新聞導讀 回顧2014年 7 月,蘋果與 IBM 宣布合作(alliance)時,就可看出它打入商用市場的企圖心。兩家公司合作創造92% 的財富500大(Fortune 500)企業使用iPhone,還有建立超過百個企業專屬apps的佳績,財富雜誌更讚譽他們是極為成功的夥伴關係(blockbuster partnership)。 蘋果在9月7日的發表會上,除了Apple Watch、iPhone 及AirPods 耳機新產品外,其iWork軟體更新後,終於趕上Google Docs和微軟Office的腳步,可以邀請其他使用者進行即時協作(Real-Time Collaboration)編輯。即使最近i7銷售長紅,但面臨全球智慧型手機需求成長速度趨緩,蘋果期待藉由深耕學校策略,打入企業市場再創高峰。 “Tim Cook and company announced that by this fall, they would provide technology for over 114 schools through its ConnectED program, donating all kinds of devices—Apple TVs, Macs and iPads—for use by 50,000 students across the US. And they launched a new school program called Everyone Can Code, which aims to help students learn (1) the art of computer programming—through Apple’s own Swift programming language.” --<WIRED雜誌> WIRED雜誌報導,庫克與蘋果表示,今年秋季之前,他們會透過ConnectED方案提供技術給逾114所學校,並捐贈各種設備-Apple TVs, Macs 以及 iPads給美國5萬多名學生。還有利用蘋果的Swift程式語言學習軟體,啟動新的學校計劃Everyone Can Code(每人都會程式設計),協助學生認識計算機程式設計。 "In other words, Apple is behaving a lot like Google. It sees the enterprise as an enormous growth opportunity, and one important way into the enterprise is through schools. For one thing, there are lots of schools, and so many of them need new tech, after using stuff from Microsoft and IBM for far too long. Plus, if kids start using Apple technology in school, they’ll grow up and want to use it at work too. Oh, and the education thing makes for nice PR. ‘We’ve always believed that education is a great (2) equalizer, and that our products could always have a tremendous positive impact on teachers and students,’ Cook said. ‘But we are also deeply aware that not every student can feel this impact.’” 換言之,蘋果有很多動作很像Google。他們都看到企業用戶大幅成長的契機,而打入這個市場的重要途徑就是學校。理由是,很多學校使用微軟與IBM的設備已經年代久遠,實在需要更新。還有,如果孩子在學校使用蘋果的產品技術,當他們長大時也會想把它們用在工作上。同時,教育也是最佳公關。庫克說"我們一向相信教育有助於達成社會平等,我們的產品對老師與學生會產生極大正面影響"。"但我們也很清楚並非每位學生都能感受到這樣的影響力。” “Yes, Apple has partnered with IBM, the enterprise company it once (3) gave the finger to. But this is only natural. Apple needs new (4) avenues of growth as it faces slowing demand for smartphones globally, not to mention a cooling demand for the iPhone from China. And the enterprise can provide that growth. In the modern age, the line between consumer and enterprise is fading. The same tech applies in both places. Just as Google knows this, Apple does too. And it’s seizing on the idea. After all, there’s money in it.” 的確,蘋果的合作夥伴IBM,曾經是它相當厭惡的公司。但這也合乎常理。面臨全球智慧型手機需求下滑,以及眾所皆知中國市場的iPhone需求已在冷卻,蘋果實在需要新的方式讓公司成長。而企業用戶就可以幫助它達到這個目標。如今,在消費者與企業之間界限逐漸消失。一樣的技巧用在兩個不同地方。Google了解這點,蘋果也正這樣做。畢竟,掌握這個構想就能為公司獲利。 字彙 1. the art of computer programming 簡稱為TAOCP 計算機程式設計 2. equalizer 平衡器,這裡指教育可以縮減貧富差距,給予每人平等機會。在運動中,指的是扳成平手進球。 He scored the equalizer at the last minute. 他在最後一刻追平得分. 3. gave the finger 對它人比中指以表達憤怒的行為。Give someone the finger. 4. avenues 街道,方式(way)explore/pursue/try an avenue. We have explored every possible avenue to find funding. 我們已用盡各種方法來籌措資金。 |