Apple’s Latest Innovation, Not as Innovative?

Apple has introduced its latest edition – the ‘HomePod’ with dual services. The device is said to be a speaker as well as ‘siri-enabled’ serving as an assistant to the user. Upgrades to existing products have become a tradition at Apple but with this device launch, it will be Apple’s first new innovative product since 2015 when it launched its smartwatch. Apple’s CEO Tim Cook was reported saying, “Just like with portable music, we want to reinvent home music”.

Late Entry into the Market?

The HomePod is in fast competition with Amazon’s Echo smart speaker and Google’s Home speaker but costing at nearly double the price at $349.

Apple was the first smartphone company to come up with a digital assistant when Siri was launched in 2011. The company since its earlier years has reinsured that it stays ahead of the innovation game, however in recent times, particularly with this new device, the company would be pulling through and modifying technology that is already popularized by another company and this would be a first for the company.

Is Apple Losing its Innovative Spark?

For a company like Apple, competition was always practiced within the company to deliver better than what they previously have. Apple’s greatest success journey was its ability to invent technology that single handedly transformed lives.

Apple built and created revolutionary products like the iPod in 2001, the iPhone in 2007 and the iPad in 2010, they were all built with creative vision and these products dictated the evolution of modern technology. 

The Future Ahead

 In the year 2010, the iPad had a 90% market share, making it the ‘most successful consumer product’ ever launched. Right now, Amazon’s Echo operating through ‘Alexa’ is considered a highly successful product with the devise hoarding over 10,000 third party skills. The user interface is also much easier in Amazon products as compared to ‘HomeKit’ which is what the HomePod would operate on; it apparently requires a special MFi chip for security. According to experts, the HomePod may beat Echo in certain areas but in terms of total functionality, the former may falter.

Apple, once a living, breathing innovative machine powered by entrepreneur Steve Jobs was solely focused on creating products that would invent new lives for people with technology that was never before thought of.  By this method, the company was largely perceived to be a ‘game changer’ and a ‘thought leader’. However, if Apple focuses its attention on the already existing products in the market then the legacy no longer continues.