iPhone, Gadget of the Year - But Has Apple Sold Out?

[admin]

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.

Discuss "iPhone, Gadget of the Year - But Has Apple Sold Out?" here. Read the article.

 

[birdonthebeach]

yawn.......

 

[Johnd]

yawn.......

Ouchh!!!

 

[jinjuku]

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...

 

[fmw]

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?

 

[GlocksRock]

I can't stand apple, and refuse to ever own a mac, or any other iwhatever product from them.

 

[birdonthebeach]

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)

 

[Nimrod]

Apple is the King of Industrail Engineering.

Apple didn't invent the MP3 player, but man what a success story.

the Iphone, its not a G3 phone, but its cool, so it sells.

Then the Mac's = Gaining market share every month.

Apple's a great company, its growing, and making money. In the last year the value of my Apple Stock has doubled So yea; I'm really happy with Apple

 

[birdonthebeach]

to quote Austin Powers, "yay capitalism!"

 

[aberkowitz]

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.

 

[aberkowitz]

to quote Austin Powers, "yay capitalism!"

How do I explain to them that I have no control over my inner monologue?

 

[birdonthebeach]

How do I explain to them that I have no control over my inner monologue?

Don't get me started...

 

[majorloser]

IPhone = one more thing to SPAM the forum.

Seems like all of the spam is for freakin' iPhones. What happened to good ol' porn spam? Those are actually fun to delete.

 

[birdonthebeach]

IPhone = one more thing to SPAM the forum.

Seems like all of the spam is for freakin' iPhones. What happened to good ol' porn spam? Those are actually fun to delete.

It's all the haters out there. They can't help themselves..... One day into the new year, and they have already cranked up!!!

 

[aberkowitz]

IPhone = one more thing to SPAM the forum.

Seems like all of the spam is for freakin' iPhones. What happened to good ol' porn spam? Those are actually fun to delete.

Except for the ones with shemales.... those are just wrong

 

[Plasmali]

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)

Well said.

I can't stand apple, and refuse to ever own a mac, or any other iwhatever product from them.

While you are entitled to your opinion, you are just ranting. Move on.

 

[fmw]

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.

If I were to use a cell phone, I wouldn't give anybody the number. I can't imagine the interest in being able to be interrupted and bothered anywhere, anytime but, if it is rage, then so be it. I have no use for cell phone or PDA or any combination thereof. Color me old fashioned, I guess.

 

[ivseenbetter]

Is there any way to not get the software upgrade? If so, then who cares what Apple does. Go ahead and buy the phone and unlock it if you want (that's your right). But I don't see how Apple can force a software upgrade on you if you don't want it. I don't buy apple anything...but if I did I wouldn't be upset about their software upgrade (as long as it isn't an upgrade that is forced upon me). IF they are forcing this upgrade onto their consumers then there is a whole different problem that needs to be addressed.

Anyway, Apple can threaten all they want. Whatever they do, the hackers of the world will figure out how to undo.

 

[ivseenbetter]

If I were to use a cell phone, I wouldn't give anybody the number. I can't imagine the interest in being able to be interrupted and bothered anywhere, anytime but, if it is rage, then so be it. I have no use for cell phone or PDA or any combination thereof. Color me old fashioned, I guess.

Actually, I enjoy a cell phone specifically because I don't like to be bothered. I don't have a home phone and telemarketers are not allowed to call known cell phone numbers. Therefore, I still have a phone but a lot less telemarketers.

 

[majorloser]

I don't have a home phone and telemarketers are not allowed to call known cell phone numbers.

You should still register the number:

https://www.donotcall.gov/

But it won't stop the BS text message e-mail spam.