Apple is often behind. The company's modus operandi is finding ways to improve existing technologies (graphic interface, music player, mobile phone). And it can afford to be slow due to lock-in/customer loyalty.
Apple is often “behind” because it believes that generally, technological advancements are subordinate to product function and user benefit. It generally doesn’t do something just because it’s hip, cool, or trendy. it does something because it believes that something benefits the user.