Linked by Yoni on Fri 18th Jan 2013 21:56 UTC
"Never mind the fact that the iPod turned the entire music industry on its head. Never mind the fact that most successful notebooks today resemble designs first popularized by Apple. Never mind the fact that the blueprint of the modern day smartphone remains the original iPhone. Never mind the fact that competitors are scrambling wildly to copy the success and design of the iPad. Forget all of these things, because when it comes to Apple, the 'what have you done for me lately?' mentality reigns supreme."
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Member since:2007-01-16
word of mouth? You got that right. But it's more than that.
Apple is selling a lifestyle, not pieces of hardware. You HAVE to buy their new stuff or people look at you like you're a moron.
As an example, I'm in the coffee shop with my laptop. I dual boot Linux and Windows. A girl sitting next to me strikes up a conversation and begins talking down to me like I don't know about social networks or computers.
I work in IT and even do some programming. Yet there she was acting like I had no idea what a computer was, what as social network was, or how anything actually worked. All because I didn't have a Mac.
That's how it is now...it's more than pieces of hardware...you have to get that hardware before people think you're with it. Otherwise, they think you're washed up and ignorant.
It's herd mentality at its best.
Member since:2011-05-12
Member since:2006-01-06
Member since:2008-08-15
Why is it that all of these so called 'stories' take place in a coffee shop? Please, describe how this lady 'talked down' to you. Maybe you're just insecure around women and felt intimidated by whatever she was saying? Did she explicitly tell you that she felt you were stupid because you had no Mac?
I think it is far more likely that you are just projecting your dislike of Apple or applying whatever rediculous stereotype you have of Apple users onto this lady. You just generalized a group of millions of Apple users as having some 'herd' mentality that look down on you -- making such sweeping generalizations is equally as stupid as trying to judge one's knowledge of computers based on the brand of products they own. In fact, you're guilty of the very same thing you are accusing this lady of -- judging people based on what hardware they own!
Or is it only okay to judge when it's against Apple or their users? Android is now becoming the marketshare king -- are these users part of the 'herd' and only buying Androids to be like the rest? Or is that accusation only reserved for Apple? Or, perhaps, Android is gaining sales based on merit just like Apple before them?
I don' t even own any Apple products except for an iPod, so I take no offense either way -- but I know hypocrisy and double-standards when I see them. Your post just proved the author of this article's point.
Member since:2006-01-14
I disagree....word of mouth and observation drive people to buy Apple's products. Every time I pick up a Galaxy S3, I go back to the iPhone and it's obvious to me why the latter is a superior, more cohesive user experience. This has nothing to do with thinking that Apple is infallible; it's about individual informed choice...period.
Have you seen there marketing machine? Just look at the PC vs Mac line of ads. All of their ads make you think you have to have the latest Apple product just to be normal. Look at the way they introduce new products. For each product launch they have a giant event like they just found the cure to cancer or something. Its not informed choice. Most of their customers are not in IT. They don't have a damn clue about the technology in their device. What they do know is that Apple says they need to buy one because its revolutionary and better.
Member since:2011-05-12
Member since:2006-04-22
"I disagree....word of mouth and observation drive people to buy Apple's products. Every time I pick up a Galaxy S3, I go back to the iPhone and it's obvious to me why the latter is a superior, more cohesive user experience. This has nothing to do with thinking that Apple is infallible; it's about individual informed choice...period.
Have you seen there marketing machine? Just look at the PC vs Mac line of ads. All of their ads make you think you have to have the latest Apple product just to be normal. Look at the way they introduce new products. For each product launch they have a giant event like they just found the cure to cancer or something. Its not informed choice. Most of their customers are not in IT. They don't have a damn clue about the technology in their device. What they do know is that Apple says they need to buy one because its revolutionary and better. "
Apple is successful in the smartphone/tablet space because their hardware/software/apps ecosystem resonates with many of my IT colleagues who are expert with multiple operating systems, but are not up to wasting their 'sands of time' tinkering with their device...they just use it and move on...and then, iPhones and iPads are also successful in attracting the tech clueless (and many in between)...I don't know about others...but it's a waste to base tech prefs on what the clueless deem to be the flavor fav of the moment. So, it does all come down to informed choice, imho.
Edited 2013-01-19 10:45 UTC
Member since:2006-03-14
"I disagree....word of mouth and observation drive people to buy Apple's products. Every time I pick up a Galaxy S3, I go back to the iPhone and it's obvious to me why the latter is a superior, more cohesive user experience. This has nothing to do with thinking that Apple is infallible; it's about individual informed choice...period.
Have you seen there marketing machine? Just look at the PC vs Mac line of ads. All of their ads make you think you have to have the latest Apple product just to be normal. Look at the way they introduce new products. For each product launch they have a giant event like they just found the cure to cancer or something. Its not informed choice. Most of their customers are not in IT. They don't have a damn clue about the technology in their device. What they do know is that Apple says they need to buy one because its revolutionary and better. "
Most of Windows customers are not it IT either. That is a weird argument to make.
So Apple tries to get the best coverage for each of their product launches. What is wrong with that. That is called being smart! Why would a company spend millions developing a product, only to bury its introduction by not adequately letting people see it.
Member since:2009-05-19
Member since:2006-04-22
"Every time I pick up a Galaxy S3, I go back to the iPhone and it's obvious to me why the latter is a superior
Not obvious enough, apparently. You're used to the iPhone way of doing things. "
It's more than obvious that for me and others, the cohesive iPhone way of doing things is proven, solid and more than up to any task I need done. When any of my Android buds come around, the first question for them is...'which version of Android are you on, and when will you be current?'
That's a significant FUBAR for them, IMHO.
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Member since:
2006-04-22
As for the other devices, other companies were doing similar things at the same time. In fact, Apple just lost its design patents in a EU court last week because there is no proof that the design concepts were created by Apple.
What Apple does do well is hype and polish. They are the Ford of the IT world. Ford didn't invent the automobile. Ford invented a better way of making the automobile and pushed it across the country. So today we all recognize the Ford Model A. Same with Apple. We all recognize their products. They are all distinctive in the industry. But don't think for a second that they are alone in the industry. Its not that there is a double standard. Its that too much praise is heaped on Apple for things that everyone else is doing. Where is the praise for Google's world changing Android? How about praise for Samsung's industry changing technologies? See, for everyone else, its just another day at the office. But Apple wants you to think they walk on water. Thats how they get people to buy their stuff.
I disagree....word of mouth and observation drive people to buy Apple's products. Every time I pick up a Galaxy S3, I go back to the iPhone and it's obvious to me why the latter is a superior, more cohesive user experience. This has nothing to do with thinking that Apple is infallible; it's about individual informed choice...period.