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Four industries Apple can disrupt in the near future

Monday, January 2, 2012 · 10:41 am · 52 Comments

“Over the last 10 years, Apple has done a rather amazing job of disrupting quite a few industries. By my account, it has dramatically impacted the PC, tablet, consumer electronics, telecom, music and TV industries in a big way,” Tim Bajarin writes for TIME Magazine.” And I believe that Apple is on the cusp of disrupting at least four more major industries in the next three to five years.”

Bajarin believes Apple can disrupt the television, automobile, wristwatch, and the appliance industries.

Read more in the full article here.

Categories: News

Tags: Apple Inc., appliances, automobiles, television, wristwatch

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Comment Feed

52 Comments

1 2 Next »

macromancer

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 10:47 am · Reply

Apple needs to disrupt the networking industry, as in internet service and telco service. Maybe not this year but within a few years.
- squiggles
  
  Monday, January 2, 2012 - 12:53 pm · Reply
  
  Impossible for AAPL to disrupt the IP industry, since it’s allergic to the “last 50 feet” issue. AAPL simply isn’t going to wire up the world.
  
  Television’s an obvious target for disruption, although AAPL disruption usually happens when no one’s looking. With this many eyes on AAPL’s play for TV, the algebra is different this time.
  
  Tim Bajarin is playing captain obvious in the article, which isn’t AAPL’s style.
  
  If you look to the actual FLAN technologies where AAPL is allocating resources, such as nanotechnology and artificial intelligence, industrial disruption is more likely to emerge in BUTR fields that leverage them, such as robotics.
  - no, this year! please!
    
    Monday, January 2, 2012 - 1:57 pm · Reply
    
    It isn’t impossible for Apple to disrupt ISPs and telcos at all, they just have to buy or start from scratch their own ISP/telco… Then not engage in all the bullshit fees, rates, and atrociously poor infrastructure-building that everyone else does. Boom, disruption overnight.
    
    Remember, it was also “impossible” for Apple to disrupt all of the industries that they’ve disrupted so far.
  - mh
    
    Monday, January 2, 2012 - 2:44 pm · Reply
    
    last 50 feet is well within wireless range!
  - N8nNC
    
    Monday, January 2, 2012 - 4:44 pm · Reply
    
    Disruption of ISP, land line, and cable TV industries is enabled by LTE-Advanced (real “4G”, not the watered-down industry sales label). 1 Gbps to fixed endpoints (i.e. Apple TV) and 100 Mbps to endpoints in motion (iPhone). Of course, the existing transmission issues will remain, but I suspect Apple has good solutions planned. This takes care of the last mile problem and also interior wiring problem to get HD programming delivered to everyone. I have read (and observed) that many people with HDTVs aren’t watching HD programming. Observably better quality with less hassle is a winner. Consumers will be only too happy to abandon the telcos and cable companies.
Wingsy

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 10:49 am · Reply

The automotive segment that is in desperate need of disruption is Ford Sync. It’s where I won’t even sit in a Ford with the engine running, especially now that they’re introducing a system that actually steers you back into your lane if it thinks you’re drifting out of it. If Microsoft and their bedfellows have anything at all to do with it (like they do with Ford Sync) then it’s only a matter of time before it kills someone.
- kingmel
  
  Monday, January 2, 2012 - 11:03 am · Reply
  
  The software for such advanced automobile control systems is becoming increasingly complex and subject to errors and bugs. There is such great variability in real world conditions, that it is impossible to anticipate and test for every possible combination of conditions. And that does not even take into account the tremendous variability among drivers, or the more subtle variations among cars, even of the same model, as they age and are equipped with different components (different rims and tires, etc.).
  
  The slope between full manual control and full automation is a very slippery one, and the supporting infrastructure does not yet exist on the American highway system. I believe that we should deal with bridge maintenance first, along with our national power grids. Then we can worry about attempting to automate a system that really doesn’t want to be automated (despite the potential advantages of doing so).
- bizzkit68
  
  Monday, January 2, 2012 - 11:58 am · Reply
  
  Just bought a 2012 Explorer with Sync My Ride and SMR is crap. While is was in the service department the other day I started calling it Stink My Ride. No one disagreed with me.
  Put a piece of electrical tape over the MS logo on the dash.
  - Social Reject
    
    Monday, January 2, 2012 - 1:34 pm · Reply
    
    Let’s see…
    Disagree with the retard, or ignore him and hope he leaves the dealership ASAP.
  - The Mac That Roared
    
    Monday, January 2, 2012 - 4:00 pm · Reply
    
    I think “Sink My Ride” is more accurate.
- TheConfuzed1
  
  Monday, January 2, 2012 - 12:08 pm · Reply
  
  Sync has nothing todo with Active Lane Keeping Assist, and there is no “steering” taking place.
  
  I work for Mercedes-Benz, who invented that technology–When a specialized camera sees you veer over the line, slight brake is applied to one side of the car, in order to naturally bring you back.
  
  It doesn’t take control of your car; the driver can ultimately control where the car drives, and the system does nothing if the blinker is on, indicating to the system that you crossed the line intentionally.
  
  Ultimately, when you learn to trust it, it makes you a better driver, an some people need all the help they can get!
  - leodavinci1
    
    Monday, January 2, 2012 - 1:25 pm · Reply
    
    You just made one of kingmel’s points.
    
    In a real world emergency driving situation, where it would be necessary to shift lanes on the spur of the moment and you barely have time to check if there is a car in the next lane… let alone use your turn signals to indicate a lane change, how will the system’s auto-braking affect your emergency driving?
    
    Would it keep you from changing lanes in time to prevent an accident?
    
    Would it cause you to lose control and thereby initiate an accident?
    
    Every real eventuality can’t be foreseen. A lot of auto accidents aren’t the result of human driver errors that can programmed in advance for
    - TheConfuzed1
      
      Monday, January 2, 2012 - 3:34 pm · Reply
      
      No, it wouldn’t prevent you from turning.
      
      No one builds safer vehicles than Mercedes-Benz.
      
      It is there to help you, but if you turn against it, you will over-ride it.
Johnny Appleseed

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 10:55 am · Reply

There’s still a wristwatch industry?
- squiggles
  
  Monday, January 2, 2012 - 12:40 pm · Reply
  
  This is an old article. The wristwatch industry is tying an iPod nano around your wrist. Apple already disrupted it.
  - silverhawk1
    
    Monday, January 2, 2012 - 12:47 pm · Reply
    
    Actually the cell phone industry disrupted the wrist watch industry. Everyone has a watch in their pocket.
    - squiggles
      
      Monday, January 2, 2012 - 2:04 pm · Reply
      
      agreed.
kingmel

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 10:56 am · Reply

Tim Bajarin failed to include the online publishing, mobile advertisement, online software distribution, and portable gaming industries in his list.

I would have omitted ‘TV’ from his list. Apple will undoubtedly impact that area in the future, but has not yet had a material impact. Roku, Netflix, and Hulu have had a stronger impact on TV than Apple (so far).
- qka
  
  Monday, January 2, 2012 - 12:51 pm · Reply
  
  Apple already HAS disrupted the online software distribution industry.
  
  Notice how everyone else is rushing out their “app” stores?
- Artimus Macimus
  
  Monday, January 2, 2012 - 5:36 pm · Reply
  
  Yeah, he also forgot the biggest disruption. As I posted on his site:
  Why do you show a picture of the Apple logo adorning an Apple retail store and, yet do not seem to note that their retail store disrupted the entire retail segment.
  I seem to recall that an analyst said “I give them 2 years before they turn the lights off on every expensive mistake.”
  Now they have nearly 400 stores making the most money per SF in the world.
Ubermac

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 10:57 am · Reply

He forgot Advertising… Siri.

Duhhh!
dancamera

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 10:58 am · Reply

Amen to the automotive industry! Jesus, someone please save my driving experience! Please!!!!!
- Ploth
  
  Monday, January 2, 2012 - 5:51 pm · Reply
  
  why use the name of the only One who can actually save you?
  - Moses
    
    Monday, January 2, 2012 - 6:24 pm · Reply
    
    Probably because he has his Plastic Jesus© on his dashboard and a fish decal on his rear deck.
krquet

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 11:24 am · Reply

Apple needs more to consolidate their existing products and technologies than rush to revolutionise new industries, particularly in response to all the lazy analysts of the world.

Having said all that, the next big (and obvious to me) move should be space as in the final frontier, namely a fleet of satellites covering the globe (good luck cheap OEMs with photocopiers).
Tilted Sideways

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 11:25 am · Reply

Apple needs to revolutionize the produce industry. They could be protecting diverse strains with seed banks, promoting self-reliance with gardening education apps, eliminating childhood obesity with nutrition monitoring iOS peripherals.

Apple should be the 21st century Jonny Appleseed!
The Other Steve

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 11:31 am · Reply

Wristwatch?
- MacBeliever
  
  Monday, January 2, 2012 - 11:44 am · Reply
  
  I think it was the late Willie Wonka’s plan to make a Dick Tracy wristwatch. That would be the coolest ios device ever.
Cubert

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 12:06 pm · Reply

Didn’t he write this exact same article in two parts about a month ago?
- Cubert
  
  Monday, January 2, 2012 - 12:12 pm · Reply
  
  I knew I wasn’t crazy.
  
  http://macdailynews.com/2011/11/07/tim-bajarin-four-industries-apple-can-still-disrupt/
  - iVador
    
    Monday, January 2, 2012 - 12:22 pm · Reply
    
    Ha!
Not Bill

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 12:20 pm · Reply

When we see the “Apple Edition” Cadillac Escalade the end will be near.
- qka
  
  Monday, January 2, 2012 - 1:37 pm · Reply
  
  Apple has too much class to get associated with a tarted up truck.
  
  After all, Steve said people prefer cars to trucks.
- Ploth
  
  Monday, January 2, 2012 - 6:17 pm · Reply
  
  youre thinking like people before Henry Ford did his thing. Apple won’t do a faster car, they’ll do the next big thing in transport…if they decide
m159

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 12:28 pm · Reply

If you count Pixar as part of the Apple/Jobs phenomenon, the animated film industry was disrupted, with DreamWorks, et al, desperately trying to copy and catch up.
silverhawk1

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 12:29 pm · Reply

The “Apple Edition” Escalade already exists; I’ve got the Apple logo on my rear window.
- temprakneeoh
  
  Monday, January 2, 2012 - 3:19 pm · Reply
  
  as Steve would aptly say, Escalades suck. someone driving one with an Apple sticker is the picture of irony. do you have a spray tan too?!
  - silverhawk1
    
    Monday, January 2, 2012 - 5:29 pm · Reply
    
    Aren’t you the altruistic one. What kind of car did Steve drive that had no license plate? Why no plate, because he found a loop hole in the law and replaced his vehicle every six months. No, Steve would not “aptly” say that.
  - silverhawk1
    
    Monday, January 2, 2012 - 5:44 pm · Reply
    
    Did you find out what car Steve drove? I didn’t think so.
    Steve drove a A Mercedes SL55 AMG with no license plates.
    The SL55 has a 5.4 L V-8 and gets a combined 14 mpg.
  - Manny
    
    Monday, January 2, 2012 - 6:30 pm · Reply
    
    Cadillac Escalades? The tarted up Pontiac Aztec? Cripes if I wanted to drive a hot truck I’d get a Peterbilt with chrome stacks and all the trimmin’s. (Trimmins ? Oh well.)
iRoss

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 12:33 pm · Reply

The Digital House is the final frontier and the digital convergence of everything !!! Apple should be the prime player.
- althegeo
  
  Tuesday, January 3, 2012 - 7:34 am · Reply
  
  All houses are digital.
  
  The number on mine is 3686.
bezoar

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 1:04 pm · Reply

I think they could greatly impact the banking and credit card industries.
Altos

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 2:36 pm · Reply

Wristwatch ? Seriously ?

Whatever happened to Newspaper/Magazine/books ? Those would seem to be next in line if not already being targeted.
bkire

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 2:50 pm · Reply

I believe it will be dark tonight and light in the morning. Must be slow day in the MDN newsroom.
Mac95

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 3:47 pm · Reply

I think Apple should start constructing satellites.
janeshepard

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 3:53 pm · Reply

I believe that, earlier, Apple disrupted the accounting industry with the help of Dan Bricklin’s Visicalc (and later, MS Excel), the typewriter industry with the help of MS Word, the printing industry with Aldus Pagemaker and the LaserWriter, and a few others. And the Juggernaut is still rolling.
- squiggles
  
  Monday, January 2, 2012 - 4:46 pm · Reply
  
  Gettin all historical!
R2

Monday, January 2, 2012 - 4:01 pm · Reply

Is this it for today? What the hell happened?

Holidays are over, get back to work MDN like the rest of us, MDN!