nolamacguy

farmboy said:

nolamacguy said:

farmboy said:

Just a question: does anyone here feel that Schiller has his finger on the pulse of the computer/tech world?

For my part, the answer is no. Microsoft is everywhere with commercials that say "You can't do that on a Mac" and "My Mac doesn't do that". Apple's response (direct or indirect) is nowhere to be found. Is this because Schiller can't think of a response, or because the products that might counter such ads or create their own buzz don't exist? I think the Touch Bar is a significant advance in user interface, and I don't know if the Surface is going to be crap or the Next Big Thing, but right now it's all anyone is talking about. Why would you cede this battlefield to a deep pocket competitor?

Based on the Apple executive interviews everyone is commenting on, the recent Apple approach of "we just took years and years polishing and polishing this pebble until it glowed" is Band on the Titanic Redux. And bad things tend to happen when you bring marketing and advertising all in house. Maybe we can get another Bokeh photo feature ad for iPhone (ask around yourself...most people seeing those ads have no idea what the ad was about), or another "shot on iPhone" ad. I know the "shooting in the rain at night on a skateboard" ad was, uh, riveting.

I qualify as one of the oldest Apple fanboys (1985 and a crap ton of Macs ever since), but this boat needs a new crew. Maybe the Admiral can stay on board, maybe not.

(hey pro tip -- "I've been an Apple Fan since xxx..." is basically a troll trope these days. you get no street red with that, especially with so few posts/history here)

as for Microsoft's ads:

1) theyre comparing touch/drawing functionality to a Mac when they should be comparing it to iPad. they also dont call attention to their lousy OS, battery life, etc etc. it's a cherry-picking ad.

2) when you're the market leader as Apple is, you dont run ads responding to your challengers. only challengers call out market leaders. 

Another Pro Tip: Truth is Truth. Got my first Apple //c in July, 1985 in a warehouse sale in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Have purchased more than 40 in the interim, and all of them but one Mac II still work in case you're curious. My short life here on AI is a result lurking for years and being on MacRumors since 2003, and a couple other beloved sites now extinct. Left because of trolls. I appreciate your positivity toward Apple products, and up until a year or so ago I was right there with you. But I have to call it the way I see it. I'm still an Apple guy, but these recent releases have done nothing to advance the cause. It's been a series of unforced errors.

Of course the Microsoft ads are selective and misleading; that doesn't mean they're not occupying the public's imagination, as you must be aware from the comments here on AI. When you offer nothing to counter that mindshare for almost a year now, you're going to lose. Consumers are not techies---they assume it's all true. And please understand, that new Surface device is a hideous, erector set industrial design, but it's something no one else has. Why not run iPad Pro ads? Pencil, Office apps, etc. Do something to show you still have a pulse.

Of course you don't ever have to respond tit for tat to a competitor; but in a world where Apple sales are shrinking, you have to be much more productive and visible than they have been. It's not like they can't afford it.

dysamoria said:

nolamacguy said:

dysamoria said:

jmgregory1 said:

As is typical with Apple products, there is a vocal minority of complainers out there, never satisfied with some aspect of any Apple device. When Apple was selling the fastest, most powerful (fill in the blank device), the complainers said it was too expensive, or didn't have some port or drive that they just absolutely couldn't live without. As I've lived with Apple products going back to the original Macintosh, and supported them through lots of dark days, I kind of feel bad for Apple. They have been scorned for so long, especially by people in the tech (and financial) markets, even as they push entire markets and their competitors forward.

The thing is, they DO push the markets and tech forward... And then they rest on their laurels for as many years as it takes to cause serious self-inflicted injuries. They go in spurts of great accomplishments, followed by insular arrogance and downward spirals. Last time, they were rescued by one of their original founders. That will not happen again. There is very little legitimate leadership in the publicly owned corporate landscape, let alone the stagnant computer industry. Apple seriously pushed that stagnation, and I rejoiced, but they are now part of the problem again, through their own fault (and yes, Intel only developing chipsets for huge, loud, and hot PCs).

hmm, interesting - so you're saying that you think Apple is DOOOMED? what a thought. 

I can't stop you putting words in my mouth or building strawman arguments, but... No. I just want this wretched industry back on track like it was between Snow Leopard and iOS 7. I see Apple as the best company to be able to do it, should they be aware enough and willing to do what it takes. As of right now, they're deviating massively and falling down the rabbit hole of shareholder rule and consumer trend setting (which is ironic, since flat UI is a trend they followed, not lead).

williamh said:

How does it compare to a $500 Windows laptop with similar specs?  I know the screen won't be as good.  It won't be as light.  It will be running Windows.  FFS, I have about just about everything Apple makes in my house: I'm willing to pay a premium for Apple quality, security, etc. but they got the pricing on this wrong.

(iMac 27", Macbook Air 11", Macbook Pro (2), Watch (2) Time Capsule, iPhone 7 (2), iPhone 6+, iPhone 6s, iPad Mini, iPad Mini3, iPad2, iPad Air2 - perhaps I've forgotten something? Sold the old AppleTV a few weeks ago)  

mike1 said:

Absolutely would miss the digital out on an ATV. One of the reasons I haven't moved to an ATV4. I use the ATV3 for Airplay from my computer and feed the digital audio out to my AV receiver. Can't do that with an ATV4.

farmboy said:

Just a question: does anyone here feel that Schiller has his finger on the pulse of the computer/tech world?

For my part, the answer is no. Microsoft is everywhere with commercials that say "You can't do that on a Mac" and "My Mac doesn't do that". Apple's response (direct or indirect) is nowhere to be found. Is this because Schiller can't think of a response, or because the products that might counter such ads or create their own buzz don't exist? I think the Touch Bar is a significant advance in user interface, and I don't know if the Surface is going to be crap or the Next Big Thing, but right now it's all anyone is talking about. Why would you cede this battlefield to a deep pocket competitor?

Based on the Apple executive interviews everyone is commenting on, the recent Apple approach of "we just took years and years polishing and polishing this pebble until it glowed" is Band on the Titanic Redux. And bad things tend to happen when you bring marketing and advertising all in house. Maybe we can get another Bokeh photo feature ad for iPhone (ask around yourself...most people seeing those ads have no idea what the ad was about), or another "shot on iPhone" ad. I know the "shooting in the rain at night on a skateboard" ad was, uh, riveting.

I qualify as one of the oldest Apple fanboys (1985 and a crap ton of Macs ever since), but this boat needs a new crew. Maybe the Admiral can stay on board, maybe not.