Apple Makes Old Security Business Lead to the Future

Apple’s role in getting the future right has always been been a little strange. Everything it has done, from the mouse and visual display of the Mac, to the mobile music player of the iPod, to the computer-as-phone of the iPhone, Apple has had to work hard to convince consumers these moves were the future … Continue reading Apple Makes Old Security Business Lead to the Future

How Worried Should Apple be about Xiaomi?

I’ve been asked this question often and feel there is a great deal of misunderstanding regarding the dynamics and strategies of the two companies. I was quick to point out during Xiaomi’s rise that they pose more of a threat to Samsung and this has proven to be true. Samsung’s issues are a combined double … Continue reading How Worried Should Apple be about Xiaomi?

Microsoft Is (Sorta) Doomed

On October 27th, 2014, Techpinion’s very own, Brian S. Hall, wrote an article entitled “Microsoft Is Doomed. Doomed!” Brian was, of course, being facetious. Far from predicting doom for Microsoft, he was mocking the Microsoft doomsayers. Let’s take a look at a few of his article’s choicer bits: I have to believe Microsoft’s latest earnings … Continue reading Microsoft Is (Sorta) Doomed

Lenovo’s Move to Industry Leadership

Many descriptions of the smartphone business focus on the competition between Apple and Samsung, with some attention paid to the assault of Xaiomi in Asia. The computer business is concerned with Macs and occasionally Windows. Hardly anyone pays attention to the sale of low end Intel-based servers. That may be why there is a tendency … Continue reading Lenovo’s Move to Industry Leadership

Google’s Ads: Defense or Offense?

I recall not too long ago Google did zero advertising. “Just Google it” was spreading virally and Google was growing and had no need to spend money on marketing. Slowly but surely over the past few years, Google has stepped up its advertising efforts. Which, and some may disagree, I interpret as a sign of … Continue reading Google’s Ads: Defense or Offense?

Apple’s Design: The Gift That Keeps Giving (2 of 2)

This is part 2 of a 2-part article. Part 1 can be found here. Recap Market Research gives the customer what they ask for. It’s like giving a gift from a list. Great design is like great gift giving. Rather than giving the recipient what they ask for, great Design gives them an un-asked for … Continue reading Apple’s Design: The Gift That Keeps Giving (2 of 2)

Thoughts on Xiaomi

The Wall Street Journal had a big scoop this week: some numbers on Xiaomi’s business are apparently being shared with potential investors as it looks to raise money for acquisitions and/or expansion. Until now, I’ve held off on writing anything in-depth about Xiaomi precisely because its financial model and key facts such as its profitability … Continue reading Thoughts on Xiaomi

My Facebook For A Kingdom

I come not to bury Facebook, but to question it. I seek clarity, assurances. What is Facebook? Is it social media? An app? A global phenomenon? Instant messaging? The place where we connect, share our family photos, check in from our favorite restaurant? Probably it’s all these things. But is Facebook a viable business? Last … Continue reading My Facebook For A Kingdom

Why Apple Pay Will Win

When Apple announced Apple Pay as part of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, it failed to tell consumers something it clearly knew: Many retailers would prevent iPhone owners from using Apple Pay for quick and simple payments. For the time being, a lot of retailers, especially big ones such as Walmart and Best Buy, … Continue reading Why Apple Pay Will Win

The Computer Struggles: Apple vs. the Industry

There was a time not that long ago that making a television was the pride of manufacturers. The U.S. industry was dominated by the likes of Motorola, RCA, and Magnavox (Philips). Today they have ceased to exist or have left the industry. The makers such as Sony want a way out, and the U.S business … Continue reading The Computer Struggles: Apple vs. the Industry

The Consumer Tablet Growth Opportunity

A great deal of my tablet market analysis has been spent exploring opportunities for a PC in the form of a tablet. Opportunities not fulfilled by a PC in the form of a desktop or laptop. As I explained here, the enterprise or commercial tablet market’s upside is still quite large. But the question about the … Continue reading The Consumer Tablet Growth Opportunity

The Sale of the Chip Business Marks the New IBM Future

In case you wondered about IBM completing the restructuring of its business, the company’s quiet announcement this week tells the tale. It unloaded a long critical part of the company, including its semiconductor factories in East Fishkill, N.Y., and outside Burlington, Vt., by paying GLOBALFOUNDRIES to take it off its hands for $1.5 billion. Dumping … Continue reading The Sale of the Chip Business Marks the New IBM Future

India and the Digital Age

When it comes to the computing products I study — TVs, smartphones, tablets, PCs — I tend to talk primarily about what is happening in China and the US/Europe. Mostly because, for most consumer tech products, China and the US are the largest markets by population for consumer technology. While there is a great deal … Continue reading India and the Digital Age

Technological Patriotism

Technology is breaking down barriers throughout the world. Conversely, a form of technological nationalism has taken hold, limiting tech’s rise. Expect such nationalist fervor to become more widespread, more virulent, probably more unfair.  Technology is the new oil. It’s vital to our lives, our economy, our personal wealth, our national interests. As such, governments believe it is right … Continue reading Technological Patriotism

First Half 2014 Tablet Report

The tablet market is easily the most fascinatingly diverse consumer electronics category I have ever studied. If you have read my commentary on tablets, it is the unique form and function of the product that allows it to be so nuanced. Both the smartphone and the tablet are relatively small pieces of glass. Both are … Continue reading First Half 2014 Tablet Report

In New Job Steve Ballmer Forces Windows on the L.A. Clippers

I was fascinated to read a recent article about Steve Ballmer and how, in his role as owner of the L.A. Clippers, he has told his entire staff to get rid of their iPads. From now on they will be a Microsoft only facility. I was especially interested in this part of the article:  “Most of … Continue reading In New Job Steve Ballmer Forces Windows on the L.A. Clippers

Apple Defines Wearables as Fashionable Computing

Apple pioneered the PC, the mouse-driven PC, the digital music player, the modern laptop, the smartphone, and the tablet. Steve Jobs directed the creation of each of these transformative products, collaborating with Steve Wozniak, Jon Rubinstein, Jony Ive, and others along the way. Apple is now entering Wearables without Steve Jobs at the helm – … Continue reading Apple Defines Wearables as Fashionable Computing

The man, the boy, the donkey and the iPhone

There’s an Aesop’s Fable about a man, a boy and a donkey. In short form, the story goes like this: A man, his son, and their donkey set off for the market. At first, all three are walking but soon, someone criticizes the man for having a donkey but not riding on it. So he … Continue reading The man, the boy, the donkey and the iPhone

Apple Watch Claim Chowder

People really love to hate Apple. It should be considered a disorder at this point. ~ J. Gobert (@MrGobert) The Apple Watch may or may not fail, but the analysis of the Watch has already failed. People just cannot wait to pronounce judgment. They. Can. Not. Wait. There’s plenty of thoughtful analysis out there, but … Continue reading Apple Watch Claim Chowder

Tech.pinions Podcast: Apple iPhone 6 Launch and Its Impact

Welcome to this week’s Tech.pinions podcast. This week Tim Bajarin, Bob O’Donnell, and Ben Bajarin discuss the impact of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus on the market and their potential impact on Samsung and others. Click here to subscribe in iTunes. If you happen to use a podcast aggregator or want to add … Continue reading Tech.pinions Podcast: Apple iPhone 6 Launch and Its Impact

Why Apple Never Targeted Sapphire Screens for the New iPhones

When Apple and GT Advanced announced a partnership to make and purchase sapphire screens, most of the media jumped to the conclusion Apple was going to use them in their upcoming smartphones. However, when the iPhones were launched and no sapphire screens were used in the iPhone 6 or the iPhone 6 Plus, I began digging … Continue reading Why Apple Never Targeted Sapphire Screens for the New iPhones

Microsoft and Google’s platform problems

Microsoft and Google appear to be moving in different directions when it comes to their platforms and first party hardware, as I’ve written about before. However, in some respects they’re fighting the very same battle when it comes to platforms — they’re struggling to set apart their services on platforms increasingly controlled by others. Microsoft: … Continue reading Microsoft and Google’s platform problems

Apple Watch will finally move the needle on smartwatches

A few weeks ago, partly in anticipation of Apple’s big event this week, I published a report on market prospects for smartwatches, and wrote a companion piece here on Tech.pinions on the topic. The title of the piece was “Grading on a Curve: Smartwatches in 2014” and it reflected my frustrations with smartwatches as they … Continue reading Apple Watch will finally move the needle on smartwatches

Global Implications of the iPhone Lineup on the Smartphone Market

With the new iPhone lineup, Apple has addressed every major screen size base for smartphones. What they have not addressed is every price point — unnecessary given Apple’s strategy. My read is the impact of Apple addressing premium (phones over $400) Android smartphones primary differentiating factor, larger screen sizes, this will in turn dramatically impact … Continue reading Global Implications of the iPhone Lineup on the Smartphone Market

Apple Claim Chowder: Business Models

With an Apple Event fast approaching, I’m reviewing critiques of past Apple Events to see how accurate they were. Turns out, not very. Critique is needed and welcome. Repeated errors? Not so much. Business Models No one gets more bad advice than does Apple. Apple went from near-bankruptcy to nearly the largest company on earth, … Continue reading Apple Claim Chowder: Business Models