Peter Thiel criticizes Apple for lack of innovation post-Jobs

PayPal co-founder and technology investor Peter Thiel has stated that Apple has failed to produce significant new innovations since the passing of Steve Jobs in 2011. In an interview with author Walter Isaacson, Thiel remarked that while the smartphone was a remarkable invention, the company's efforts over the subsequent 15 years have primarily focused on scaling, brand management, and refining existing products rather than creating breakthroughs.

Thiel noted that Apple has faced criticism for its inability to achieve major advancements outside of the smartphone and tablet sectors. He specifically highlighted that in the emerging AI era, Apple's Siri voice assistant has lagged behind competitors such as OpenAI and Anthropic.

Despite these criticisms, Thiel characterized Apple as a “well-run pure value stock,” noting that its products, including the MacBook, iPhone, and AirPods, remain highly popular. He further suggested that the societal contributions of figures like Elon Musk or Steve Jobs outweigh those of current CEO Tim Cook.