Thoughts on Apple today
Note: this is also available on my Facebook wall, but since I plan to deactivate my account there again at the end of this week, I figured it ought to live out its days here. :)
I used to be a big fan of Apple. I still think of them as pioneers in industrial design. However, I've become a tiny bit uncomfortable with the immaculate closed system they've developed. Sure, it's good service to take care of your customer from start to finish by offering a total package of hardware, software, and a continuing relationship of purchases through online distribution. But their closed system seems to come at a price.
Call me an idealist, but Apple just doesn't seem like a very nice company these days. I realize that patent lawsuits like the one they currently have going against HTC (really Google) are standard practice for curbing competition, but it goes beyond being aggressive about protecting their turf. The whole stumble on the iPad name seems another reflection of the company's insular culture as well.
Read what Steve Wozniak has to say about the company he co-founded. I can't argue with their success, but the point he makes about 10% niceness and 90% strictness makes sense to me.
I'm familiar with the old saying about nice guys finishing last, but I don't think that has to be true regarding how you treat employees. I don't know ... the company just seems to have a harsh edge to it these days.
Don't get me wrong: I want to see Apple stick around. I want Microsoft, Google, Blackberry, Palm, LG, HP, too: let's have them all. Competition in the marketplace is good for consumers. However, when possible, I like to be informed about the companies with whom I do business. I preferentially shop with those that offer a good product and who try to, if not set a positive standard, at least comport themselves appropriately.
Yeah, I know. I think I mentioned the idealist part. ;)
Side note: For those who play Warcraft, there's a brief post comparing Blizzard to Apple in the comments section.
Edit, 04/30/2010: Funny Jon Stewart video on the issue.
I used to be a big fan of Apple. I still think of them as pioneers in industrial design. However, I've become a tiny bit uncomfortable with the immaculate closed system they've developed. Sure, it's good service to take care of your customer from start to finish by offering a total package of hardware, software, and a continuing relationship of purchases through online distribution. But their closed system seems to come at a price.
Call me an idealist, but Apple just doesn't seem like a very nice company these days. I realize that patent lawsuits like the one they currently have going against HTC (really Google) are standard practice for curbing competition, but it goes beyond being aggressive about protecting their turf. The whole stumble on the iPad name seems another reflection of the company's insular culture as well.
Read what Steve Wozniak has to say about the company he co-founded. I can't argue with their success, but the point he makes about 10% niceness and 90% strictness makes sense to me.
I'm familiar with the old saying about nice guys finishing last, but I don't think that has to be true regarding how you treat employees. I don't know ... the company just seems to have a harsh edge to it these days.
Don't get me wrong: I want to see Apple stick around. I want Microsoft, Google, Blackberry, Palm, LG, HP, too: let's have them all. Competition in the marketplace is good for consumers. However, when possible, I like to be informed about the companies with whom I do business. I preferentially shop with those that offer a good product and who try to, if not set a positive standard, at least comport themselves appropriately.
Yeah, I know. I think I mentioned the idealist part. ;)
Side note: For those who play Warcraft, there's a brief post comparing Blizzard to Apple in the comments section.
Edit, 04/30/2010: Funny Jon Stewart video on the issue.