Okay. Let’s talk Apple and iPhone. Until now, I’ve not said anything. Just watching and listening. I find it amazing from both sides how out of proportion everything is getting. So, to all of you. STOP IT. I’m tired of hearing the whining about the iPhone 4 antenna problem and how Steve Jobs is ruining Apple. I’m sick of those who just flat out defend Apple and that Apple can do no wrong. YOU ARE BOTH WRONG.
Let’s face it, Apple is a major corporation and it is doing the best it has ever done. So, all those Apple haters are now pissed off because this company is doing great. Apple is now the “evil empire” because they desire to maintain control over the products THEY own. All the Apple fan boys are singing Apple’s praises incessantly.
What exactly is the problem here? Frankly, it is Apple’s success. People on both sides of the isle are working everything Apple does into a frenzy, the press is overhyping EVERYTHING Apple does (or doesn’t do). Is Apple perfect? Uh, not by a long shot. Is every product created by Apple the best thing ever made? Not hardly (remember the Newton or the hockey puck mouse?).
iOS and the App Store
So what if Apple wants to retain control over their iPhone iOS environment? Frankly, I don’t care. I’m a techie. I like to take apart computers, find out how software works and, yes, I own an iPhone and and iMac. It doesn’t bother me that Apple wants its developers to use a particular program to write code for their iPhone. If you as a developer don’t want to do that, then go somewhere else. I want my iPhone to run its apps and not crash. I don't want to worry about unsavory apps on my phone. I have used too many products that just don’t work well because the developers don’t follow guidelines setup by manufacturers.
Is the iPhone app store approval process working? Maybe, maybe not. Yes, some apps go through and shouldn’t. Some apps get blocked and shouldn’t. This is perhaps the biggest issue that I, as a consumer and a techie, have with Apple. I appreciate they they try to vet their apps and that I don’t have to worry about malware on my phone. My phone is one place that I don’t want to worry about those issues, as much as possible.
I wish Apple would be more upfront with why apps are accepted or rejected with their developers. Yes, there are some apps I would like to see approved,but lack of those apps isn’t a deal breaker for me, and I would bet for most users, it isn’t for them either. The fact remains: Apple owns the App Store and it is their right to allow any content they deem appropriate. It is their right to enforce strict regulations on how apps interact with their code. So, if restricting developers to XCode gives me, the consumer who is buying the apps, a better user experience, I don’t care what the restrictions are for the developers. Develop a good app, price it properly (doesn’t have to be free or .99) and do what it should, there’s a good chance I’ll buy it if it is useful to me.
iPhone 4
I don’t yet have an iPhone 4. I have held one and tested one. I have seen the antenna bars problem. Yet, I still plan on getting an iPhone.
Why? Simply because, even with the dropping bars problem, the phone still works better than the 3Gs that I have now. The phone that I have been able to test doesn’t get any worse reception or drop any more calls than I do now with my 3Gs. I think Apple’s explanation of the over reporting of bars is plausible.
I also think their handling of the situation has been terrible. Seriously--hold it differently? Bad PR move Apple. Just say, “Ok. I’m sorry some of you are seeing visibly fewer bars when you hold the phone in a certain way. Because of this, anyone who feels this is a problem can get a free case.” That should shut some people up.
Now, at the same time, people put too much faith in how many bars we have (blame the AT&T commercials, “More bars in more places”). Think about it. The phone reception is a digital signal. 1’s and 0’s. On or off. So what does that mean? Either you have a signal or you don’t. Digital signals will have some error correction when packets begin to get lost, but if you have a crappy signal already, there’s only so much error correction that can be done.
So, say what you want. Apple is not the evil empire. They are just getting more scrutiny now because of their success. Apple is also not your best friend. They are a corporation that makes high quality products and sometimes sacrifices function for form. This is not a new thing from Apple. They have almost always done this. So, buyer beware. When you buy the first iteration of ANY product, you run the risk of having to deal with possible design flaws or software issues that come with the privilege of being an early adopter. If you don’t like their product or business practices, you have other options. Exercise your rights and stop whining.
