Apple and DJI are pioneering companies that manage to consistently stand head and shoulders above their competitors.
Few people would argue with that statement.
But, what common denominators do these companies share that could provide clues to their incredible success?
Well, let’s take a look...
1. Innovative technology
Apple is synonymous with cutting-edge and user-friendly technology. The iPad, iPhone and MacBook are just some examples of Apple’s amazing ability to create innovative and popular products.
DJI is doing something very similar with drones. Already, they sell more consumer drones around the world than any other company. How do they manage this? Through being on the forefront of drone technology, while having a keen understanding of consumers wants and needs.
2. Cool design
No one competes with Apple’s impressive product designs that extend right down to the boxes and power cables. Part of their massive commercial success is due to this one factor alone.
DJI appears to have been influenced from Apple on this. Their Phantom quadcopter range is iconic, memorable and definitely cool. Interestingly, their design appears to have become a default quadcopter look, that several other companies are now emulating. Then there is the DJI Inspire 1. Another distinctive and visually-appealing drone.
3. Killer branding
With a world-leading market capitalization of over $700 billion, you can be sure that Apple knows a thing or two about branding. It starts with their famous logo, but extends through everything they do - including their physical stores and websites.
DJI has seen colossal growth in the last few years. To get so big, so quickly, they seem to have learned from Apple about great branding. They have a simple but catchy logo, and an engaging strapline: “The Future of Possible.” Their clean, video-rich website is also comparable to Apple’s own site.
4. Loyal customers
Without customers, new ideas and products (however good) can quickly vanish into the ether. One thing we can be 100% sure of: Apple has incredibly loyal customers. Many of their customers are so passionate about Apple that they choose to buy almost all of their newly-released products. You may be one of these people.
DJI is rapidly gaining similar customer dedication. They’ve managed to make owning and flying drones both exciting and rewarding. DJI drone owners love to learn, share and be part of the DJI drone community. Of course, the quality of their products is the key reason why customers buy them in the first place - and why they continue to stick with DJI for future purchases and upgrades.
5. A head start
While not all Apple products have been completely original, they have all been given the “Apple-touch” that has set a benchmark for other companies to follow. A perfect example is the iPad, which quickly became a global success after its release. Competitors found themselves having to play catch-up.
DJI was founded by Frank Wang in 2006. In just 9 years, the Chinese company has taken the world by storm. Their focus on civilian drones has given them tremendous momentum. They’ve had the right products, at the right time. Other companies realise this of course, and are now jumping on the bandwagon (GoPro is a recent example).
Apple and DJI definitely have a lot in common, and maybe one day we may even see a collaboration between the two companies.
By FlightBots.com - The Home of Friendly Drones
Comments
Hi Bill,
I have the absolute greatest respect for your opinions and certainly for your contributions to DIYDrones and APM.
But I don't think that there is any way to reasonably construe that flight bots is attempting to sell us anything with this post and I think it is a germane if not earth shaking comparison to make and that it does have interest to DIYDrones members.
Who in my opinion at least are about a more general DIY approach to "drones" and multicopters than is simply circumscribed by APM and 3DR.
Of course, it was over precisely that issue that I terminated my involvement in being lead editor and lead contributor to the wiki.
So apparently there is some dispute over that point.
I enjoyed the comparison and think it is interesting both where it works and where it does not.
Best Regards,
Gary
Hey Bill,
I appreciate your comments in helping to generate interest in this post! :)
Cheers,
James
I don't think there is anything that requires anger management to criticise a post for a lack of information that is of interest to members of DIY Drones. And I don't mean that because it is a DJI post, but is is a lists of dull factoids that are today's popular 'click bait' mechanism. You username is a website, you posts are all ended by a website address to go to.
That just seems like a plain advertising. Which means other blog/news entries are pushed front the front page sooner.
If you want to advertise your site, pay for advertising. Want to post interesting information about products that is more in-depth, go for your life.
And finally, if you want to start a discussion there is always the forums http://diydrones.com/forum
comparing two companies, i mean they are not equal on both capital in cash nor technology stack.
apple has NeXT decades ago, and ARM from the beginning. from semiconductor to compiler and OS
DJI has a adaptive algorithm, but the radio? RF SoC from Analog, the camera? SoC from ambarella
my guessing is that why they could not fix compass issus in many early models, because they used a altera AHRS which could adapt external compass code from themselves.
DJI still has long way to go, and aviation is about air dynamics, not putting spinning blades near the crowd. I never heard of DJI has some effort in wind tunnel testing. photographing is about visual spectrum signal processing, i never heard they would implement a light field camera or something to really solve the problems out of the box.
A company is rising all the stakes for all the people who love RC, making bad impression when their products in uncarefull hands, how could i love it.
Suggest reading the comments on YouTube for this hehehe :)
But, have a read if you have not already...
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2015/05/06/dji-drones-frank-wan...
Someone mentioned DJI being overpriced. Sure, the Inspire 1 is outrageous, but the Phantom 3 is an awesomely capable machine for the cost. When you consider the Phantom 3 feature set and what would be required to get the same functionality from independently sourced parts (and then include the time to make them all work together) the Phantom 3 is a screaming deal.
@Jerry Giant:
I wish we had a bit more of number 3 at 3DR right now and i think i have been caught doing number 5 a few times as well :-)
6)too easy products creates stupid users
five things DJI and Apple in common:
1)Overly priced
2)in white no matter you want it or not
3)boss konws logistic more than technology
4)kill big brothers ass and restrict users freedom
5)have bunch of fans mentally masturbate with the PR