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NYT on Apple's Digital Way of Life
sinalet writes "The New York Times is running an article on Apple's 'digital way of life'. Most interestingly are some comments about the history of the iPod and its developers. 'Apple says it developed the iPod in just six months, faster than any major product in the company's history. The hand-held device, which contains more computing power than an early Macintosh, was put together starting in 2001 by hardware designers led by Tony Fadell, a young engineer who had worked briefly at RealNetworks, led by Rob Glaser, who has developed the Rhapsody music service.'"
But isn't the NYT the same rag that supports ass sex for monkeys?
See that "design is really nice" bit? That's the tricky part.
Designing an intuitive, efficient UI is no easy task.
Designing an intuitive, efficient UI is no easy task.
Agreed, but it isn't really an issue of time. Apple does good design, because they have people who are experienced at doing it. You could spend 2 weeks, or 2 years on a bad UI design, and it would still be bad.
I think they were talking about how it was amazing to just put out such a product in 6 months, and I just don't see what is so amazing about it. How long should it take? 9 months? A year? It is just a music player.
If you reply, do so only to what I explicitly wrote. If I didn't write it, don't assume or infer it.
I have a Canon digital camcorder, a Fuji digital camera, an Apple iPod (mini). I don't care about making music so garage band isn't for me but if I did it would be a non-Apple keyboard.
My point? Where is Apple going with this digital hub thing? They make great software (that they give me) for all these other pieces of equipment, so where the heck is Apple going?
a couple thgoughts:
The PDA/Phone - Jobs said he isn't interested in a PDA and they are way behind on cell phone tech (not to mention, everyone has one or three) but there are few good options for BOTH and if Apple could do for the PDA-Phone what they did for the digital music player, it would really shake up the market. So the chipset is Mororola or whatever, as long as the interface is from Apple they would control the experience.
The Digital A/V Player - I don't know about you but I don't own a DVR yet because I want a device that will manage music, broadcast / captured broadcast video, and prerecorded media (CD/DVD). Another area where Apple could use iPod lessons learned and make something to build into TVs and stereo systems. It is high time HDTV's started coming with Eithernet and Airport Extreme!
I only came here to do two things; kick some ass, and drink some beer...looks like we're almost out of beer.
I think they added the Power Over Ethernet for school/colleges where there may not be a power socket in every classroom. But you could be right.
While this comment is interesting, it is spoken like like a true geek. In the rest of the world--it is common practice to keep the R&D efforts of a company under wraps. Generally companies want to ensure that their competition is not able to get a leg up by taking shortcuts and getting to the market first. This behavior is not unusual. I am not arguing that Jobs' ego is not enormously huge, just that the point you attempt to make is invalid. Let me put it on another level for you. Example: you write some incredible code that is going to bring peace and harmony to the world, but you want to make sure that it is actually going to do as it says. Then a friend of yours decides that this information is too cool and can't wait--so they tell the world what you have done. Now the pressure is on and you are trying to push your code out the door without being able to certify the reliability. It sure sucks for you that your friend released the information before you were ready, doesn't it. But then again it is because you have a huge ego, that is why you wanted to tell the world about it. As the CEO, Jobs is responsible for the successful coordination of efforts. He takes the pressure, and he takes the credit. He has not publicly humiliated any of his engineers (that I know of). Well, let the flames begin, but please try to consider the point. I repeat that I am not arguing that Jobs' ego is not enormously huge, just that the point you attempt to make is weakly supported and appears invalid.
Well, if we're gonna "go there" then I'd definately include the harddrive. It's not like iPods are solid-state.
They're not going to abandon the computer market simply because the computer is the center of the digital hub.
T Money
World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984