Cook: Apple focuses on products that combine hardware, software and services

     On the morning of January 28, Apple released its first quarter results for fiscal year 2021. In a subsequent conference call, CEO Tim Cook was asked how Apple evaluates product opportunities in new markets and what kind of framework it prepares for this.

　　Cook declined to provide specific information, of course, because of Apple's tradition of confidentiality, but he did mention some ideas and insights that Apple considers when deciding whether to develop a product:

      Our framework is around, "Is this something we would use?" That's a high bar. Also, is it a big enough market? Unless it's an adjacency product, it's all about the user experience. We don't have a set approach or a formula. But we take all of these factors into account.

　　Apple "likes to work in product directions where hardware, software, and services come together," Cook said. "We believe the magic happens at that intersection."

　　He also explained that Apple's current product portfolio still has growth opportunities. If you look at the current product portfolio, Apple's share is still relatively low in a very large market. He feels that Apple has a good advantage in this area, and also has an advantage in the service field. Apple has been working on it for a while and came online last year and last year (product research and development).

　　Although Cook did not provide specific details, rumors indicate that Apple is working on an electric self-driving car and some kind of AR/VR headset, both of which are futuristic products that would mark Apple's entry into new markets.

　　Last week, Sina Digital had an online conversation with Bob Borchers, Apple's vice president of global product marketing. The main topic was also "the combination of software and hardware", which is Apple's unique R&D method. And services are a deeper experience injected into this special R&D method. The combination of these three will significantly increase the stickiness of Apple products.