Comments on: Sorry, but Apple can't do everything right

Don Reisinger is convinced that Apple can do some things right. Just don't expect it to do everything right.

[Austin Quirk]

I'm glad I read this article. I've been a Mac fan since I bought my first Performa back in 1994. Next was a PowerBook G3, and just last October I got a MacBook Pro. Unfortunately, my newest Mac is hardly bullet-proof. It has many problems, including, but not limited to a bad logic board, power adapter and the case is warped making it impossible to shut correctly. All this in six months.

I love Apple products because they demonstrate you don't necessarily have to go with the (Windows) flow in order to stay competitive and relevant. However, with expansion comes growing pains; in my opinion, they should stop worrying about exciting new products (photo frame=exciting?) and work more on perfecting manufacturing techniques. People simply won't tolerate a poorly put together $2,500.00 computer, no matter who makes it.

[compudoc318]

Although I agree, the article isnt the most interesting article out there, I actually think cnet is usually pro apple and its nice to see an article once and a while to the contrast. No company is perfect. I'd have to say though, apple is smart enough not to do the photo frame, that idea has been run into the ground years ago. As far as everyone hating on blog writers, he got paid to write his comment....did you?......lol.

[onlyauser]

What is wrong with throwing concepts at the public when you have a fanatic user base as the article eluded to. If you have the funds to play around in your markets. If you glean something valuable form everything moving forward. I do not believe Apple does not learn from their consumer base. Even Apple's misses usually lead to great success for this company one way or the other.

Apple seems to waste nothing, they eat the whole thing, even the skin, core, seeds, stem and leaf.

[mhatter13]

The point, though, is that Apple isn't "throwing concepts" at anyone - Forrester Research is. And I disagree with the idea of "playing around" with products, just because you can afford to. Apple's recent resurgence is due to their/Jobs' focus on simplicity, interoperability, and ease-of-use. I look at MS and I wonder who is running that show: they are trying to beat Apple with the Zune, Sony w/ the X-box, Google with Live Search, and themselves with Vista. All while working with a gazillion different hardware vendors. I'm not hating on MS - yes I have a Mac, but Office is my #1 program used, and the alternatives from Apple don't even come close. And the whole MS = evil meme is completely bogus. But MS DOES seem distracted. And Apple isn't going to follow them down that road by starting to make picture frames/remotes/alarm clocks.

[mhatter13]

The point, though, is that Apple isn't "throwing concepts" at anyone - Forrester Research is. And I disagree with the idea of "playing around" with products, just because you can afford to. Apple's recent resurgence is due to their/Jobs' focus on simplicity, interoperability, and ease-of-use. I look at MS and I wonder who is running that show: they are trying to beat Apple with the Zune, Sony w/ the X-box, Google with Live Search, and themselves with Vista. All while working with a gazillion different hardware vendors. I'm not hating on MS - yes I have a Mac, but Office is my #1 program used, and the alternatives from Apple don't even come close. And the whole MS = evil meme is completely bogus. But MS DOES seem distracted. And Apple isn't going to follow them down that road by starting to make picture frames/remotes/alarm clocks.

[mhatter13]

Don - I totally agree with what you wrote. I read that piece about Forrester Research, and I thought, "How much do they pay these guys for this junk?" And to the fanboys, while Don's title is a little flame-baitish, the piece is really not bagging on Apple so much as Forrester Research.

My point is: Apple has consistently (but NOT perfectly) been able to stake out markets where consumers will go before its competitors. No, Apple didn't invent the MP3 player, or the GUI, or the all-in-one desktop - but they did revolutionize those things by adding ease-of-use and slick, simple design to them, and mass marketing them first. If Forrester Research could really do Apple's job for them, then they are in the wrong business - but these "guesses" at what Apple's next moves will be seemed so off bases, those guys should thank their lucky stars they are employed at all.

[ReigningChamp]

Wow, someone should have warned me to bring an umbrella when I started reading the comments. The fanboys' tears are just too much for me to handle. Don made some good points, and companies may want to "play around in markets" but some things are just so off-the-wall that they become more gimmicks than real products. An Apple photo frame? How does that fall in with all of their other products? Oh yea, it doesn't, and while Vista is far from perfect, I think I would rather take those problems and wait for service packs than own a Mac and risk getting a Steve Jobs enema on the spot instantly assimiltating into the cult that is the Macworld. I hear he's not very gentle...

[max_march]

I'm not as offended as everyone about Don presupposing that everyone pro-Apple considers Apple infallible. Instead of shredding poor Mr. Reisinger to bits, how about those nimrods at Forrester? Go into an Staples, Office Max, or camera store and you will see a line up of inexpensive digital picture frames. There are literally dozens of iPod capable alarm clocks on the market from third parties. The speculation is idiotic because Apple has already very clearly laid out their next steps and all you have to do is pay attention. iPhone and iPod Touch are getting new services in the way of third party software, the App Store, touch is reaching more devices and will eventually be pervasive in Apple products, .Mac is up for a big revamp, new iPhone coming with 3G and enterprise features. There already IS a product line for the living room and it will absolutely expand. To Dogboi, who jokes about ridiculous brand extension, there IS an iShoe -- its called Nike+ and yes many of us clearly saw both the iPod AND the iPhone coming. If you believe that came out of left field you are not clued-in. Also you must separate between Apple and Steve Jobs. Apple without Steve at the helm was like a chicken with its head cut off. Jobs is far from infallible but that said, Steve has a specific gameplan and he is executing systematically on that plan. The rest of the industry just seems to be running in circles. The irony is it reminds me the most of Microsoft's original rise to power. There is a lot to be said for planning your work and working your plan. That is why Apple is and will remain on a tear for at least the next two years.

[jerterculls]

I myself am a huge apple fanboy, but I am going to have to agree here that most of these products sound incredibly stupid and this isn't attacking apple... it's attacking the Forrester Speculative..don't get so defensive mac lovers.

[eldernorm]

Hmmmmmm....... You can always tell an MS fanboy,.... but you cannot tell them much!!! :-)

Sorry but when you write about a Forrester article and then blame Apple because of some speculation in the artilce, well, that is about as MS fanboy as it gets.

Does Apple always get it right??? No, but If you look at their track record for the last 5 years and the track record for Microsoft for the last 5 years,...... well you see my point.

Microsoft has made it a point of about putting the cart (profit) before the horse (good software / hardware). Yes profit is good, but earn it.

And as for the others that are upset that readers can see thru the smoke screen of this article, well good for the far sighted ones and shame on you MS trolls .

Most Mac users will tell you that they do not care which system you use. They just enjoy the choice.

Shhheeeeezzzzzzeeeee.

en

[markdoiron]

I'd like to see Apple develop a digital photo frame. Okay, maybe it is beneath them. However, maybe they're aware that competent photographers take pictures in both landscape AND portrait formats, and maybe they can extend that to an elegant way to display photos in both formats on one frame. Is that too much to ask? --mark d.

[reeltime]

Umm... Apple make a mistake?

Hmmm.. iMac Cube.. iPod HiFi... Apple has a long list of missteps, they just lull you into forgetting about them.

But the difference is, their successes are so huge and revolutionary.. it's pretty easy to forgive a bad product...

[ez17]

[ez17]

HEY DON YOUR AND IDIOT, While I agree that some of foresters claims are far fetched and some down right stupid, what does that have to do with Apple successful products? Hmmm Clicks anyone? Oh and yes Apple products are generally always successful they usually do it right. Ok so there's ONE product in their line that isn't a hit the Apple TV is not a so-called success...See you proved my point we are so used to Apple products being so wildly popular that although Apple TV sales are not stellar but still good we call it a failure, They sold more Apple TVs then Zunes....alot more it certainly NOT a failure. So Don next time think before you post anyone can be called a journalist just give them a computer and write for CNET. Cmon CNET lets get some real Journalism here not just some idiot trying to get clicks.

[ferretboy88]

Apple is a bunch of phony dorks

[TowerTone]

I guess I don't understand the point of this article.

I would point out, however, that it would not be inconceivable (and I know the meaning...) that at some point Apple could release a 'slate' that would merely be a thin screen with multiple uses. It could hang on the wall to show pictures, have voice recognition to show temps, a clock, calendar, song list, or be a mirror. It would be tied to your home system via Wi-Fi. It could go by your bed, be moved as a videophone, hung on the wall, or laid on the table to read while you eat. Use it to see who is at the door, what is on TV, or a host of default functions that require little input and limited vocal commands. 10"x6" would be nice.

Or not.....

[melissacody]

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[nintendo_rulez]

For the remote control comment, why dont they just make the iphone have universal remote capabilities.

[covolor]

Wow. This author seems to have taken a Debbie downer pill before writing this article. I would say its time to reevaluate your stance. Go out and actually interact with Apple products before writing such a harsh article.

Just for the record I run both Mac and PC (Windows). I need the best of both worlds, not just one side of the game!

Isn't someone that is in the tech field suppose to adopt the best of what is out there? I know I have!