Apple Might Be Having Its Windows Vista Moment, Says Analyst

Technology analyst Benedict Evans questioned whether Apple is experiencing a decline in execution, likening it to Microsoft's Windows Vista failure in 2007. Evans cited Apple's Vision Pro headset as an example, which he believes was not ready for launch and failed to sell in significant volumes. He also pointed to the delay of personalized Siri features, which were previewed at WWDC last year but are now expected to ship in 2025 or later. Evans noted that Apple's software release cycle, once reliable, is now slipping, with public promises not being kept. He wondered if this is a sign of systemic poor execution, similar to Vista's issues. Evans acknowledged that critics have long claimed Apple is no longer innovative, but the company has consistently delivered innovative products in the past. However, he questioned whether that innovative Apple still exists today. The Vision Pro headset did not lead to significant developer activity, and its launch has left many, including those within Apple, puzzled. Evans believes Apple does not ship demos, so the Vision Pro's launch was unusual. The delay of personalized Siri features is a concern, and Evans is left wondering if Apple's execution is slipping.