But Apple stopped being shiny in the late '80s, and didn't get shiny again until Steve Jobs came back. Even so, it took many years after that to regain its luster. The iMac looked shiny in some circles, but most technically-minded people I knew thought it was stupid. The iPod, in 2001, was the first thing they made that was truly disruptive, and even then it didn't quite sway public opinion to think Apple was an innovation powerhouse.
Personally, my perception of Apple switched when the iPhone came out in 2007. Other people became interested in 2003 or so. Either way, Apple's shine is around 10 years old, and is starting to fade already.
I agree with most of what you've said. My interest in Apple was piqued when I saw Steve Jobs' presentation of the 2006 Intel Macbook Pro.
I think that the iPod taught Apple how to perfect their iterative process and release their innovations in discrete amounts which maximize profits and gives them time to work on their next big product category.
I too believe that Steve Jobs played a great role in making Apple exciting in the first place and bringing that excitement back after it faded away. However, don't you think that we should wait a few more years before determining whether or not Steve set up any precautions or learned from Apple's mistakes the first time around?
Apple's second wind is also correlated with the amount of influence that Jonathan Ive has had at Apple, which as we know is higher than ever right now.
Agreed. I'm not counting them out, I'm just saying that the current public perception isn't what it used to be. At least that's what I mean by "shininess."
Personally, my perception of Apple switched when the iPhone came out in 2007. Other people became interested in 2003 or so. Either way, Apple's shine is around 10 years old, and is starting to fade already.