Mark Zuckerberg Criticizes Apple, Accusing the Company of Losing Its Innovative Spirit Post-Steve Jobs
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has stirred controversy yet again, this time for harshly criticizing Apple during his recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. While defending Meta's controversial shift toward a community-driven fact-checking system, Zuckerberg took the opportunity to lash out at Apple, claiming the company has stagnated in innovation and is losing ground in iPhone sales.
Zuckerberg Questions Apple’s Innovation
During the podcast, Zuckerberg didn’t hold back his criticism, stating:
“They haven’t really invented anything great in a while. Steve Jobs invented the iPhone, and now they’re just kind of sitting on it 20 years later. And actually, I think year over year, I’m not even sure they’re selling more iPhones at this point. The sales might actually be declining.”
The remarks reflect a growing sentiment that Apple has been focusing more on incremental updates to its products rather than delivering the groundbreaking innovations that defined the Steve Jobs era. Zuckerberg also suggested that Apple’s reliance on accessories and in-app purchase commissions has masked declining iPhone sales and allowed the company to maintain high revenues.
Tensions Between Meta and Apple
The friction between Zuckerberg and Apple is not new. The rivalry escalated in 2022 when Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT) policy severely impacted Meta’s ability to collect user data for targeted ads, causing significant financial setbacks for the social media giant. Since then, Zuckerberg has frequently criticized Apple’s strategies, particularly its 30% commission on in-app purchases and closed ecosystem approach.
Zuckerberg’s comments come as Apple recently lost its status as the world’s most valuable company to NVIDIA, further fueling speculation about the company's ability to maintain its dominance in the tech industry.
The Bigger Picture
Critics have speculated that Zuckerberg’s remarks may also serve as a distraction from recent backlash aimed at Meta. The company recently transitioned from using professional fact-checkers to a community-driven system, sparking debates over the reliability of information on its platforms. This move, some argue, aligns with political interests, raising questions about Meta's motivations and credibility.
Do you think Mark Zuckerberg’s criticisms of Apple are valid, or is this just an attempt to deflect attention from Meta's controversies? Share your thoughts in the comments!
