Spring Break
The Daily OrangeAppeasing iPhone users could come back to haunt Apple
By AJ Chavar
Posted: 9/12/07, 1:05 AM EST Section: Feature
I was originally going to write about wireless internet theft this week and intentionally NOT cover Apple's product announcement last week, but what with deadlines, procrastination and, admittedly, some interesting issues arising from the aftermath of Steve Jobs' "one last thing," it was unavoidable. Besides, what kind of tech columnist would I be if I didn't give you my opinion on Apple's much-ballyhooed product announcement?
To sum it up for those who purposely avoid the news, lived under a rock until recently or hate Apple (I might as well admit right now that I love Apple for full disclosure's sake), last week Jobs' announced updated iPods, including the introduction of the frequently-speculated iPod touch. The company also dropped the price by $200 on the iPhone, discontinued the 4GB model and announced the inclusion of ringtones to the iTunes store, as well as a mobile iTunes store.
But that's not really the news. The big stuff happened later in the week, when Apple announced that early adopters of the iPhone, who had paid the original price, could get a $100 refund. On the surface it sounds great: Apple gets a nice publicity move, whiny technophiles and yuppies get some money back and we all live happily ever after, right?
Wrong.
Apple may be causing themselves a good amount of future harm and headache when future product upgrades roll around. It sets a difficult precedent for the company to deal with. Being an Apple fan myself, I know how whiny we are. So when Apple releases a product upgrade or price drop in the future for any product, why shouldn't customers expect a free handout?
This is especially dangerous as Apple is notorious for screwing over early adopters. I bought a new second generation MacBook mere months after they came out. My luck, of course, was that as soon as my bank account emptied, new, vastly superior MacBooks came out. I was stuck with my outdated machine and no rebate.
Apple could very well be setting an example that it can't uphold, even more so in an industry where obsolescence is a fact of life. Looking back on Apple's product cycle, it's obvious that the truly Apple-savvy would never buy a first generation product, as they are replaced almost immediately, by bigger - ok, smaller - and better iterations.
The bottom line is that although Apple can afford $100 to placate iPhone owners now, it may not be worth the problems down the road.
To sum it up for those who purposely avoid the news, lived under a rock until recently or hate Apple (I might as well admit right now that I love Apple for full disclosure's sake), last week Jobs' announced updated iPods, including the introduction of the frequently-speculated iPod touch. The company also dropped the price by $200 on the iPhone, discontinued the 4GB model and announced the inclusion of ringtones to the iTunes store, as well as a mobile iTunes store.
But that's not really the news. The big stuff happened later in the week, when Apple announced that early adopters of the iPhone, who had paid the original price, could get a $100 refund. On the surface it sounds great: Apple gets a nice publicity move, whiny technophiles and yuppies get some money back and we all live happily ever after, right?
Wrong.
Apple may be causing themselves a good amount of future harm and headache when future product upgrades roll around. It sets a difficult precedent for the company to deal with. Being an Apple fan myself, I know how whiny we are. So when Apple releases a product upgrade or price drop in the future for any product, why shouldn't customers expect a free handout?
This is especially dangerous as Apple is notorious for screwing over early adopters. I bought a new second generation MacBook mere months after they came out. My luck, of course, was that as soon as my bank account emptied, new, vastly superior MacBooks came out. I was stuck with my outdated machine and no rebate.
Apple could very well be setting an example that it can't uphold, even more so in an industry where obsolescence is a fact of life. Looking back on Apple's product cycle, it's obvious that the truly Apple-savvy would never buy a first generation product, as they are replaced almost immediately, by bigger - ok, smaller - and better iterations.
The bottom line is that although Apple can afford $100 to placate iPhone owners now, it may not be worth the problems down the road.
In case you missed it. . .
Touch Me
Apple introduced the iPod touch last week, a much-speculated device that encompasses many iPod aficionados' wet dreams: Touch screen interface, widescreen iPod and wireless Internet access. It is almost literally an iPhone without the phone.
Its an awesome concept, but its fate could very well determine the iPhone's future as well; if it does well enough, Apple could run itself out of the mobile phone business, but if it does poorly, it could very well be discontinued and usher in some improvements to the iPhone.
Ring my Bell
Promptly after the iTunes update that introduced ringtones was released, it was also cracked, allowing users to make tones for free, a feature that normally costs 99 cents. Similarly, Apple's DRM-protected music has been easily cracked for years now with no repercussion. Why? Apple knows that users hate DRM, and because they don't directly lose money when these services can be obtained for free, they're willing to turn a blind eye to keep customers happy. Case in point: an update to iTunes meant to disable the ringtone crack was re-cracked within hours, to little surprise of all of those involved.
Moving out
NBC decided to leave the iTunes store, pulling its content. It was unfortunate for Apple, as NBC shows were its best seller ("The Office," anyone?). Apple did however release a mildly snarky press release explaining that they were sorry to see NBC go but were unwilling to raise their prices to meet NBC's demands. It is speculated NBC pulled out because of their involvement in the future release of a supposedly ill-defined ad-supported online TV application.
Touch Me
Apple introduced the iPod touch last week, a much-speculated device that encompasses many iPod aficionados' wet dreams: Touch screen interface, widescreen iPod and wireless Internet access. It is almost literally an iPhone without the phone.
Its an awesome concept, but its fate could very well determine the iPhone's future as well; if it does well enough, Apple could run itself out of the mobile phone business, but if it does poorly, it could very well be discontinued and usher in some improvements to the iPhone.
Ring my Bell
Promptly after the iTunes update that introduced ringtones was released, it was also cracked, allowing users to make tones for free, a feature that normally costs 99 cents. Similarly, Apple's DRM-protected music has been easily cracked for years now with no repercussion. Why? Apple knows that users hate DRM, and because they don't directly lose money when these services can be obtained for free, they're willing to turn a blind eye to keep customers happy. Case in point: an update to iTunes meant to disable the ringtone crack was re-cracked within hours, to little surprise of all of those involved.
Moving out
NBC decided to leave the iTunes store, pulling its content. It was unfortunate for Apple, as NBC shows were its best seller ("The Office," anyone?). Apple did however release a mildly snarky press release explaining that they were sorry to see NBC go but were unwilling to raise their prices to meet NBC's demands. It is speculated NBC pulled out because of their involvement in the future release of a supposedly ill-defined ad-supported online TV application.
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