We have already observed in a previous blog that except the introduction of Siri, a chat assistant and the replacement of the physical key-board of the Nokias and Blackberrys, Apple focused on hardware, and did not join the AI bandwagon. By backing OpenAI that launched ChatGPT, Microsoft has made spectacular progress in AI. So has Google by introducing Bard.
Of late, Apple has set up two India-based retail outlets. Apple is aware that India has a talent pool well-versed in cutting edge technologies. At the same time, the environment for protecting intellectual property (IP) rights too is conducive now in India. Apple already employs 1 lac people in India and would like to double this number.
Apple has concentrated on AR technology to operate in metaverse space. Even Facebook is interested in metaverse. Apple would like to create unique user experience by integrating hardware and software. It would like to try various user applications of AR, say gaming, entertainment, productivity, and education.
Indian state partners with the tech firms by creating conductive environment, and creating public digital goods such as Aadhar and UPI. India is thus a good market for Apple watch, AR-VR face wear, BCI chips, quantum-based encryption in a generative AI-ready Apple phone. Apple has not taken lead in emerging generative AI technology. It tends to wait for proof-of-concept, and consumer acceptance. It then ventures into commercialisation of new product ideas. Apple is not the pioneer of smartphones. Though tablets appeared in the market in 1989, Apple’s iPad came much later. In music too, much after the proliferation of MP3, Apple worked on iPod. Even in AI space, though Apple seems to lag behind Microsoft and Google, Apple can leapfrog with a wow product offering. It has done so many times in the past.
Apple has started manufacturing here in India, and is offering ‘designed in California, made in India’ products across the globe. It has derisked itself by not relying solely on China for manufacturing.
India is a computer savvy market. It has abundant access to internet and data services. India welcomes Apple products and streaming services. Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Arcade and Apple News are all welcome here. Its a market of a half a billion youngsters with rising disposable income, and will remain so for the next 30 years.
Apple would like to be the next go-to technology providers. Apple will embrace AI to be a leading brand in India and elsewhere in the world.