Apple's Biggest Challenge May Be Apple

By Doug Ehrman – Jun 19, 2013 at 11:30PM

NASDAQ: AAPL

Apple

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In its failure to listen to the desires of its user base, Apple may have harmed its reputation and its bottom line.

A recent report from Fast Company suggests that Apple (AAPL 0.59%) failed to follow the wants of its user base in developing its most recent series of products. The report details how social media, through sites like Facebook (META 3.15%), can provide critical information to companies about what customers want. While that message was delivered to Apple, it was actually reflected in products that run on Google's Android instead.

In the video below, Fool.com contributor Doug Ehrman discusses two paradigms for product development and why Apple may have to shift from one to the other, as well as where the company may be its own worst enemy.

Editor's note: The author misspoke; Android devices have switched sooner to LTE, not LTD.

Fool contributor Doug Ehrman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Apple, Facebook, and Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple, Facebook, and Google. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.