iPhone, Gadget of the Year - But Has Apple Sold Out?
Apple has jumped into bed with AT&T and threatened its own loyal fan-base with punitive firmware updates if they exercise their right to unlock the iPhone. My, how it has strayed so far from that artistic, edgy computer company that was once so difficult to hate.
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Apple likes to present its self as a 'counter culture' company. You have Steve Jobs going around in turtleneck, jeans, and flip-flops. It's the anti-establishment company company.
SO it is interesting that they have this 'exclusivity' thing going with the iPhone. Locking in to a big conglomerate that is AT&T. People are used to buying Apple products to 'stick it' to the man. At least that is the image that they like to portray.
I on the other hand know that Apple is a company that is out there to make money. That's what companies do no matter what image they try to project. That is probably why I don't find value in much they do. I can often get 100% of the features in for 50% of the price by going non-apple.
BTW, I worked in a mac shop for years doing repair/training/consulting etc...
Yawn for me too. As a non cell phone user, it is hard for me to get worked up about one. But, if the Iphone was designed to work with only one sort of software, didn't the people who bought it know that? Why did they buy it if it didn't do what they wanted it to do? I've seen the ads on TV. It looks very cute and sophisticated but it doesn't do anything I need. Maybe that's also true for the people who actually bought one.
I bought a PDA once. It turned out to be useless to me. I think that craze has passed hasn't it?
Not sure about you guys, but I buy products not to "stick it to the man," but because they do something I want or need. And as an Apple stockholder since 1989, I am all about them MAKING MONEY. I think that's the point, actually. Otherwise, you are a non-profit....
As for locking in with AT&T, they seemed to be the only large wireless provider willing to change/implement technology that the iPhone required (namely for visual voicemail). Verizon passed on the opportunity.
It seems everyone thinks that technology should be free or unlocked. Not sure why people are upset that a company has created a product, and chooses to offer it as it pleases. It's their loss if they are limiting potential customers, right? (not that this is a good thing, but I can understand why AT&T wanted an exclusive for the first two years. If they put $$$ into infrastructure, then they want a chance to make that back)
I bought a PDA once. It turned out to be useless to me. I think that craze has passed hasn't it?
From a corporate perspective, not in the slightest. The time for the standalone PDA (e.g. without a phone or email) has passed, but the combo phone/email/PDA is all the rage. While it sucks to be reachable everywhere, I have to admit that it is nice to be able to access my email, my calendar, and open document attachments almost anywhere I plan to travel. Almost everybody I know uses some form of PDA or blackberry for work purposes, and many combine it for their personal life as well. Check out the websites for Verizon and AT&T- 40% of the phones they offer are some sort of PDA.
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iPhone, Gadget of the Year - But Has Apple Sold Out?
So yea; I'm really happy with Apple
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