Breaking the iPhone cycle: Lessons Apple can learn from Nintendo – Video

The annual spectacle of the iPhone launch may be a thing of the past. I’ve been covering the annual iPhone release day line since it all began, so I know that sounds far-fetched. However, reports have raised questions about whether Apple is reconsidering its strategy of launching a new iPhone every year, based on Apple Intelligence arriving later this year. Frankly, I think Apple needs to change its upgrade cycle when it comes to the iPhone. You could say that Apple is stuck in a loop, but on the day I was about to shoot this week’s Apple video, Nintendo, another globally influential technology company that was big in the ’80s, I think we can learn a lesson from that. I stopped everything for the greater story. Talking about Nintendo. The video game company surprised the world this week by suddenly releasing new hardware. It was an interactive sound alarm clock that sensed emotions and tracked sleep. It’s called Alar O. Now, the internet has gone wild over news of an unexpected gadget. It’s so weird and weird, but it’s also linked to your health by tracking your sleep. Add a new twist to your alarm clock. It’s high tech with motion sensors, no one was expecting it on a random Wednesday in October, no early announcements to the press, no teasers to the internet. It was a true story award and a moment of joy. Apple may want to do more with it. Many consumer technologies are now very commonplace. And I think Apple could learn a lesson here this week. Let’s take a look at why Apple is changing its approach to annual iPhone updates and starting to think differently. I’m Bridget Carey. I have one more thing to share with you at the beginning of the week. Bloomberg’s Apple correspondent, Mark Garman, caused a stir when he published an article about how he believes Apple is slowly moving away from its annual product upgrade cycle. A pattern we have been accustomed to for some time. Is that for WW DC in June? Apple shows off new software, then hardware like the iPhone and Mac. All of these will arrive in September and October, with software updates released around the same time. Store employees, members of the media, everyone is on the same page about what is expected. both investors and analysts. It’s a smooth dance. But what if, like this year, Apple sells its phones as being made for Apple Intelligence? Apple intelligence is transforming much of what you do with your iPhone. And of course, AI is part of the big launch day celebrations and media hype, and there’s no Apple Intelligence out of the box. Some reviews suggested that it might be better to wait before purchasing. I’ve seen people jump on social media to say they’re disappointed because it feels exactly like their previous phone. So why bother upgrading Apple Intelligence? Deployment will be slow. October has several characteristics. In November or December, it may be a little more. We saw a wide range of possibilities in a big sales pitch at WW DC in June, but customers are now wondering how and when that will materialize. Would it have made more sense to wait to release the iPhone 16 until Apple Intelligence was ready? Wall Street would definitely have flipped. But true fans think it’s okay to wait to spend money until something is fully cooked. It’s not always necessary or possible to dramatically improve the experience enough to launch a new device, which is why updates are made to all of Apple’s other products every year. Not. iPads don’t exist every year. Some Macs are also a few years old, let’s take a look at the airpods pro two. This is a product that launched in September 2022 and will soon receive a software update that will provide an overall upgraded experience that feels like a new product. This year’s must-have Air Pods with hearing health features that turn them into FDA-approved hearing aids. This is a perfect example of how software can make something feel new and exciting and prevent you from simply dismissing something from two years ago as outdated. Of course, we can’t talk about hardware updates without considering the environmental impact. Apple is placing more emphasis on using recycled and renewable materials and hopes to reduce its carbon footprint to zero. The best way to do this is to manufacture fewer products. Because these processors can handle so much load, embrace the idea that software updates can keep your device running longer. With the advent of AI, Apple’s business is no longer just a hardware business. There are also many subscription services that collect our money on a regular basis, including Apple TV. Apple is finding new ways to sell to more customers with its Amazon Prime partnership. It’s no wonder you don’t need a new iPhone every September. Now, we know that comparing Apple to Nintendo is comparing apples to mushrooms. But Nintendo is an example of how there are no set rules you have to follow to become a huge technology company. If a sleeping device suddenly falls by the bedside, fans will be thrilled by the surprise and the news will go wild. And speaking of upgrade frequency, Nintendo certainly doesn’t upgrade that often. The Switch console was released in 2017 and still works fine. However, the iPhone released that year, the iPhone 10, does not get this year’s I OS 18 software. But Nintendo executives were also suddenly more candid with the public and customers. I’ll be back in May. Nintendo’s president tweeted that the company will announce a successor to the Nintendo Switch within the year. That means it could happen in early 2025, and he made it clear at the time that the next big news event would be focused on this year’s match. You know, you can just tell people what to expect. There’s no need for a mysterious teaser. There is no pattern. Every product launch must be followed. As we all know, Nintendo customers are entering the holiday season knowing that there may be new things coming soon, but there’s still a lot that can be done with existing technology. There is a business phrase that is said to have originated from Apple. We call it surprise and joy. The implication is that companies should offer customers unexpected rewards, access, and even surprises as a little strategy to attract loyal customers. Perhaps in an age where software is king, hardware drops can be just a pleasant surprise. Apple fans are ready for a launch when it’s not a hard date on the calendar. What do you think about this? If I’m just dreaming and Apple will never break out of the cycle due to Wall Street expectations or fear of a stock drop, then pop in the comments and let me know. Or if you think Apple is the one that needs to flip the script and wake up to reality. If so, why not check out this alarm clock? Thank you for visiting. I’ll ask you one more question next time.