This year was a mixed bag for Apple, with the company focusing on maintaining its smartphone dominance while exploring new territories like XR and AI. While some features were well-received, others fell short of expectations.
The iPhone 16 series brought refinements that garnered interest from consumers, but didn’t quite live up to initial hype. The M4 series chips continued to offer blazing-fast performance for Macs and iPads, while the new AirPods 4 delivered great audio and noise cancellation.
However, not all was sunshine in Cupertino’s world. Apple Intelligence and Vision Pro were met with lukewarm reception, with the latter being seen as an expensive and niche product with limited use cases. The company’s AI features still lag behind competitors like OpenAI and Google.
On the other hand, the iPhone 16 is a strong contender in its class, featuring a capable A18 chipset, 8GB RAM, and an autofocusing ultrawide camera. The new Mac mini with M4 chips is also a worthy addition to Apple’s lineup, offering silent operation and a decent port selection at a reasonable price.
Despite some missteps, Apple has made significant strides in improving its operating system, including the integration of third-party app stores and alternative default apps. This shift towards greater customization and freedom will likely appeal to consumers who want more control over their devices.
As Apple looks to the future, it’s clear that the company is still navigating uncharted territory in the world of XR and AI. However, with its strong foundation in hardware and software, Apple is well-positioned to adapt and innovate in the years to come.
Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/2024_winners_and_losers_apple-news-65731.php