In the summer of 1996, Gil Amelio faced significant challenges at Apple, indicating that the company was in a precarious position. His realization of the seriousness of the situation marked a pivotal moment for both him and the organization. The company's declining performance and inability to innovate effectively were becoming increasingly evident.

This awareness of Apple's troubles would eventually lead to decisive actions as Amelio and others in the organization sought solutions to revive the company and its product development. It underscored the broader struggles within Apple at that time and set the stage for a critical turning point in its history.