Quote:
Originally Posted by melgross 
Sorry, if what I said didn't exactly fit your statements. But I was responding to the comments you made. The gist of my earlier post was that Apple is depending on having major new lines of products. Those lines aren't deep. They're shallow. So they have few products. Apple isn't interested in presenting products that are the same as others, but with an Apple label, unless they're products that "bind" together Apple's other products, or make them able to bind to services.
What I mean by that is that they make monitors, because the MacPro needs one, and so do laptops at times. They make a router, because you need a network these days to get your Macs on the internet, and to speak to each other. They have software designed to sell more Macs, etc.
But as most of Apple's growth comes from the major new product lines, what happens IF they have no more new major product lines? That can become a problem. There's no guarantee that Apple will continue to lead a category, or that they will ever lead it. Look at the iPhone. It started with a small percentage, grew a lot, and is now being pursued by Android. The iPad has more of an advantage, as it's really the first "successful" tablet. But how long will it be before again, Android becomes a serious competitor and slows its growth?
Sorry, if what I said didn't exactly fit your statements. But I was responding to the comments you made. The gist of my earlier post was that Apple is depending on having major new lines of products. Those lines aren't deep. They're shallow. So they have few products. Apple isn't interested in presenting products that are the same as others, but with an Apple label, unless they're products that "bind" together Apple's other products, or make them able to bind to services.
What I mean by that is that they make monitors, because the MacPro needs one, and so do laptops at times. They make a router, because you need a network these days to get your Macs on the internet, and to speak to each other. They have software designed to sell more Macs, etc.
But as most of Apple's growth comes from the major new product lines, what happens IF they have no more new major product lines? That can become a problem. There's no guarantee that Apple will continue to lead a category, or that they will ever lead it. Look at the iPhone. It started with a small percentage, grew a lot, and is now being pursued by Android. The iPad has more of an advantage, as it's really the first "successful" tablet. But how long will it be before again, Android becomes a serious competitor and slows its growth?
All good questions ... maybe we just have to have faith in Apple retaining it's passion for excellence which seems to be a part of its DNA. Plus, I guess, that it's just not realistic to expect continuous growth at the same level that they are performing at now.
What I see, at some point, is a bit of leveling off ... while they concentrate on expanding their marketplace worldwide with what they have now.. By that time something else will come along that we can't even imagine now. I also think that iAd is going to generate a ton of revenue for them, and that's just starting.
I don't expect to be around much more than another 20 years or so and I think Apple will just be fine in that time frame. As for Android ... they'll gain some market share, but I don't see them keeping Apple from doing well. Two different companies .. two different philosophys ... room for both, imho.
Newbee says: Using a Mac "inspires" you, using all others just ... tires you.
Newbee says: Using a Mac "inspires" you, using all others just ... tires you.
