10% of Apple … and counting

As for today ten percent (exactly 9.6%) of my posts published on linkedin are directly concerning Apple Inc. More than half of them are inspired by launch and early reception of Apple Pay service in 2014; one was about rumors Apple is going to produce its own car; two were inspired by Apple’s CEOs: Steve Jobs and Tim Cook. This post is about the other seven. When it is publish the ratio of Apple-related posts in my linkedin collection will grow to 11%.

I use Apple, but old style iPhones only

I am not especially keen on gadgets. Definitively, I am not dedicated Apple’s fan. I use iPhones for my two major mobiles (with Bahraini and Polish SIM cards) but they are no high trend devices. I think usability of iPhone 5 design perfectly matched my way of using a smartphone so I didn’t switch to iPhone 6/7. I don’t find their rounded edges reliable enough to keep the device firmly all the time. So, not like majority of users, I was amazed by iPhone SE concept. I end up with old white “5” and newer (but already old) black “SE”. This is all about Apple in my life. My first and only iPad has retired under the thick layer of dust, untouched for few years.

I wrote about Apple Pay, not about iPhones

However, although I use iPhones, I have never written explicitly on the Apple smartphones. They are working fine, enough to satisfy me as the user, but they never inspired me enough to write about. The different thing is Apple Pay – mobile payment delivered to devices running iOS. After its launch I was really excited and shared that feeling with anybody eager to read my posts. I argued with the first negative receptions and pointed out the strengths of the solution. Today, when Apple Pay is the most popular mobile payment solution in the US I can say I have predicted that. I keep on monitoring Apple Pay worldwide progress. I was a part of the big start of the mobile payment in Poland; here still Apple Pay is not taking off, but Android Pay does. I patiently wait what standard will prevail in my home country, still perceiving Apple Pay as having more arguments to win in long-term. The ultimate battle in payments is, anyway, about customer preferences.

Black Swan and Icarus

The first post I wrote about Apple on linkedin was about misperception of reasons why the company was so successful. Especially, I discuss the popular understanding of Steve Job’s leadership style and argue if it is really worth following. My conclusions was that Apple is exception (AKA Black Swan) in the peer group of global, successful companies; not best-practice standard. It is more likely to become the best by doing what Apple (and Mr. Jobs) did NOT do. Additionally, much harm was made by simplistic and superficial analysis of Steve Jobs’ management style. He was definitively not role model of contemporary, influencing and integral leader. After few years since publishing “Apple Inc. – risky conclusions if one follows pop-analysis of its business story” I would repeat every conclusion of the post. To my great satisfaction the problem of simple quasi-explanation of complex reality which flooded internet has recently got recognized. It requires more attention and, hopefully, some prevention. The newly coined terms “alt facts” or “fake news” are the first step to address the issue. One of my posts argue with the idea of building iCar (or Apple car). I was strongly against. I thought (and still keep on thinking) it is not the way Apple could utilize its competences. It could be 21st century remake of ancient fall of Icarus, who flew much higher than he possibly could. Anyway, no more exciting news about Apple car (yet?).

The last inspiration so far #immigrationban

I haven’t been writing about Apple for almost two years. Last week I did it again. I reviewed the Apple’s CEO reaction to current political events. The letter Tim Cook wrote to employees amid executive order of Donald Trump evoked mixed emotions and I decided to share them. I am very interested what your views are on the fact that another high-tech giant company’s CEO went politics. Here you can see mine:

“Tim Cook frankly on Apple’s weakness”

Linguistic note:

Please help me improve my writing. Any comments concerning the language are welcome