I don’t think they are trying to solve a problem, but rather remain a competitor in the smarthome space. We see this with Apple HomeKit and the HomePods. Since companies like Amazon and Google/Nest have released a nodes with screens, Apple follows.
They like to follow a lot.. it’s easier to let others find out what works and what doesn’t first.
Yes in other cases, they learn from others then they make a very different product. But in this case, the products seem quite similar to the competitors. Only two important advantages: Apple ecosystem and emphasis on security. It surprises that do not even try to solve any big problem, if I read it well.
Why does Apple sell desktops when they can sell laptops instead? Why does Apple sell their Apple TV when people can use a video cable from their laptops? Because there's a market for the device, as demonstrated by Amazon and Google and others over the past decade+, and this is the same thing but within the Apple ecosystem.
I think it only makes sense for people with kids who don’t have their own devices. It gives them a locked down portal in a “public” space of the home where they can ask questions, check the weather, or whatever else, without it all having to funnel through someone with a device.
The hope maybe also to get everyone’s nose out of their own devices.
There are so many important problems to solve. Is Apple then, not very ambitious here? Perhaps, it is only a first step a catch-up to their competitors Amazon and Google?
I guess it’s also supposed to be the shared job to control a smart home. Given the context of the launch, that’s probably the main use.
In that sense, some of it is playing catch up, or rounding out the ecosystem… but it’s an area I think most people don’t care about. People are disillusioned with smart devices that don’t add much utility, but cost more, break more, and spy on them. On top of that, most of this smart home stuff seems really finicky. A light switch just works, every time. With this new LG stuff solve that… I doubt it. Do people trust LG after the video on their TV’s recording everything said around them? I doubt it even more.
I think all these companies want the smart home to become a thing, because it would mean a nearly endless supply of new products to sell people. Until Apple starts making the actual security cameras, a home server to store the videos, door bells, plugs, etc… this space still feels more like a hobby for them.
I would love to have an iPad like device to control the home, mostly for family who stay over - it also having a speaker is a bonus but the price point is tough to swallow.
It seems that they are thinking more in their strategic position respect their competitors than in the consumer. They are solving a problem that was already solved.
> They are solving a problem that was already solved.
Exactly, that's why they never made music players or cellphones...
A solved problem doesn't mean it's solved within their ecosystem and making them money. You can go out and buy a Google or Amazon device to do many (or even all) of the same functions, but that's not making Apple money, and they rarely integrate well with Apple's other devices and accounts. This isn't confusing.
On the other side, we all have to admit that solving this problem in the Apple ecosystem has significant benefits for the user: 1- Useful for Apple users, obviously 2- The most important, a close system with soft and hard integration could make things work much better and improve Google and Amazon propositions.
And... ok make more money for Apple. But it will be fare if Apple is more useful for the user.
I don’t think they are trying to solve a problem, but rather remain a competitor in the smarthome space. We see this with Apple HomeKit and the HomePods. Since companies like Amazon and Google/Nest have released a nodes with screens, Apple follows.
They like to follow a lot.. it’s easier to let others find out what works and what doesn’t first.
Yes in other cases, they learn from others then they make a very different product. But in this case, the products seem quite similar to the competitors. Only two important advantages: Apple ecosystem and emphasis on security. It surprises that do not even try to solve any big problem, if I read it well.
Why does Apple sell desktops when they can sell laptops instead? Why does Apple sell their Apple TV when people can use a video cable from their laptops? Because there's a market for the device, as demonstrated by Amazon and Google and others over the past decade+, and this is the same thing but within the Apple ecosystem.
Apple ecosystem and security seem too small problems to solve to me. I am surprised or there is something I am missing?
I think it only makes sense for people with kids who don’t have their own devices. It gives them a locked down portal in a “public” space of the home where they can ask questions, check the weather, or whatever else, without it all having to funnel through someone with a device.
The hope maybe also to get everyone’s nose out of their own devices.
There are so many important problems to solve. Is Apple then, not very ambitious here? Perhaps, it is only a first step a catch-up to their competitors Amazon and Google?
I guess it’s also supposed to be the shared job to control a smart home. Given the context of the launch, that’s probably the main use.
In that sense, some of it is playing catch up, or rounding out the ecosystem… but it’s an area I think most people don’t care about. People are disillusioned with smart devices that don’t add much utility, but cost more, break more, and spy on them. On top of that, most of this smart home stuff seems really finicky. A light switch just works, every time. With this new LG stuff solve that… I doubt it. Do people trust LG after the video on their TV’s recording everything said around them? I doubt it even more.
I think all these companies want the smart home to become a thing, because it would mean a nearly endless supply of new products to sell people. Until Apple starts making the actual security cameras, a home server to store the videos, door bells, plugs, etc… this space still feels more like a hobby for them.
I would love to have an iPad like device to control the home, mostly for family who stay over - it also having a speaker is a bonus but the price point is tough to swallow.
To make a regular iPad multipurpose seems a reasonable idea!
Too much cash.
bulging their pocket
It seems that they are thinking more in their strategic position respect their competitors than in the consumer. They are solving a problem that was already solved.
> They are solving a problem that was already solved.
Exactly, that's why they never made music players or cellphones...
A solved problem doesn't mean it's solved within their ecosystem and making them money. You can go out and buy a Google or Amazon device to do many (or even all) of the same functions, but that's not making Apple money, and they rarely integrate well with Apple's other devices and accounts. This isn't confusing.
I agree with you. Good point.
On the other side, we all have to admit that solving this problem in the Apple ecosystem has significant benefits for the user: 1- Useful for Apple users, obviously 2- The most important, a close system with soft and hard integration could make things work much better and improve Google and Amazon propositions.
And... ok make more money for Apple. But it will be fare if Apple is more useful for the user.