“Apple’s product strategy has been receiving more attention lately as voice-first and AI-first become buzzwords in Silicon Valley,” Neil Cybart writes for Above Avalon. “Questions regarding whether Apple even has a coherent product vision are on the rise. While Apple is no stranger to receiving skepticism and cynicism, the degree to which people are discounting Apple’s product strategy is noteworthy. There is mounting evidence that Apple’s industrial designers are following a product vision based on using design to make technology more personal. It is becoming clear that such a vision extends well beyond just selling personal gadgets.”
“Apple’s financials paint a picture of a company following an iPhone as Hub product strategy in which iPhone is the sun and every other product revolves around iPhone,” Cybart writes. 
“Apple looks at Apple Watch as the natural evolution of personal computing. Having Siri intelligence on the wrist throughout the day, in addition to receiving and consuming information via a screen, is powerful,” Cybart writes. “Meanwhile, HomePod is positioned as an Apple Watch accessory capable of delivering sound in a way that just isn’t feasible for a device worn on the wrist. While some companies are advocating new product strategies such as voice-first or AI-first, Apple is taking a different path with a product strategy evolving into one based on wearables. Voice and AI are then positioned as core technologies powering these wearable devices. To a certain degree, this is the inevitable path Apple has been on for the past 40 years. Going forward, the largest opportunity for Apple will be found in using its product vision to create personal technology paths in new industries.”
Tons more in the full article – highly recommended – here.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple Watch + AirPods is a sublime experience that goes well beyond music and deeply into the realm of connected personal computing. We can’t wait for Apple Watch + HomePod(s)!
If you don’t have an Apple Watch yet, you’re missing out. — MacDailyNews, April 11, 2016
SEE ALSO:
Morgan Stanley: iPhone supercyle is for real, Apple Watch demand second to none – October 13, 2017
First week with Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular): Connectivity makes for a truly smart watch – October 9, 2017
Macworld reviews Apple Watch Series 3: The wearable leader runs out to an insurmountable lead – October 6, 2017
Ars Technica reviews Apple Watch Series 3: Despite some teething pains, it’s great to use – September 27, 2017
Some reviewers’ Apple Watch Series 3 ‘LTE issues’ due to easily-fixable Wi-Fi bug – September 20, 2017
Jim Dalrymple reviews Apple Watch Series 3: ‘Do yourself a favor and get one’ – September 20, 2017
Some reviewers’ Apple Watch Series 3 ‘LTE issues’ due to easily-fixable Wi-Fi bug – September 20, 2017
Wired reviews Apple Watch Series 3: ‘For the first time ever, I love the Apple Watch’ – September 20, 2017
9to5Mac reviews Apple Watch Series 3: Unlocks new potential with LTE, dramatically improved Siri – September 20, 2017
Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple Watch Series 3 LTE models selling much faster than expected – September 18, 2017
Why the carriers must drop the Apple Watch LTE connectivity tax – September 15, 2017
How much Apple Watch Series 3 data plans will cost on Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Sprint – September 14, 2017
Apple Watch, the world’s best-selling watch, can now work without an iPhone – September 12, 2017
New Apple Watch Series 3 delivers built-in cellular with powerful new health and fitness enhancements – September 12, 2017
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This is a bunch of “no shit!”. :/
The following excerpt captures the substance of this article:
It is hard to state the situation more clearly or succinctly than that. “Voice” and “AI” are *not* products, they are capabilities that can be integrated into products to improve their flexibility, functionality, and utility. Apple understands that. As a result, Apple is not just investing in basic AI R&D and then vomiting it out in every possible product. Apple is carefully assessing if and how AI should be embedded into its products and how those products can/should be evolved to take advantage of AI and other new technologies. The way that Apple works, a new technology like AI has already been in use for years before someone actually recognizes that it exists in shipping products. That is because the technology serves specific product needs rather than being just another bullet in a product feature list.
I prefer, for myself, a me first strategy.
Totally agree. Google is going with making AI and their Assistant central making any devices that tie in to Google’s ecosystem extensions/portals into a single consistent core of services focused on ‘you’ located in the cloud. Devices that break can quickly be replaced and personalized to you in minutes.
Apple seems to be split between trying to get users cloud-based, yet keeping private information securely located in a handful of devices. It wouldn’t feel so much like keeping your eggs in one basket if iOS devices could easily be backed up to the user’s Mac or some sort of encrypted ‘image’ could be placed on a external storage device.
CEPro seems to be excited about how everything ties together in Google’s ecosystem.
https://www.cepro.com/article/google_home_max_nest_home_automation_machine_learning?utm_source=CEPWeekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=content&eid=343809771&bid=1892464
In the not too distant future, the Watch will have as much functionality as today’s iPhone. The screen will be a hi-res laser projection, and that’s when I want one.
Just wait until someone else does it, screws it up, gets all the arrows in their back. Then Apple can step in and fix their mistakes. A valid approach to be certain. Smart. Very smart.
Oh, don’t worry, I’m objective. A bunch of morons are copying the notch as we speak.