The Genie Effect: WWDC2019

-

Apple is not a company build on maybe’s and should be’s, it did not go from underdog to industry leader with guessing and rushing. Apple is Apple because THEIR identity is defined, strong, and DRIVES them every day, product, keynote and update. Last week WWDC 2019 happened and we realized Apple listens, even when they make mistakes, even when they take more time than most wish… They are not your personal technology company.

Why I open with that paragraph is simple: many or few years after people asked them Apple delivered and delivered BIG. Let me break down this statement to the specifics:
  • watchOS 6: they listened to everyone asking for more and more independence of the watch with the App Store and the capability of apps to run locally leave the iPhone behind more every day. However, they also presented to us the HEALTH focus of this device. We never asked for it to save lives, to have an ECG, to help us become healthier and even to ask us if we are ok when we fall. But those characteristics have been VERY powerful tools for many people around the world that are not tech-freaks; people that just want a product that can make their life easier and yes, healthier.

  • macOS Catalina: they listened to the amazing use that people can have when using both Mac and iPad together. But they also provided accessibility so that everyday less people feel challenged or “less capable” to use a mac or iPhone or iPad. In addition, understanding that almost 2 decades later, iTunes had to move on with the times and get improved by separation and specialization into 3 apps: Music/Podcasts/TV.

  • iOS13: they listened to Dark Mode and its use, to swipe on keyboard, to faster and smoother UI and UX. However, they also delivered on app and app-updates becoming much smaller to maximize the use of the phone and its storage. Moreover, providing tools for today’s internet data mining present in “Sign In with Apple”, new location controls and transparency features. Oh and don’t forget AirPods audio sharing, an all-new reminders app and better CarPlay.

  • IPAD OS!!!! Yeah this is one of the biggest examples of listening taken to the next level! USB support, better single app split screen and multitask. However, they also added better file management, new gestures, better mark up, new home screen, better second and third app background management, etc.

Always keep in mind how easy it is to complain, to compare, to tweet or write a comment. While it is much harder to deliver to an entire ecosystem that is not just interconnected and works almost flawlessly; knowingly that you are not an underdog or a niche company anymore means they will be analyzed and over-analyzed by millions of users, supporters and haters from around the world.

Apple is not a magic genie like people think they are or like people want them to be. So, I invite you (as I always try my hardest effort to do) to criticize their work based on what they have and are giving us, instead of what your wished and dreams are and will be.

If you want a genie? Go watch the live action or animated versions of Aladdin.

Popular posts from this blog

Let the tech year unfold...

-
Image
The new Apple event was announced a couple of days back. And my last tech-episode on the podcast got me thinking about this year and the current "trends" in tech. I believe that Apple has one of the biggest challenges you could ever hear in front of them: adapt to survive WHILE BEING ON TOP. Steve Jobs was an amazing underdog, a creative mastermind that rose to the top of the tech community at his time and shot Apple like a rocket to the summit of the world as one of the most influential and prosperous companies ever... However, that IS NOT the company that Tim Cook has had to deal with. Apple is now working in saturated laptop and smartphone markets and is trying to maintain its innovation and creativity. People think it is easy to stay on top... Amazon has had to get all kinds of creative by entering product line, new services offers and buying pieces of the market they compete in as they did with Whole Foods. Facebook is saved by the quality of companies like In
Read more

What does Captain Marvel MEAN to the MCU?

-
Image
So, here's the deal. I did a podcast entry about captain marvel and my thoughts on the movie and how unimpressed I was about some things and how glad and proud other parts of the movie made me. And that’s when it came to me: the current state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Captain Marvel was not the best movie, it was a necessary one. Clearly, the end of an era approaches quickly as April is almost here with Endgame. Do you think for a minute that Kevin Feige is done with his plan for the MCU? Do you think that they introduced the world to such great successful Black Panther, Spiderman, Captain Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy AND Dr. Strange just because? Well if you do, you have something else coming your way… And that is the only thing I fear in the MCU. You see, the success story of Marvel has been with a great formula and an expansive universe that has great comedy, range and plot; that same amazing formula has been leading up this very important and climatic movie call
Read more

Apple's Endgame

-
Image
So, here we are. Apple announced hardware via internet and called everyone in for services… Was the latter part of the presentation awkward? Yes. Could it have been planned in a more effective way? Probably. However, we got what we got and we must understand that Apple does not act without a plan. Here is my analysis of the true importance behind the event this past Monday: The Mac, the iPod, the MacBook Air, the iPhone, the iPad, the Apple Watch these are all attempts at products to drive the business. Some way more successful than others, they all have made what Apple is and will continue to be today. You see, there is a commonality amongst those products… They are not services. And THAT is exactly what Apple told the world on Monday: services are the future. Does this mean that it is THE END for iPhone, Apple Watch, etc. etc.? HELL NO! It means that the market is the market! And the iPhone is stagnating and decreasing in sales, the Mac, iPad and even Apple Watch cannot sus
Read more