My Thoughts on Apple
Remember way back then when PC’s were numbered as 486? Running MS-DOS on dark screen? Inserting your floppy disk to play Dune? Well, that was me in the 90’s with my first PC. Everyone was so happy with their PC, but where the hell was Apple?
Only a number of people used Apple, especially in Indonesia. Here’s the Apple story and hopefully we all learn something. (And you’ll see why I write this in English.)
Back Then
Apple is not a new player in personal computing industry. In fact. the company was established in 1976, founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. I am not going to discuss their history, since this Wikipedia entry has it all.
Apple computers were built upon home-brewed hardware, operating system, and software. It was sort of their decisions to make perfect products, which cost them a lot. Less hardware options, less developer supports, less sales, and the cycles keep continues. Of course, less virus as well. Yes, it was my reasons not to buy Apple Macintosh (Not because the last part.)
Fresh Air
The attempt to change the Apple culture was not easy. However, the iMac brought them a breath of fresh air, financially at least. The success was later followed by the famous iPod and iPhone, both were brilliantly designed by Jonathan Ive. The openess began by switching Intel processor in 2005 that allowed them to focus more in things other than main processor. One innovation after another, including iPod, brought them even higher in popularity.
The iPhone (Platform)
The iPod was a success, but not everyone needs a MP3 player. But, most people need (cellular) phone more than a music player. Personally, iPhone was a brilliant move for Apple. Why? Because it is not just a product, but also a platform, which you can build a market on top of it. iTunes was for iPod owners to buy songs online, and it was a big hit revenue wise. With a little upgrade, iTunes is now the new iPhone Application store and the latest figure was not bad either.
The Upcoming
The success of Apple, especially iMac sales, was also a contribution of Microsoft’s keep-on-crashing Vista. Hey, I am not an Apple fan boy and I am not a Microsoft evangelist. I am still running my stable Windows XP that I installed on the PC that I assembled myself 4 years ago. It is great! Even though my next laptop will be a MacBook for sure, I will still give a chance for the upcoming Windows 7.
What Do I We Learn From Here?
- We can’t do everything - Therefore, try trusting somebody else to do something. Work as a team and create something bigger and better. You do what you do best.
- The Importance of Design - I must admit that Apple did everything pretty and intuitively. That’s what I like about it. Even my mom falls in love with the iPhone (and No, she did not get it, yet). So, if you are a developer, or even just a blogger, please team up with a designer. (I am seeing Felix smilling reading this)
- Lose Something, Win Something - Complex processor may not be Apple’s game. So, concentrate more on software.
- It’s The Platform - iTunes sells songs for iPods, and provides apps for iPhones. They are not just gadgets, but also serving as a money-making platform. iTunes’ success follows the iPod’s. Therefore, iPhone only costs $200 in the US market.
Why am I writing today’s post in English? I will tell you tomorrow 
Catatan: Artikel ini merupakan bagian dari kampanye One-Post-Per-Day. Silahkan simak artikel2 lainnya.
Jangan lewatkan artikel berikutnya, silahkan berlangganan lewat RSS feed!
Posted in Business & Marketing, User Experience at August 14th, 2008.
Trackback URI: trackback
Tags: Apple, iPhone, OPPD
August 14th, 2008 at 10:08 pm # Felix Widjaja
2 Things:
1. Thanks for pointing out money making platform! Clever business mind by Apple.
2. Me wasn’t smiling, but cracking
August 14th, 2008 at 11:07 pm # BARRY
Let me guess. You are using english because it is widely used. Are you trying to get all the popular keywords as part of your post? Such as Apple, Mac, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, 487, Microsof, etc.
I may be wrong
August 15th, 2008 at 8:56 am # Paman Gober
@ Barry, whatever he did is depending on him. This is one of SEO techniques, are you jealous?
August 15th, 2008 at 9:05 am # Ivan Sielegar
@Felix - No updates on the blog?
@Barry - No, Barry … No. I ain’t that cheap
@Paman Gober - Relax, Buddy! Barry is just joking. And the answer is still no, not for SEO purpose. If I want to use it for SEO, I would put ‘Naked Indonesian Actresses’ as keywords, since the blog is in Indonesian.
August 15th, 2008 at 9:33 am # BARRY
@Paman Gober - Not at all, why should I be jealous? I don’t think my comment was out of topic since this blog is, in fact, talking about such techniques. FYI, I would be very happy if Ivan becomes a successful SEO. So that, I could get his help, right Ivan
j/k.
August 15th, 2008 at 10:25 am # Nigel Sielegar
For me, apple has always been a good example of good brand design. Apple will always be on top of their game as long as their brand is able to put the word “the” on their products. Portable MP3 player was not a new thing when ipod came out, and macbook pro definitely was not the first laptop. With an upgrade on their design, and backed up with strong branding, they can put the word “the” on everything. Ipod suddenly is “the” mp3 player , and macbook is “the” laptop of today.
Iphone is not the first touch screen cell phone either. The same formula applies here. An upgrade on the design + strong branding presence and suddenly it becomes “the phone”. Very interesting indeed.
August 15th, 2008 at 8:34 pm # 12 (+1 Bonus) Alasan Kenapa Artikel Kemarin Berbahasa Inggris - MangoAddict
[...] Artikel kemarin memang sengaja ditulis salam berbahasa Inggris, dan sempat dianggap sebagai trik2 SEO, untuk mendapatkan trafik ekstra. Nyatanya menurut statistik Wordpress, jumlah pageviewnya malah menurun. Mungkin karena saya tidak blogwalking dalam 2 hari terkahir kali. Berikut alasan selengkapnya. [...]
August 15th, 2008 at 8:54 pm # Felix Widjaja
@ Ivan: Belum ada ide untuk menulis nih, sedang seret ide
Ada saran?
August 15th, 2008 at 9:44 pm # bowbee
Hmm.. using english all of a sudden? Did you just copy-paste the article from somewhere?
Kidding..
From Apple, I just loved the iPod…
August 18th, 2008 at 4:13 am # Akhmad Fathonih
I would prefer the word “ecosystem” instead of “platform”.
Reading your post, not only I am convinced that their design is indeed influential and the trend setter, but also you managed to moving my brain gear to conclude that Apple has succesfully creating an ecosystem for their own sustainability.
“iTunes’ success follows the iPod’s”. I don’t think the just simply follows. I suspect they are designed to coexists and relate mutually. As you said it yourself, it is a platform. iTunes enhanced iPod, vice versa. iMac enhance Apple’s external hardwares? No, maybe it is correcnt that iMac was a refreshment, so does macbook air.
However, I’m still a bit lost. If iTunes were to enhance iPod experience. What’s iPhone for? Is it to be enhanced by “the” next of Apple?
August 18th, 2008 at 5:50 pm # Ivan Sielegar
@Nigel - Thanks for the insight
@Felix - What about …How to pick colors?
@Bowbee -
@Akhmad - iPhone is a platform, the things going on surround it is called ecosystem. Whatever we call it, you know what I mean
August 20th, 2008 at 1:45 am # Felix Widjaja
@Ivan - Thanks, will research on it after I finish this one.
August 21st, 2008 at 4:38 am # kocu
Nice article. Tapi boleh kan komennya pake bahasa aja :-p hehe.
Ada 1 hal juga yang saya belajar dari produk Apple tapi terlewat di list post ini, “Make it fun to use”.
Saya rasa hal ini sudah mereka rencanakan dari awal. Dalam kesederhanaan produk mereka yang de-desain secara sempurna, mereka menyisipkan faktor “fun” dan membuat pengguna produk mereka betah berlama-lama berkutat dengan produk tersebut.