Apple "gets " the consumer
tokyogai
4/23/2011 10:48:30 AM
I have spent a lot of time both in Cupertino and in Redmond. The cultures of Microsoft and Apple couldn't be much different. In Redmond it is all about specs and features, in Cupertino it os all about ease of use and consumer experience. I remeber one meeting Where Balmer was showing off the Entertainment version of windows with a 108 button remote. Someone handed him the Apple remote. The comment was " it only has 8 buttons- we can do a lot more". One of the more cleaver people int he audience said" is 8 buttons enough? Is it less confusing? What do users want? The room went silent.
I also remeber talking to the Microsoft people about Windows media. I got the lecture of how much better it was and how good the protection was. I was told thousands of players used the technology vs Apple's one payer. Someone comented that the one player had a 70% market share and the other thousands only had a combined share of 30%. A friend at Microsoft went on the tell me iPods were banned from the campus. Now the Zune is dead and over 90% of MS employees own an iPod. This customer focesed stuff really does have an impact on the business. It is not all specs and features.
Most technology companies ignore how the customer actually uses the product. The top executives delegate the product decision so they can focus on more important matters. What's more important?
Then the engineers give us technospeak and more wonderful features that nobody knows how to use. Well maybe except Noreen. (She can tweak her OS.)
Apple gets it. When you don't, it even shows up in how the products are sold:
Re: Tapping Global Consciousness
mInvestor
4/22/2011 11:33:39 PM
Wow, mass consumption with each user feels unique. Well defined.
Tapping Global Consciousness
Tenacious
4/22/2011 8:13:10 PM
Apple engineers and designers have an uncanny ability to tap the global consciousness. They find that sweet spot of desire and make the products almost irresistable. Are their better products? Of course. But none of them have the same cutting edge appeal. Maybe that's the key--products of mass consumption designed in a way that still makes every user feel unique.
Re: Innovation definitely makes difference
mInvestor
4/22/2011 6:27:06 PM
The majority consumer product users are not tech nerds, and half of them are expected to be ladies. Designing something just for tech nerds in the area? Well, good luck.
Now days, the best products are customer driven. Designers spent lots of effort and time to make products that are easy to use. Users just want feel the products are cool and fun. The majority don't care too much about tech. I think this is the way Apple is successful. And all other competitor's are following. It's innovation, and need lots more effort.
Re: Innovation definitely makes difference
TelecomFreq
4/21/2011 11:27:41 PM
R&D is a big part of what Apple does, their design is top flight. But they also have great marketing and a loyal following. Their ability to create a buzz around their product is second to none, and all the Apple fanatics flock to it. It's a trifecta for any company.
Re: Innovation definitely makes difference
icebreaker1975
4/21/2011 9:38:17 PM
R & D...Apple is laying the blueprint for other companies to follow suit. if you want to prosper you have to invest more in research and development and find out what the people want.
Re: Innovation definitely makes difference
Value Hiker
4/21/2011 2:36:20 PM
Noreen:
Sorry that you got the feeling that I tried to label iphone users as non-tech. What I try to say is: percentage wise iphone users are more like to be ladies, non tech nerds, people more senstitive to design and style.
I assume Scott is a gentleman, tech nerds, and tough guy. If Scott happens to be an iPhone owner, not an Android owner, there is nothing wrong about it. :)
Re: Innovation definitely makes difference
Noreen Seebacher
4/21/2011 1:32:01 PM
Gee, thanks! So I don't know much about technology? But seriously, you make a point. I don't have a macbook and I don't want one. There's not enough for me to play with. I like being able to tweak the OS.
The phone, however, is another story. I use it on the go...I don't have time to look inside. I'm not working on a huge file. I'm texting, checking mail, doing basic research.
I can do all of that, and manipulate the screen to match the size of my fingers. For a phone. that's enough.
Re: Innovation definitely makes difference
Value Hiker
4/21/2011 12:55:23 PM
Apple's product is more appealing to consumers who don't know much about technology, or do not care about technology. Android product is more appealing to tech nerds, or people want to fiddle with their devices. There is nothing wrong with either choice.
But if you are still sticking with Window phone 7 or Rimm blackberry, it may not be a smart choice in the long run
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