Apple’s strategy of not being first, but better is genius. Simply waiting and watching others rush to be first, gives Apple the opportunity to see what works and what could be done better.
Let’s take AI race as an example, Android based AI devices have recently been released to the public, Google Pixel, Samsung S24, and a new comer Rabbit R1, Apple is watching and learning, I can’t wait to see and experience the Apple AI.
Apple is known for its innovation and design, but it is not always the first to introduce new technologies or products. For instance, Apple was not the first to launch a smartphone, a tablet, a smartwatch, or a wireless earbud. Instead, Apple waited until the market was mature enough and the technology was ready to deliver a superior user experience.
Apple’s CEO Tim Cook explained this strategy in an interview with Bloomberg in 2017:
“We don’t feel an impatience to be first. It’s just not how we’re wired. Our thing is to be the best and to give the user something that really makes a difference in their lives.”
Apple’s strategy of not being first, but better is based on its ability to create products that are not only functional, but also beautiful, intuitive, and integrated. Apple focuses on the details that matter to the users, such as the design, the performance, the security, and the ecosystem.
Apple’s products are often praised for their simplicity and elegance, which reflect the company’s philosophy of “less is more”. Apple’s products are also known for their high quality and reliability, which result from the company’s rigorous testing and optimization. Apple’s products are also designed to work seamlessly with each other, creating a loyal and satisfied customer base.
Apple’s approach to AI is no different. While other companies are competing to launch AI devices with various features and functions, Apple is taking its time to develop AI that is truly useful and meaningful to the users. Apple’s AI is not only smart, but also respectful of the user’s privacy and preferences.
Apple has not revealed much about its AI plans, but it has hinted at some of the areas that it is working on. For example, Apple has acquired several AI startups, such as VocalIQ, Perceptio, Turi, and Lattice Data, which specialize in natural language processing, computer vision, machine learning, and data mining. Apple has also hired some of the top AI experts, such as John Giannandrea, the former head of Google’s AI division, and Ian Goodfellow, the inventor of generative adversarial networks.
Some of the applications of Apple’s AI that we can expect to see in the near future are:
These are just some of the examples of how Apple is using AI to create products that are not first, but better. Apple’s AI is not only smart, but also beautiful, intuitive, and integrated. Apple’s AI is not only functional, but also meaningful and respectful. Apple’s AI is not only a technology, but also an art.
Amy H.
2 comments on Not First, But Better
Apple was first to bring few big things to the masses, like the iPhone…
Apple Vision Pro is a perfect example how Apple does it better.