Is Apple Still An Innovator?

Online, January 28, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Once a sure-fire way to printing money, Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) stock has been in free-fall. And investors' fears were confirmed yesterday, when the company posted a quarterly report that was below expectations. While revenues increased by 18%, the earnings were flat.

So is Apple losing its magic? Or is this just a temporary bump in the road? To get some perspective on things, I reached out to some tech CEOs:

Roman Stanek, CEO and Founder, GoodData

"Apple reminds me of the phoenix - it maintains an impeccable ability to constantly regenerate itself. Over the years, the company has been considered 'dead' numerous times. I bought an iPad when all the analysts were saying it was one of the worst ideas ever. They referred to it as 'an oversized phone'. Well, the revenue from the iPad is about to surpass the entire revenue stream of Dell.

"Apple is indeed at a crossroads of where it wants to focus its attention. It will need to rely on its roots: creativity and branding. As an investor and an entrepreneur, I would never bet against Apple being able to create innovative products with an ability to change how we work and play."

David Lloyd, CEO, IntelliResponse

"Apple's continued success will be predicated on the next big consumer product in the pipeline while placing enough meaningful innovation in existing products that make the consumer feel they are getting real value not small incremental improvement at a premium price. Apple creates innovation by having the vision to meet and mold consumer demand. For example, while the virtual assistant Siri is based on technology Apple acquired from Nuance, Apple was still able to commercialize that technology and market it in a way that encouraged consumers to adopt it. Lest we forget, there are few companies as adept at tapping into, and creating, consumer demand for technology."

Jeff Maling, co-CEO, Roundarch Isobar

"With the potential for Apple to invade the living room with a more advanced TV product and the predicted work that is ongoing around a wearable computer of some sort, Apple isn't done inventing game changing products. It is time for a battle though, and rivals like Samsung don't appear to be resting on their laurels. In any case, perhaps a less-than-expected quarter will stir the spirit of Jobs and cause Apple to refocus on bringing consumers the future devices that they are hoping for."

Mona DeFrawi, CEO and Founder, Equidity

"The minute Apple shifts focus to appease short-term focused penny-splicers, it will lose power and cease to be the innovator which investors have loved over the long-term. Apple became the most valuable company in the world through its unparalleled ability to innovate, and its absolute commitment to always delivering excellence. The Apple brand by itself is a unique strategic advantage that no other product can compete against through price."

Todd DeYoung, CEO, FASTCASE

"Clearly, in recent months it's being tested by competitors - especially in the mobile sector. But imitation is not innovation, as witnessed in the recent patent court battles. The takeaway for Apple here is: be careful how much you teach your suppliers about your business, as they may become future competitors."

Tom Taulli is the author of How to Create the Next Facebook: Seeing Your Startup Through, from Idea to IPO. Follow him on Twitter at @ttaulli.