A Tale of two fruits, techie edition.

A Tale of two fruits, techie edition
---

Apple sells 9 million iPhones over debut weekend
http://on.wsj.com/18l0e7w via @WSJ

Apple Sells Nine Million New iPhones in First Weekend
http://nyti.ms/15OR98C

新款iPhone創銷售紀錄
http://big5.ftchinese.com/story/001052638

iPhone sales record bolsters Apples quarterly estimates
http://cnet.co/19tFaMc via @CNET
-----

BlackBerry to go private in $4.7 billion deal
http://cnet.co/19tVHjq

黑莓47億美元收歸私有
http://big5.ftchinese.com/story/001052636

---

  It's a weird Monday, as many in the world learn two extremely opposite news that shock people in certain way.  Six years ago, this, would not be imaginable, and no one will believe you if you're telling them what might happen if you go back in time.  Uncertainty, throughout history, would be the most interesting thing to forecast, if you knew how, or, even possible.

  Six years ago, Blackberry devices are among the social elites, politicians, business sectors, that, no one would think it can come down, as its messaging system is considered top of its game, facilitate transactions, ease of communication. When Apple first rumored to develop a cellphone, people recall its day of Newton, the not so well ancestor failed to capture people's attention. Thus, only the fans were loyal to it. Surprise came, with a touchscreen that no one thought coming, using the stylus each of us own, changed everything... as they say, rest, is history...

  Fast forward to this day, one group create the trend that analysts gives high hope to; the other, people look down to, belittle at. It's a sad thing to see, as no one or organization can stay at top for long, the fast it grows, the harder it falls.  It's the fact, not theory, tested numerous times in history, especially high tech history.  Living in Silicon Valley for decades, the rise and fall of organization is just a piece of textbook example that merely shown newcomers what to do to avoid the falls as long as possible, yet, it's inevitable... eventually, all things do comes down.

  While people praise Apple's success, envy its sales numbers, one need to remember, this is the same company in deep trouble during the '90s for decade or so, almost went bankrupt. Yes, it's due to visionary design of iPod magic that saved this fruity company, thus expand into various sectors, upon to this, "success". It's no magic at all, the hardship and suffering they experienced is the strength made them stronger. Steve or not, the team at Apple do want to make revolutionary products to, "change the world". Just as the two Steves initially done.

  Each success, whether it's a person or an organization, must have had its hardships that people love to omit, as we tend not want to know those tedious details, or sufferings, we only wish to cherish others' 'wonderful experience', so, bravo for Apple, sucker for Blackberry...

  Is it? 

  I still recall the day when people praise Microsoft and curse Apple, now, it's sort of reverse...

  In high tech industry, nothing is certain, newer design or devices will take over, rid of the old, antiques... lifespan of a product, shortened from few years to few months. The faster you present a product, the deadly cycle you doom yourself into. All, due to competitions, and self-tombdigging, like those tech companies release products every three months, or the so called updates every week by Xiaomi's claim.

  Basic fundamental, we DO NOT need that many 'toys' or frequent updates.

  Yet, each industry force those devices onto us, create the fashion statements, mesmerize our brain into wanting those "new devices".  From cellphone to video games, to cars, luxury items, etc., etc...

  At end of the day, we only wear one set of cloth, and a pair of shoe, and only need one cellphone, if any at all. 

  Therefore, it is a miracle that people purchased 9 million cellphones over a weekend, especially the updated version of basically the same product with minor updates.  I do believe Apple fans are loyal to its product, and I do use Apple devices, for its simplicity and uniformity that we can easily control and adopt to. I did placed the order of the new phone for family member, as per its two year contract cycle. However, upon hearing the sales number is still a shock, made me wonder, what happen if the end of day for Apple is near? that consumers don't have a belief to follow? So far Apple is the only one in the tech industry that can create the fashion trend to splash the entire global market, with millions of people to offering their desires to. Microsoft didn't done that, nor does Intel, Adobe, Nikon or Canon. Did Blackberry or Nokia's heydays create anything similar?? 

  No, they didn't.  And that's the part worries me.

  If Apple falls, as the Blackberry just done, where can we go? What can we mesmerize at??

  Penetration into global market is not an easy task, Yahoo had its fall in France, and recently China; so is Google's departure from China. Yet, Apple products still slowly eating up what others can't get into. How is this possible, that a single product can rid of culture differences or bias, or government regulation, in addition, Apple products aren't cheap! In some places, its pricing point is just ridiculous at one can think of. But, consumers don't care, flock into it like birds fly into eagle.  The marketing team at Apple sure done its job right.

  Can this model of success be cloned? 

  Well, many wants to try, which I do wish someone can do it with grace.

  Since last year or so, Apple campus is expanding like crazy, that its Cupertino surroundings are pack with new hires. The valley is full of cars and people, seems like a full blossom dot come era. However, if you look in details, the valley isn't what it seems, as many vacant R&D offices, warehouses idling for years.

  Silicon Valley, is the place for innovation, creativities, and breakthroughs. If all these ingredients are gone, then the valley isn't or may not hold its title.  

  Indeed, the valley still produce topnotch products and technology; however, if revenue is the only thing newcomers chasing at, then, burst of dot-com, should reappear.

  Post PC, is a slogan that people mention frequent nowadays, yet, can we do coding on a cellphone? or    manage the entire entertainment on the cloud? on whose cloud? Convenience of mobile devices are just an addition to our life, which, can be replace without guilt, thus, 9 million or so just been replaced, until next year...

  We do live in a wonderful era, where innovation do brought us joy, made us wonder, what new thing will come, to alter it again, hopefully for the better.

---

  It is a sad news to hear regards Blackberry, yet, leadership within a group, is crucial to ensure its lifespan. With its new owner and directions, may it find the true path, to rise again.

 As for Apple,  the sales figures might not be fully correct, which is fine, as long as it won't fall too quickly, a lot of people rely on Apple for survival, or cloning its product ideas.

---

  Note on 5S vs. 5C, rumor is 3 to 1 sales, which just means, around the world, people are still rich, aim for the top luxury device. That, is an interesting fact, in this unpredictable global economy. 

  Very, interesting...

---

  Tale of two fruits, the next chapter should be more interesting to watch.

-TonyT

Sept., '13

@Toga