Comments on: Apple’s Strange Product Release Cycle http://mediamandible.com/2008/07/12/apples-strange-product-release-cycle/ Form and function fistfight in heaven. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:05:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Ben Kunz http://mediamandible.com/2008/07/12/apples-strange-product-release-cycle/comment-page-1/#comment-151 Ben Kunz Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:35:43 +0000 http://mediamandible.com/?p=128#comment-151 Great thought-starter. I personally believe that Apple -- of course -- has a 10-year product pipeline plan and that everything from GUI to design to batteries to new features to price framing is staged to a. drive current demand b. and build in product obsolescence c. to set the stage for future sales. The new 3G iPhone, for example, has a battery that is so problematic Apple has set up a web page to explain how to extend the battery life -- by turning off all the cool features you got the new 3G model for. Hmm. Upgraded battery in 2009? And then, there is the camera, still substandard. And the potential addition of video capture. And, of course, since you want to look at whom you're talking to, you'll need a second video camera on the interface side so you could chat with me and we'd both see each other without turning the phone around. The iPhone may turn into the first true convergence device ... and that will take many years, many carefully staged upgrades, and may additional sales to get there. And along the way, the second growth channel will be the interface updates you mentioned -- to sell the Library of Congress, the world's music, and Lucasfilms. Hey, it's working. And it is brilliant. You're one year in and already thinking of upgrading to a new phone! Great thought-starter. I personally believe that Apple — of course — has a 10-year product pipeline plan and that everything from GUI to design to batteries to new features to price framing is staged to

a. drive current demand
b. and build in product obsolescence
c. to set the stage for future sales.

The new 3G iPhone, for example, has a battery that is so problematic Apple has set up a web page to explain how to extend the battery life — by turning off all the cool features you got the new 3G model for. Hmm. Upgraded battery in 2009?

And then, there is the camera, still substandard. And the potential addition of video capture. And, of course, since you want to look at whom you’re talking to, you’ll need a second video camera on the interface side so you could chat with me and we’d both see each other without turning the phone around.

The iPhone may turn into the first true convergence device … and that will take many years, many carefully staged upgrades, and may additional sales to get there. And along the way, the second growth channel will be the interface updates you mentioned — to sell the Library of Congress, the world’s music, and Lucasfilms.

Hey, it’s working. And it is brilliant. You’re one year in and already thinking of upgrading to a new phone!

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