There has been quite a debate with dystrophic and optimistic projections equally divided on the future of the MacOS and the Apple’s hardware. Everybody is trying to decipher Steve Job’s playbook as it really mattered what he’s thinking anyway. Granted, he made a bold move with moving to Intel chips, and he might have a handful of scenarios on its effect on the market and how to respond over time. Or maybe not.
Take the iPod, for example. When copycats started to integrate video with their products, Jobs dismissed it as a feature without merit. He said that while music is something that can be enjoyed to it’s fullest through any device that plugs into your ears, a small screen will can never to the same justice to video. I agreed then, and I agree now. However, the market begged to differ. Now video iPods are what’s hot and the cell phone industry attempts to bring small-screen video to the masses.
Thus, I’d be surprised if Jobs has more than a 2 year plan at the best! Jobs strength lies in making bold moves that shake the market and then adjusting his course to maintain momentum. Right now, to paraphrase Seinfeld, I think Jobs is thinking about “nothing.”
If only many small startups could be this nimble….
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April 29, 2006 at 1:19 pm
I Personally feel, that time has not come for video on mobile.
I have an excellent mobile, but i dont watch video, but rather record for my personal use. Hope the consumers like me stick to needs and not fancy. I doubt how far a small screen would help us enjoy video.. ?
May 3, 2006 at 1:26 am
I agree – I think the future for (small screen) mobile video is as a compliment to personal recordings – not as a content push channel.