Apple
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Apple has survived 50 years by being the only company integrating hardware and software; if the company loses because of AI it will be because the point of integration changes.
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Apple is well and truly a services company; hardware is necessary but insufficient for future growth.
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Apple introduced some impressive product updates; the real news, though, were the prices, which suggested that Apple is fully embracing being a services company.
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For Apple, hitting middle age means a strategy primarily focused on monetizing its existing customers. It makes sense, but one wonders what happens next.
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A core part of what makes Apple Apple is its organization structure; Tim Cook has said it will never change. However, if Apple is serious about being a services company, change it must.
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Clayton Christensen continually predicts that Apple will be disrupted because his theory does not incorporate the importance of the user experience.
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Malware Hits iOS, The Importance of the App Store, XcodeGhost: What Happened and What Now?
(Legitimate) iOS has been hit by malware for the first time. It’s a big deal because it gets at the heart of why the App Store is so important not just to Apple but to the entire industry. Plus, how on earth did this happen, and what will happen next?
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The Amazon Fire Lineup, The Apple TV, Cable’s User Experience Advantage
An overview of Amazon’s new fire lineup and how it fits with the company’s overall strategy, an overview of the Apple TV from last week’s event, and a discussion about the fundamental challenge facing all of these TV boxes.
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The iPhone 6S, The End of the iPhone 5C, The iPhone Upgrade Program
The iPhone 6S is an impressive upgrade, particularly 3D Touch. The iPhone, though, has far deeper advantages: first, in China where its status remains unchallenged, and also in developed markets where Apple is commoditizing carriers.
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App Store Policy Follow-up, The iPad Pro, The iPad Pro Accessories
First, some follow-up on yesterday’s piece on App Store policies: I actually forgot some product holes, plus a defense of “shareware.” Then, the iPad Pro’s strategic justification and a review of it and its accessories.
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From Products to Platforms
Apple was at its best in its most recent keynote: unveiling the sorts of products the company is uniquely capable of creating. The question, though, is whether the company has the vision and capability of making those products into platforms.
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Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine, What I’m Watching For at the Apple Event
My review of Alex Gibney’s new documentary, Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine, plus what I’m looking for at this week’s Apple event.
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Amazon Retrenches on Hardware, Apple to Create Original Programming?
Amazon is making big changes at Lab126, its hardware subsidiary, after the Fire phone flop. I think it’s a fantastic sign for the company going forward. Plus, Apple is reportedly thinking about getting into original content; there are both optimistic and pessimistic spins to put on this, but ultimately I think it’s a bad idea.
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China’s Yuan Depreciation, The Yuan’s Effect on Apple, The Yuan and Unicorns
The most important story of the week has been China’s ongoing depreciation of the Yuan. Clearly, the company that will be impacted the most is Apple, but there is a a potential impact on Unicorns as well.
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The Liability Shift and the Apple Pay Opportunity, The Apple Pay Advantage, MCX Unravels
The upcoming liability switchover offers the best ever chance for Apple to drive Apple Pay adoption, at least in the United States. Apple should put all its efforts behind making it happen, even if it helps Android Pay too. Plus, MCX unravels.