Apple CEO Tim Cook fielded a myriad of questions about upcoming products, Apple’s iPhone range, and what he makes of the current wearable technology trends during an interview at AllThingsD’s D11 conference.
Cook hinted at the possibility of producing a cheaper iPhone model at some point in the future, implying that when the time was right Apple would launch a more cost-effective handset.
‘We haven't so far, that doesn't shut off the future,’ said Cook.
On the subject of wearable tech, specifically Google Glass, Cook lamented the idea of wearing glasses, as he does, when you don’t actually require a pair of spectacles to see. Instead, Cook gave a nod towards Apple’s rumoured iWatch, saying the wrist is a more natural vantage point for wearable technology.
'I think there are some positive points in the product. I think the likelihood that it has broad range appeal is tough to see. But I think wearables is really interesting and could be a profound area for technology,’ said Cook.
‘I wear glasses because I have to. I don't know a lot of people that wear them that don’t have to. I think the wrist is interesting. The wrist is natural. But you have to convince people that something's so incredible they have to wear it,’ added the Apple boss.
Cook followed by saying that while a wrist-based gadget like the iWatch would be great, a lot of people - now that they have smartphones - don’t wear watches anymore. In order to make people buy a wearable product, the proposition has to be very compelling, according to Cook.
So what about phablet devices? Samsung’s certainly giving Apple a drumming in the mobile space with its frenzied release schedule and myriad of devices. Does Cook see Apple taking any notes from Samsung in this regard?
Absolutely not!
‘What our customers want is for us to weigh those and come out with a decision. At this point we felt that the retina display we're shipping is overwhelmingly the best. In a hypothetical world where the tradeoffs didn't exist you could see that being one of the things that differentiates,’ said Cook.
He added: ‘It takes a lot of really detailed work to do a phone right when you do the hardware, the software and services around it. We've chosen to put our energy in getting those right and have made the choices in order to do that and we haven't become de-focused working multiple lines.’
So what can we glean from this D11 interview with Mr. Cook? Not all that much, if we’re honest. CEOs of larger tech companies are essentially politicians these days - they say very little but manage to talk a great deal.
In this regard, however, it’s clear that Apple is interested in wearable technology and that it might - one day - diversify its range of iPhones in order to appeal to a broader demographic of users.
But most of us already knew that, right?
by rgoodwin via Featured Articles
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