When true attempts at innovation fail, desperate attempts of pseudo-innovation take off, often demonstrated in pointless new product introductions and fake-hype. This is exactly what Apple did in the announcement of the release of the iPhone 14 last week, which is lacking any interesting innovation elements. This was perhaps even worse, as Apple attempted to feed on people’s fear element. Sadly, fueling paranoia is not innovation; it just shows desperation.

Geoffrey Fowler, columnist at the Washington Post said it best (included an excerpt) today when he said:
“After Apple’s announcement, I got the opportunity to spend a little time with the iPhone 14. My takeaway: There are a few real tech upgrades here, but I wouldn’t make an upgrade decision based on the hope an iPhone might save your life in one of these situations. (Reality check: The National Park Service conducted 3,371 search and rescue missions in 2021, according to the nonprofit Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.) To me, the biggest news about the iPhone 14 is that Apple didn’t raise its price, despite rocketing inflation.”

So, the price has stayed the same, and no new or interesting features to make you want to run to the Apple store. But you do get the bragging rights – you get to carry around a newer version of exactly the last phone, but everyone around you will know you dished out a ton of money. You look cool. Each year, we get manipulated by Apple to discard a perfectly good phone, to get a newer version with very few real new innovative features. Remember, the phone is simply the device. The engine is the App Store which controls what your handheld supercomputer can reach.

It is sad because I remember when Steve Jobs would go on stage, we would all hold our breath as we knew something impactful and new was going to be unveiled that would not only be fantastic, it would change the course of technology. Imagine the Apple Computer, the iPhones, and iPads that he unveiled. Not just innovative products, but they ushered in a new technology horizon. This is not what Tim Cook is doing. Apple should stop releasing new iPhones to simply make more money and should instead focus on the next big thing from Apple. Of course, the strength of Apple is its platform, and that remains as strong as ever.

How would Steve Jobs have responded to the 14th aimless release of a new iPhone? Would there have been an announcement? I seriously doubt it.

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