Jeff.Mincey

I'm not among those who call for Cook's head, nor those who think Jobs walked on water. But I notice that chief among your observations about the performance of Cook during his tenure are financial metrics and virtually nothing about the design and quality of products, and this is very telling.

I realize that one cannot put in a help-wanted ad for a visionary — it simply doesn't work that way. Granted. But one thing Steve Jobs is documented to have done — and rightly so — was to eschew concern about the performance of the stock and the demands of shareholders and to stay focused on building products of high quality. As we all know, since its part of Jobs folklore, is that he sought to skate not where the puck is but where the puck is going to be. 

Easier said than done to be sure, but if Apple falls short by this measure, is it not better to do so by virtue of trying and then failing rather than for not having tried at all? 

Historically, for Apple it was always about the products. To make great products for the world was the driving force behind the company's aims and strategies. And by and large, it has done this very well — whether by virtue of innovating or by perfecting and polishing existing technologies.

But at this point, seven-plus years after Jobs passing, it's not unreasonable to ask about new products or new technologies. Where are they?

Yes, Apple's continued move into services under Cook is working out well. And by all accounts, the Apple watch is a leader in the wearables category. And not everything Jobs touched turned to gold — no question about that. 

But Cook is in many respects a typical, risk-averse, "caretaker" CEO, focusing more on counting beans than on keeping Apple at the forefront of new and exciting products for consumers. 

If you will indulge a sports metaphor, not every appearance at the plate will result in a hit. And not every hit will be a home run — not for Jobs, not for Cook, and not for anyone. But I have seen little from the leadership of Cook to instill confidence that he is safeguarding Apple's reputation as a company which every few years can be counted on to bring new and exciting products to consumers and in so doing to shake up the market. 

Time will tell...