I know this is going to be rather controversial, but I’m just going to dive in here.
Now let’s start by being honest with ourselves. Apple, first and foremost, is a business. They want to make money. Most businesses do, and if they don’t, someone is lying through their teeth.
A big part of their business is the ability to keep their customers happy and coming back. They have the highest rated customer support of any computer company (ranked by consumer reports), so they’re presumably doing a good job of that at least. See also the rabid fanboys & fangirls.
At the release of this product, they were placed under intense public scrutiny. It seems to have been a natural step for Apple, who is notorious for maintaining control of their image, to respond. All things considered, my take on last weeks iPhone event is that they did what they had to do to keep their customers happy.
Think about it: they listened! They clearly indicated that they heard consumer and critic feedback. They answered it by providing EXACTLY what people said would be a just solution, namely providing bumpers and cases at no cost, and refunding those who already bought them.
Also, consider the fact that being an early adapter has it’s pitfalls. You really never know what you’re getting yourself into until you have it in your hands. Yes, of course, you’ll have your expectations, and by no means should proper reception be excluded ESPECIALLY since iPhone 4 was SPECIFICALLY designed to have better reception. However, you get my point – being an early adapter is awesome because you got the shiny new toy first. Being an early adapter sucks because you get to endure the buggy, early phase where they’re still trying to fix little things that didn’t happen when they started testing the product.
“But what happens after September 30th when they’ve stopped giving away cases and the antenna becomes an issue again?”
Let’s not kid ourselves, ladies and gents: If you’re buying after Sept. 30th, you’re WELL aware of the inherent problems. The antenna issue may or may not be resolved by then, but at least people will have proper warning of what they’re getting themselves into. In other words, they’ll know that they need to get a case. Or not.
Now in all honesty, I am biased because I really do love me some Apple products. However, from as objective a perspective as I can offer on this matter, I do believe that Apple did the best they could with what was a very public situation.
What did you think?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I dont like the iphone for a several reasons…
1. This problem was fixable but ego got in the way
2. Droid X is probably a better phone by all accounts (reviews) I have seen
3. Its on AT&T which means the Talking network… not so good
4. This may seem crazy but its not designed for left handed people! wait what?? yup do some research its true..
5. Too many people are drinking the Koolaid…
That said I don’t hate the iphone if 2 of these problems were fixed Id probably get one… For example if I started drinking the koolaid which I might happen if the iphone could be had on Verizon, all would be well.
Ok so I’m not trying to be a hater, but I disagree with ya Res. I think that, yes that made a good short term solution, but in the long run they haven’t truly addressed the problem. The chief antenna consultant (yup real position) advised against the new layout and Apple went with it anyway…leading me to believe that they knew about the problem prior to launch. I just think that they didn’t know how much of a problem it would be (crappy network + crappy antenna = failboat). Now I think that they made a good decision by dealing with the issue promptly, but the press conference was a disaster. Jobs seemed waaaaaaaay too whatev about the whole situation. And it is not ok to say, “we’re not perfect but look at all the other phone’s they do it too!” (By the way my eris doesn’t lose signal strength when I hold it).
I think these days people are becoming lost in what the iphone can do. Don’t get me wrong it’s an awesome device, but without the most basic function to place calls, it’s not a phone, it’s a $300 ipod.
Now when the iphone comes to Verizon….that might be a game changer.