Apple Click Bait Criticism
Ping!
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Posted on 10/22/2015 7:51:56 PM PDT by Swordmaker
So shortly before I wrote this column, I read an article from one blogger usually critical of Apple that quoted another blogger critical of Apple as if that was something significant. The main focus was iOS 9 and the perceived problems with the latest and greatest mobile operating system from Apple. The complaints were typical. Poor touch sensitivity, losing Wi-Fi connections, app crashing and decreased battery life. As I said, the usual range of complaints one hears.
Now I’d be the last to say that iOS 9 was problem free out of the starting gate. But as of Wednesday, Apple has released three updates, with the first, 9.0.1, arriving just one week after the original release. 9.0.2 arrived the following week. Three weeks later, we’re at 9.1. So Apple has been busy, and each release fixed bugs and added some enhancements. For 9.1, the tentpole feature consists of 150 new emoji characters. A similar change was made with the first El Capitan fixer-upper, 10.11.1. It’s also a feature that doesn’t interest me in the least. But that’s just me.
I do not know if the new updates fix all the problems users have reported. But if you’ve held off upgrading to El Capitan or iOS 9, this might be the time to take the plunge. Happening on the day when a couple of bloggers are attacking Apple for buggy software sounds disingenuous. It’s not even certain whether they’ve tried the iOS 9 updates, and certainly they didn’t try the latest unless they are developers or members of the public beta program.
What bothers me the most is not that they are skeptical or frightened of iOS 9. That’s their privilege. But a good reporter would or should look for trends, rather than the problems reported by a single user. Or at least that’s what I’d do. One possible source of information is Apple’s support discussion boards. Even there, however, the most significant issues are the ones reported by a number of people, not just a few. With so many possible installations, most any problem is going to arise — for someone. The real issue is how frequent those issues might be, and if a number of people report similar problems, it’s worth investigating.
That said, the initial release of any computer operating system — mobile or desktop — is apt to have problems. But saying you shouldn’t update because of someone else’s experience, even if that someone writes for a supposedly respectable publication, is just shoddy reporting. At least if you can easily duplicate the problem, or the other blogger cites loads of similar experiences, you might have a point.
I wonder if these same people would have urged you to avoid the first release of Windows 10 because of serious bugs. Microsoft fed a number of fixes in the first few weeks. It’s not an indictment against Microsoft, or Apple for that matter, because problems always occur in the initial release. And, yes, I did find a few articles urging you not to upgrade to Windows 10 until the worst problems are repaired. At least one of those articles was based on the author’s personal experience and not just quoting somebody else without trying to verify anything.
And I haven’t begun to address Android.
As most of you realize, nothing I say or do will stop people from being foolish. As I’ve said many times, there’s an advantage to putting Apple or an Apple-related product or service in the title. It is sure hit bait if the headline or the implications are lurid enough. So if Apple must be doomed to failure, true or not, that’s enough to get attention. If a new product or service, or operating system upgrade, is fatally flawed in some way, real or imagined, that’s important too. Facts do not matter.
This doesn’t mean Apple is immune to criticism, or that new operating system releases are always problem free, or ever problem free for that matter. Some El Capitan users have reported glitches in our comment area, and certainly some apps weren’t compatible out of the starting gate. Microsoft Office 2011 and 2016 both had serious problems. Some of those have already been addressed by Microsoft, others were addressed in the 10.11.1 update. There may be more. Microsoft apps tend to be glitchy, and sometimes it takes a few attempts to straighten things out.
The El Capitan update also reportedly fixed the usual glitches with Apple Mail. I had just one, the occasional tendency for the app to freeze in place for 30 seconds or so. Clicking on a message or message folder did nothing. But that problem soon disappears — until it happens again. It may have been fixed by Apple. The release notes for 10.11.1 state, “Resolves an issue that prevented display of messages and mailboxes in Mail.” That sounds familiar.
Yes, I am running the update as I write this, but I can’t say if this particular problem is gone. Otherwise, apps have pretty much worked properly, although I had to install a few updates for full compatibility.
And I assure you that if the newest batch of Apple updates are flawed in any way, I won’t hold back. I’ll be writing from personal experience and doing lots of research to see if others have similar problems.
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It is amazing that you rarely, if ever see Apple fans rabidly attacking Windows reports, or reports on Dell, HP or Levino products - but people who have never used Macs or any Apple, nor have any intention of even TRYING an Apple product - are here to bash Apple and Apple users.
Apparently, every Apple user (including Rush Limbaugh) is a flaming liberal.
I’ve worked R&D in hardware design in the PC industry for the past 25 years. In the end, it’s all just 1’s and 0’s in a really big, sophisticated register. Use whatever tool works best for you.
At work, like most Apple users - we use MSFT products. Many of us are masters at using MSFT Office suites, programming in a variety of languages or are System Administrators for large companies. But, at home - where WE HAVE A CHOICE - we chose Mac.
And MSFT users cannot stand that we chose to use a product that they neither know how to use, nor understand - so they attack us; and call “us” a cult. Yet, who displays the more “cult-like” attitude? Those who know multiple ways of doing something, and chose the way that works best, or those who ONLY KNOW A SINGLE WAY - and insult those who opt to chose differently?
Just my 2 cents.
I think it is just personal preference. My wife has an Apple desk top computer, iPad and phone. I have a high tech video editing desk top using Windows. I have used her equipment but prefer Windows as it is easier for me to use.
Let's see if this one stays up :-)
Now take this kindly, it's meant kindly. But this is one of those threads that ought to be marked as "Apple Caucus", because it's really only for the faithful. The author is a lifelong Apple/Mac fanatic, and nobody in their right mind is going to expect an unbiased tech article -- it's an opinion piece, after all.
Same as if I pinged to the Windows Ping List with an article written by a lifelong Windows fanatic, extolling Windows' virtues and decrying how people and the press tear down the magnificence that is Microsoft's flagship operating system. Opinions are, after all, personal viewpoints. And like buttholes, everybody's got one.
I've been thinking for a while we ought to have a "caucus" label for the selected Apple/Mac, Microsoft/Windows, and Google/Android threads that are really intended for reading and commenting by the faithful of each given group.
I hope this doesn't offend -- it's meant as an honest suggestion, food for thought, in hope of reducing the food fights. ;-)
I upgraded first to iOS 9.0.2, then to 9.1 today.
I haven’t upgraded my MacBook Pro to El Capitan yet. But, I think I will do it soon, as the first bug fix release is out.
And if anyone thinks I’m an Apple bigot, I’m running a Windows 8.1 VM on my MacBook Pro. I also have a Windows 7 desktop with about a half dozen Linux VM’s on it.
Computers are like tools to me. I use whatever is the right one for the job
I know his background, but he is a well known reviewer and writer in technology.
I hope this doesn't offend -- it's meant as an honest suggestion, food for thought, in hope of reducing the food fights. ;-)
Frankly, I doubt it would have an effect. . .
bttt
Didn't you know? The 1s are male and the 0s are female, 1s go into 0s, think about it . . . and the anti-Apple zealots are convinced that Apple's run only on 0s. . . ergo, if a male uses one there's something wrong with them.
“... it’s all just 1’s and 0’s in a really big, sophisticated register.” This. AND...
...the hole left in my cash stash. Most of what takes place in the average home today is involvement in social media and streaming media or online games. IMHO I require a laptop or desktop which will address the basic functions of word processing and spreadsheet use, and as long as the 0s and 1s translate to legible type on the screen, the cheaper the better. Beyond that is gravy on the potatoes. Usually in the $250 to $300 range and good for two to seven years depending on hardware dependability. That leaves Windows based machines as a first consideration. Privacy is an issue and Microsoft is losing in that regard far more than Apple. Google? Fuggetaboutit! Service based programs are bunk and as long as Office 2007 continues to function I will avoid moving in total to Open Office or Softmaker.
Make it as inexpensively to acquire and serve my purposes and I’ll buy it. The only reason I haven’t turned to Apple yet. I have no loyalty to brand names and it will be a cold day in... ...well that place when I’ll argue any brand before price.
Oh. Thanks to all for keeping it interesting as well as educational.
Make it as inexpensively to acquire and serve my purposes and I’ll buy it. The only reason I haven’t turned to Apple yet. I have no loyalty to brand names and it will be a cold day in... ...well that place when I’ll argue any brand before price...
If social media, videos and games are all you want, then you can make do with anything, and the cheaper the better.
In our household we do more and look at both price and cost which can be significantly different than price. DW runs her consulting business on a computer. I manage our investments, manage rental properties and do technical sketches/drawings for construction projects. Even though we are both "retired", the real truth is that we are busy.
Up until 12 or so years ago DW was a diehard Windows fan, and I was a Mac person. Then she had a chance for a day of Mac training and she tried one. All of a sudden, her computer just worked, instead of requiring constant care and frequent replacements.
For a long time, I suffered through the issue that most financial sites were Windows-centric, but now they are useable on Macs also. Unfortunately, my favorite technical drawing program went Windows-only and I have not yet found a suitable replacement, but I make do as best I can.
Our real-world experience is that we spent over an hour each and every week dealing with Windows issues, which has fallen to less than an hour per month with Macs. This is just part of the cost of using Windows.
Sure, the price of a Windows computer is lower, but the time necessary to keep it going, plus the virus issues, make Windows much more expensive if you do anything other than just play games and entertain yourself on it.
We actually do real work on our computers and the extra time demanded by the Windows platform can not be justified by the lower equipment price.
No thanks, I like to just use my computer and not work on it.
Well, I think you formed the belief I engage in the activities mentioned in my first sentence. I do not nor do I watch television with the exception of the rare occasional film which is always a DVD presentation. I quote my original statement for reference below.
Most of what takes place in the average home today is involvement in social media and streaming media or online games. IMHO I require a laptop or desktop which will address the basic functions of word processing and spreadsheet use, and as long as the 0s and 1s translate to legible type on the screen, the cheaper the better. Beyond that is gravy on the potatoes.
“We do real work on our computers...” As do I although our mileage and destinations vary. I have yet to endure a breakdown of any significance due to hardware, programming or sugar in the fuel tank as I secure the fuel door. The purpose of my remarks was meant to focus more upon the method of transportation and the costs involved with the choice of travel being a VW bug or a Jaguar. A matter of personal preference coupled with the ability to perform satisfactorily when meeting demands made to reach the desired goal. In either case the secure placement of a sheet of plywood poses a problem. But I digress. I chose “the Bug”.
As they say, “I hear you”.
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