Sharing an idea with Apple: So you have next big idea in computing!
We often get posts that say things like this:
"I have discovered a prototype for Differently Challenged People and it shows good result and is very supportive of the differently abled people in their workplace. I believe it has the potential to become an integral part of society. I wish to serve my innovation to the people and also I have good command over the prototype to bring it up to product level for a cause. So I need support and help from your side,"
"Hey it’s nada, i’d love to suggest you to create an apple co. car! it’d be cool add siri and appstore and itunes and whatever..."
"i don’t know how can i present my offer about one of your products , searched for a long time but couldn’t find a way to contact "
First of all, this is mainly a community of users. We have no inside track to Apple or even any direct communication with Apple employees. There are some Apple employees that moderate or occasionally answer questions in these discussions, but they cannot share your idea with anyone else at Apple.
Second, even if we did have connections with others at the company, Apple has a strict "Unsolicited Idea" policy that you can read here:
Legal - Unsolicited Idea Submission Policy - Apple
The first paragraph could not be more clear:
"Apple and its employees and contractors do not accept, review or consider any unsolicited ideas,
works, materials, proposals, suggestions, artwork, content or the like, including for advertising campaigns, promotions, products, services, technologies, product enhancements, processes, marketing strategies, product names, content or creative materials (all of the foregoing “submissions”). Please do not send or provide any submissions in any form to Apple or any of its employees or contractors."
A few moment's thought should suffice to convince you that this is the way it has to be. If you still don't see it, look at what kind of grief filmmakers go through even with a similar policy:
https://screenrant.com/movies-sued-being-rip-offs/
Now, if you go ahead and submit your idea, please note this section:
"(1) your submissions and their contents along with related intellectual property rights will
automatically become the property of Apple, without any compensation to you;" [emphasis added]
So, if you are looking to get rich off your idea, DO NOT send it to Apple unsolicited.
If you cannot communicate it directly to Apple, what can you do? The best way - and it will probably make you more money in the long run - is to develop it yourself. Admittedly this will be a hard - though rewarding - experience. And if you are successful, or even just get noticed, Apple or some other company may see your technology/product and purchase it from you or simply buy your company.
Apple does welcome feedback and comments on their products, so if your question is more along these lines:
"In my opinion Apple could put the "test" option in paid applications, so the user can try it before buying it. I think a 1 hour test can be enough for the user to decide if that app is useful.
What do you think about this idea?"
It should be submitted to the Apple feedback page found here:
TLDR:
Apple has a policy to not accept your idea, so don't try to contact them. But they do welcome feedback and comments about their products.