Apple- Yesturday, Today, and Tomorrow

[evildan]

I can remember being very concerned with Apple's future, emotionally concerned, at that. I was younger then, but mostly, just frustrated with the concept of a better product being replaced by a "more popular" product. Something about the injustice of it all, made me very aggravated. I remember being in a store where people were looking at computers. One guy asked me out of the blue saying "I know nothing about computers, heck I don't even know how to turn one on, which computer should I get?" I, of course, told him to get a Mac. To which, he responded "Does that come with Windows?"

Here it was, the perfect example, Windows had already won. They were so effective about building a name for themselves, that even the "ignorant" consumer knew they need Windows. Not even knowing what that was.

In 1995, I was at the height of my frustration with the release of Windows 95. That, for Apple, was a significant turning point. Microsoft had released one of their worst OS's, which was a blatant copy. Windows only took the trouble of putting everything on the opposite side of the screen. But still, Apple couldn't win over the mass public. They still lingered in second place to the Window's platform market share. Apple, in my opinion, had never seen darker days. A company concerned so much about their image, and the "computer world" was scoffing at their operating system. The very same operating system that lead them to their beloved Windows 95.

It's comparable to a musician today, scoffing at the Beatles, or the Beatles scoffing at Elvis, or Elivs, every blues musician he was influenced by.

Apple then did the unthinkable, they tried to be more like Microsoft. Microsoft had very early on (even before windows 95 of course) done something that increased their market share with little to no effort. Microsoft made sure their operating system was on every personal computer, no matter who built it. Since there was no competition, overnight they had multiple companies working for their operating system. Apple was too busy trying to develop the entire computer experience, they let Microsoft take the other 95% of the market, uncontested. So Knowing all of this Apple decided to start allowing cloning of the macintosh platform. Apple hoped that there would be a birth of computer manufactures who would pick up the Apple line and move the company past their Microsoft counterparts.

Unfortunately, that was a mistake, a very big mistake. The computer industry wasn't as small as it was when Microsoft did it. And the small Apple share was divided amongst itself. Suddenly Apple had less then 3%, how terrible.

Apple pressed on, they squashed the cloning program, and started innovating again.

Say hello to the iMac.
The release of the iMac once again proved that Apple could innovate, despite the adversity. And, whoa, what a surprise, the design was copied... everywhere. Suddenly everything had to come in colors. The grey box was dead. But it didn't matter, since Apple had already publicly announced that it was indeed their innovation. The mass population equated colorful computers to Apple. Every knock off computer and grill all seemed to promote Apple. Apple was riding high.

Unfortunately, the first iMacs were not the best machines. Some of them over heated, and others crashed a bit more then they probably should have. Apple scurried to fix their increasing mistake. It was time for Apple to review their operating system. The last piece in the puzzle. But it wasn't all bad for Apple, Steve Jobs announced what was to be their new hardware lineup.

1) A personal desktop
2) A personal portable
3) A professional desktop
4) A professional portable

This was timed very well. Of course they deviated from that a few times, with varying results. The cube was a good idea on paper. I almost bought one, but the problems (hardware related) concerned many consumers, and it was pulled from manufacturing soon afterward.

Moving forward, Apple has done some great things. Apple seems to be a more confident computer company. Apple, started innovating again. Apple's market share actually began to settle in. Apple finally began to stretch its legs and get comfortable with the 3-5% market share that they had.

Then came osx, which changed everything. With osx, another audience that Microsoft discredited, started looking to Apple. UNIX and LINUX people have been embracing the operating system even if they don't use it. Apple is building relations with other companies.

Apple takes their first stab.
With their new operating system in place Apple launches the "switch" campaigns. They were very successful. I myself didn't care too much for them. Then again, they weren't aimed towards me, I was already an Apple buyer. But it had never been any clearer to me how successful the campaign was until Microsoft was caught trying to copy it. Wow, does Microsoft have an entire department dedicated to just copying Apple ideas? Microsoft quickly pulled the website after it was determined that the "real person" was actually an image from Photodisc. Probably just a placeholder graphic, but still, it showed everyone that Microsoft wasn't done with their copying tendencies.

As far as the future, I try not to speculate about it. I guess it's the fear that I'll be misquoted in the future.

But it would seem quit certain that Microsoft is very interested in maintaining its position in the market. And it would seem that they are not above "copying" a few ideas from Apple to be sured that their customers remain happy Microsoft users.

It would also seem clear that Apple is still interested in bridging the gap between Apple users and Windows users. Apple's friendly, trendy persona is an honorab approach. They have already found ways into the Windows' world, with the iPod. Suddenly Apple has a product that ties it to the computer. PC users could start to equate the iPod to Apple and suddenly the Apple computer doesn't seem that intimidating. People buy designer clothing, cars and houses, why not designer computers? Why not designer operating systems?

[toast]

Where do you see Apple going in the next few years >> Same as it was a fw years ago. In homes, not in companies.

Do you think Apple is the same company it was 10 or even 15 years ago? >> No. Hopefully not.

What do you think is Apple's biggest mistake? >> I don't know, being no expert. But I hate some of their communication (non) skills.

[chevy]

Apple's biggest mistake ? Good question ?

Not having spoken with Bill in 1981 when Bill was open to develop on Mac ?

Having chosen the PowerPC instead of Pentium ?

Having fired Steve at the end of the 80's ?

Nobody knows. Apple is still alive. And one says that all mistakes that don't kill you make you stronger.

[chevy]

The future is REALLY TOMORROW - June 23rd !

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by GroundZeroX

Where do you see Apple going in the next few years. Do you think Apple is the same company it was 10 or even 15 years ago? What do you think is Apple's biggest mistake?

Perhaps, allowing Bill Gates to steal the Macintosh GUI and get away with it.

[Ponderosa]

Apple has had many good ideas throughout it's lifetime only to have it's ideas used by windoze type machines. Furthermore, Apple should have visited the stores they chose to sell their products along with windoze products. If they hired mystery shoppers and paid them to file a report of their findings, Apple would have been the leader in computer sales in the past. Most sales clerks sold Apple down the drain for the Bill Gates machines. It makes me wonder if there was some sort of monetary reward from the Microsoft folks to discourage potential Apple customers from purchasing Apple products.I visited many store and was told by the clerks that Apple was not the way to go. However, that didn't stop me from buying the better platform. Apple of course.

[riccbhard]

I agree with Ponderosa, I think Apple's biggest mistake was letting bill gates getting away with the macintosh gui. If this didnt happen, and you asked somebody about windows they'd say "what, windows?". Unfortunetly people say "what, maintosh?".

[Lt Major Burns]

i know, other boards, other opinions, but this is the height of irony

Originally Posted by a guy on Mac Rumours

Longhorn delay?? Since when?? All I've read is we are looking at late 04, early 05 release which is right on schedule.