Apple’s core starting to rot after tech giant lags on R&D

As Apple reported disappointing revenue, net income, and iPhone sales, it became clear that rivals like Samsung are way ahead, writes Leonid Bershidsky

A lack of ideas is a gloomy thing to behold in a tech leader. Executives try to strike all the right notes and use all the latest buzzwords, but the numbers show a disturbing trend and competitors are way ahead with real innovations that can be seen and touched. This is now happening to Apple.

On Tuesday, Apple released its fiscal third-quarter results. Revenue is 14.6% down year on year. Net income is down 27%.