another variant of the "company X must do like company Y to succeed" that the armchair analysts like to parrot.

If you're unhappy with any company then vote with your dollars. Use what works for you.

Serious questions for those members that were active between 2001 - 2007: were these kinds of threads normal back then, too? If Apple introduced the iPod in 2001 and only "upgraded" their computers the next few years was there this same "Apple is too complacent" or "Apple is out of ideas" mentality that there is now?

This meme pops up on every discussion forum for every company out there. If it was all true then every company should have failed countless times over.

 

[ChrisTX]

If you're unhappy with any company then vote with your dollars. Use what works for you.

The last Apple purchase I made was the new Apple TV so I'm still happy. Perhaps I'm being a bit too cynical here.

 

[KnightWRX]

Honestly I like the 4S an an upgrade quite a bit, and what I meant by major hardware revision was mainly external.

I don't consider the casing to be hardware. I consider it to be aesthetics. Major hardware revision to me entails more than a case swap.

Who cares what it looks, it's what it does that's important.

----------

To be fair, I have been using Macs long before iOS was around (2004 I purchased my first Mac). However with the new batch of rumors(I understand rumors aren't concrete facts) it just seems like the new version of iOS is shaping up to be a bit of a letdown, or minor refresh.

Like OS X, iOS is becoming more and more mature. You can't always just keep adding things, sometimes whatever is there is good for the long term.

Don't confuse maturity with stagnation. You'll be less stressed about whether companies are becoming complacent or not.

 

[leekohler]

Serious questions for those members that were active between 2001 - 2007: were these kinds of threads normal back then, too? If Apple introduced the iPod in 2001 and only "upgraded" their computers the next few years was there this same "Apple is too complacent" or "Apple is out of ideas" mentality that there is now?

Not at all. Apple was innovating at a breakneck pace back then. Things changed fast. I'd love for them to use a different material for laptops- like carbon fiber. Now they seem to just keep making the same old things over and over with aluminum and glass.

 

[ppilone]

Not at all. Apple was innovating at a breakneck pace back then. Things changed fast. I'd love for them to use a different material for laptops- like carbon fiber. Now they seem to just keep making the same old things over and over with aluminum and glass.

But if you look at 2007 - 2010 you've got iPhone, iPad, and unibody laptops (still aluminum but entirely new build process). I suppose since 2010 things have been more evolutionary than revolutionary, but that feels like an awful short time to start throwing out things like "complacent".

Edit: And the MBA during that time.

 

[LethalWolfe]

Serious questions for those members that were active between 2001 - 2007: were these kinds of threads normal back then, too? If Apple introduced the iPod in 2001 and only "upgraded" their computers the next few years was there this same "Apple is too complacent" or "Apple is out of ideas" mentality that there is now?

They existed but weren't quite so prevalent. People complained about the finish of the TiBooks rubbing off, only speed-bump upgrades, the well-past-its-prime G4 CPU, why doesn't Apple offer low-priced Macs, Apple is stupid for releasing an over-priced, under-featured MP3 player, etc.,. 2007-present has seen record growth in snobbery and whining though. The makeup of MR has changed but so has the makeup of Apple customers.


Lethal

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

Based on this report - http://gizmodo.com/5916101/samsung-...m-console+quality-games-straight-to-smart-tvs

If Apple doesn't blow my socks off at WWDC (and I am talking about real announcements with great products - not these BS "leaks") then they are getting complacent.