Never miss an update Follow AppleInsider
Friday, April 01, 2011, 08:15 am
Apple's success contributes to departure of Acer, Nokia, LG CEOs
The success of Apple's iPad has had a major impact on the netbook market, forcing the CEO of low-cost notebook maker Acer to resign. That follows the departures of top brass from two other Apple competitors, Nokia and LG.Acer Corp. Chief Executive Gianfranco Lanci resigned Thursday, as his company looks to reorganize in an effort to take on the iPad and other tablets like it. The company hopes to find a permanent successor by the end of April.
Lanci's exist was put in context on Friday by DigiTimes, which noted that the impact from Apple products was a "key reason" for his departure. It was also said that Nokia's ex-CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, who left in September 2010, and ex-CEO of LG Electronics Nam Young were both forced to leave "because of their inability to defend their companies from Apple's fierce competition."
Citing sources at Acer, the report noted that the iPad had a major impact on the netbook market in 2010. As a result, the company saw almost no growth in shipments for the year.
In addition, Acer is planning its own tablets to compete with the iPad and other devices in the market, but the report classified those products as "outmatched in terms of both hardware and software." It's the same story in the smartphone business, where Acer is said to be "incapable" of competing with brands like Apple.
"Since first-tier smartphone and PC brands are still unable to find an effective strategy to counter Apple's advance, with Lanci the most recent victim of Apple's assault, the sources believe executives of brand vendors such as Motorola, Sony, Toshiba, Asustek Computer and Lenovo are all in danger of being dragged off by the wave," the report said.
Just this week, Acer declared its intentions to "overhaul operations" in an effort to counter the success of the iPad. Stan Shih, founder of the Taiwanese PC giant, made the comments after his company reported two quarters with downward revisions of sales targets.
Acer's about-face is a change from last year, when the company's chairman predicted that Apple's "closed" iPad platform would drop to just 20 percent market share. Currently, Apple remains the dominant player in the touchscreen tablet market.
On Topic: Nokia
- Nokia reveals slim new Lumia handset with aluminum build
- Doing double duty, Nokia announces new high-end, low-end handsets
- Smartphone companies, including Apple, have little to show for patent litigation
- Microsoft Windows Phone commercial mocks Apple-Samsung wars to promote Nokia Lumia
- Nokia teases unveiling of new Lumia Windows Phone at May 14 event
Previous Comments View All
Not a good day to be a CEO.
Dell's Andy Lark is probably next.
Been reading AI for a while now, and never felt the need to post a comment... until now.
I have to say I am very conflicted by all of this news about these executives making stupid comments. Now it seems, rightfully, that some of these guys are getting shown the door.
My conflict is this. I really enjoy reading what these guys have to say. It is so comical to me that I have really started looking forward to reading them (even more than my morning Dilbert). Further, every time one of them talks I feel even more pleased with my choice of Apple products for our office and home.
However, I really feel like some of these companies really should be producing really cool products. I would love to own an iPad, iPhone, MacBook Pro and some other really amazing or even "magical" product from HP that Apple has not even thought of yet. It is frustrating to me that there is only one (in my opinion) innovative tech company right now.
It seems to obvious to me what these tech companies need to be doing, that is spending money on coming up with the next big thing rather than trying to copy someone else's innovation. Does anyone have a good reason for how these giant tech companies can be stupid? Can we blame it on the corporate culture of getting through next quarter rather than the long term plan?
These companies do not suck, apple is a cult and once everyone takes a bite of the apple are under its control...
But really, the problem all these companies have they lack the single vision of how things should be, plus they do not control every part of their product. They all are relying on some other company to do things the right way.
I do not think a single person will say apple products are the perfect technology, however they do work well. Plus Apple does not do check list marketing. These other companies still think as long as their list of features are longer than the next guy they will see more sales.
Think about how many comments have been made over the years about the list of features apple products are missing, therefore, they will fail to win against the competitor who has the best list. Every time someone makes those kinds of comments, fail to understand and failed marketing 101. This is not apples game, apple provides the right amount of featurea that satisfy the majority of the people and make it works so people do not feel like they need all those other features.
Plus Apple is run by Jobs and he has a vision of how things should be and he is still executing again this, his vision is well beyond next year it is probably 10 to 20 yrs out.
There seems to be only one way to describe the competition in the tablet/smartphone/content space at the moment: in total disarray.
Their corporate structures don't allow the company-wide shift in thinking that will be needed for one of these rivals to take on Apple. They want to make an 'iPhone killer' or some half-baked tablet with multiple variations. None of them seem capable of going back to the drawing board and designing a small, focussed family of products that make sense to each other and share an OS genealogy that they have control of themselves.
Apple only sell 3 Macs, 3 MbPs, 2 MbAs, 2 iPhones and 1 iPad as mainstream products. That's a core of just 11 pieces of hardware. All those devices run the same OS, albeit with iOS being OSXLite for the time being. It's focussed and keeps the brand identity clean and clear.
People know what a MacBook looks like, what does a Dell Laptop look like? What does an HTC phone look like?
I'm not saying it's easy to affect change, but knowing what you should be doing seems fairly straightforward and either these guys can't see it and don't deserve their salaries (to put it mildly), or they aren't allowed the freedom to make the changes they know they must. Either way, Apple is gaining a formidable position at the moment. I can't remember anything quite like it.
Does anyone have a good reason for how these giant tech companies can be stupid? Can we blame it on the corporate culture of getting through next quarter rather than the long term plan?
I believe you're right; it has to do with our love for money and the resulting greed. Companies must continuously show good numbers at Wall Street or else they're toast. They think that they can't look ten years ahead, because they're told that they need money for innovation. But perhaps the best innovation sits in somebody's head and doesn't cost a thing. The best example is without doubt Steve Jobs. I am sure that he is already preparing for what consumers want in 2020.
Every day Wall Street tells us that "we" are doing well is a sad day for the USA.
These companies do not suck, apple is a cult and once everyone takes a bite of the apple are under its control...
But really, the problem all these companies have they lack the single vision of how things should be, plus they do not control every part of their product. They all are relying some other company to do things the right way.
I do not think a single person will say apple product are the perfect technology, however they do work well. Plus Apple does not do check list marketing. These other companies still think that as long as their list of features are longer than the next guy they will see more.
Think about how many comments have been made over the years about the list of features apple products for not have therefore they will fail to win against the competitor who has the best list. Every time some makes those kinds of comment fail to understand and failed marketing 101. This is not apples game, apple provide the right amount of feature that satisfy the majority of the people and make it works so people do not feel like they need all those other features.
Plus Apple is run by Jobs and he has vision of how things should be and he is still executing again this, his vision is well beyond next year it probably 10 to 20 yrs out.
Very true. If you're driving a Ferrari Daytona through Monaco, you don't care if it doesn't have a radio!
It comes down to exactly one reason:
These companies only create and put together the hardware side of the equation, and the only way to differentiate themselves is with a spec-list. They are slaves to the OS providers, whether MS and recently Google.
Which leads to the bigger question and discrepancy in all other products not Apple**:
Who designs all those crap interfaces? Including almost any website not Apple or Apple-product related. Is Apple really hiring the only designers with a modicum of taste and minimalist design sense? Then why am I not employed there 
**... aside from that horrid new Address Book leather-look in Lion previews. That's just NASTY-CHEESE! Include the iBookstore as well. A small blip I guess in the "overall look". But a sad "shield-my-eyes" look it is.
It comes down to exactly one reason:
These companies only create and put together the hardware side of the equation, and the only way to differentiate themselves is with a spec-list. They are slaves to the OS providers, whether MS and recently Google.
Which leads to the bigger question and discrepancy in all other products not Apple**:
Who designs all those crap interfaces? Including almost any website not Apple or Apple-product related. Is Apple really hiring the only designers with a modicum of taste and minimalist design sense? Then why am I not employed there
**... aside from that horrid new Address Book leather-look in Lion previews. That's just NASTY-CHEESE! Include the iBookstore as well. A small blip I guess in the "overall look". But a sad "shield-my-eyes" look it is.
That's because making the hardware and software isn't a good business model, it had Apple at the brink of bankruptcy. Macs didn't save Apple, the iPod did, then the iPhone and now the iPad have made it hugely successful. If it weren't for those devices Apple would be a very different company, and it would've been SJ getting fired yet again.
This is a bigger problem in general for the semiconductor industry. The industry became focused on doing one thing well and that one thing is cost reduce. The industry no longer really focuses on innovation because that cost money and they don't have the margins for it or know how to be effective at it. Netbooks were just cheaper laptops, nothing more.
The big thing that is happening is consumer electronics is going the way of cash registers and gas pumps, network aware without the need of a browser and bookmarks. This will have long ranging effects on all aspects of this industry. Will you even need a browser and search in the future? Can box builders full of cheap semiconductors build the things you will want? Does anyone really give a crap what the clock speed of a gas pump is?
As is always the case, if the world changes on you and your not ready or capable of change, you die (sorry dinosaurs, I'm sure you didn't see the meteor coming).
Latest Apple Headlines
-
Inside iOS 7: iBeacons enhance apps' location awareness via Bluetooth LE
~43 minutes ago -
High resolution images claim to show 'iPhone 5S' and iPhone 5 display assemblies side-by-side
~7 hours ago -
Steve Jobs discusses his legacy in rare 1994 video interview
~10 hours ago -
Briefly: Sprint LTE service expands to 22 more areas
~12 hours ago -
Facebook for iOS adds privacy options and status icons in update
~12 hours ago - more...
Want to write for AppleInsider? Submit your application now!
| Model | White | Black | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad mini (WiFi only) | |||
| 16GB WiFi |  |
$329.00 | $329.00 |
| 32GB WiFi | |
$429.00 | $429.00 |
| 64GB WiFi | |
$529.00 | $529.00 |
| iPad mini (WiFi + 4G) | |||
 |
 |
 |
|
| 16GB 4G White | $459.00 | $459.00 | $459.00 |
| 32GB 4G White | $559.00 | $539.99 | $559.00 |
| 64GB 4G White | $659.00 | $659.00 | $629.99 |
| 16GB 4G Black | $459.00 | $459.00 | $459.00 |
| 32GB 4G Black | $559.00 | $539.99 | $539.99 |
| 64GB 4G Black | $659.00 | $659.00 | $629.99 |
Lowest Prices Anywhere!
| Model | Price | You Save |
|---|---|---|
| 11"1.3GHz/4GB/128GB | $964.18* | $34.82 |
| 11" 1.3GHz/8GB/128GB | $1,061.18* | $37.82 |
| 11" 1.3GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,255.18* | $43.82 |
| 11"1.7GHz/8GB/128GB | $1,206.68* | $42.32 |
| 11"1.7GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,400.68* | $48.32 |
| 11" 1.7GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,691.68* | $57.32 |
| 13" 1.3GHz/4GB/128GB | $1,061.18* | $37.82 |
| 13" 1.3GHz/4GB/256GB | $1,255.18* | $43.82 |
| 13" 1.3GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,352.18* | $46.82 |
| 13" 1.3GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,643.18* | $46.82 |
| 13" 1.7GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,497.00* | $52.00 |
| 13" 1.7GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,788.68* | $60.32 |
* price with Promo Code:
APPLEINSIDER01
|
||
| Click for even more configurations | ||
Been reading AI for a while now, and never felt the need to post a comment... until now.
I have to say I am very conflicted by all of this news about these executives making stupid comments. Now it seems, rightfully, that some of these guys are getting shown the door.
My conflict is this. I really enjoy reading what these guys have to say. It is so comical to me that I have really started looking forward to reading them (even more than my morning Dilbert). Further, every time one of them talks I feel even more pleased with my choice of Apple products for our office and home.
However, I really feel like some of these companies really should be producing really cool products. I would love to own an iPad, iPhone, MacBook Pro and some other really amazing or even "magical" product from HP that Apple has not even thought of yet. It is frustrating to me that there is only one (in my opinion) innovative tech company right now.
It seems to obvious to me what these tech companies need to be doing, that is spending money on coming up with the next big thing rather than trying to copy someone else's innovation. Does anyone have a good reason for how these giant tech companies can be stupid? Can we blame it on the corporate culture of getting through next quarter rather than the long term plan?