Apple partner Philips exits consumer electronics business
Philips Electronics, which has been in the consumer market for more than 80 years, announced Tuesday that it has sold off the remnants of its consumer-oriented business.
In addition to being a key component supplier and partner for Apple, the company has also sold its own electronics over the years in an attempt to compete with Apple, Samsung, Sony and others. But that business has been a money loser for Philips, prompting the company to sell its audio, video, multimedia and accessories businesses to Japanese company Funai Electric, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Philips is believed to have supplied LED flash modules for Apple's iPhone over the years. In addition to offering lighting products, Philips is also primarily a medical equipment manufacturer.
Last year, Philips and Apple also partnered exclusively to offer app-controlled "hue" lightbulbs at Apple's retail stores. Dubbed "the world's smartest LED bulb," the product allows users to control their lights, including what color they display, through an iOS application. The hue is made by Philips' lighting division, and will not be affected by the restructuring.
Last year, Philips was also one of the first companies to announce a series of speaker docks and clock radios compatible with Apple's new Lightning connector. Such consumer-oriented devices will now be handled by Funai.
In addition to being a key component supplier and partner for Apple, the company has also sold its own electronics over the years in an attempt to compete with Apple, Samsung, Sony and others. But that business has been a money loser for Philips, prompting the company to sell its audio, video, multimedia and accessories businesses to Japanese company Funai Electric, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Philips is believed to have supplied LED flash modules for Apple's iPhone over the years. In addition to offering lighting products, Philips is also primarily a medical equipment manufacturer.
Last year, Philips and Apple also partnered exclusively to offer app-controlled "hue" lightbulbs at Apple's retail stores. Dubbed "the world's smartest LED bulb," the product allows users to control their lights, including what color they display, through an iOS application. The hue is made by Philips' lighting division, and will not be affected by the restructuring.
Last year, Philips was also one of the first companies to announce a series of speaker docks and clock radios compatible with Apple's new Lightning connector. Such consumer-oriented devices will now be handled by Funai.
Comments
I hope my two 6 year old philips TVs survive until the Apple TV comes out?
Quote:
Originally Posted by kfury77
Quite sad to read really. I had a Philips kettle and toaster and they were both extremely well made and beautifully designed. The kettle was award-winning for its energy efficiency and design.
Household appliances are manufactured by a different Philips group. That group isn't affected by this announcement.
I hope they don't close their Research lab in Briarcliff Manor NY.
That place has come up with all sorts of inventions over the years.
(For example, they have several 2003-4 patent applications in that are related to inertial touch scrolling. One was referenced in an Apple patent for disappearing scrollbars. Imagine if Philips got their patents and everyone else had to pay them... or give up some forms of flick scrolling.)
WHAT? And you think software companies know anything about designing hardware? Trust me, I speak from experience here, most software engineers don't know which end of a soldering iron to hold onto.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kkerst
WHAT? And you think software companies know anything about designing hardware? Trust me, I speak from experience here, most software engineers don't know which end of a soldering iron to hold onto.
Apple is a software company...at least they say they are. As Steve Jobs always said, people who are really serious about software also want to do their own hardware.
So what exactly will be axed in terms of products? Does this mean no more Hue? I was about to get a starter kit.
I have limited experience with Phillips, but a few years ago, I bought my dad a DVD recorder made by Phillips. It had the WORST user interface imaginable. It looked like a DOS and Linux engineer decided to make a UI and spruce it up with crude cartoony icons to hide the DOS-like nature. And it was slow and cumbersome. Apple appreciated great user interface design and makes a point of making it smooth and responsive. It matters.
Quote:
Originally Posted by macxpress
As Steve Jobs always said, people who are really serious about software also want to do their own hardware.
Historical note:
Jobs borrowed "People who are really serious about software should make their own hardware", from Alan Kay, who helped invent everything from OO languages to GUIs to tablets.
Another famous Kay quote is, "The best way to predict the future is to invent it. "
And, "If you don't fail at least 90 percent of the time, you're not aiming high enough."
Quote:
Originally Posted by kkerst
Again, no, Apple is both, and started out as a hardware company. It's in their DNA.
But they say they're a software company, not a hardware company.
Hi,
I work for Philips and just want to make it clear, Philips hue is sold by the Philips lighting division, not by our consumer division and is not impacted by today's announcement.
Thanks,
Silvie Casanova
Philips: the inventor of the audio cassette.
Originally Posted by chris.com
Anyone know if this includes Norelco as well?
It better not. I've no intention of either going Amish or shopping for a new brand.
Originally Posted by kkerst
They don't say they are anything. Steve is dead.
Well, his argument is soundly defeated¡ ????
This is limited to the audi/video part of the Philips business. The kitchen equipment, lighting equipment, shavers, toothbrushes and all the Healthcare is not affected by this. Philips sold its North American TV business to the same company a few years ago
Boohoo, cry my a river.