Price is THE decider on whether this headset will be a success. This author - and others who’ve made the same point that Apple has had supposed failures many times before turn into successes - doesn’t seem to realize this. When has Apple *ever* introduced a completely new product category at an initial price point of $3k? Maybe the original Apple 2 (adjusted for inflation) - but nothing since then. Sure, there are several niche “pro” products in THS range and beyond, but nothing with hoped for mass market appeal. And Apple clearly wants this to eventually become the next iPhone. And I think the AR glasses originally promised for this timeframe had/has this potential - but not some dorky headset costing as much as a used car.
The decider will be the hardware and software integration, and the quality of the programs designed to use the capabilities of the device, if Apple has those things nailed down, then the device will succeed, however no matter what price Apple sets, it will be too much and the complaining will go on and on because many people will want it, but will not be able to afford it.
Even to this day, there are still many financial analysts who think Apple should drop their prices on all products to pick up more marketshare, which, if you know anything about Apple, you know that isn’t their way of doing business.
Yeah, well, remember when all the analysts said that Apple is Doomed™ if they don't release a netbook?
The MacBook Air filled that hole. So in a sense, they did release a netbook.
A lower cost thin and light was what the netbook rage was about. MacBook Air did that-Apple style.
No, Apple answer to a netbook was the iPad. Netbooks about completely disappeared in just about 2 years after the iPad (and other copycat tablets) came to market in 2010. Apple just thought different and got rid of the physical keyboard. iPads even competed with netbooks in price. At the time, iPads only disadvantage was that they didn't run on any version of MS Windows. Which in the end, turned out to be an advantage. Bet there are way more 1st and 2nd generation iPads still in use to day, than netbooks. I'm still using two them. One of them daily.
No. It was the MacBook Air.
Apples answer to the Kindle was the iPad.
Netbooks’ selling points were being small footprint and cheap. MacBook Air when it launched was neither.
Go back and watch the first iPad announcement. They explicitly called out netbooks as what they were competing with.
Augmented reality? We’ve been in this state for several years without needing goggles. I’m looking for a better actual reality. Why would I pay for something that distorts reality? Will anything this product does actually enhance the lives of people? I’m not talking about showing them weird things I’m talking about making their lives better.
Price is THE decider on whether this headset will be a success. This author - and others who’ve made the same point that Apple has had supposed failures many times before turn into successes - doesn’t seem to realize this. When has Apple *ever* introduced a completely new product category at an initial price point of $3k? Maybe the original Apple 2 (adjusted for inflation) - but nothing since then. Sure, there are several niche “pro” products in THS range and beyond, but nothing with hoped for mass market appeal. And Apple clearly wants this to eventually become the next iPhone. And I think the AR glasses originally promised for this timeframe had/has this potential - but not some dorky headset costing as much as a used car.
The decider will be the hardware and software integration, and the quality of the programs designed to use the capabilities of the device, if Apple has those things nailed down, then the device will succeed, however no matter what price Apple sets, it will be too much and the complaining will go on and on because many people will want it, but will not be able to afford it.
Even to this day, there are still many financial analysts who think Apple should drop their prices on all products to pick up more marketshare, which, if you know anything about Apple, you know that isn’t their way of doing business.
Yeah, well, remember when all the analysts said that Apple is Doomed™ if they don't release a netbook?
The MacBook Air filled that hole. So in a sense, they did release a netbook.
A lower cost thin and light was what the netbook rage was about. MacBook Air did that-Apple style.
No, Apple answer to a netbook was the iPad. Netbooks about completely disappeared in just about 2 years after the iPad (and other copycat tablets) came to market in 2010. Apple just thought different and got rid of the physical keyboard. iPads even competed with netbooks in price. At the time, iPads only disadvantage was that they didn't run on any version of MS Windows. Which in the end, turned out to be an advantage. Bet there are way more 1st and 2nd generation iPads still in use to day, than netbooks. I'm still using two them. One of them daily.
No. It was the MacBook Air.
Apples answer to the Kindle was the iPad.
Netbooks’ selling points were being small footprint and cheap. MacBook Air when it launched was neither.
Go back and watch the first iPad announcement. They explicitly called out netbooks as what they were competing with.
People remember what they want to remember, or rather, they create memories to fit the narrative they create for themselves. The predictions of "doom" for an unannounced, unreleased product are all part of that process of weaving a narrative that fits what they want to believe.
...all these people unilaterally calling a still nonexistent product a failure just because they don’t approve of (x) rumor are getting really tiresome.
I myself never called it a failure, and I don't dwell deeply on such remarks, mainly because the "it's doomed!" contenders cannot produce anymore of a reasoned argument than the name-callers. But at the same time, we ought to talk about forthcoming products and ponder the ways they might enhance our own lives, as well as freely discuss the negatives. And whenever we have such conversations, there will be those folks who are overly negative, but such is life. Any manner of verbal stone throwing by you or me at the "it's a failure!" folks will achieve nothing beneficial in the end. So while it may be "tiring" to read what they write, it's best to take a deep breath and just skip to the next post, rather than waste time typing out a fireball post that seeks to either berate them or magically transform their thinking.
To repeat what I said earlier, I don't like watches in general on my wrist, but I am glad most people do like them because that benefits Apple's bottom line, which in turn has a positive impact on my AAPL holdings. If the same proves true of the AR/VR device, great! Honestly, I am eager to see what people think after the WWDC announcement because it helps me to consider in what ways it might impact me. Boosting of the AAPL stock price is fine and well, but I am a lover of Apple products too. I just only buy the products that I find useful in my life. So long as the thing isn't targeted mainly at gamers, like the Apple Watch is mainly targeted at health nuts, then perhaps the headset might prove useful to me or my family in some way.
Seriously? You can see how this might come off as a bit hypocritical, right? So how about you do you, and let all the rest of us do us? Sound like a plan chief?
This entire article is about the naysayers online…therefore, the naysayers here should expect to be called out too. Because complaining about something that doesn’t even exist yet is the real waste of time. Not pointing it out in the forum of an article that is doing the exact same thing.
And speaking of tiresome…All these people who think a tech forum is the appropriate avenue to push their morals onto others, then express their sadness when met with a little resistance. Yawn.
I own Apple stock and have more than a dozen Apple branded computers, iPads, iPhones, displays, watches, head and ear phones etc. I waited many months to jump on the "M" series bandwagon to see how others survived the bleeding edge of new Apple technology. My wife and I each have the fully loaded 16" MacBook Pros from late 2019 with Intel processors.
Surprise! These still run just fine. Apple MacOS must support these Intel computers out six or seven years from their last sale. Yes they are heavy, noisy from the fans and a real lap warmer but they do their job. Most reputable third party software folks will have to support them for many years as well.
I jumped onto a 2021 M1 MBAir 16,1TB as a starter and then added a 14" MBPro M1 Max and later the M1 Mac Studio Ultra. I see no reason to upgrade to a M2 series processor and will see what the M3 offers or even the M4 before upgrading again.
Now a new product is in the winds. I will wait and see the fallout from the launch and let the "Gotta have a first one" crowd discover what works and what does not work. The jingle stays in my pocket until the product appears to be solid and I see a valid use of it for me.
Hopefully, this still unreleased "product" will be more successful than myG4 Cube in the closet which was a unique design and customizable....
Of course the crux of the matter is that pretty much nobody outside of Apple knows what this thing actually is.
“The Internet” locks on to rumors and whatever already exists in the presumed category, assumes they know exactly what Apple is about to announce, and makes cynical, all-knowing pronouncements about it.
I’ll repeat what I’ve posted on other threads: you don’t know what this thing is yet. You just don’t. Everything in Apple’s past shows that when it introduces a new product, it isn’t an Apple-branded copy of what’s already out there. It’s a novel approach that considers new uses and new directions and within a couple of years takes something that everybody’s sure doesn’t hit and makes it into something that absolutely hits.
All the people who were sure nobody needs an expensive watch had no idea they’d soon gladly be wearing a device that tracks your run, heart rate, sleep patterns and blood oxygen, and that can literally save your life, taking ECGs, detecting falls and auto accidents and calling for help when you can’t.
Nobody knows what the thing is that Apple is about to announce, and they absolutely have no idea what it will be in a few years.
What it almost surely won’t be is an Apple-branded clunky set of goggles that looks exactly like and does exactly what all the niche-market clunky VR goggles already on the market look like and do. I don’t know what it will be, but I’m pretty darn sure it won’t be that.
Price is THE decider on whether this headset will be a success. This author - and others who’ve made the same point that Apple has had supposed failures many times before turn into successes - doesn’t seem to realize this. When has Apple *ever* introduced a completely new product category at an initial price point of $3k? Maybe the original Apple 2 (adjusted for inflation) - but nothing since then. Sure, there are several niche “pro” products in THS range and beyond, but nothing with hoped for mass market appeal. And Apple clearly wants this to eventually become the next iPhone. And I think the AR glasses originally promised for this timeframe had/has this potential - but not some dorky headset costing as much as a used car.
The decider will be the hardware and software integration, and the quality of the programs designed to use the capabilities of the device, if Apple has those things nailed down, then the device will succeed, however no matter what price Apple sets, it will be too much and the complaining will go on and on because many people will want it, but will not be able to afford it.
Even to this day, there are still many financial analysts who think Apple should drop their prices on all products to pick up more marketshare, which, if you know anything about Apple, you know that isn’t their way of doing business.
Yeah, well, remember when all the analysts said that Apple is Doomed™ if they don't release a netbook?
The MacBook Air filled that hole. So in a sense, they did release a netbook.
A lower cost thin and light was what the netbook rage was about. MacBook Air did that-Apple style.
No, Apple answer to a netbook was the iPad. Netbooks about completely disappeared in just about 2 years after the iPad (and other copycat tablets) came to market in 2010. Apple just thought different and got rid of the physical keyboard. iPads even competed with netbooks in price. At the time, iPads only disadvantage was that they didn't run on any version of MS Windows. Which in the end, turned out to be an advantage. Bet there are way more 1st and 2nd generation iPads still in use to day, than netbooks. I'm still using two them. One of them daily.
No. It was the MacBook Air.
Apples answer to the Kindle was the iPad.
Incorrect. The iPad was Apple's version of the Netbook. Netbooks were hugely popular at the time iPad came out. iPad essentially killed Netbooks IMO. The MacBook Air was $1800 when it first arrived. An $1800 laptop isn't going to compete with a $400 Netbook and it didn't at all.
I wonder how the demo will look like, considering that the experience is about seeing the world through the headset, and not what appears on a giant screen ....
This device at $2999.00 is less than half the price of the 128K original Macintosh (adjusted for inflation). A couple of years from now we won’t know how we could live without it. I will be an early adopter, and I am not a developer. This will sell out almost immediately and will do much better than even Apple predicts.
I bet Steve Balmer winces every time he reads his quote saying the iphone had no chance of gaining significant market share.
It didn't, when it was priced at $500, with only one expensive plan available. Ballmer was entirely right at the time. The thing is, Apple changed its strategy; it slashed the price, altered how it worked with carriers, and iterated with hardware and software relentlessly. It took the iPhone 3G for it to really start to blow up.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if this new product gets a muted reception. But it's likely to be what Apple does after that which will make or break it.
Hopefully, this still unreleased "product" will be more successful than myG4 Cube in the closet which was a unique design and customizable....
The Cube was a decade before its time, just like Newton was. One big difference now is that Apple has an abundance of cash and other resources that allows them to stay the course while making the appropriate adjustments. The success of the iPod changed everything and each release after including iPhone was released with a long term strategy. Multiple versions across multiple years of releases are in development before the first version is announced.
So while it may be "tiring" to read what they write, it's best to take a deep breath and just skip to the next post, rather than waste time typing out a fireball post that seeks to either berate them or magically transform their thinking.
This entire article is about the naysayers online…therefore, the naysayers here should expect to be called out too. Because complaining about something that doesn’t even exist yet is the real waste of time. Not pointing it out in the forum of an article that is doing the exact same thing.
And speaking of tiresome…All these people who think a tech forum is the appropriate avenue to push their morals onto others, then express their sadness when met with a little resistance. Yawn.
I actually don't see it as "hypocritical" as my primary intent in replying to others beyond my first post in this thread was merely to suggest (not demand) that there is no need for name calling. I continue that line of argument with this reply, as I am now being called (albeit subtly) a hypocrite. I am not upset with you, however.
I personally don't find it too tiresome to read through comments because I always find a decent number of gems that make my read-through worthwhile. Like I said before, if something irks me, I take a deep breath and just move on. I've been in this forum for many, many years, yet my total number of posts is tiny company to many. I don't feel compelled to reply to every comment in every thread, and many times I just read through a thread and write nothing at all.
As to this forum being an avenue for others to push their thoughts, morals, sadness, etc. onto others, so be it! Freedom of expression carries risks. Yes, by giving people the freedom to berate others (within loose limits), there is the chance some of them actually will. But by giving people such freedom, the free flow of ideas also comes forth unrestrained, and that is a good thing in the end. People who berate others or even explode now and then don't do that all the time. Some people just have a bad day, but other times write some really great stuff. Freedom of expression is all about recognizing that and not getting too agitated over what they've written.
Am I therefore hypocritical for having suggested earlier that some people might want to calm down and avoid name-calling? Not at all. It's always good to seek to calm a situation (without force or threats of forum bans), even knowing somebody out there just might be having a bad day. And if they persist, then I will back off and let them vent. Maybe they need to vent.
Lastly, this forum itself is somewhat of a virtual reality insofar as we are all here, yet not here. I suspect that if we all were sitting down at a table and given the opportunity to hash out our ideas face to face, we might say things a little differently.
We can say Windows and Android suck because that's rooted in evidence and fact. Anyone that predicts doom and gloom of Apple products is often just trying to make their own sad little life look bigger and better. There's one guy over at Engadget that takes *every* opportunity to dish out on anything Apple — with pure hatred (and ignorance).
IMO, the lack of a true netbook was a huge miss. As was the original iMac with only USB1. As was, ironically, the delay in getting USB2 onto Macs. As was not buying Netflix. As was not opening up firewire. As was fiasco on 5G/QC...
Let's not forget the whole concept of NetBoot and where that could have gone for business and education.
The question should not be if Apple was doomed because of those 'errors' but how much more they could have achieved by following through with some moves.
By netbook, do you mean a cellular-capable notebook, or just a small notebook? The original MacBook Air directly targeted netbooks of that era, all of which were trash. So Apple did have a very capable netbook competitor.
Why Macs in 2023 still don't have a SIM tray or an eSIM is puzzling, though.
Price is THE decider on whether this headset will be a success. This author - and others who’ve made the same point that Apple has had supposed failures many times before turn into successes - doesn’t seem to realize this. When has Apple *ever* introduced a completely new product category at an initial price point of $3k? Maybe the original Apple 2 (adjusted for inflation) - but nothing since then. Sure, there are several niche “pro” products in THS range and beyond, but nothing with hoped for mass market appeal. And Apple clearly wants this to eventually become the next iPhone. And I think the AR glasses originally promised for this timeframe had/has this potential - but not some dorky headset costing as much as a used car.
The decider will be the hardware and software integration, and the quality of the programs designed to use the capabilities of the device, if Apple has those things nailed down, then the device will succeed, however no matter what price Apple sets, it will be too much and the complaining will go on and on because many people will want it, but will not be able to afford it.
Even to this day, there are still many financial analysts who think Apple should drop their prices on all products to pick up more marketshare, which, if you know anything about Apple, you know that isn’t their way of doing business.
Yeah, well, remember when all the analysts said that Apple is Doomed™ if they don't release a netbook?
IMO, the lack of a true netbook was a huge miss. As was the original iMac with only USB1. As was, ironically, the delay in getting USB2 onto Macs. As was not buying Netflix. As was not opening up firewire. As was fiasco on 5G/QC...
Let's not forget the whole concept of NetBoot and where that could have gone for business and education.
The question should not be if Apple was doomed because of those 'errors' but how much more they could have achieved by following through with some moves.
Thankfully, we are not beholden to your opinions.
The MacBook Air was introduced in January 2008 as a premium ultraportable with a 13.3-inch screen and a full-size keyboard, and was promoted as the world's thinnest notebook, opening a laptop category known as the ultrabook family.
Netbooks were popular for a few years, but died an unnatural death due to the popularity of iPads, and smaller, fully featured notebooks at lower price points. Unsurprisingly, there are some companies that still build these, but their popularity isn't great.
For the record, the original iMac had two USB 1 ports. Later Apple would introduce Firewire, which was superior to USB 2, along with USB, and after that Thunderbolt, which is itself now part of USB.org. So, everything has come full circle, except for the replacement of Lightning with USB Type C.
As for Netflix, it hardly made sense for Apple to buy a company that was at the time, losing money, but more to the point, Apple has been able to create a service that is heavily curated and if anything, followed the lead of HBO original programming. Being able to offer a highly curated streaming service has benefits, especially as Apple's content creation has accelerated.
Oh, and Apple might have won the only Best Picture Oscar, given how restrictive SAG is about streamers.
As for 5G and Qualcomm, I'm not seeing how Apple had any "fiasco" at all transitioning iPhone and iPad to 5G. In fact, Apple seems to have had the fastest transition of all of smartphone manufacturers. Why would that be?
But at some point, and soon, Apple will not be beholden to Qualcomm, and will be able to apply its own 5G solutions to all of its products, especially Mac's, something that it would not do due to Qualcomm's licensing terms.
Price is THE decider on whether this headset will be a success. This author - and others who’ve made the same point that Apple has had supposed failures many times before turn into successes - doesn’t seem to realize this. When has Apple *ever* introduced a completely new product category at an initial price point of $3k? Maybe the original Apple 2 (adjusted for inflation) - but nothing since then. Sure, there are several niche “pro” products in THS range and beyond, but nothing with hoped for mass market appeal. And Apple clearly wants this to eventually become the next iPhone. And I think the AR glasses originally promised for this timeframe had/has this potential - but not some dorky headset costing as much as a used car.
The decider will be the hardware and software integration, and the quality of the programs designed to use the capabilities of the device, if Apple has those things nailed down, then the device will succeed, however no matter what price Apple sets, it will be too much and the complaining will go on and on because many people will want it, but will not be able to afford it.
Even to this day, there are still many financial analysts who think Apple should drop their prices on all products to pick up more marketshare, which, if you know anything about Apple, you know that isn’t their way of doing business.
Yeah, well, remember when all the analysts said that Apple is Doomed™ if they don't release a netbook?
IMO, the lack of a true netbook was a huge miss. As was the original iMac with only USB1. As was, ironically, the delay in getting USB2 onto Macs. As was not buying Netflix. As was not opening up firewire. As was fiasco on 5G/QC...
Let's not forget the whole concept of NetBoot and where that could have gone for business and education.
The question should not be if Apple was doomed because of those 'errors' but how much more they could have achieved by following through with some moves.
How did that work out for netbook makers? Fizzled out before they ever achieved any decent profits.
Even Apple dropped their 11” MBA because it wasn’t popular enough at that size.
Now there's an ARM version of Windows and SoCs are considerably more powerful and power efficient, but you don't see netbooks making a comeback. Perhaps that's because it was never a great idea.
Comments
And speaking of tiresome…All these people who think a tech forum is the appropriate avenue to push their morals onto others, then express their sadness when met with a little resistance. Yawn.
Surprise! These still run just fine. Apple MacOS must support these Intel computers out six or seven years from their last sale. Yes they are heavy, noisy from the fans and a real lap warmer but they do their job. Most reputable third party software folks will have to support them for many years as well.
I jumped onto a 2021 M1 MBAir 16,1TB as a starter and then added a 14" MBPro M1 Max and later the M1 Mac Studio Ultra. I see no reason to upgrade to a M2 series processor and will see what the M3 offers or even the M4 before upgrading again.
Now a new product is in the winds. I will wait and see the fallout from the launch and let the "Gotta have a first one" crowd discover what works and what does not work. The jingle stays in my pocket until the product appears to be solid and I see a valid use of it for me.
Hopefully, this still unreleased "product" will be more successful than myG4 Cube in the closet which was a unique design and customizable....
I wouldn't be at all surprised if this new product gets a muted reception. But it's likely to be what Apple does after that which will make or break it.
I personally don't find it too tiresome to read through comments because I always find a decent number of gems that make my read-through worthwhile. Like I said before, if something irks me, I take a deep breath and just move on. I've been in this forum for many, many years, yet my total number of posts is tiny company to many. I don't feel compelled to reply to every comment in every thread, and many times I just read through a thread and write nothing at all.
As to this forum being an avenue for others to push their thoughts, morals, sadness, etc. onto others, so be it! Freedom of expression carries risks. Yes, by giving people the freedom to berate others (within loose limits), there is the chance some of them actually will. But by giving people such freedom, the free flow of ideas also comes forth unrestrained, and that is a good thing in the end. People who berate others or even explode now and then don't do that all the time. Some people just have a bad day, but other times write some really great stuff. Freedom of expression is all about recognizing that and not getting too agitated over what they've written.
Lastly, this forum itself is somewhat of a virtual reality insofar as we are all here, yet not here. I suspect that if we all were sitting down at a table and given the opportunity to hash out our ideas face to face, we might say things a little differently.
Why Macs in 2023 still don't have a SIM tray or an eSIM is puzzling, though.
Netbooks were popular for a few years, but died an unnatural death due to the popularity of iPads, and smaller, fully featured notebooks at lower price points. Unsurprisingly, there are some companies that still build these, but their popularity isn't great.
For the record, the original iMac had two USB 1 ports. Later Apple would introduce Firewire, which was superior to USB 2, along with USB, and after that Thunderbolt, which is itself now part of USB.org. So, everything has come full circle, except for the replacement of Lightning with USB Type C.
History of Apple and USB
https://www.fastcompany.com/3044088/apple-and-usb-a-history-of-adoption-acceptance-acquiescence
As for Netflix, it hardly made sense for Apple to buy a company that was at the time, losing money, but more to the point, Apple has been able to create a service that is heavily curated and if anything, followed the lead of HBO original programming. Being able to offer a highly curated streaming service has benefits, especially as Apple's content creation has accelerated.
Oh, and Apple might have won the only Best Picture Oscar, given how restrictive SAG is about streamers.
As for 5G and Qualcomm, I'm not seeing how Apple had any "fiasco" at all transitioning iPhone and iPad to 5G. In fact, Apple seems to have had the fastest transition of all of smartphone manufacturers. Why would that be?
But at some point, and soon, Apple will not be beholden to Qualcomm, and will be able to apply its own 5G solutions to all of its products, especially Mac's, something that it would not do due to Qualcomm's licensing terms.
Even Apple dropped their 11” MBA because it wasn’t popular enough at that size.
Now there's an ARM version of Windows and SoCs are considerably more powerful and power efficient, but you don't see netbooks making a comeback. Perhaps that's because it was never a great idea.