When youre the brightest, shiniest company in the world, the burden of expectation can be both a blessing and a curse. Just ask Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL.US).
Tuesdayscombined launch of the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and the long-awaited Apple Watch had the internet buzzing, generating a levelof publicity that no other product can buy.
The danger is that the bigger the hype, the harder the potential letdown. And judging by the subsequent share price dip, investors wereunderwhelmed.
All that sound and fury signified nothing. Apple has just launched its first new product since unleashing the increasingly ubiquitous iPad in four years, and its share price fell slightly.
Have we reached peak Apple?
Flick Of The Wrist
Ive always been absolutely, completely, totally sceptical about the prospect of an iWatch, or Apple Watch, but I have to admit, I did feel a brief flutter of iWant.
Even as a late adopter, I want that watch. I would imagine that plenty of early adopters will really want that watch. I already know which of my friends will be flashing it on their wrist, like a kid with a new toy in the playground. And everybody will want to touch and stroke it, including me, and Im all grown up.
So in that respect, Apple still has it.
You Wear It Well
Cynics may say Apple Watchcan do little that the iPhone cant already do. Then again, many people said the same thing about the iPad in relation to the MacBook, but people have found a use for that.
And it does do some useful things. Its a comprehensive health and fitness device, Apple chief executive Tim Cook tells us. It is also accurate to 50 milliseconds, can act as a remote control for your home, and allows you to send a friendly little buzz to your friends by pressing on their face, to let them know youre thinking of them.
Thats sweet, although they will need220 to buy their own Apple Watch.
And we dont even know whether a wearables market actually exists.
Double Trouble
A bigdownside is that you need an iPhone as well. But if you have an iPhone, do you need a watch? This dependency makes anybody wearing an Apple Watch manna formuggers. It also needs to be charged every night. Shame.
Also, it wont be launched until next year, which is bad news for investors, as there wont be any pre-Christmas sales bonanza to take advantage of all this hype.
Revolutionary Road
Apple has been a truly revolutionary company, but from here, progress can surely only be incremental.
Yay, now we have an iPhone 6, and my daughters friends are excitedabout it, but disillusioned fanboys claim the bigger screen is simply playing catch-up with Samsung and HTC.
Apple called it the biggest advancement in the history of the iPhone, although I cant remember why.
Another worry is that Apple has now made its big announcement. We might have to wait a lot more than four years for the next one.
Even if sales figures for the Apple Watch and iPhones thrash expectations, markets will be demanding yet more world-changing product launches, and I cant see whats left.
Lost In The iCloud
Forget the shiny stuff for a moment. The big investor excitement surrounded Apple Pay, which ultimately aims to replace your wallet and credit cards with contactless technology.
But again, a digital wallet isnt exactly a entirely new idea. And given recent iCloud security breaches, there have been lots of snarky comments about allowing Apple to manage your financial data.
I doubt Jennifer Lawrence will be using it.
Not on my watch
If anybody can make wearable technology work, Apple can.
The prospect of billion more in share buy backs and a 1.7% yield may tempt some investors, but not me. This is a company whose earnings per share growth has fallen from 82% in 2011, to a forecast 11% in the year to September 2015.
I wont be restoringApple tomy watchlist.
It is too late to make your fortune by investing in Apple Stock. But this brand new Motley Fool report Seven Simple Steps For Seeking Serious Wealth could set you on the road to riches. This report won’t cost you a penny, but explains How You Could Retire Seriously Rich. To get your free copy, Click Here Now.
Harvey Jones has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK owns shares of Apple. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.