Tim Cook talks about the Apple TV, the iPad and Apple’s business model

Tim Cook, Apple Chief Operating Officer, participated in yesterday’s session of questions and answers during the event Goldman Sachs Technology & Internet Conference 2010 and although it made no new revelation offered some perspective on various topics related to the company as the Apple TV, the sales channels of the iPad or exclusivity arrangements with the operators among others. I leave you with the translation of their statements: Q: How are things with the Apple TV Tim Cook: It is still a hobby but we feel that there may be something there.

The model go-to-market is complicated and we have no interest in entering the TV market. Yet we continued to invest in the Apple TV and continue to do so. Have you completed all parts of the iPhone OS platform or there is more to come The word “complete” is not in our dictionary. We are always trying to innovate our own products obsolete again. The ecosystem and platform are really good and the foundations are already filled but definitely continue to improve. How to sell out the iPad We start with our direct channels such as online store and the physical Apple Store, agreements with schools, etc.. We will also strive to indirect sales channels as the “stores within stores” Best Buy (Ed.: In Spain the equivalent would be the spaces of Apple stores FNAC). Internationally we have a very good distribution program we will also use and eventually expand new channels. What are the advantages and drawbacks of the exclusive relationship with AT & T for the iPhone and iPad The simplicity and ability to work with the company in new features like visual voicemail original iPhone. For models with different operators, companies in some countries have a very “sticky” with customers so greatly enhances the sales potential. On top of the top ten in sales of the iPhone last year, five are countries where it is sold with a single supplier. Three of them contract and two that you can use other carriers at any time. In 2009, we added new carriers in France, UK, Canada, Singapore and Scandinavian countries. In every country sales have increased considerably so I think we made the right decisions. Yet I am not saying that it is operating in all countries. We are discussing things for each country. Can they match the price other carriers AT & T for the iPad The new tariff AT & T is truly revolutionary but I will not speculate on what other companies might do to join the party. Where do you think will be the expansion of outlets for retail From the beginning we have set our target to launch a range of between 25 and 50 new stores a year. We were both in the top of this range as at the bottom but we like the pace we carry. In 2008, the world began to crumble because of the economic situation and thought we should stop and wait for large properties entering the market. That was well and are ready to take advantage so we’re getting back the pace and this year we will be opening near the top proposals. Why develop your own processor for the iPad? Are we missing something? Apple has spent several years in the business of processor design. When we used the PowerPC architecture, Apple has personally designed the Northbridge and Southbridge chipset motherboards. It is not new to us. For the iPad, we thought we knew better than anyone the processor we needed and we were in the best position to do it ourselves rather than take on another company to not offer something that was not really exactly what we wanted. Ultimately, our goal is to make the best products in the world and making us put ourselves in the best position to do so. How would you describe the strategy of acquiring companies? Technology and talent. Usually small companies. We have considered some large companies but has never come to fruition. If we find a great interest we will not be shy about it but we will not do for it. This is not to get as much market share or income … just want to make the best products. Acquiring a company simply to increase our revenues would not be something we would consider. Is it possible that the company intends to become arrogant and all-encompassing People are our greatest asset and equipment Management devotes a lot of time thinking about how to recruit and retain top talent. We have said no to a lot of good products, great products even just to keep focused. This approach is so ingrained that the management team would never allow arrogance is anchored in the company. It’s not what we pretend to be. Focusing on people and ensure that work on a short list of things. That’s the magic of Apple … In short, I said, nothing particularly surprising but at least enlightened enough and plans to be stepped up at the opening of new Apple Store (to see if they fall at once for all first stores in Spain) or the strength to get the company to concentrate on what they do best while knowing that gathers under one roof, an increasing percentage of the design and implementation of hardware and software products, something which has clear advantages over the models followed by their competitors. As for Apple TV, only knowing it as a hobby is understood to be marketed in countries like ours without providing it with content in the form of television shows and movies on the iTunes store. Vía | AppleInsider and Macrumors