“We’re down to the last two-and-a-half days of 2006, and Apple CEO Steve Jobs is 11 days from taking the wraps off a shiny new product line at MacWorld San Francisco. Other former Apple figures might be a few weeks from being indicted,” Pete Mortensen writes for the Wired’s “Cult of Mac” blog. “What better time to take stock of the last 12 months and look ahead to what’s coming?”
Cult of Mac’s Ten Questions Apple Must Answer in 2007:
10. Is Apple ready to compete in two new fields (Home Theatre and Mobile Telephony)?
9. Will .Mac survive into 2008?
8. Has the switch to Intel been successful from a third party software perspective?
7. What should Apple credit for soaring Mac sales?
6. What’s Apple going to do with its new campus in Cupertino?
5. Is Apple comfortable with Mac OS X as the “Big Tent” operating system?
4. Is Apple getting complacent with its industrial design?
3. What more can Apple do with the iPod?
2. What’s Apple up to do with Google?
1. Can Apple stay successful if Jobs steps down?
Full article here.
Please tell me why Apple needs to address whether or not it can be successful without Steve Jobs in 2007? Steve will continue to be around, so it is not a matter that needs to be immediately addressed.
I don’t see any reason why Apple has to answer questions of that type.
Apple doesn’t usually announce plans in advance. Rumour mongers and analysts don’t like it, but that’s how Apple operate, so get over it.
Apple doesn’t need to address anything that Apple doesn’t want to address.
I’d certainly be interested in the answers to most of those – particularly the issue of industrial design. Who knows – hopefully Steve will wow us with something ravishingly new and wonderous to behold at Macworld, but I think it can safely be argued that Apple’s design department has been snoozing of late. MacBook Pros that are all but identical to 5-year old PowerBooks, iPod nanos which essentially take their cues from the iPod mini, etc. Aside from the MacBook and the iPod stereo thing, I can’t think of any entirely redesigned hardware to have emerged from Apple as of late (and the shuffle doesn’t count – they just rejigged a bit of the nano’s casing).
That’s called Risk Management: Steve is historically so tied to the profitability of Apple that the stock price – a valuation based on the potential for future profit – is significantly dependent on his presence. Don’t forget that not only is Steve a cancer survivor, he’s currently named in a stock options scandal involving falsification of documents. And he’s also publically stated that if he’s not happy doing what he’s doing, he’ll move on! Three risks investors need to ensure are mitigated – or they will be reflected in the stock price.
Wow, this guy is totally full of himself. Apple doesn’t have to answer any of your shit.
I think Apple does need to address the question of success without Steve Jobs. Sure, he may not step down any time soon, but the man can’t predict his own death. Fatal car accidents happen every day – what if Steve were to be killed in one? At least with a “retirement”, Apple would have a chance to prepare for his departure. With his unexpected death, all bets are off. Personally, I think Jonathan Ive will take over.
The issue of industrial design for Macs is quite simple. When the processors were changed from PPC to Intel, it was important that customers felt that they were buying a proper Mac. Keeping the look essentially the same makes customers feel reassured. It looks like a Mac, it acts like a Mac, then it surely is a Mac – irrespective of what’s powering it.
Now the transition is complete and customers have discovered for themselves that Intel Macs are just like any other Mac, there’s no reason to stay with the familiar look. I’m quite sure that Mr Ive hasn’t been idle and the fruits of his genius will be revealed before too long.
The Mac look is getting boring.
iMacs are just ugly giant white chiclets on sticks.
And my new generation Nano – heck, I have to wrap it in some ugly case to protect it so what does it matter what Apple designs? – I nor anyone else ever sees it.
Apple would totally die without Steve Jobs. Jobs = Apple/Apple = Jobs. In the long run it is a terrible predictment for Apple to be in. I know Steve is trying to be the Walt Disney of Computers where Walt was the sole face of the company to the world, but computers are different than movies and theme parks.
Apple has to figure out how to get new products out faster.
10. Yes. Yes. (Whenever/if they release…)
9. Yes.
8. Yes.
7. Intel switch, OSX, crap Windoze, retail stores, good design, iApps, FCP…
6. Data center… for… ?
5. Of course. Why not?
4. Nah. But Apple still moves very slowly at times… that’s worrisome. Success can bring complacency and malaise.
3. January 8?
2. Friends first. Lovers…? I wouldn’t go there, yet.
1. Yes. Tho we don’t know who the next frontman would be and I haven’t seen anyone exciting yet.
A’right? Cool? Cool.
10. Is Apple ready to compete in two new fields (Home Theatre and Mobile Telephony)?
Answer: Yes (or Duh, take your pick). Within a year, count on iTV being able to deliver FiOS-like customers the ability to purchase TV networks ala-carte, $2.99 stnd def, $3.99 a HD per month, and turn cable and dish networks on their heads… 10 mbps+ required for HD versions of ESPN, etc…
9. Will .Mac survive into 2008?
Answer: Only if they are able/willing to give it its own iLife application. An iTunes-like solution where email, website and content can be managed.
8. Has the switch to Intel been successful from a third party software perspective?
Answer: Apple need not answer this, as this question seems rehtorical in nature, but yes, the switch has been successful.
7. What should Apple credit for soaring Mac sales?
Answer: Again, Apple answering this question is irrelavant. The point is it has been successful, mostly due to two points:
A. Intel being accepted in the consumer Windows world, thus Apple becomes less threatening in the mind of the consumer.
B. The ability to run Windows and associated application on a Mac – if need be – allowing enough of a comfort level for Windows users to switch.
C. iPod/iTunes + Apple retail stores.
6. What’s Apple going to do with its new campus in Cupertino?
A. Space for when they buy out Adobe and move the Seattle kids south.
B. When Apple is acquired by Google, and Steve Jobs stays CEO, and gains another $5 billion+, furthering his quest of becoming the richest man in the world… but I didn’t say that…
5. Is Apple comfortable with Mac OS X as the “Big Tent” operating system?
Answer: Duh, yes, an OS is the perfect rabit hole, and it remains the key to long-term viability. That said, iTunes is rapidly emerging, and will soon emerge as being the second most important platform for the company after MWSF ’07.
4. Is Apple getting complacent with its industrial design?
Answer: This is a leading question, and it seems strange to see such a question put forth. MWSF should put this assumption to rest.
3. What more can Apple do with the iPod?
Answer: Full-screen version with 720p capabilities, that’s what. Q107.
2. What’s Apple up to do with Google?
Answer: See answer to #4.
1. Can Apple stay successful if Jobs steps down?
Answer: Short-term, yes. Long-term, no.
Steve has the next 12-18 months already on track. After that, should Steve leave, who knows what other person can be the visionary Steve Jobs is, and who can drive and get people to commit to his ideas the way he can? Bill Clinton and his own powerful reality distortion field perhaps? Bill and Al, once again at the helm. Ahhh, that’s just too funny, or scary, you decide.
What makes him think .Mac is not going to be around for years to come? What a stupid question.
The look of the Mac is not getting boring, unless you’re simply a “what’s new” whore and likely have a taste for Alienware. And iMacs are great looking machines.
As far as Apple without Jobs: Jobs is surely setting a tone within his camps so that Apple can become more about the products and technologies it creates and less about the show and the PR and the drama.
Additionally, the number of Apple customers is increasing, but the number of devotees likely is not. Apple as a “cult” will pass.
You’re kidding right?
There have got to be some better questions.
“Is Apple getting complacent with its industrial design?”
Well at least they haven’t released anything that looks like that XPS vomit that Dell sells. That would be the definition of complacency.
0. What about those stock options?
Why answer any questions to the public?????? does any other company have to? A company is responsible only to the board and stockholders……All companys do and have to change over time, Apple can’t/won’t/should’t be always the same…Life and markets change constantly. Few companys last with out changing and re-inventing themselves. Who knows, 50 years from now Apple might not even be in the computer biz……my 2 cents
OMG, we really do expect great things from Apple and Sir Steve. No wonder he had a hard time coming back….think about all of this. He and the company has done a FANTASTIC job on everything….and that goes for all the employees and the BOD…ya, even Al Gore…don’t really know what he has done…but he is part of the BOD…
We all want and expect INSANELY GREAT things out of Cupertino…those things sometimes take a while longer…even Apple can’t control the laws of physics….we may think they can change those laws, but it just doesn’t happen over nite….(not changing, but controlling the laws of physics)
I for one, do expect great things….but we all sometimes gotta wait a bit longer….
How about the first 3D computer…Mac…..no one ever mentions this….if you don’t think they aren’t working on it….well then, you really don’t have that vision thing…it is coming….and it will be the greatest thing the world has ever seen…
Steve said in an interview years ago that this sort of stuff only happens once every 20 years….well, that is what I recall….but he is about right…once every 20 years….and it is past due…
but with the shinking of integrated circuits…they got stalled because the process had to change a little..and mature….I don’t really think Mr. Jobs has the patience for that…but he knows what he wants…and think of the pressure he puts himself under….it’s not only the workers, but if yu’al don’t think he doesn’t do it to himself….i think we are all very lucky for him and all of the employees at Apple to do their job…and stay on their job….the pressure must be something most of us have never been part of….
Product suggestion:
The iRaq iMac: brilliant at everything, but can’t save a file. Comes with keynote speech by Administration saying it’s the best there is just about every day.
Includes new games: Pin the Tail on the Donkey [with caricatures of the Wolfwitch, Rum-field and Chainy-man…].
Given free to every hard-pressed serviceman in Iraq, the unit will be armored with Kevlar and can be used as a seat cushion for protecting strategically important soft targets.
Can be given to local inhabitant as compensation for shot [cow, sibling, spouse, child, coconut grove].
Startup Song: Walters & Kazha – The War Is Not Over
Yes it is. Time to bring the boys home. Or start all over: Give Saddam his country back for a year then reinvade without the idiots in Washington having any say in how to get it done.
“There are no stupid questions, but there sure are a lot of inquisitive idiots.”
and other quotes for the serious skeptic, unrepentant pragmatist, determined dissenter, and subversive malcontent
Bill Clinton and his own powerful reality distortion field perhaps? Bill and Al, once again at the helm.
O…M…F…G…
I don’t know who’d be worse at a keynote: Bubba Clinton with his sax, or Gore the Mannequin saying he invented everything.
Apple does give the impression of having a long-term succession problem; it’s hard to think of anyone big or bright enough to fill Steve’s shoes.
When Steve does leave Apple, he will need to get as far away from Cupertino as possible. Like go explore Antarctica or something. Any successor will need room to run Apple their way, without Steve casting a shadow or influencing their decisions. They won’t need the politics of everyone second-guessing their moves, or everyone asking Steve what he thinks.
Heh maybe Steve should take a page from Donald Trump and hire an apprentice, an Apple Apprentice! Make it a TV series, I’d watch it.
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Give Saddam his country back for a year then reinvade without the idiots in Washington having any say in how to get it done.
Saddam’s dead, dude. Follow the news.
Steve Jobs has both an iron fist and a magic touch. Maybe he can save Iraq.
Why is it always “10” questions, points, or things to do?
By forcing the number 10 you are ether leaving off important questions or (worse) asking dumb questions in order to fill space.
And why MUST Apple answer anything from Pete? The full article doesn’t say.
yer fired – you are an A..hole. What does that have to do with Apple and it’d future? Gore never said he invented the internet, only repunlican maggots make that claim.
FSCK CLINTON AND GORE.