Delays between Apple announcing a product and shipping it to customers have more than doubled under Tim Cook’s watch, according to a WSJ analysis.
The averages bear out the paper’s claim, though also illustrate the rather small difference for a typical product launch …
It notes that all three of the biggest completely new products launched since Cook became CEO were significantly delayed: the original Apple Watch, AirPods and the HomePod (though the Watch shipped within the promised timeframe). Such delays can, it argues, be costly.
Both AirPods and the HomePod missed the all-important Christmas shopping season.
The piece does acknowledge that it’s unfair to judge Cook by one metric.
Against this backdrop, product delays – especially such a small average difference – appear rather inconsequential.
The piece also notes a number of changes that make Apple’s task much harder. A faster pace of product releases, a larger and more global customer base, and – in particular – a much more complex manufacturing progress as Apple seeks greater customization of its devices.
Apple declined to make Cook available for interview to the WSJ.
Photos: Bloomberg
