Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has taken a lot of flak for not launching any new products over the last several years. Many suggest that the company’s innovative ability died along with co-founder Steve Jobs. Dan Farber of CNET believes 2014 will be a key year for Apple. Either the company will surge back ahead of other technology companies, or it will fall behind.
Make sure to read Odey Gains In Short Apple, But Loses In Long Samsung and Whitney Tilson Bullish On Samsung
Apple and the wearable computing market
Many argue that the wearable computing market will be the next big new segment of the technology industry. Indeed, many companies are coming out with smart watches and other wearable devices, like Google Glass. Even Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has described in a patent some kind of head-mounted goggles which could provide an immersive gaming experience, suggesting that perhaps the company has an interest in eyewear as well.
And then there’s the rumored iWatch, which analysts have been saying will certainly come in 2014. However, they disagree about just how important it could be to the iOS ecosystem, with some suggesting it will be more of a niche product and others seeing it as a potential hit. While Apple itself hasn’t officially said anything about a smart watch, rumors have suggested that the company put together a team to build one, and we do know that Apple has hired a few fashion experts, potentially to work on a smart watch that would not only be functional but also ultra-fashionable.
Other potential products for Apple
Many have also been expecting to see an iTV smart television set with more functionality than the current Apple TV set-top box. However, others have noted that the Apple TV didn’t get a refresh this year, so we could just see a refresh of it next year.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has also been working with automotive companies to integrate its Siri personal assistant directly into vehicles.
Developing the Apple ecosystem
So which, if any, of these products will finally see the light of day in 2014? Apple may have to step up its game and do something more than just refresh the same old products next year. At this point the company has been riding high on people who don’t stay up to date on technology and just assume that Apple’s devices are still the best. But is this business strategy sustainable? Probably not, particularly if Android’s stealing of market share is anything to go by.
