Apple changes its name
06/05/07 12:25 Filed in: Apple
Much has been said about the removal of computer from
the name of Apple Inc. This has fuelled statements
from the usual news-, rumour- and seer-communities,
coupled with the delays to Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5)
and the focus on Apple TV and the iPhone. Clearly, as
a long-time user of Apple stuff, I have a view on
this as well. I am not unhappy with the name change.
Perhaps it is honest of Apple to say that it is no
longer merely a computer company. We've not moaned
against Sony who seem to make all sorts of stuff -
TV, VCRs, Music players, Computers, etc. We've got
use to Microsoft being a hardware company (keyboards,
mice, xbox). Similarly, we have combined companies
such as HP, IBM who do both. All the best to Apple -
maybe they can stimulate some more innovation,
integration and convergence into the marketplace - I
hope so.
The extension of Apple into the the other things that are connected with computers is not new - they were first with the LaserWriter to go with their PostScript-driven software; they had their own keyboards, mice, etc. They had their own PDA (invented the term), a very early digital camera. Then to extend to the wireless networks, the cards, the access points and more recently the iPods. It's not new - we shouldn't be surprised. It is often to kick-start the introduction of new technology - PostScript, PDA, WiFi. Perhaps it surprising that some Apple-branded products have not appeared - an Apple HD Camcorder; and some have appeared late - iPod HiFi for example.
I guess that we need to remember that Apple Inc are a business first and foremost and must turn a profit. That's the nature of capitalism. Apple's history means that they have launched into a new market and then as the third parties have matured they have withdrawn their products - witness the LaserWriter, the QuickCam, the Newton. The iPod has become such a phenomenal success that they have persisted. The move of Apple Inc to services is also not new - remember AppleLink?
What does the future hold? I don't think that Apple is going to change to a Sony-style consumer electronics with DVD players, TVs, hi-fi, ICE, etc. Sony are struggling enough with the other players in that market. But to add it's own values of total user experience of digital media - with end to end integration, convergence and ease of use - that means some strong products will come and AppleTV is but the next step.
The extension of Apple into the the other things that are connected with computers is not new - they were first with the LaserWriter to go with their PostScript-driven software; they had their own keyboards, mice, etc. They had their own PDA (invented the term), a very early digital camera. Then to extend to the wireless networks, the cards, the access points and more recently the iPods. It's not new - we shouldn't be surprised. It is often to kick-start the introduction of new technology - PostScript, PDA, WiFi. Perhaps it surprising that some Apple-branded products have not appeared - an Apple HD Camcorder; and some have appeared late - iPod HiFi for example.
I guess that we need to remember that Apple Inc are a business first and foremost and must turn a profit. That's the nature of capitalism. Apple's history means that they have launched into a new market and then as the third parties have matured they have withdrawn their products - witness the LaserWriter, the QuickCam, the Newton. The iPod has become such a phenomenal success that they have persisted. The move of Apple Inc to services is also not new - remember AppleLink?
What does the future hold? I don't think that Apple is going to change to a Sony-style consumer electronics with DVD players, TVs, hi-fi, ICE, etc. Sony are struggling enough with the other players in that market. But to add it's own values of total user experience of digital media - with end to end integration, convergence and ease of use - that means some strong products will come and AppleTV is but the next step.
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