Is the Innovation Lost?

[macher]

To me Apple without Jobs there hasn't been any innovation, thinking outside the box. I believe that other devices are catching up and will be the iPhones equal. When Jobs was present it's like you knew you were going to get a device that was 'ahead of it's time'.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

The Airpods, Mac Pro and Apple Watch are all nice innovations. Unfortunately 2 of the 3 is quite out of what the consumers want, but that has nothing to do with innovation.

 

[MacDawg]

Incredible that nobody has ever brought this up before on MR... you may be on to something big!

 

[macher]

Incredible that nobody has ever brought this up before on MR... you may be on to something big!

One of my favorite tech reviewer has an interesting video on this. She's referring to the Mac but relevant to the iPhone and Apple in general.

Like I said with the iPhone for me personally when a new release came out I knew I was getting the best smartphone on the market and it was. Now I am not so confident in that anymore.

 

[ACG12]

I believe that other devices are catching up and will be the iPhones equal.

Catching up? Other companies have either caught up or surpassed Apple in terms of hardware. The only reason I stick around is because IOS is still King in terms of ease of use and long term support.

 

[snicklesnackle]

Catching up? Other companies have either caught up or surpassed Apple in terms of hardware. The only reason I stick around is because IOS is still King in terms of ease of use and long term support.

Whose hardware do you think is superior to Apple's? Samsung? HTC? Apple is still king in every respect to me but Samsung and Google are definitely creeping ever closer.

 

[RedOrchestra]

I believe that other devices are catching up and will be the iPhones equal.

I think that is occurring. The big change will come when the consumers believe that "all" premium smartphones are equal in both hardware and OS and they make their purchasing decision solely on price i.e. there will be a downward price war on smartphones ... then we'll see the real winner.

 

[Thor_1]

Is innovation lost? I honestly don't care. But to answer your question, no. Innovation is limited by technology. Sure, there might be new tech Apple could use, but the already $700+ iPhone would cost a lot more and we would have numerous threads whining about that.

I am not an apple fan boy, only have their phones because like @ach12 said above, ease of use. Also I have enough invested in the iPhone (apps, movies) to stick with Apple.

If you don't think they are innovating enough for you, there are numerous other phones you can try.

 

[macher]

Whose hardware do you think is superior to Apple's? Samsung? HTC? Apple is still king in every respect to me but Samsung and Google are definitely creeping ever closer.

I think Apple's hardware is better but not by much. I don't mind the spartan look of the iPhone in fact I prefer it.

At one time I couldn't wait to see Tyrone from the mail room. He's an Android fanboy. His devices always lagged and stuff compared to my iPhones even the Nexus'. I would always tease him and say stuff 'look how my iPhone is as smooth as the day I got it'. Then Ty got the Pixel and I can't do that anymore

 

[macher]

Catching up? Other companies have either caught up or surpassed Apple in terms of hardware. The only reason I stick around is because IOS is still King in terms of ease of use and long term support.

The support factor is what is keeping me with Apple. It's nice to be able to make a Genius Bar appointment and get something done. There are 2 Apple Stores near me that are both a 15-20 minute drive.

I think the ease of use at one time was true. I've been playing with a Pixel for the last week and it's easy to use. Being an iPhone fanboy because of hardware but use pretty much all Google apps(only use iOS apps if I have too), the Pixel has my interest.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Yet another Apple is failing post.

Not selling my stock.

 

[macher]

Yet another Apple is failing post.

Not selling my stock.

Who said Apple was failing? Just because they've lost innovation doesn't mean they are failing.

 

[Vlada011]

iPhone 6 is new design, nice, cool much bettter for me than other cell phones.
But it's hard to make some rapid changes now when all phones are thin and no spaces for changes except completely closed cell phone from glass or similar things...
I afraid only if Apple start to launch some weird colors, they could lost identity.
For now from series 5 colors of all iPhones are something what attract me compare to other cell phones.
Practically no bad iPhone colors, even Rose Gold in eyes of males are not bad. Maybe not to use him, but look nice.
And Matte Black and Jet Black decision is jackpot. Off course I know people will like more Jet Black, but for me is Matte nicer.
If you look other brands than I could say they didn't even have some innovation at all, they follow iPhone and throw different changes and details on their devices.
Off course there are few very nice Androids but not as iPhone 7 or iPhone SE.

iPhone 4/4s and 5/5s were innovation compare to other cell phones before, they looked completely different.
Even first iPhones are specially innovations compare to cell phones from that period. But what now... they only could make again rugged phones or some new technology to show up with flexibile screen or similar.
If they change shape of iPhone it's very hard to make something nicer than this.

 

[C DM]

To me Apple without Jobs there hasn't been any innovation, thinking outside the box. I believe that other devices are catching up and will be the iPhones equal. When Jobs was present it's like you knew you were going to get a device that was 'ahead of it's time'.

There's a whole forum section that has been essentially dedicated to discussing and re-discussing all of this: https://forums.macrumors.com/forums/apple-inc-and-tech-industry.8/

 

[44267547]

To me Apple without Jobs there hasn't been any innovation, thinking outside the box. I believe that other devices are catching up and will be the iPhones equal. When Jobs was present it's like you knew you were going to get a device that was 'ahead of it's time'.

I think the word "Innovation" is being over used and abused in some respects. Apple has expanded to different avenues with different products. But the Airpods and Apple Watch have been popular with a solid future.

The iPhone is in need of a refresh and the changes are likely coming this Fall. Apple has changed, but not for the worse. I think it's a Company branching out to new heights and conforming to the changes with technology.

 

[sunapple]

Boring, this topic is like the iPhone 7: seen it before, always the same.

 

[macher]

I think the word "Innovation" is being over used and abused in some respects. Apple has expanded to different avenues with different products. But the Airpods and Apple Watch have been popular with a solid future.

The iPhone is in need of a refresh and the changes are likely coming this Fall. Apple has changed, but not for the worse. I think it's a Company branching out to new heights and conforming to the changes with technology.

My point is in the past when I purchased an iPhone every release I was confident that I was getting the best smartphone on the market.

I upgraded from a 6 to a 7 because my carrier offered me a subsidized priced iPhone 7 as a retention deal, they don't offer 2 year contracts anymore. I paid $299 for an iPhone 7 128GB. I then sold my iPhone 6 64GB for $325. With 2 year contract subsidies it only makes sense to take advantage of the upgrades no matter what.

Anyway not that I regret upgrading because like I said above I got a new iPhone 7 for free, I would have NEVER upgraded from the 6 to the 7 if I wasn't able to get the retention deal because it's not an innovative upgrade.

Now maybe innovation has plateaued. Google is almost there in my opinion by offering a device with hardware and software that's compatible to the iPhone. People say 'the Pixel looks like an iPhone'. That's irrelevant IMO.

 

[maflynn]

I believe that other devices are catching up and will be the iPhones equal

That's already happened, and in fact, I'd say the iPhone was frequently behind the curve, even when Jobs was around.

Lest we forget that that iOS did not have cut and paste while other phones had that feature?

The curved display, wireless charging, are two further examples Apple's competitors out doing Apple. They were not the first to produce a large phone, or water proof, or even having the courage to remove the phone jack. I'm not down on Apple but pointing out, they're success is due to the users experience and the quality of the product, in both the hardware and software.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Until technology comes up with the next great thing, they all will try to entertain us with those innovations that are not really innovations.

 

[Zirel]

Who said Apple was failing? Just because they've lost innovation doesn't mean they are failing.

So who is innovating?

Don't reply with "the others", that's not a reply, reply with the company you think is innovating more than Apple?

Apple is by far the most innovative company in the industry.

All I see is craptastic "beat them to the market" products like the Surface Studio and every other "truly wireless headphone" that got so kicked out by the AirPods (looking at you, Samsung Gear IconX).

From the phones, it's more of the same, while Apple is clearly innovating the most in the industry, it's not even fun, that's why Android phones only sell when at a loss.

 

[tubeexperience]

She nailed it!

 

[Tech198]

As long as everyone else keeps coping the MBA that's good enough for me.


I wouldn't put blame on Surface Studio just because people don't like it... It beats the iPad in every way even resolution. But Apple is still one up on battery.

Every other company out does Apple, but Apple makes up for it by giving more users battery as a sacrifice for what they left out.

 

[pat500000]

No innovation. Just servicing.

 

[Zirel]

As long as everyone else keeps coping the MBA that's good enough for me.


I wouldn't put blame on Surface Studio just because people don't like it... It beats the iPad in every way even resolution. But Apple is still one up on battery.

Every other company out does Apple, but Apple makes up for it by giving more users battery as a sacrifice for what they left out.

The iPad is better in battery, it's faster, slimmer, no fans, etc.

The iPad doesn't have problems with malware, sleep, fan noise, drivers, updates, etc.

In fact, the Surface is a compromised tablet, because you can't really use it without the kneeboard and mouse.

[doublepost=1486194642][/doublepost]

No innovation. Just servicing.

Yeah, sure

http://www.investopedia.com/news/apple-most-innovative-company-pricewaterhousecooper-aapl/

Meanwhile, Google is copying the iPhone 6 with the Pixel, Microsoft is selling less Surfaces than Apple when they were doomed (before the introduction of the iMac), in fact, not even half!

Now go talk to your friends on Google Plus and listen to music Microsoft Groove. Just sad!

 

[maflynn]

No innovation. Just servicing.

I agree to a point.
I think they did a decent job with the watch, but it hasn't taken over the way I think they were hoping for.

The iPhone has not seen anything meaningful for a few years now. For instance many phones have had wireless charging for some time.

Apple is more focused on making the MBP thinner, where as laptops such as the Surface Book bring some nice innovative designs.