A corporate takeover or a home invasion; which scenario is worse? It makes no difference to this business giant. I have recently been enlightened with Apple’s “methods” of taking over an individuals freedom and right to choose. They have designed their products in a way that makes you rely on them, but when they fail, they strangle you. Apple gave me the finger, but should I give the finger to Apple?
Let’s be honest with each other. An Apple store is not a reasonably quick repair for most people – they have to mail in the device to have it fixed. Therefore you may go days without your device that you have already spent hundreds of dollars on because you don’t own more of their products. Yes, I understand that all of the fanboys and fangirls have a Mac, an iPad, an iPhone, and even red apples in a bowl on the kitchen table. But not everyone possesses all of those items, and it should not be required to have your home spewing Apple products.
Unless you have a Mac in your home, you put yourself at risk when your phone fails you. Their customer service does not go out of their way to make sure that their products are doing their job, nor to make sure that their customers are happy. They are there to tell you what you have to do because their software failed, and you have to do it on their terms. Sound nice doesn’t it?
I recently had a friend that had a software issue on her phone – her thumb print authorization stopped working. In a software glitch, her manual security code also locked her out. In your head you would think that this should be relatively easy to fix…NOPE! She was informed by a major cellular service provider that Apple does not allow them to assist customers with Apple defects. Well, that is convenient. Then, in a strange turn of events, the employee of the cellular service provider mentioned “I used to have an iPhone also.” Even she had to send her phone off to Apple to be unlocked. I know what is running through your head. “There has to be a better way!”
They even treat their iTunes accounts with the same amount of lock down ferocity as a maximum security prison. A young girl, excited to receive a new iPod, sets up her account through a family member’s email account. Now she is becoming a young adult. She is going to school, working, and taking on responsibilities. But can she access her iTunes now that everything has changed? No, because she has no way to access that email account that it was set up with so long ago. Again, I know you are thinking that this should be easily solved by Apple. Once again you would be wrong. They once again show their relentless grip on your life by saying “Sorry Charlie, you are out of luck.”
I want to close the year of 2014 by saying “thank you.” I am truly grateful that I do not work for a company like this. I have landed in a business that is open and transparent to clients. Unlike Apple, we do not “force” our clients to continue to use our services out of fear of their life becoming a hassle. It forces us to be better, and strive to be great. We do not become complacent. The claws of Apple are similar to the billion year contracts required by Sea Org members of Scientology.
So until Apple changes their ethics and plans for world domination, I am proud to have a Droid in my hand and a banana in my home.
by Matt Carnaghi | @carnaghimd1
This makes me question everything. Including the phone I’m typing this comment on. Great job, Matt. This is awesome.
Thank you Harley. I am glad that you enjoyed it.
Good post Matt! I am a Windows/Android fan and after reading your post I won’t be changing that in 2015!
Thank you Travis. I am glad that you enjoyed the article.
I’m not sure if I understand/agree with the “young girl” scenario presented in your article. If the young girl uses another Apple ID to associate her device – then that device “belongs” to the Apple ID per the user agreement. Now that she is unable to “share” items purchased to her own Apple ID is not the fault of Apple nor Apple’s “relentless grip” to force her to conform to their corporate ways. She should complain to the music industry giants…or Napster – LOL.
Either way, my son had a similar issue with an old email account when upgrading to his iPhone 6. He called Apple and was walked through the process of associating his device with a new Apple ID along with his iTunes library. Maybe since he has had ALL of his devices (and our all of our family’s devices) registered with Apple they recognized a loyal customer – or maybe he was lucky to connect with someone who wanted to help at the call center!
Nobody is forced to purchase Apple products. They make products people want…and therefore are required to abide by their rules. (Have you tried to make repairs to your car? The big three don’t want you to do that). I think your Droid aka Google aspires to dominate more and faster than Apple dares to admit.
If you substitute Apple with Google, Facebook, Twitter, Verizon, Dodge, etc., it’s all a power struggle. To single out Apple and not bash any of the others is short-sighted. Have you tried tech support with Cisco? Adobe? Microsoft? They all want it done their way and it’s always some other product’s problem.
Respectfully,
Tim Nation
Thank you for the comment Tim. I appreciate a different point of view. I was not trying to “bash” anyone. I was simply giving my opinion and stating two examples that have recently taken place. Those two scenarios actually happened to friends of mine. I don’t apologize for factual information. Which is why it is nice to see your experience. It is a good counterpoint, and shows that Apple is not the evil empire trying to take over the world… all the time.
I understand that all businesses are doing their best to grow and be profitable. I actually like the fact that people have different opinions and like different products, because at the end of the day it will make everything better.
I want to thank you for reading my opinion, and I appreciate you sharing yours with me. Hope that you have a great 2015!
I apologize for the bash comment…wrong word choice. All of us in business want the proverbial grip on the marketplace. Competition works and makes capitalism better.
No need to apologize Tim. You had an opinion. I will never judge anyone for how they feel. And, we do agree on something. Competition always makes you better.
Tim, Great Response!
Whenever you are top dog you are a target, that’s when you know you have something special and desired by consumers.
As long as we have technology we will have to viewpoints: Closed vs Open. Our society is built upon choices and the freedom to choose. Apple’s philosophy is to have a closed, safe, innovative, and interactive environment to to enjoy. The problem (that I have said many times) is that who monitors this environment to keep it true to its philosophy?
People have to become educated in our world of technology. The android vs iOS debate reminds me of the 80’s and the PC vs MAC. This is what capitalism is all about.
I am proud to be an Apple FANBOY and I will until the day I die. (DROP THE MIC)
Great article Matt Carnaghi. There are many perspectives in the world and yours is appreciated…..but respectfully wrong-smile.
I hope that your MIC was not an Apple product, because you just willfully threw it on the ground – sad face.
All the more hilarious is that Tom’s phone message is leave a message on his iPhone.
I like apples computers (I buy them used)
I truly have a love/hate relationship with my Apple products! smile