What product category should Apple tackle next?
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Jul 3, 2008 at 7:53am
A recent MacNewsWorld article asked what product category Apple should tackle next. There are lots of possibilities, but only a handful that make sense.
“Cell phones, personal media players, online music stores—Apple didn’t invent any of these technologies. Instead, the company sought out existing segments that it felt needed change and then took them by storm, in some cases dominating the space within a few years. What’s the next tech category Cupertino’s preparing to shake up?” Chris Maxcer wrote for MacNewsWorld.
Among the things he notes that Apple has been rumored to be eyeing are car navigation, video games, an eBook reader and/or a tablet computer. There’s also been talk that Apple should enter not just the auto navigation arena, but actually go into auto manufacturing. It’s an interesting idea, but one that, as I’ve said, I’m 99.99 percent won’t happen.
I also don’t think that Apple will make a tablet computer, at least not as we know them now. I’m dubious as well about a dedicated eBook reader. On the other hand an Ultra Mobile Device (UMD)—a hybrid iPod touch and MacBook Air with some tablet features and the ability to double as an eBook reader—now that would be an idea worth pursuing.
But what I really think (and Chris feels the same way, per his article) is that Apple should concentrate on the Apple TV. “Take Two” was an improvement, but there’s still a lot Apple could and should do with the device. But more on that next week.
Meanwhile, Forrester Research has predicted that by 2013, Apple will have introduced a plethora of home devices for the digital lifestyle. Among the new products Forrester predicts Apple will create are wall-mountable digital picture frames with small high-definition screens and speakers that wirelessly play media, including photos, videos and music, stored on a computer elsewhere in the home.
Some folks think that’s “pie in the sky” thinking. But I think Forrester may be onto something.
And you? What sort of products/areas do you think Apple will tackle next?
“Macsimum News” is a proud supporter of Planet Gumbo, which feeds the hungry. We urge you to help them in their efforts.
Macsimum News has a presence on Facebook. Why not sign up? Log in to Facebook, go to Groups and type in Macsimum News to get there from here.
SteveP Says:
Vibrators ? :)
Actually, I DO think a ‘tablet like’ device could have a large market. I guess it depends on what’s meant by ‘tablet’ since what you indicate - incorporating an e-book reader etc. - I would consider part of the design. It would clearly need enough resolution and size to read ‘like a book’ but if a good ‘electronic forms’ (whatever! use your imagination!) TEMPLATE program was incorporated (the KEY to what I envision) then many different professions would find good use. Especially doctors.
Say roughly 6 X 8, ‘digital paper’/touch screen, wi-fi + 3G iPhone incorporated, SSD memory and weight of 1+ pounds.
Maybe I’m just stuck, but it seems to me to have potential that nothing else quite fills. Isn’t that the secret?
But I’d be OK with a vibrator! ("The WORM” in the apple! :) )
Posted on July 03, 2008
Mac Hammer Says:
Ice Cream Scoops.
There have been very few changes in these pitiful devices for nearly 100 years. It is an established segment. Almost everyone has one, but nobody finds them easy to use. And if they could make it sing that “I scream” song at the same time! Now there’s a winner!
Mac
Posted on July 03, 2008
dave Says:
I have no idea why Apple made the AppleTV, as it has to be painfully clear to Apple that the big video content providers [namely members of the MPAA] will do anything and everything to make sure Apple can’t the same market position they are in with music. They are doing this by both denying content, forcing the same prices for less content [vs a DVD/BluRay disk], stupid arbitrary limitations [no “HD” quality video on your Mac, only on AppleTV].
When your content providers actively are working against you [with the exception of Disney], I can’t see how Apple can possibly succeed [particularly since content providers are forcing Apple to implement customer-hostile “features"].
Posted on July 03, 2008
MacManic Says:
hmm.... good question....
Robots.
m
Posted on July 03, 2008
R Says:
I don’t think there should be an entirely new category yet. Apple is still in the process of reshaping cell phones by morphing them into anywhere handheld computers. There is a lot of room to play in that market. It seems to me that something down the pike will probably show a new angle on things that the market isn’t yet ready for.
Posted on July 04, 2008
Mac007 Says:
I personally think Apple should buy Tivo and combine it’s technology with their AppleTV unit.
Posted on July 04, 2008
Mirek2 Says:
Nothing new, except the tablet Macs - they’re sort of inevitable now that there’s the iPod and the iPhone. Perhaps adding a DVD or BluRay player to Apple TV might be good… As for picture frames and video games, I really hope they won’t go down that path. Apple makes stuff that is useful. Let’s not ruin that…
Posted on July 04, 2008
Bill MacJunk Says:
Maybe you should grab more than 1 percent of the cell phone market and 4 percent of the PC market before getting too excited about the next big thing. Just a thought.
Posted on July 07, 2008
J. Scott Anderson Says:
Bill M.:
Thanks for the advice. But you should do just a little bit of reading. It would seem that Apple is already well past your recommended hurdles:
Mac:
iPhone:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-9957776-37.html
So…on with the next market to invent or re-invent as the Jobs so declares!
Posted on July 07, 2008
J. Scott Anderson Says:
Add to my previous comment:
Posted on July 07, 2008
Article Information
Comment on this Article Print this Article Email this Article Digg This
Contributor
Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
J. Scott Anderson Says:
I have two places where I think that Apple could make a huge impact. First, as mentioned here and other places, is Apple electronics in the car. For years, I’ve never understood why cars don’t come with user preferences. For example, here in Texas (and other places I’m sure), lowering your windows when you park just enough to all for some hot air to escape is pretty standard. In fact, it happens every time I park the car, in the summertime. So, why doesn’t the car do it for me based on preferences that I set. Same with radio station sets (or iTunes/iPod playlists). Why doesn’t the car talk to my home computer via WiFi and keep an up-to-date log of mileage, fuel actually metered as it was entered into the tank, confirm the purchase with my credit card company (price and fuel), etc. There is so much that could be done with a little automation and user interface, that I am astounded that it has not been done yet.
Next category, for me, is the home server. A real hub for everything from being a central file server for media to being the center of control for a host of home automation bits and communications bits. Right now, that industry is a collection of toys for hobbyists. No one has really put it all together with an easy to buy, install, and use package that makes sense (for use and for purchase). I think that an Apple iHome server could be the start of that.
Posted on July 03, 2008