Intel, Apple may be two ships passing in the light

9/14/2012 11:55 AM EDT

The contrast between IDF and the iPhone 5 release was night and day. I stepped out of IDF and walked half a block to where the new iPhone was being introduced, just to see if I could get anything from the crowd or the analysts as they emerged. I'm well aware of the hysteria surrounding the cult of Apple and its products, but even I was taken aback. There were of course TV trucks, with live shots and live interviews being done right on the sidewalk. But what really blew me away were the dozens of seemingly regular people that thronged to the event, just to wait outside and snap some photos. Students, tech junkies, and even some people who showed up with their kids. Why? Most of those I talked to said they just wanted to be there because something big was happening. A cultural event.

It's amazing to me. All of this for a new model of a phone that, when you get right down to it, isn't THAT different from the previous version. If only every company could tap into this kind of momentum around its products...

Meanwhile, IDF was a first rate technology conference, heavy on the glitz, glamor and marketing. But with nowhere near the same vibe.

9/14/2012 3:27 PM EDT

More to the technology at IDF, but it least those parents wouldn't be doing their kids any long term harm, unlike say, taking them to a political rally.

9/14/2012 3:45 PM EDT

Okay George, here is my comment to Rick's article that was lost...

Rick, I enjoyed reading your view of the mobile technology landscape. The community benefits by having good reporting at the nexus of Apple and Intel who will continue to shape a lot of the computing experience for ordinary people and techies alike.

I think it's unlikely that Apple will miss on any of its big annual product cycles for that very reason. It keeps focus on a few products and the organization can make darn sure they don't miss. The alternative is never-ending product introductions and just hoping to get traction with one or two.

I think the shotgun is fine for some. It's the right tool if your aim isn't great, but you don't give a shotgun to a sniper.

9/14/2012 4:49 PM EDT

Samsung has a very different business model--50-60 new handsets a year. Covering all the bases.

Apple dictates what's cool. Samsung tries to chase everyone's different tastes.

9/14/2012 10:33 PM EDT

rick :

Apple is playing to its strength which is still "visualizing synergistic systems and zen minimalism ". Samsung on the other hand seems to have consciously or sub-consciously gravitated towards leveraging their strength, namely comprehensive in-house technological capabilities ranging from transistors to chips and displays to systems and high volume manufacturng. Samsung can afford to build 50 models. Apple can't.

9/17/2012 1:12 AM EDT

Did not realize Dave Ditzel ended up at Intel. I wonder if he is doing any of the code-morphing stuff he pioneered at Transmeta. In retrospect that technology was ahead of its time - and I hear there are new designs underway that are attempting it again.

Intel's deep pipeline of designs is scary but does that also make it harder for them to adopt to quickly changing trends.

Good to hear a reporter not go gaga over Apple's every launch anc call out the iphone5 for what it truly is - a me too phone!

9/18/2012 11:14 PM EDT

There is a huge differences between Apple and Intel. Intel selling chips to the box manufacturing while Apple selling directly to the consumers.
The great thing about Apple is the total package of beautiful hardware and software all encompass in one unit.
Intel has the best technology, but this is apparently not good enough, and has a big, big NIH. look at INTC for the last 10 years and then look at AAPL for the last ten years. I rest my case.