Try Thinking of the Customer for Once, Apple!
Everything inspires me to write an article. That's why I'm writing this one! I was looking at one of the computer-related RSS feeds I subscribe to, and I read one of the posts about the iPhone. It was about firmware update 1.1.1.
This new firmware update disables most of the SIM unlocking methods that were used to allow the iPhone on another telephone company's network: so Apple has more of a monopoly over the iPhone now.
What amazes me is that no one thinks of the customer anymore. Apple decided to partner with AT&T phone service for use with the iPhone, and no other phone company can be allowed on the iPhone. How about you think of the customer, and give them a price cut when using AT&T with the iPhone, but allow other services?
Update:
Apple wanting to give users a uniform experience is what annoys people like me and hackers. They were the ones who hacked the iPhone, and if that prevents them from having the experience that others have, then too bad for them. It's not Apple's responsibility to prevent hacking, or give them a new phone if they screw up. The only way to improve something is to take it apart and look at the insides.
But we also get mad because if this phone is going to be "the revolutionary phone" that we were promised, there needs to be options for the users of it, and no restrictions on what service it's used on. Apple has to realize that people (like me) don't necessarily like AT&T, and if they want to change the world again, they have to please and think of the user, not their wallets.
Read on!
Everything inspires me to write an article. That's why I'm writing this one! I was looking at one of the computer-related RSS feeds I subscribe to, and I read one of the posts about the iPhone. It was about firmware update 1.1.1.
This new firmware update disables most of the SIM unlocking methods that were used to allow the iPhone on another telephone company's network: so Apple has more of a monopoly over the iPhone now.
What amazes me is that no one thinks of the customer anymore. Apple decided to partner with AT&T phone service for use with the iPhone, and no other phone company can be allowed on the iPhone. How about you think of the customer, and give them a price cut when using AT&T with the iPhone, but allow other services?
And not allowing third-party software on the iPhone is just ridiculous! The iPhone can either be Apple's best product yet, or it can be their demise. Web applications are not good enough! What if someone does not have a signal in the area they are in? Too bad.
Third-party software would not only increase the amount of people who buy the iPhone, but would also open up new doors for smartphones. Perhaps someone could take a picture of someone else with their iPhone, and then add a mustache to the person. I know it sounds stupid, but lots of customers are stupid, and find things like that funny. Apple should know customers are stupid! This is why we have tech support, but that does not solve this problem.
Not too long ago I wrote an article about creating a standard for smartphones, so I won't get too deep into this topic, but I think it would be so much better if when you walk into a coffee shop that does not necessarily have to be Startbucks, you can buy the music that's playing. Apple is becoming the new Microsoft, at least in the monopoly way!
That's why I encourage hackers to break the block put on SIM cards that has been put in affect in update 1.1.1! Show Apple who's boss!
I advise the big companies out there to focus on the customers, and not the profit. I bet if you asked Steve Jobs back in the day, he would tell you that he didn't care about money, just changing the world. If I'm ever a CEO of some huge company, I'll try to remember the customer.
Update: I just read that there are instructions on the web on how to downgrade your phone from 1.1.1!
Update:
Apple wanting to give users a uniform experience is what annoys people like me and hackers. They were the ones who hacked the iPhone, and if that prevents them from having the experience that others have, then too bad for them. It's not Apple's responsibility to prevent hacking, or give them a new phone if they screw up. The only way to improve something is to take it apart and look at the insides.
But we also get mad because if this phone is going to be "the revolutionary phone" that we were promised, there needs to be options for the users of it, and no restrictions on what service it's used on. Apple has to realize that people (like me) don't necessarily like AT&T, and if they want to change the world again, they have to please and think of the user, not their wallets.
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So! Many! Explanation! Points!
I think the point that you may be missing here is that focusing on the costumer first does equal profits, just in the longer term. Focusing on short term profits over customer satisfaction might net you profit short term, but in the long term, it erodes your customer base, and ultimately, your profits. I don't know why more companies don't realize this. I thought Apple did.
That the success of any business depends on longer term customer satisfaction, is elementary, not unlike the law of gravity.
Apple is apparently suicidal or believes itself to be above the laws and experience of the Universe, to the dissatisfaction and amazement of its heretofre loyal customers. A lot of iPhones are suddenly for sale cheap (donation), by irrate customers.
Apple has created a very special product in the iPhone, however it is not without serious shortcomings, which need fixing and/or supplementation by quality 3rd party software, which was implicitly and expressly promised by Apple.
To now be told that the phone (really computer) we paid handsomely for and thought we owned, will be bricked, if any 3rd party software is installed, seems nietherfair nor legal, a gross missrepresentation by Apple. Many will gladly join class action lawsuits, a heyday for such lawyers, while the customer can lump it.
What happens witth iPhone2 in 2008? Lump it again?
carrier device exclusivity is not a new concept.
How many carriers sell the Chocolate?
How many carriers sold the MotoQ or the RAZR at launch?
Nobody bitches that Verizon, Sprint and Alltel devices only work with their systems.
The hackers who purchased the iPhone from Apple or AT&T knew at the onset that the device is an AT&T exclusive when they purchased it. They also knew the device was not open-source.
Anybody who hacked their device had to have fully understood the possible impact of their actions.
Apple wants all users to have a uniform experience with the iPhone - to experience the device the way in which it was designed to operate. This is the same reason activation was done via iTunes, rather than in-store. So the cutomer could experience the device in the way it was intended.
Pirates and hackers have no right to file class-action lawsuits
carrier device exclusivity is not a new concept.
How many carriers sell the Chocolate?
How many carriers sold the MotoQ or the RAZR at launch?
Nobody bitches that Verizon, Sprint and Alltel devices only work with their systems.
The hackers who purchased the iPhone from Apple or AT&T knew at the onset that the device is an AT&T exclusive when they purchased it. They also knew the device was not open-source.
Anybody who hacked their device had to have fully understood the possible impact of their actions.
Apple wants all users to have a uniform experience with the iPhone - to experience the device the way in which it was designed to operate. This is the same reason activation was done via iTunes, rather than in-store. So the cutomer could experience the device in the way it was intended.
Pirates and hackers have no right to file class-action lawsuits
I'm really impressed of how stupid this article is!!!
If you don't like the iPhone and the rules that come with it simply don't buy it! There are thousands of other phones out there...and when you buy it you know the rules!
It appears to be that Apple has to pay for the costly development of the iPhone and don't make any profits...? Come on, think a little more, how do you think Apple will make profits, to give it away to ignorant people like you?
Forget it, if you don't like it don't buy it and start writing some more interesting articles if you want to make money yourself!
i dont understand how complicated this is and sad at the same time. if you hack it is illegal. apple is just making sure you follow the rules without being a bully. So what if your iphone is disabled? just wait until people come out with another bypassing software. then the process will repeat.
Could be that Apple didn't know how this would work out, and decided to increase production level gradually.
By hacking the iPhone it is not given that some thing wrongful is done. But it is questionable to what extent Apple has to provide support on device or software.
I would love to have an iPhone and decide for myself which provider to use.
In regards to songs and buying them, use SonyEricsson's TrackID to determine the song and buy it where ever you want.
If you don't like my articles, you don't have to read them. This is just my opinion, but remember: the only way to improve things is to point out their flaws.
Hacking is not necessarily illegal. Black-hat hacking is, but that's not what the iPhone hackers are doing. Sure, they may void their warranty, but that's just a small price to pay for freedom of choice.
What if your iPhone is disabled? Well, you're right, the hackers would work hard again in order to unlock them. But if Apple keeps continuing to disable them, the hackers are going to get tired and will lose interest, and Apple will lose customers, 'cause when a hacker's fed up, a hacker is FED UP.
Anyone who doesn't see the way I do is 100% entitled to their own opinion, but just remember that the whole point of making a product is to satisfy the customer, and Apple could do a better job.
I happily own NOTHING Apple sells. It's like Jobs is trying to make up now for all the years Gates kicked is tushy