[microtherion]

Apple has innovated not just in hardware and software, but also in supply channel management, and the latter was definitely Tim Cook's doing.

If you compare the Jobs 2.0 Apple to the 1990s Apple, improved operational execution (supply channel management, demand forecasting, etc) made a huge impact on the bottom line.

[ajross]

This is actually a really good point. One of the things that distinguishes the Apple of today vs. the one in 1985 (which also had a dominant industry position and fantastic products) is that they're also competing on price. The iPhone 4 is available with contract at $99, the same price charged for very similar (often somewhat inferior) hardware from mass market asian manufacturers like LG or HTC. (The 3GS is actually available free with contract, though IMHO it competes poorly with the competing Android phones.)

That's pretty impressive for an R&D focused company.

[jsprinkles]

> The iPhone 4 is available with contract at $99

That's subsidized, for what it's worth.

[alttab]

This. There is a video out there where Steve jobs is describing how he built and transforms apple and manufacturing, supply chain, and retail were all part of it.

I think Tim has convinced Jobs that operation and execution is all part of the product experience.