In recent discussions surrounding Apple's AI strategy and its multitasking capabilities in iPadOS, Michael Tsai has highlighted some significant concerns. Throughout various interviews, Apple representatives have attempted to counter criticisms regarding the company's perceived lag in AI technology, particularly in relation to the absence of an Apple-specific chatbot. However, Tsai argues that Apple's approach is not necessarily flawed, but rather that the execution of its strategy appears to be lacking.
Apple has clearly articulated a unique strategy in the realm of AI, diverging from the typical chatbot model that many tech enthusiasts have come to expect. Tsai points out that while Apple asserts its distinct direction, the reality is that the company seems to be struggling with timely feature releases and the quality of those that have launched. Observers have noted a general consensus that Apple is not keeping pace with its competitors regarding AI functionalities.
Another point of contention raised by Tsai is Apple's rebuttal to John Gruber's assertion that the company presented vaporware during the last WWDC. Apple has claimed that the software demonstrated was “working,” yet Tsai contends this does not align with Gruber’s observations. Gruber rated the feature at level 0/4, citing the absence of a live demonstration and the reliance on a pre-packaged video instead. This raises questions about the authenticity of what was presented to the audience.
The term vaporware has been widely recognized in the tech industry to describe products that are announced but fail to materialize in a timely manner. Tsai references Wikipedia's definition, emphasizing that the situation with Apple's feature announcements mirrors this phenomenon. For instance, last year's WWDC keynote included a segment where Siri was purportedly showcased, yet it never demonstrated the functionality in a live setting. Instead, it was a series of disjointed cuts, which gives rise to skepticism about the feature's actual capabilities.
In conversations with trusted sources from Apple’s software engineering team, Tsai discovered that many engineers had not seen any internal builds of iOS containing the discussed feature prior to its announcement at WWDC. This sentiment suggests that the feature may not have existed in a functional state, leading to speculation about the company’s development processes. Despite Apple's executives likely believing in the viability of the feature at one point, the final product did not meet the high standards typically associated with the brand.
While some may argue that Apple had a working version of the feature during its announcement, Tsai asserts that it remains classified as vaporware because it has not been released to the public. The implications of this are significant, as Apple’s marketing efforts and product promises hinge on delivering functional and innovative features. Until these features are realized, they will continue to be seen as unfulfilled potential within the competitive landscape of AI technology.
