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Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple's Biggest Challenge to Innovation in Recent Years Has Been Software
Apple's "biggest challenge in innovation in recent years has been in software, not hardware," according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
"In several cases we have seen Apple lagging in software versus hardware development, which bodes badly for its innovation strategy of software and hardware integration," wrote Kuo, in a research note obtained by MacRumors.
Kuo's sole example is that Apple's first-mover advantage in augmented reality has been "significantly narrowed" by Chinese smartphone maker OPPO.
He believes that OPPO has caught up with Apple's ARKit platform in only six to nine months, largely based on the fact that the augmented reality version of Honour of Kings will be compatible with not only iPhones but also OPPO's lower-priced smartphones when it launches next month, despite high-tech requirements.
"The key is that OPPO is in charge of developing API, integrating hardware and software, and cooperating with SenseTime's algorithm and Tencent's game software development team," said Kuo, referring to the two Chinese companies that developed Honour of Kings, estimated to have over 200 million players, mainly in China.
Kuo adds that, since the debut of ARKit at WWDC 2017, there has been no "heavyweight" augmented reality app for iPhones and iPads.
Fortunately, in January, multiple reports claimed that Apple plans to increase its focus on the quality of its software platforms, presumably resulting in a greater emphasis on bug fixes, performance improvements, and stability.
"In several cases we have seen Apple lagging in software versus hardware development, which bodes badly for its innovation strategy of software and hardware integration," wrote Kuo, in a research note obtained by MacRumors.
Kuo's sole example is that Apple's first-mover advantage in augmented reality has been "significantly narrowed" by Chinese smartphone maker OPPO.
He believes that OPPO has caught up with Apple's ARKit platform in only six to nine months, largely based on the fact that the augmented reality version of Honour of Kings will be compatible with not only iPhones but also OPPO's lower-priced smartphones when it launches next month, despite high-tech requirements.
"The key is that OPPO is in charge of developing API, integrating hardware and software, and cooperating with SenseTime's algorithm and Tencent's game software development team," said Kuo, referring to the two Chinese companies that developed Honour of Kings, estimated to have over 200 million players, mainly in China.
Kuo adds that, since the debut of ARKit at WWDC 2017, there has been no "heavyweight" augmented reality app for iPhones and iPads.
We think Apple's endeavors in the AR field should have enabled it to offer AR applications popular with the market before the Android camp, including: (1) the announcement of ARKit, an AR development tool, ahead of Google; (2) customization of the SoC (including CPU and GPU); and (3) customization of the rear camera.In terms of software in general, it can be argued that the past year wasn't Apple's greatest. iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra have suffered from several bugs, ranging in severity, including a major root password vulnerability on Macs to iMessages appearing in the wrong order across devices.
However, since the debut of the ARKit nearly a year ago, there has been no heavyweight AR application on iOS. Given that the AR version of Honour of Kings runs not only on the iPhone but also on OPPO's smartphone, Apple's first-mover advantage gap in AR has been significantly narrowed by OPPO.
Fortunately, in January, multiple reports claimed that Apple plans to increase its focus on the quality of its software platforms, presumably resulting in a greater emphasis on bug fixes, performance improvements, and stability.
Tags: KGI Securities, Ming-Chi Kuo
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12 months ago
For once, I agree with him. I also think that the year-to-year OS release badly damaged sw quality.
12 months ago
Apple hires the worst software developers and UX/UI designers.
You should go work for them and show them how it’s done
12 months ago
Give me back Aperture, Apple. That's all I want.
There was always the promise that photos would become more of a platform than it has. The underlying program was supposed to be open to developers shoehorning in plugins and tools on top of a basic DAM (photos) software.
It never came to be, likely because Apple still believe that cross platform photo libraries in iCloud would be threatened by the compatibility of such bolt-ons from MacOS to iOS. Basically, Photos is an iOS software that runs on MACOS too. Visa-Versa is too complicated.
As it happens iCloud (and the lack of proper sharing/collaboration) screwed up the potential for Photos anyway. This is apparent when you look at the better cloud services from microsoft (For Storage) and particularly Google Photos for sharing.
Photos is a joke. And Apple know it.
12 months ago
Apple hires the worst software developers and UX/UI designers.
Then why is iOS highly favored for those who want simplicity and stability? I Would never consider going back to Android ever and I can attest to many others around me who share similar thoughts.
12 months ago
As an interesting note - OPPO also was - until about two weeks ago - maker of the nearly undisputed best CD, DVD, Blueray playback units.
People with six-figure speakers. and amps costing as much as a sports car, would happily use Oppo's several hundred dollars units as their source for playing physical media.
I'd bet on OPPO - they really know their stuff - at least in that area...
People with six-figure speakers. and amps costing as much as a sports car, would happily use Oppo's several hundred dollars units as their source for playing physical media.
I'd bet on OPPO - they really know their stuff - at least in that area...
12 months ago
Apple's QA has been a joke lately...I couldn't agree more: iOS11 has been the worst software release from Apple so far, ranging from trivial and very stupid bugs to very questionable UI solutions. Especially, on the X. It's decent with 11.3, but it took them half a year to fix whatever should've worked from the very beginning.
12 months ago
Software (and hardware) delays are down to one thing and one thing only: the transition to ARM.
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