This is one person's opinion who doesn't and hasn't worked for Apple. It's almost as though he has an axe to grind. I have complete faith in Apple, but I will say that Tim Cook and company cannot afford to be complacent. Amazon is eating both Apple's and Google's lunch with their home device.
Time to dust off that old apple death knell counter. It's kind of remarkable how people like thiel et. al. come up with these prophecies despite now being the time that Apple has its greatest access to resources and minds than ever before in its history. They must really think all of these people sit around all day doing nothing.
Sure, I've seen so little innovation since my 5S, I don't need to get a 7. Except for the better processor (we can give Apple credit for the processor, Mr T), camera that takes a tiny little movie before and after the photo, waterproof-ness, better-color screen, force touch screen, secure enclave for Apple Pay which somehow works at all the stores where I shop, there really has been no innovation in the last couple years. Naturally I would expect the next couple years to be the same, so, there's no reason not to get an iPhone 7 except for the minor detail that the 5S is still working just great. BTW, love that little Buzz Feed News app, Mr. T.
The AirPods also weren't that big of a deal. Connecting to other products you have connected is nothing special, neither is siri control or the extra features it has.
And what does Facebook have to offer other than a way for the FBI to know everything about (almost) everyone in the US? It's just an app, nothing more, so when people get tired of Facebook and the new greatest thing on earth comes along, I guess Thiel will simply look for another sugar-daddy to pad his wallet.
Apple is and always will be more than a single product and Thiel should know that.
Apple could disrupt Social Media by making a platform where we own our own data and choose how we share (News+Personal).
And what does Facebook have to offer other than a way for the FBI to know everything about (almost) everyone in the US? It's just an app, nothing more, so when people get tired of Facebook and the new greatest thing on earth comes along, I guess Thiel will simply look for another sugar-daddy to pad his wallet.
Apple is and always will be more than a single product and Thiel should know that.
Apple could disrupt Social Media by making a platform where we own our own data and choose how we share (News+Personal).
Time to dust off that old apple death knell counter. It's kind of remarkable how people like thiel et. al. come up with these prophecies despite now being the time that Apple has its greatest access to resources and minds than ever before in its history. They must really think all of these people sit around all day doing nothing.
Dust it off? We never put it away. Now in it's 41st year!
The post millennial generation is being called the iGeneration. That's telling.
No one knows what Apple has in the cards so why does everyone act like they know?
Because acting like they know gets them on television, and in the papers. It makes them sound cleverer than they actually are, and no-one ever remembers when you get it wrong.
I was going to say something nasty about Thiel, but I really can't be bothered. It would be nice if he didn't get any attention, but it seems we're stuck with him for the time being.
I think the new wave of innovation is going to be great, people can't even imagine what's coming. AR, VR, AI, wearable technologies, etc. I believe things about to get interesting! Apple is a huge company if Apple continues innovation people will continue to buy their products! I wouldn't worry Peter Thiel and other critics.
And what does Facebook have to offer other than a way for the FBI to know everything about (almost) everyone in the US? It's just an app, nothing more, so when people get tired of Facebook and the new greatest thing on earth comes along, I guess Thiel will simply look for another sugar-daddy to pad his wallet.
Apple is and always will be more than a single product and Thiel should know that.
Apple could disrupt Social Media by making a platform where we own our own data and choose how we share (News+Personal).
They tried social media already.
They tried social music at best and it's biggest problem was it was out of the way.
As well as a car, a TV and an airplane but that doesn't mean that they'll not evolve and that we'll stop using them.
In fact, a pocket supercomputer seems to me a far more promising and interesting thing than anything I just mentioned. Included any volatile Internet service.
As well as a car, a TV and an airplane but that doesn't mean that they'll not evolve and that we'll stop using them.
In fact, a pocket supercomputer seems to me a far more promising and interesting thing than anything I just mentioned. Included any volatile Internet service.
Yes, the pocket supercomputer and the personal computing cluster that Steve Jobs promised in his 97 return to Apple developer conference talk are still outstanding. So there is still plenty of evolution left in Apple's tanks. Plus many sidelines they could branch out to.
Whoever gets AI working seamlessly with humans and devices will be onto the next big wave.
The problem is that I don't want companies to have competing systems. Consumers need standards not attempts to lock them in. Whoever gets AI interoperating will want to milk the cow though.
The logical control centre for controlling or limiting AI would be the phone or tablet.
In a way, Apple is at a crossroads but more a 'roadmap crossroads' than a technological one. They could do better technologically but they have to decide where they are going first.
It is amazing how short sighted this guy is. Frankly I have to agree that AI or maybe more accurately machine learning will play a big part in the future. However I see things differently. Good AI will eliminate the need for standards in my mind. When AI is good enough to understand you and react properly your standard becomes the english language.
I also agree that AI will be a big factor in future cell phones. The trick here is to be able to embed enough processing power to run the basic AI engine right on the cell phone. The need for a trip to a data center needs to be massively reduced. To power such an AI,Apple will need far more powerful A series chips. I'm sure those chips aren't far off as everybody and their brother is working on some sort off AI acceleration hardware
Lastly though I really have to disagree, the crossroads are very much technological due to the need to produce both hardware and software to drive these new features forward.
The guy is pretty sure he's genius because of a few (one really, and the rest just come from having lots of cash to spread around) smart/lucky investments. This type of person cashes in one what is basically one lucky guess then spend their lives telling people how to run businesses when actually they have NEVER run an actual business. He's the most pathetic of all the VC's out there and others know it. They don't take him seriously. That's part of why he wrapped himself around the President elect. He craves validation and is willing to do anything to get it.
I am willing to bet that he is wrong. To me in some ways Apple has lost its flash. But the iPhone is nowhere near its Pinnacle. I also believe that Apple has a culture that will carry it a lot further than doubters like this believe.
Comments
Connecting to other products you have connected is nothing special, neither is siri control or the extra features it has.
yeah, nothing innovative.
Trump: We've got to stop making phones in Chin-ah.
Thiel: God, that man is my role model.
Cook: What the F is wrong with this man?
Catz: I admire that stud so much, I hope he gives me a job!
No one knows what Apple has in the cards so why does everyone act like they know?
Dust it off? We never put it away. Now in it's 41st year!
Because acting like they know gets them on television, and in the papers. It makes them sound cleverer than they actually are, and no-one ever remembers when you get it wrong.
I was going to say something nasty about Thiel, but I really can't be bothered. It would be nice if he didn't get any attention, but it seems we're stuck with him for the time being.
I also agree that AI will be a big factor in future cell phones. The trick here is to be able to embed enough processing power to run the basic AI engine right on the cell phone. The need for a trip to a data center needs to be massively reduced. To power such an AI,Apple will need far more powerful A series chips. I'm sure those chips aren't far off as everybody and their brother is working on some sort off AI acceleration hardware
Lastly though I really have to disagree, the crossroads are very much technological due to the need to produce both hardware and software to drive these new features forward.