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How Clever Are Apple?

I followed the speculation and rumour mills concerning Apple’s intentions (if any) to update its iPad Mini series of tablets.

The last time they did this was 2021 and, according to the pundits, if Apple followed previous patterns, the Mini was “due” for another update in 2023. 

Rumours flew around about when (not if) the update would be announced in 2023 and 2024 and what it would consist of.  I read articles, watched YouTube videos of how users love their Mini and why we should buy one, whenever it was updated... First people though it would be announced at the 2023 March Event, then September’s. 

Meantime Apple remained silent!  They let the market do the PR work for them.  No need to build suspense, no need for expensive advertising.  Even as they announced updated MacBooks, Apple Watches and others in the iPad range, the focus remained on Apple in between these announcements thanks to social media.  

Let’s not forget: Apple are clever.  They wait until they’re “good and ready”, then make their move. Remember the Apple Watch?  Their competitors had introduced smartwatches well before Apple, but when Apple finally produced the first Apple Watch, they took the market by storm.  Many still consider the Apple Watch as the “best” smartwatch out there. 

I was given an Apple Watch for Christmas one year and wore it almost non-stop for three years without really having a battery issue (so maybe the “short battery life objection” isn’t really valid?). The problem was, after that time, I found that, to update the watch’s operating system, I had to wipe its memory and restart.  None of my analogue watches obviously have this problem, but I’d suggest that smartwatch manufacturers look into this issue so that one doesn’t have to replace the watch every 3-4 years (although this may be deliberate). 

Personally, I’m going to wait until they produce something that has more than 2 days’ battery life, that doesn’t look like a mini-iPhone on my wrist and that doesn’t require me to change it every 3 - 4 years.

I may have a long wait…

Apple have used the classic magician’s sleight of hand to make people think they’re doing one thing whilst they do another.

Whoever the genius is at the Apple Corporation, well done on getting the market to do your advertising for you!

The iPad Mini v. 7 was finally released in October 2024 and now the latest rumour is that Apple are considering a foldable iPad…

I’ve spent more than half my life delivering change in different world markets from the most developed to “emerging” economies. With a wealth of international experience in international financial services around the world running different operations and lending businesses, I started my own Consultancy to provide solutions for improving performance, productivity and risk management.  I work with individuals, small businesses, charities, quoted companies and academic institutions across the world. An international speaker, trainer, author and fund-raiser, I can be contacted by email. My website  provides a full picture of my portfolio of services.  

Labels: Selling, Strategy

posted by William Martin @ 10:23 0 Comments

Employers and Automation

I recently heard that employers are now taking action to combat the rising tide of AI generated CVs by adding extra “layers” to their selection process.

One of these layers is a “face-to-face interview”.  I was surprised to read this, as I consider the interview a vital tool in determining whether somebody is “right”.  No matter how many psychometric tests, and other technological traps one lays, once applicants “wise up”, they’ll simply deploy counter measures.

Interviews also give candidates the chance to meet and assess those with whom they’ll work.  For me, the interview process benefits both sides in the long run. 

The US discovered very quickly that despite its high-altitude all-seeing, all-hearing UAVs in the sky, nothing beat the “Mk I eyeball” and “boots on the ground” in contested territory.

The same metaphor is now extending to the workplace.  Candidates who simply rely on AI to get them through the process will probably find they can get a job somewhere but the quality employers will still deploy the “Mk I eyeball” to decide who’s truly worth hiring.

One wonders if part of the drive towards automation is due to the newer generations of employee to whom technology is as basic a tool as running water and electricity is to other generations.  The problem is, if these new generations lack the human skills to deal with others, they will clearly face problems further on in their careers where human contact is still a prerequisite.

I’ve spent more than half my life delivering change in different world markets from the most developed to “emerging” economies. With a wealth of international experience in international financial services around the world running different operations and lending businesses, I started my own Consultancy to provide solutions for improving performance, productivity and risk management.  I work with individuals, small businesses, charities, quoted companies and academic institutions across the world. An international speaker, trainer, author and fund-raiser, I can be contacted by email. My website  provides a full picture of my portfolio of services.  

Labels: Customer Care, Leadership, Teamwork

posted by William Martin @ 08:47 0 Comments