I saw that video in the skylake thread (I think), and it was quite appropriate and spot on with what's going on with apple imo
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Tim Cook discussion thread [merged]
- Thread starter raptorstv
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Sounds like empty pocket coming from CEO. Secrecy is no longer a successful strategy to get the hype going.
Disney tried this when Walt Disney passed away, in fact they were still trying to figure out how to make DisneyWorld and they took DisneyLand as a template. Whether Walt would have done that or not is, impossible to know, but the Disney corporate more or less drifted through mediocrity in the 70s because they tried to copy how Walt ran the business.
On the Apple side of things, I agree they cannot run it like Steve, because he's gone, but I contend, that Cook is a manager, and not a leader. He's done a decent job at managing Apple's line up, but had done a poor job at leading them into the next phase of Apple, i.e., post iPhone. They need someone with a vision and a plan, and that was the point of my post about people asking about Apple's strategy. They don't have one, just make thinner products.
We see a definitely strategy and philospohy out of Microsoft now that Nadella is running the show, love him, hate him, he's very specific on how he sees Microsoft, where as Ballmer (like cook) milked the profits from Windows and Office as long as he could
Someone who I think is missing in the whole Ballmer story, is Sinofsky (the guy who sold Ballmer on the Windows 8 redesign). I don't know why but he reminded a lot of Jonny Yve I mean, if there is an argument between Cook and Yve there can only be one guy to decide and that's not Yve. Cook is the CEO he should have the last word but to me it's obvious the guy is more focused on getting his political believes and other stuff outthere instead of looking at the future of the company that is paying him handsomely. I don't care if someone is a left, right or whatever wing your job is to run the company.
Of course SJ and BG (Bill Gates) will never be replaced but you simply can't have design first guys running the show and do their own thing.
Nadella is a visionary but he lacks a sense for execution, I mean Microsoft sold a 2.000 bucks notebook in beta-status for every other company not named Apple, Microsoft or Google and maybe Samsung that would have been a dead nail. Personally I always thought Federighi should be the guy after Jobs, he knows his stuff very well, his presentations are on point AND he wants to innovate.
Of course SJ and BG (Bill Gates) will never be replaced but you simply can't have design first guys running the show and do their own thing.
Nadella is a visionary but he lacks a sense for execution, I mean Microsoft sold a 2.000 bucks notebook in beta-status for every other company not named Apple, Microsoft or Google and maybe Samsung that would have been a dead nail. Personally I always thought Federighi should be the guy after Jobs, he knows his stuff very well, his presentations are on point AND he wants to innovate.
That was an interesting read. It's no secret that Tim Cook is an excellent bean counter, and a fairly decent supply chain guru, who nevertheless lacks the vision and ruthless laser-focus of his predecessor. I've stated many times that in my opinion without a clear industry-leading vision and/or patents to his name, his sole job security at Apple is a great ROI for the shareholders. That's not to diminish Tim's accomplishments, but merely a summary of the state of affairs at Apple.
I've read all the speculations of why Steve chose Tim as his successor running the gamut from "he didn't want to be outshone by a more brilliant executive following in his footsteps" to "he wanted stability in the company from a leader with a proven track record in business administration" or "I've chosen and groomed this leader as someone who will most closely run the company as I would have".
The truth is, while there was excellent talent available, each with a narrow scope of expertise, which is another testament to Steve's leadership abilities, running a company like Apple while keeping it at the bleeding edge of technological advancement, requires a one-in-a-billion individual, and Steve most likely felt that while Tim didn't quite fill the bill, he from all available choices, approximated most closely the candidate with most of the required qualities.
I too am concerned about Apple's long-term viability. There are simply very few companies that offer aesthetically beautiful products that are part of a synergistic complement of accessory products, all meticulously designed and executed with above average build quality, and backed up by industry-leading warranties. At the same time the inescapable realization is setting in that no company stays at the top forever.
What Apple needs is a leader with vision, laser-focus, excellent communication skills, yet ruthless perseverance in the pursuit of set goals, and a perfectionist with a no-compromise mindset towards creating gorgeous and elegant products that are both useful and fun to use. Apple is where it is today because they had such an individual, but finding that rare person who could successfully continue to propel the company on its meteoric rise will be virtually impossible.
Yes, by the Huffpost article's definition, Tim is somewhat like Ballmer, though a little more respectable and less 'crazy' at keynotes (Zune introduction). And like at MicroSoft after Gates' exit, profits also soared under Tim, largely from the existing pipeline and, credit where credit is due, from excellent refinements to the existing line-up, but with that pipeline now exhausting, other than the so far mostly failed TV disruption effort, and a far off and seemingly in flux project Titan, there's little visible innovation on the horizon.
Not sure he could successfully run Apple, but I have my eyes firmly planted on Elon Musk. Once you're used to his staccato-like speaking style, he has a lot of interesting things to say. A very intelligent guy with a vision for the planet's future, who incidentally has put (a lot of) his money where his mouth is, in the pursuit of his dreams.
And that kind of confidence is another hallmark of an executive with potentially great leadership abilities.
Last edited:
I agree, apple is dying.. I wish there was a Surface Studio style iMac with macOS. can't believe how much smarter microsoft became.. or did apple just never stepped up? fire all apple execs! I hope all future quarter profits will decline for the sake of changing apple to be the apple we once loved.
1. Apple was never driven by sales under Jobs, they were driven by products. There certainly are pricing issues (i.e. the fight between Jobs and Scully over the original Mac pricing) but the product comes first. This still looks to be the case - just look at the MacBook Pro pricing.
2. The iPhone and iPad are maturing markets which probably peaked at the introduction of the iPhone 6 and the iPad Air. This is an issue not just for Apple - look at AT&T and Verizon which are looking at expanding into content as their customer bases stagnate or drop. iPhone 7 sales may not be that great but that's to be expected. Unless they have something up their sleeve the major revolutions which made keynotes so exciting (such as a new phone which was also a music player and a camera) may be over. Certainly they will be less frequent. We're looking at incremental improvements now, most likely in software. The last few keynotes I haven't even watched immediately when they came out. I miss that excitement, but it is unrealistic to expect revolutionary product introductions to continue forever.
3. The touch toolbar certainly is revolutionary in the way it replaces the function keys. It may not be exciting, but it may change the industry. Only time will tell. I wouldn't underestimate it.
4. Under Steve Jobs a product was never released until it was perfect. The new MacBook Pro is the only one of it's kind with a touch toolbar so the wait seems to be worth it. I'm not a laptop user though.
5. Until we see the new iMac's, Mini's, and MacPro there's no way to judge whether or not the wait is worth it. For those who demand that their Apple products currently mirror the latest in hardware and performance you're going to be disappointed. A PC is a better option for you. The old MacPro went well past 3 years before the nMP was released. As painful and annoying as this wait was for me the wait was worth it.
6. The introduction of the new Thunderbolt 3 display, ports and touch toolbar on the MacBook Pro indicate the direction that these products will be moving. Since the iMac, mini and MacPro don't support this display or have the touch bar I'm hoping this means that upgrades will be coming soon.
7. As for replacing the current management team, that's a recipe for disaster. Unfortunately Apple has had too many of them. Look at Scully, Amelio. At one point Apple was just months away from bankruptcy. Cook may not be the "seeing around the corner" visionary that Jobs was, but Jobs was a once in a generation visionary. He has Job's incredible ability to move from the broad view down to the minuscule line by line details of a company spreadsheet. He understands the minute details of the manufacturing chain. Apple still rejects the majority of projects to focus on just a few where they can make a difference.
He drives his people hard, but not abusively as Jobs did. In the book Inside Apple a story is told about a meeting discussing a problem in China. Cook looks up at the executive responsible and says words to the effect "why aren't you on a plane"? The executive leaves the meeting, drives directly to the airport and gets on a plane. Jobs would have approved.
8. So Apple isn't dying - yet. It's transitioning as it deals with maturing markets. Great companies reinvent themselves when it requires - look at IBM. Apple's interest in the car industry displays their intent to reinvent themselves. This is a long term strategy. It will be years before we know the results.
2. The iPhone and iPad are maturing markets which probably peaked at the introduction of the iPhone 6 and the iPad Air. This is an issue not just for Apple - look at AT&T and Verizon which are looking at expanding into content as their customer bases stagnate or drop. iPhone 7 sales may not be that great but that's to be expected. Unless they have something up their sleeve the major revolutions which made keynotes so exciting (such as a new phone which was also a music player and a camera) may be over. Certainly they will be less frequent. We're looking at incremental improvements now, most likely in software. The last few keynotes I haven't even watched immediately when they came out. I miss that excitement, but it is unrealistic to expect revolutionary product introductions to continue forever.
3. The touch toolbar certainly is revolutionary in the way it replaces the function keys. It may not be exciting, but it may change the industry. Only time will tell. I wouldn't underestimate it.
4. Under Steve Jobs a product was never released until it was perfect. The new MacBook Pro is the only one of it's kind with a touch toolbar so the wait seems to be worth it. I'm not a laptop user though.
5. Until we see the new iMac's, Mini's, and MacPro there's no way to judge whether or not the wait is worth it. For those who demand that their Apple products currently mirror the latest in hardware and performance you're going to be disappointed. A PC is a better option for you. The old MacPro went well past 3 years before the nMP was released. As painful and annoying as this wait was for me the wait was worth it.
6. The introduction of the new Thunderbolt 3 display, ports and touch toolbar on the MacBook Pro indicate the direction that these products will be moving. Since the iMac, mini and MacPro don't support this display or have the touch bar I'm hoping this means that upgrades will be coming soon.
7. As for replacing the current management team, that's a recipe for disaster. Unfortunately Apple has had too many of them. Look at Scully, Amelio. At one point Apple was just months away from bankruptcy. Cook may not be the "seeing around the corner" visionary that Jobs was, but Jobs was a once in a generation visionary. He has Job's incredible ability to move from the broad view down to the minuscule line by line details of a company spreadsheet. He understands the minute details of the manufacturing chain. Apple still rejects the majority of projects to focus on just a few where they can make a difference.
He drives his people hard, but not abusively as Jobs did. In the book Inside Apple a story is told about a meeting discussing a problem in China. Cook looks up at the executive responsible and says words to the effect "why aren't you on a plane"? The executive leaves the meeting, drives directly to the airport and gets on a plane. Jobs would have approved.
8. So Apple isn't dying - yet. It's transitioning as it deals with maturing markets. Great companies reinvent themselves when it requires - look at IBM. Apple's interest in the car industry displays their intent to reinvent themselves. This is a long term strategy. It will be years before we know the results.
Last edited:
That's an implausible conclusion, considering the uproar and dismay that has exploded since the keynote.
To the OP, the Apple you know is gone. There will be no way to bring that Apple back unless Apple itself decides to
spin off the computer division or let it become rather independent as a sub division or similar. Apple forgets that each
Apple sold is not only money in Apple's coffer but that much money LESS in some competitor's pocket.
The wowie zowie omgoshy touch toolbar is not revolutionary but evolutionary as the notion of custom keys/tabs etc. has
been around since DOS days. Whether it was the Northgate 104 plus keyboard to an added set of keys (akin to a keypad)
where software templates were use that could be brought up with each app. Apple is just plain late to the game and thus
uses today's technologies.
I don't particularly like the direction Apple is going for several reasons and some include they are miscalculating the potential
for "loyal" customers to bail on them if they continue in this direction. I don't mean the Mac Mini or Mac Pro crowd but others
as Microsoft, Samsung, Sony and others start really getting what it takes to make a good product and also have some sort
of "cool" factor perceived.
spin off the computer division or let it become rather independent as a sub division or similar. Apple forgets that each
Apple sold is not only money in Apple's coffer but that much money LESS in some competitor's pocket.
The wowie zowie omgoshy touch toolbar is not revolutionary but evolutionary as the notion of custom keys/tabs etc. has
been around since DOS days. Whether it was the Northgate 104 plus keyboard to an added set of keys (akin to a keypad)
where software templates were use that could be brought up with each app. Apple is just plain late to the game and thus
uses today's technologies.
I don't particularly like the direction Apple is going for several reasons and some include they are miscalculating the potential
for "loyal" customers to bail on them if they continue in this direction. I don't mean the Mac Mini or Mac Pro crowd but others
as Microsoft, Samsung, Sony and others start really getting what it takes to make a good product and also have some sort
of "cool" factor perceived.
uproar?
*looks outside of windo..* oh, you mean 20 people on a forum?
*looks outside of windo..* oh, you mean 20 people on a forum?
The new MacBooks are a joke. I won't even use the 'pro' moniker to identify them.
They are exiting the display market, I'm sure the Mac Pro trashcan will be discontinued before long.
They produced a notebook that requires multiple dongles to work with THEIR OWN products.
Once the Spaceship building is complete, let's hope it launches into orbit with the entire executive team inside.
And then Apple can start fresh again with new leadership.
They are exiting the display market, I'm sure the Mac Pro trashcan will be discontinued before long.
They produced a notebook that requires multiple dongles to work with THEIR OWN products.
Once the Spaceship building is complete, let's hope it launches into orbit with the entire executive team inside.
And then Apple can start fresh again with new leadership.
It's the marketing that's killing mac products. Market don't produce products, they produce numbers/sales. Products is from vision....you need both (vision and marketing)
Apple is sleeping at the wheel, the vision is gone, they even abandoned Apple car, Apple Watch had extremely minor revision leading to far less sales, iPhone 7 very minor revision, every product category is basically on life support.
As a long term user of Apple's products since the Apple II, this is the first time I feel unexcited about the new Mac. I have been waiting for a new MBP and Apple accounced rubbish.
He turned Apple into Walmart selling general products. I guess unless Apple has a new CEO, the company continues to go downhill.
He turned Apple into Walmart selling general products. I guess unless Apple has a new CEO, the company continues to go downhill.
Last edited:
Please....it is about the $. Tim is making money for the company. Not downhill for what a company is in business for....to make money.
Enough of these kinds of threads. Be real.
Become one of the board of directors of Apple first, then come back.
I guess we need more talented people to make Mac OS working on the PC. I guess if somebody is making Hackintosh for sales, it is illegal. If it is just for sharing of information among users on how to make Mac OS working on the PC for hobby use, it is legal.
Last edited by a moderator:
All they have to do is release spec updates to all Macs every single year like they used to. At least that way we won't feel robbed for having to pay the same dollar amount for a Mac that could have been purchased two or three years ago for the same amount of money.
It's the same uproar that happens after every time Apple does a major redesign.
Maybe a little more piss and vinegar since it's been awhile, but the "Apple had lost its focus" and "MacBook Pros aren't for Pros" and "they make them too thin" comments have followed every. single. keynote. for the last 13 years I've been reading MacRumors.