I think people expect so much.
Ive said it once and will say it again, A company is LUCKY if it creates one industry changing product in a decade. Apple has made at least 3 and there is argument for 2 more.
The expectation that every iteration will produce some mind blowing 'change the way we live product' like the iPod, iPhone and iPad did. For the time being they are POLISHING and making the products better for the end user.
THIS IS FINE BY ME.
Innovation doesn't happen over night, the iPad and iPhone were in R&D for over 10 years.
What innovation are the products lacking exactly? That they are not invisible to the eye? or cant project they're screen on a billboard at 300dpi!? That it should be holographic and you can use the air between your fingers to sense the buttons!?
If you dont like them dont buy them, sick of listening to it. They are tools and they work END OF.
They are more suitable for 75% of users, because they work and you dont need a degree in computing for the average person to use, or like MS when they get slow buy a new one BS mantra that kept MS at the top for 10 years but their bubble burst pretty quickly. They are designed to be natural with no instructions necessary. I can vote this one works as my 80YO Grandma has one and she has no comp experience and was like a duck to water with it.
These products are class leading as it is. I dont care what everyone says about the competition! If there was no iPod, iPhone and iPad this whole industry wouldn't be where it is, let alone exist! All the competition are copies and I wouldn't call any of them improvements, just competition. Non have innovations the Apple products dont already have... they are just cheaper and add value added components. Apples mantra has been as it is now since it was born, less is more. Only include what it needs, this is the same through the entire lineup.
Nay sayers will always exist. Let them get on with it. Others just embrace, use and enjoy. Thats where I sit.
2006 competitors...
The most popular phone at the time everyone had them and they were the phones to have.
2006 Apple
Blows everyone out the water.
The competition are only just catching up.