“Can’t innovate anymore, my a**”
With that statement, Apple’s senior vice president of marketing, Phil Schiller said what may possibly be the most quoted quote for this year (at least) during WWDC 2013.
With respect to iOS 7 however, whatever was unveiled in the event made the statement quite ironic. No matter how many times the word “revolutionary” was used by Tim Cook, even die-hard iPhone fans have to admit this is Apple playing catch-up more than introducing something that’s truly innovative.
The redesign of iOS 7 by Jony Ive is nothing but a new skin in Android parlance. The jury is still out on whether the redesign is better than the previous version though. Some absolutely love it, while it’s the target of online humor for others. As for me, while I’ve always loved Apple’s designs, the color palette of the iOS 7 looks a bit childish.
Most of the “new” features announced, together became one amusing puzzle titled, “Which OS/App Has This Been Copied From?”
iOS 7’s Sources of ‘Inspiration’?
- Quick access settings (swipe up) – Android.
- iTunes Radio – the UI looks like Google music while the service itself sounds a lot like Pandora
- Swipe gestures – BB10
- Mail – shameless rip-off of Mailbox
- Photo app – Flyvr
- Lock screen – Android
- Auto-app updates – Android
- Multi-tasking screen – WebOS
- The font – Windows 8
- 3D look, quick tab access, scrolling in Safari – Chrome for Android
- Lock Screen Notifications – Android
- Flat design – Windows 8
Now, I totally get it: a good feature will land up in all OS’ eventually, it has to! But having hounded competition with copyright lawsuits all over the world to the point of earning a “patent troll” reputation, it does feel weird to see Apple do the same thing with iOS 7 this time around.
Only time will tell whether iOS 7 will succeed. But it looks more and more likely that Android is faster at getting better.
So what do you think? Is iPhone still the phone?
Or has the apple fallen too far from the tree?
[Image via Digital Trends]
austinklee says
This talk of “lack of innovation” with iOS7 is over blown. I’ll let The Macalope say it:
“When you define ‘innovative’ as the kind of change that remakes an entire market, Apple only ever delivers those kinds of shake-ups in new product lines. The reason is because when it remakes a market, it delivers the best product that it knows how to make. Which its competitors then rush to copy.”
Gangai Victor says
Except in this case, it seems to be the other way around, Apple copying others 🙂
Kevin at SiteWizard LLC says
I agree that Apple was an innovator when they introduced the iPod, iPhone and iPad. These were game-changers and started new device markets. However, in some ways Apple prevents further innovation by refusing to play nice with others.
The coolest thing about Android is its extensibility. Software developers can create anything they want. They even have the ability to replace built-in functionality like the home screen or the keyboard. Plus, the Android OS is open-source, so hardware manufacturers are able to invent new features for their devices. This leaves Android wide-open for creative people to improve the platform. There have been great advances in hardware and software on the Android platform, and I believe Apple is now playing catch-up.
It’s true that Apple was the first to successfully introduce touch devices to the mass market. They were “the only game in town” for a while. When Android first came out, it was slow and clunky while iPhone seemed smooth and intuitive. But times have changed.
The first Apple device I personally bought was a 4th generation iPod (basically an iPhone 4). I had been using Android for a couple of years prior to my iPod purchase, and I must say I was disappointed with iOS 6. Before I got the iPod, I had tweaked my Android phone with lots of great extensions. Then when I tried iOS, I was surprised at all of the limitations.
I have been irritated with iOS multiple times. For instance, if you try to play a game without registering for Game Center, you’re bombarded with prompts to log in. There is no way to disable the prompts unless you create an account. I personally don’t like Apple spying on my game usage and storing that data “in the cloud.” On Android, I can disable any app and even turn off the app’s Internet connection (thru JuiceDefender).
Another example is the keyboard. The keyboard in iOS is not customizable, and it leaves a lot to be desired. I love the SwiftKey keyboard software for Android. It is very customizable: you can long-press any key and get alternate characters (like quickly typing numbers without switching back and forth between the number pad and alphabet), and the auto-complete learns your personal writing style. It’s fast, intuitive and brilliant.
These are a couple small examples of the overall problem with Apple. The company insists on tyrannical control over its “proprietary systems.” Thus they miss out on the opportunity to benefit from a community of software and hardware developers. I’m really not surprised Apple is copying ideas from Android and Windows Phone 8. That’s where the innovation is happening now.
I think we’re seeing Apple repeat history. In the 1980’s, Microsoft licensed MS-DOS to hardware manufacturers, so a bunch of “IBM clones” appeared in the market. They opened the doors for Compaq, HP, Gateway, Dell and others to compete with one another. This increased innovation while bringing down prices. Once “the PC” had dominated business and consumer markets, most software developers adopted the PC as their platform of choice.
Meanwhile, Apple has always tightly coupled their hardware and software and kept their prices high. They can get away with this strategy when they are introducing something truly “new and exciting.” But eventually, there comes a point when the “imitators” become the innovators, and Apple is left in the dust.
We’re already seeing it. Last time I checked, adoption of Android had surpassed iOS. In general, Android phones are cheaper, and there are lots of inexpensive data plans to choose from. Android is even catching up in the tablet world. You have to be a *big* Apple fan to buy a $600 iPad when the Amazon Kindle Fire HD is “basically the same thing” for $300.
I predict that Android will continue to increase in adoption while iOS shrinks. At this point, the market is saturated with Android devices that are just as good (if not better) than equivalent Apple devices. I honestly don’t see anything in iOS 7 that will stop this trend.
Gangai Victor says
You made some great points Kevin, thanks for stopping by.
Chandos says
Perhaps some of this is true, but the reason I buy an iPhone is so I DON’T have to do all that extra junk. Tweaking may be nice, but sometimes simplicity is nicer…at least for me 🙂 And as a happy Kindle Fire HD owner, I would trade it in a heartbeat for an iPad if I had the funds or someone willing for an even swap.
Apple’s “tyrannical control” to me has always meant more secure, more polished, and more stable. For which I’m happy to pay the slight premium. I do love my Kindle, but it severely lacks the polish and fluidity that an iPad does.
These are just personal preferences though 🙂 I know not all techy people are like me. And for full disclosure, I previously worked for Apple, so there’s some deep-seeded bias I’m sure 🙂
Kevin at SiteWizard LLC says
@Chandos – Thanks for your reply. I understand the appeal of simplicity, and sometimes Apple’s products have been more simple than competitors. But Android has made leaps and bounds in this arena. Today, most Android devices are very simple and easy to use.
Regarding customization, this is what I was trying to say: If there’s something you don’t like on Android, you can probably do something about it. If there’s something you don’t like on iOS, “too bad, so sad.” Locking down the system does may or *may not* produce a “more secure, more polished, and more stable” product. But certainly, a lack of customization and control will frustrate a percentage of users (like me).
BTW, the fact that you (a former Apple employee) bought a Kindle Fire HD instead of an iPad emphasizes another point: If consumers can buy “pretty much the same thing” for half the price, they will usually choose the cheaper item. Since Android devices are so much cheaper, and the available features (hardware and software) are so similar, only die-hard Apple fans will keep choosing the most expensive product.
In my opinion, I get more for my money with Android. I can’t justify spending twice as much money just because a product “looks cooler”, is 1mm thinner, weighs 1oz less, and makes me part of the “exclusive Apple fan-club.” 🙂
Chandos says
I only got my Kindle free for setting up a checking account 🙂 Otherwise I’d be all over an iPad Mini 🙂
Chandos says
And RE the customization, I definitely get where you’re coming from. I just have no desire to customize or get it where I want it. Neither does my mom, sister, wife, or the un-techy people in the church office who all have iPhones. My iPhone is already exactly how I want it. It’s the not having to deal with things that entices me.
And others agree, as Apple, with 3 phones on the market, is the number one smartphone vendor in the US(at least according to this article…however valid it may be). So they’re doing something that people like 🙂
http://9to5mac.com/2013/06/28/apple-continues-to-grow-as-top-smartphone-vendor-in-us-during-may/
And to be fair to me, I didn’t buy my iPhone or MacBook Pro or iMac because I want to be a part of the “exclusive Apple fan-club.” For me, in my life with what I do for a living, they all work leaps and bounds better than the alternative. I’ve used ’em all, and Apple meets and exceeds my expectations and requirements. And since I sell each previous iPhone for more than I paid for it (2 years later even!) I’m not paying more 🙂
And I hope I don’t sound combative or argumentative. I’m not trying to be! I think that Android based phones are fantastic. As are Windows based phones. But iOS is what’s best for me, hands down.
Gangai Victor says
@Chandos, thanks for your comment.
An Android device does work out of the box, and is really simple to use too.
The customization is available and we get to choose if we want to use it or not. So you can buy an android device and not choose to use the ‘extra junk’ 🙂
In India, the iPad mini costs around Rs 22000, while the Kindle Fire HD is about Rs 14000. The premium is not ‘slight’ by any means 😉
As for polish and UI, it’s more of personal taste I guess, like you said. I’ve played around with both iOS and Android devices and I prefer the latter. But I totally understand there are lost of people like you who prefer the iOS.
But the latest versions of Android make a compelling case for providing more value for money imho.
Eric J says
I wouldn’t call apple a patent troll as they are not a non practicing entity. Eventually they will have to settle with a cross licensing agreement. Unlike a NPE which cannot be counter sued since they are not in the industry.
Gangai Victor says
Yup, u r right!