What are the developments beyond those specified in this case since 2019 that are relevant to Apple's rise/decline?

There are 4 questions in this case. One of them is the above question posted. Remaining questions are:

What, historically, have been Apple's competitive advantages?

Analyze the personal computer industry. Why did Apple struggle historically in PCs?

As Tim Cook, you have many options: which new areas would you invest heavily to grow the business in 2021?

What are the developments beyond those specified in this case since 2019 that are relevant to Apple's rise/decline?

And, For the posted question, the case already includes Airtags and Screen time features. So i would like to know if there are any other developments in Apply since 2019 that reflected in apple's rise or decline? Let me know in case you need any further details.

I am in need of this answer as soon as possible today please. I need to submit it by tomorrow morning 9 am.

Hope it is clear now. Thanks!

Here is the Draft of the case:

Case Questions

a. What, historically, have been Apple's competitive advantages?

(this is just a rough draft - I will add additional sources/textbook examples/tighten up, later this week)

Success of Apple Inc. can be attributed to many factors. Two of which are: the constant desire to innovate and marketing their products in a light which made consumers interested in their products. Over the many years of Apple Inc.s history, Steve Jobs was the front person of Apple, Inc. Jobs continued to have innovative ideas throughout the history of Apple, Inc.

Apple Computer Inc. was founded on April 1, 1976 (Apple and the eBook reader (stanford.edu)) with the goal to make personal computers accessible to the public. This was before the time when anyone could go to a store and purchase a personal computer. This was a new and intriguing idea, that of which presented some doubt amongst technology producers and the public alike. Jobs did not let this stop him or his colleagues from pursuing their dreams and vision for Apple.

Although at first their success was marginal, but then Apple realized that their competitive advantage was to continue to be the first to release new and exciting technology for consumers. Apple continued to corner the market and innovate new ideas and introduce new and advanced technology in their products. Apple continued to create new products, expanding from just producing apple computers, to innovating the music world with ITunes, the IPod and then taking the mobile phone technology by storm with the new IPhone. Constant innovation is one of the main competitive advantages that Apple had compared to their competitors.

Not only does a company need to be innovative, but they must have an appropriate marketing strategy for their products, to entice consumers into purchasing their goods and services. Another competitive advantage Apple had over their competitors is their ability to market new products to consumers. They have a special way of portraying the new innovation as something consumers need, before they even realized they needed it. Apple also does a good job at selling their products by portraying a certain lifestyle in their advertisements. Apple also introduces their new products in ways that create excitement amongst consumers, opposed to their competitors. Apple not only explains their products facts, details and specifics, but Apple talks about how exciting a new product is and how it will change consumers lives, for the better.

Overall, Apples competitive advantages are their ability to continue to have an innovative vision and an excellent marketing strategy.

b. Analyze the personal computer industry. Why did Apple struggle historically in PCs?

c. As Tim Cook, you have many options: which new areas would you invest heavily to grow the business in 2021?

Services have become a big piece of Apples business. Apple has expanded to include financial services, music, gaming, and video entertainment services. As Tim Cook, a couple areas I would invest heavily to grow the business in 2021 would be premium podcasts and new financial services. Podcasting has recently become a popular trend. Podcasts are entertaining and they allow you to multitask. Apple currently offers a default Apple Podcast app but having a Podcast subscription could pose a threat to competitors like Spotify. Instead of a stand-alone service, the subscription could be added to another one of their services like Apple Music. According to the Harvard Review, Apple overtook Spotify to become the most popular music streaming service in the United States in April 2019 (Yoffie and Fisher). The podcast subscription could also be added as an extension to Apple News.

New financial services are where I would invest the most between the two areas. Ever since Covid, companies and people have been using contactless payment methods to reduce exposure to the virus. Since then there was the coin shortage that also encouraged the use of contactless payment. Apple already offers financial services such as Apple Pay and Apple Pay credit card, which according to the case had revenue of $11 million in 2015 and grew to $988 million in 2019 (13). Apple could expand into digital wallet apps like Venmo and Cash App that allow anyone to send or receive payments to each other via the app.

Works Cited

Apple Inc. In 2020. No. 9-720-454. Harvard Business School . 6 April 2020.

d, What are the developments beyond those specified in this case since 2019 that are relevant to Apple's rise/decline?

A new product that will increase a new area of revenue is utilizing their GPS tracking technology of Find My. AirTags are Apples latest product in helping people keep track of their items. The user can attach an AirTag to their keys to help the user find their keys. With using the same technology as Find My app, you can use the application to ping the item in order to find the object the user has the AirTag on. Another feature of the AirTag is that the iPhone paired with the device can point you in the right direction of where the AirTag is located. This is a new addition but with the same technology that the iPhone already had the capability of. Apple ensures their customers that they are designed to protect the customers privacy. The technology of Find My network is enabled in the Apple devices already such as the iPad, watch, and MacBook. This technology of AirTags is a helpful way for forgetful people. It can save time for busy people getting ready to head out the door in the morning when they cannot find their keys. Another feature of the AirTag is that it is water resistant. This is helpful for users to know that their product will be safe if water happens to spill on the product. In order to provide some personality to the product, Apple is offering accessories such as colorful key rings and loops and Apple is offering free laser engraving to add initials or an emoji to the AirTag.

Screen time feature to help users limit the amount of time they are using their phone and be more conscious. An aspect of this feature is that you can set limits for certain applications the user wants to manage more. As a family, Screen Time lets the users see how much time their kids are spending on apps, websites, and more aspects of the phone. This feature is parental controls. This feature sounds contradictory with Apple creating a feature to use the phone less, but this aspect is helping families and others to stay connected to each other instead of playing on their phones. On Screen Time you can see the report of each day and which category was used throughout the day. This feature is ideal for working parents to monitor their childs usage and to control which apps they can go on. Apple is adding features to their devices in order to improve the overall wellbeing of society and I believe this feature is creating some good.

Consumer loyalty-

Product development over time-

Sources:

https://www.apple.com/airtag/?afid=p238%7CsIFOzTUMc-dc_mtid_1870765e38482_pcrid_518234306117_pgrid_120928559493_&cid=aos-us-kwgo-btb--slid---product-