Macworld this year — a major marketing bonanza for Apple — was clearly not the hype event Apple typically puts on for the tongue wagging Mac enthusiast.
With no Steve Jobs at the Macworld helm and too many long-winded presentations (almost 25 minutes were spent selling the new face recognition feature in iPhoto) well, one had to wonder: Has Apple sent us a message on the current status of their company.
Yes, the world economy is tanking. And yes, consumer drive to buy Apple’s sexy products have hit the brakes as well. Silicon Alley Insider writes:
“a year ago, Apple reported 44% year-over-year Mac unit sales growth.”
The article goes on to say Apple’s growth in the last quarter of 08 dropped to 13%. Pretty serious — and — heavy pull back.
Albeit, chances are this dip in Mac sales is tied closely to the progressing recession. But, could this drawback in buying expensive Apple products open the consumer eye and encourage wiser spending habits in the future?
Or, are Apple products just that niche must-have item that will again sell like hotcakes when the economy picks itself back up again.
Right now though it sounds like folks aren’t ready to pay the premium price for this Lexus of the computer world, but with a lot of real good technology in Apple’s product pipeline — and their $25 billion dollar debt-free capital reserve — I’d wager heavy that Apple is staging a strong comeback in 2009.
Where’s my iPhone?
You were not impressed with the Steve Jobs-less keynote? I thought it was not terribly too different than previous Apple presentations, in such that similar amounts of time were devoted to similar offerings. Certainly Jobs is more of a "rock star" than Schiller, but he out-performed any other presenter today.
I believe Apple is poised to have a good year though I probably would not characterize it as a comeback. That statement makes it sound like Apple dropped, when in fact they're on top of the mindshare world – even through these hard times iPod's and iPhone's are selling like hotcakes, products which normally would not sell during a recession.
One last jab: you sure Apple products are really considered "expensive" in the grand scheme? Comparing like products, Apple's offerings come out as equal if not less expensive.
January 8, 2009 @ 10:11
Past Macworlds had some big launches to brag about. This one struck me as mediocre — with a few product updates sprinkled on. Plus, they should have had Sinatra out there instead of Bennett. That would've been magical!
Are you sure iPods are selling at hotcake pace recently? I've seen numbers showing them taking a dip. Given — we are in a bad way with the economy, but I think the iPod's day of reckoning is here.
On the other hand — the iPhone 'is' here to stay. OR…. will the Palm smartphone boot it to the curb…
Expensive is subjective. But we certainly do agree that Apple PC products can be found equal or lower in price as compared to, say a similarly spec'd Dell PC.
January 9, 2009 @ 03:30
As much as I love most of Apples products I predict that the company has hit it's pinnacle, or at least is is due for a bit of a slump. It seems to me that over the years the health of the company has always been closely tied to the health and or presence of it's head honcho. Steve seems to be slowing down a bit… Just like me! Haha!
If a good leader steps in hopefully we will see a new vision for the company that will help it push forward into the future. If I was running things I would keep trying to make all the products smaller and cheaper without losing the sexy.
January 9, 2009 @ 01:50
As much as I love most of Apple's products I predict that the company has hit it's pinnacle, or at least is is due for a bit of a slump. It seems to me that over the years the health of the company has always been closely tied to the health and or presence of it's head honcho. Steve seems to be slowing down a bit… Just like me! Haha!
If a good leader steps in hopefully we will see a new vision for the company that will help it push forward into the future. If I was running things I would keep trying to make all the products smaller and cheaper without losing the sexy.
January 9, 2009 @ 01:55
As much as I love most of Apple's products I predict that the company has hit it's pinnacle, or at least is is due for a bit of a slump. It seems to me that over the years the health of the company has always been closely tied to the health and or presence of it's head honcho. Steve seems to be slowing down a bit… Just like me! Haha!
If a good leader steps in hopefully we will see a new vision for the company that will help it push forward into the future. If I was running things I would keep trying to make all the products smaller and cheaper without losing the sexy.
Where’s my WATERPROOF iPhone‽
January 9, 2009 @ 02:02
Waterproof to at least 4ATMs would be scweet! Deco time would fly if I could chill out with my favorite xtube vids.
January 9, 2009 @ 08:16
Now, that's an idea!!
January 10, 2009 @ 03:23
It's unfortunate, but a reality. If Steve Jobs isn't healthy, then his performance and amount of time spent on Apple is diminished. A fact of life we are all prone to.
Still today, Jobs = Apple. Like you said, they need to find that competent someone to step in quick.
January 9, 2009 @ 11:55
I think equating the health of Apple to Steve Jobs' medical problems
is just an excuse for investors to call BS. There is no substance to
that claim – while Steve Jobs has put Apple back on track since his
return, he is not the sole innovator within the company. Their culture
is unique and will continue long after he departs. Whoever his
successor turns out to be will surely follow a similar path because,
after all, that's what makes Apple…Apple, right?
Waterproof iPhone would rock. How about an unbreakable iPhone?
January 9, 2009 @ 11:21
Good looking out. We're taking a gander at MobilePress. How does this plugin differentiate itself from other similar plugins? Just wondering your take since you are presumably the developer.
January 9, 2009 @ 11:22
Scott, I am not the developer at all. It is something that came to me through twitter, and I have it on my list of todo's to implement it on my own WP install, (which is also sorely in need of an upgrade). Now that I have an iPod touch, I can appreciate the difference between using mini-safari and using a truly mobile-enabled site.
January 9, 2009 @ 05:33
I definitely understand that…it is a lot more fun to browse a site made specifically for mobile safari rather than not. So I know where you're coming from with wanting to implement MobilePress or something similar.
January 9, 2009 @ 11:40
Love Apple — and Miso! Hmmm….there's either a new product or a new food combination in there somewhere. (or an iPhone/iPod app/skin for TechMiso — have you seen MobilePress? (http://mobilepress.co.za/))
January 9, 2009 @ 12:34
Apple Miso — that sounds delish!
Thanks for the MobilePress link! We're actively working on brining mobile access to TechMiso. Stay tuned!
January 9, 2009 @ 08:57
Apple Miso — that sounds delish!
Thanks for the MobilePress link! We're actively working on bringing mobile access to TechMiso. Stay tuned!
January 9, 2009 @ 08:57