Apple Cult: The Cult of Unpopular Gadgets?

XBit Labs ^ | 7/09/2009 | Anton Shilov

[Wooly]

In the last few weeks numerous technology and mass media web-sites published hundreds of stories about Apple, its products, their availability or their issues. But does that enthusiasm towards the company have any correlation with Apple’s actual market share? It seems that not really.

Apple is a company that has been extensively covered by media, especially in the USA, for many years now without an obvious reason: apart from the iPod, all the products from Apple are hardly used by a lot of people around the globe. But the latest load of rush coverage about Apple on the Internet more resembles hysteria rather than a normal exposure of a popular topic.

The most recent wave of wide-ranging coverage of Apple began with the pending release of the iPhone 3GS: almost all the tech web-sites published rumoured specifications of the device, some were correct, some were wrong. Then, after the 3GS was finally launched and the press released a load of ecstatic articles on the matter despite of the fact that nobody has tried to use the device, the media rejoiced over the return of Steve Jobs, chief exec of Apple, to his position at the company. Virtually all tech and mass media web-sites decided to inform their readers that Mr. Jobs had liver transplant in April and was back in the office on time.

[GonzoGOP]

I was pointing out that you had to use Sansa allows you to used the device like a hard drive and just drag and drop songs on/off of the device from any computer without having to install software on the computer. Never mentioned buying the songs. How about you RTF post nest time.

[stripes1776]

Like most subjects discussed on FR, the satire is indistinguishable from the serious.

Yes, that is the problem with short posts. It's so easy to misinterpret.

[MyTwoCopperCoins]

I don’t like Apple simply because of the way they tend to block or compromise on features, and force you to either buy expensive accessories, or try and tell you that the feature/accessory is not “good for you”.

One of such features concerns Flash. Nearly every other website uses this, either for videos or for sub-menus, etc., and without Flash, the webpages are crippled of features. Apple’s answer: “Flash is no good. It’s a resource pig”.

Although I don’t own an iPhone, I have to admit that I admire Apple’s design and UI departments.

I’d still stick with Windows and the zillions of free and innovative utilities at my disposal, though.

[stripes1776]

Yeah, I have an iPod and a Bose docking station for the kitchen and it has worked great for years. I am a huge fan...I have a LOT of music and itunes loaded on an external drive on my PC...I’ve got a 5:1 Altec surround system on the ‘puter with a good base and it sounds pretty good, for a computer system...and a good sound board

I have never used the original iPod. I just started with the iPod Touch because I need to listen to some audio files in places where it would be awkward to take my laptop. I am extremely impressed, and this is the first Apple device I have bought. I will look at a Bose docking station like you have. That might be just the thing for the living room.

I am so disppointed by the phone, though...I am hoping that they will replace it for me as someone suggested and maybe it is that particular phone after all...

I have not used an iPhone, but the iPod Touch has the same interface. As for the battery on the iPod Touch, it lasts me all day if I don't watch video or download a movie. But I must admit: watching a movie on the iPod on a small screen is a lot more fun that watching it on my laptop. But perhaps that is just the novelty of the device. I will see if I am still this pleased a year from now. If I am, I will move to the iPhone.

Yes, perhaps the iPhone you got is a lemon. At any rate, you can use it just like an iPod. I am pretty sure you can dock it on your Bose docking station. There should be a plastic piece that you can pop off at the docking point and replace with one for the iPhone.

And have you tried watching a movie on the iPhone? It will deplete the battery charge fairly quickly, but it is rather impressive. The small screen didn't bother me at all.

[Mr. Blonde]

I’m pretty sure that is an accurate statement from them about Flash. Most phones don’t support it out of the box, although if I understand correctly Adobe is working to get it on most non-iPhone smartphones by the end of the year. As long as I can selectively use it that would be nice.

[Mr. Blonde]

Microsoft is only working to increase the mindshare of Apple. Why on earth they mention Apple in their advertising is beyond me. Of course why exactly they aren’t even advertising their own product is something of a mystery as well.

I don’t think the smaller “luxury” brand having increased mindshare is unique to computers. In fact I would say that is the case in every consumer good.

[jessduntno]

“I will look at a Bose docking station like you have. That might be just the thing for the living room.”

The newer docks have a better remote, I think; the one I have has great sound, but you don’t have full control of all the iPod functions. If you are in it for the sound though, it is pretty good for the money. Unfortunately (and I found this out the hard way) a lot of the older accessories do NOT transfer to the new phones. Check on the web first - although, i guess, that isn’t always reliable either, since i read about a million peeves about the crappy battery but have found out here it ain’t so...I can use the phone on the dock, but it has to be taken out of the leather case, which is more difficult than it should be, but that is minor. Besides, I have the other pod and can upgrade the new music (or just pull off the 5 star rated tunes or certain playlists) from the puter...

[Wooly]

The posts are losing some of the entertainment value.

Hey did you hear that Apple is coming out with a designer series of vacuum cleaners to compete with the Dysons. It will be called ISuck. Apple press releases state that it should work for a full year before the dirt collector fills which can be replaced at your nearest Apple Store for a nominal fee.

[jessduntno]

“The posts are losing some of the entertainment value.”

Oh, no you don’t. I’m not going to get involved with this crowd in any putting down of A P P L E. I don’t want to wake up screaming with Bill Gates’ head under my covers...

[stripes1776]

The newer docks have a better remote, I think; the one I have has great sound, but you don’t have full control of all the iPod functions. If you are in it for the sound though, it is pretty good for the money. Unfortunately (and I found this out the hard way) a lot of the older accessories do NOT transfer to the new phones. Check on the web first

Good idea. I will read some web reviews and test the models at an Apple store before buying. I will take my time and buy the right device.

Besides, I have the other pod and can upgrade the new music (or just pull off the 5 star rated tunes or certain playlists) from the puter...

I like the rating system. I discovered you can rate a song on the Touch as you listen to it--give it the stars you want. And then the rating syncs back to iTunes when you dock the iPod. I really like this feature. I don't have to do every thing from iTunes. Also I can buy songs and apps directly on the iPod. This also syncs back to iTunes.

I also like the cover-flow feature for flipping through albums. And I have added lyrics to some of the songs. OK, so here goes all my free time!

[jessduntno]

I also like the cover-flow feature for flipping through albums. And I have added lyrics to some of the songs. OK, so here goes all my free time!

Yep. Careful. Betty Ford will your next stop.

[PA Engineer]

They didn’t think to put a camera on the thing?

The iPhones have always had a camera.

[stripes1776]

Yep. Careful. Betty Ford will your next stop.

LOL

[Smogger]

A software update fixed the lag. It’s pretty crisp and responsive now depending how many apps you have running at one time.

[Goldsborough]

Yes.

And besides that was a I fvcking talking to you? No. But if people are going to cry about a percentage being reported then they should know the facts. The rest of the world could give a sh!t about Apple and these dramatic increases in OSX usage is not over the PC side but the smart phone side. There, now go not give a sh!t to somebody else.

Quite bitchy I must say. The rest of the world has largely done zip, point, shyte for computing except make commodity components, so it doesn't much matter that they use the lowest common denominator of an operating system does it? They're irrelevant and lots of them are using pirated software anyhow so most of them aren't even worthwhile customers.

[aft_lizard]

But they still spend money on the hardware and software so it matters whether or not you wish to live in Apple la la land or not.

[Smogger]

The iPhone doesn’t have a what? A phone..?

The iPhone doesn’t take video unless you buy a new 3G or 3GS. No picture messaging until the 3G. LOL! Give me a break. Still no multitasking?

You gotta use iTunes to load music? I think I will pass.. I like dragging and dropping music and Divx/Xvid videos right onto my Storm and having them work. ;-)

[Smogger]

That’s right. It just didn’t take video.

[SJSAMPLE]

LOL.
I meant a CAMERA.

3G is an amazing device.
Non-MAC people (like me) are flocking to it in the MILLIONS.

I am, unfortunately, forced to convert my files for use on my wife’s 3G or my Blackberry.

[Mr. Blonde]

When AT&T begins supporting it MMS will be supported on the original iPhone in addition to the 3G and 3GS.

Only the 3GS supports taking video.

I don’t really understand the distaste some have for iTunes. I guess it isn’t quite as high quality on Windows as Mac, but it is still pretty powerful. Plus it handles all syncing not just music and videos. Presumably you have to use the Blackberry software to sync your Storm’s contacts and calendar. I don’t see the huge advantage there.