If Apple sucks so much, how are they so successful?

[Stuntman]

Just to clarify... I'm a guy. lol Does my avatar really throw people off that much?

Just to clarify, I'm a human. Hopefully, my avatar doesn't throw people off.

Anyway, Apple's success is partly due to their creating a simple product that works well and provides a nice experience for most people. They don't try to do everything, just enough things very well.

The iPhone is also the first smartphone that reached a wide audience. Partly, it's simplicity for such a potentially complex device allows a large number of people easy entry into the smartphone market. Also, their marketing of the product and brand creates public awareness. A year ago, when I decided to get a smartphone, I have heard of iPhones, but little else. It wasn't until I went to the store that I realised there were other options. I eventually got a Nokia and then switched to an Android. Over the past year, people who are not familiar with smartphones kept calling my Nokia and Android an iPhone.

Right now, someone who has never used a smartphone, but who is thinking of getting one likely has heard of the iPhone, but probably not any other smartphones. Things might have changed somewhat with Android's popularity increasing.

I would imagine the same thing is happening with tablets. You show a tablet to someone who doesn't use one and they may call it an iPad. Being first the market with a very successful product really helps the brand.

 

[lunatic59]

I think the point here is that they were the ones that made it actually appealing to the masses. I won't go on an say that without APple there would be no Android, but it is undeniable that they have influenced the market IMMENSELY.

An example I will use, if I may, is Ford. Ford didn't invent the car. Hell, I don't even think they claimed to have invented it. But they are a big reason why we have the cars we have today on the road, and people give them credit for that, possibly too much, but it is what it is, right?

And that is the arrogance that makes the Apple corporate attitude so distasteful to many. It's Orwellian revisionist history that serves the marketing machine so well. Ironic, isn't it?

 

[A.Nonymous]

I think the point here is that they were the ones that made it actually appealing to the masses. I won't go on an say that without APple there would be no Android, but it is undeniable that they have influenced the market IMMENSELY.

I won't deny that at all. Pre-iPhone, smartphones were in fairly wide use amongst business users and almost unheard of amongst consumers. I still predict that 10-20 years from now, the common belief will be that Apple invented the smartphone even though it's completely and factually incorrect.

An example I will use, if I may, is Ford. Ford didn't invent the car. Hell, I don't even think they claimed to have invented it. But they are a big reason why we have the cars we have today on the road, and people give them credit for that, possibly too much, but it is what it is, right?

Ford does not claim that they invented the car though. If Ford marketed itself as a premium, luxury brand and went around claiming they invented things like the automobile, electric windows, air conditioning, etc...... then I am sure they would get tons of hate as well.

Apple has had a huge effect on the history of computers and on the smartphone market. No arguments there. My gripe is with their claims and the claims of the brainwashed masses (no offense) that they're some sort of company that has invented everything good that has ever come along in computing.

 

[gallandof]

my biggest issue with apple isnt their products. its how the company is run and their attitude. the best way to sum up apple is that the company is an ass-hole. especially as of late, and thats why I refuse to do business with them anymore. If they were just a little bit more humble id consider them.

one example i can give is around 4 years ago I went through the entire interview process at apple near me. interviewed in the group then with store manager and then district manager. finally after a few interviews I had to do a roleplay with another manager on selling an apple product. basically he told me that my product knowledge was great, and i was a very personable person, but because I dont own apple products I wasn't qualified, and "my heart wouldnt be in the job". When i went back there to check out the person they hired instead he told me that the mac book i was looking at (base model 13" one) is a great gaming laptop with awesome battery life. i guess thats what it means to have your heart in it.
/end rant

 

[Vihzel]

There were certain things that I observed in my local Apple Store this morning when I was getting a MBA. The buying process is very unique with everything done on a modified iPhone (or what looks like an iPhone) which includes purchasing, returning, etc. There are iPads everywhere because you use an iPad to find out more about a product using modified Apple Store software, so it'll make new customers to actually use an iPad and experience what it's like to use one. There are a ton of people in the Apple Store at basically all hours of the day. I was there at 10:10am and it was packed with people either getting personal assistance on a product, at the Genius Bar, or getting personal set up help... and many others just browsing. The Apple Store is what separates itself from all other major computer companies. The user experience is excellent at even purchasing a product. It's also fantastic to know that if you have an issue with your computer, you can bring it in to the Genius Bar and if its not something that they can fix right then and there, they'll ship it via 1-day shipping and ship back via 1-day shipping... or if it's more cost effective, give you a brand new one.

I don't agree with a lot of how Apple has reacted to certain things ("You're holding it wrong") and how they are against other companies but their products (mainly just their laptops) are too good to ignore.

 

[A.Nonymous]

My iTunes account got hacked a year or so ago. People bought lots of stuff using my account and my money. I immediately called the customer service number and found that since it was a weekend, they were closed and I needed to call back on Monday. So I fired off an email telling them that my account was hacked and asking if they would kindly lock out my account and refund the charges. Took 72 hours to even get a response from them. By the time I did, Paypal had already investigated and refunded all my money. Apple emailed me just to say that my account had been locked and they were wondering which purchases were legit and which one's weren't. I've not done business with them since.

 

[jroc]

my biggest issue with apple isnt their products. its how the company is run and their attitude. the best way to sum up apple is that the company is an ass-hole. especially as of late, and thats why I refuse to do business with them anymore. If they were just a little bit more humble id consider them.

one example i can give is around 4 years ago I went through the entire interview process at apple near me. interviewed in the group then with store manager and then district manager. finally after a few interviews I had to do a roleplay with another manager on selling an apple product. basically he told me that my product knowledge was great, and i was a very personable person, but because I dont own apple products I wasn't qualified, and "my heart wouldnt be in the job". When i went back there to check out the person they hired instead he told me that the mac book i was looking at (base model 13" one) is a great gaming laptop with awesome battery life. i guess thats what it means to have your heart in it.
/end rant

Thats....messed up. Seriously.

I wonder if thats company policy that you have to own Apple products. Yea it would make for a better customer service experience IMO, but damn. At least give you the opportunity. If your product knowledge was great, I didnt see the problem in hiring you.

Apple has had a huge effect on the history of computers and on the smartphone market. No arguments there. My gripe is with their claims and the claims of the brainwashed masses (no offense) that they're some sort of company that has invented everything good that has ever come along in computing.

This +1 million.

Right now, someone who has never used a smartphone, but who is thinking of getting one likely has heard of the iPhone, but probably not any other smartphones. Things might have changed somewhat with Android's popularity increasing.

I would imagine the same thing is happening with tablets. You show a tablet to someone who doesn't use one and they may call it an iPad. Being first the market with a very successful product really helps the brand.

It has. Now its either Blackberry, iPhone, Droid phone or Android phone, not necessarily in that order. Not too many ppl knew/know what a Win Mo phone is. Maybe WP7 will change that. When Win Mo was popular it was just called a smartphone.


I posted about how my kids knew about Android before the iPhone. They're 11 & 7. If I woulda had an iPhone it probably woulda been different.

 

[Vihzel]

one example i can give is around 4 years ago I went through the entire interview process at apple near me. interviewed in the group then with store manager and then district manager. finally after a few interviews I had to do a roleplay with another manager on selling an apple product. basically he told me that my product knowledge was great, and i was a very personable person, but because I dont own apple products I wasn't qualified, and "my heart wouldnt be in the job". When i went back there to check out the person they hired instead he told me that the mac book i was looking at (base model 13" one) is a great gaming laptop with awesome battery life. i guess thats what it means to have your heart in it.
/end rant

Apple reps are definitely not the most knowledgable people. Today, I was showing an Apple rep certain features of Lion that she wasn't too familiar with and what specific gestures do. hehe Granted it was 1 day after the release, but you'd think that they'd have some kind of extensive training before. She was so kind though and funny too. She was a middle-aged woman who was working at the personal set up area.

 

[lordofthereef]

Apple reps are definitely not the most knowledgable people.

it is this way in almost all sales anymore. When be bought our Fiesta, I was the one teaching the salesperson about various features... and how to use sync.

The internet has truly opened the consumer's eyes (those that want to inform themselves). I no longer make big purchases without walking into the store knowing that I am probably more knowledgeable than the salesperson that is going to be helping me.

 

[Vihzel]

it is this way in almost all sales anymore. When be bought our Fiesta, I was the one teaching the salesperson about various features... and how to use sync.

The internet has truly opened the consumer's eyes (those that want to inform themselves). I no longer make big purchases without walking into the store knowing that I am probably more knowledgeable than the salesperson that is going to be helping me.

I agree. I research the hell out of something before I actually purchase it [ex. computers, phones (thanks AF!), cars (waited 6 months for my first one), apartments, etc.] online. It's so easy to do online now. My friends tend to come to me to research something or recommend stuff to them because I've done enough to become efficient, like knowing where to look for the info... all thanks to the internet. I wonder what people did before the internet age.

 

[Roze]

I agree. I research the hell out of something before I actually purchase it [ex. computers, phones (thanks AF!), cars (waited 6 months for my first one), apartments, etc.] online. It's so easy to do online now. My friends tend to come to me to research something or recommend stuff to them because I've done enough to become efficient, like knowing where to look for the info... all thanks to the internet. I wonder what people did before the internet age.

They were dependent on the salesmen to get their information.

 

[lordofthereef]

I wonder what people did before the internet age.

They got ripped off a lot more frequently methinks.

 

[Bob Maxey]

I made a little less money. And there were no Internet Billionaires.

 

[shawn1224]

To me Apple is like Twilight, like Android is Harry Potter.

Then both would suck

For me it's ... Apple is like Sin City and Android is like Shawshank Redemption.

Both are good but in a different way

 

[D-U-R-X]

Then both would suck

LOL!!

For me it's ... Apple is like Sin City and Android is like Shawshank Redemption.

Both are good but in a different way

I like the analogies, even if I'm not a fan of Apple!

 

[jamor]

Apples products are garbage, especially their laptops and mp3 players.

 

[karandpr]

Possibly because Every Apple product becomes a standard.Every product in a category is gauged against an iDevice. I dont think they suck. They are smart enough too know where the market lies .They get their product across to the consumers.

 

[Jersey Tom]

Could ask the same question how did Obama or Bush get elected to President.

All about marketing, playing on people's emotions, etc. Doesn't make a difference whether what you're selling is good or not.

 

[lunatic59]

Apples products are garbage, especially their laptops and mp3 players.

I am not a big fan of Apple. As a matter of fact, you wouldn't catch me in an Apple Store even if naked supermodels were giving away gold bars ... okay, maybe then, but ONLY then.

But I wouldn't say their products were garbage. If they were garbage they would be iGarbage

 

[LoyalServant]

When Apple boxes became nothing but common hardware they lose whatever edge they had.

Back when I got the first hyped 'google' phone (nexus one) every time I had that thing out in public and there was an apple fanboy around they gravitated towards me like vultures to roadkill.

When they were selling more devices running their mobile os everyone was screaming market share.
Once Android killed that number for them now they are using the profit number.

It's actually quite amusing because the only position the iFans have now is this illusion that it's a better device because it has a better profit margin.
I don't see any HTC or Samsung workers jumping off the roof.

Their success is no longer really measured in how many they sell, but in how much they make.
Notice they are not really talking about that anymore, it's now all about the profit.

Apple has gone back into niche status.... I suggest we let them stay there.

 

[dan330]

leave them alone
they come home
dragging their tails behind them

 

[A.Nonymous]

When Apple boxes became nothing but common hardware they lose whatever edge they had.

Back when I got the first hyped 'google' phone (nexus one) every time I had that thing out in public and there was an apple fanboy around they gravitated towards me like vultures to roadkill.

When they were selling more devices running their mobile os everyone was screaming market share.
Once Android killed that number for them now they are using the profit number.

It's actually quite amusing because the only position the iFans have now is this illusion that it's a better device because it has a better profit margin.
I don't see any HTC or Samsung workers jumping off the roof.

Their success is no longer really measured in how many they sell, but in how much they make.
Notice they are not really talking about that anymore, it's now all about the profit.

Apple has gone back into niche status.... I suggest we let them stay there.

I hate to break it to you, but in the business world, success is 100% measured in profit. HTC or Samsung would kill for Apple's profit margins on their devices.

 

[Vihzel]

Apples products are garbage, especially their laptops and mp3 players.

If you find an ultraportable laptop that matches the Macbook Air, please let me know. I've searched and searched but no luck. If that's garbage, then I don't know what to call the PC versions that have tried to match the Macbook Air.

 

[lordofthereef]

I hate to break it to you, but in the business world, success is 100% measured in profit. HTC or Samsung would kill for Apple's profit margins on their devices.

He is talking strictly about fans. Profit is great, but higher profit does not necessarily mean you have the better product. That's how I read it anyway. There is no argument by anyone that I have seen stating that Apple is not a successful business...

 

[Bob Maxey]

Apples products are garbage, especially their laptops and mp3 players.

You do not know what you are talking about. They are well designed and built and they do what they are supposed to do. They might be costly, but they are not the most expensive products on the tech block. Do not like them, avoid them.

Why do you say they are garbage? Cite a few examples please.

Bob