Quote:
Originally Posted by RockdaMan
Then, like I said, this will blow over. Again, this is a business thing: Apple stays out in front of it's users and keeps them content like few others.
Many thought the lack of flash on iOS was serious as many think this is. Many thought that going with ATT was just as serious as many think this is. Many thought the draconian app store policies were just as serious as many think this is.
Apples management just executed its way through those problems and I can't see them hitting a brick wall on this one. In fact, it will probably affect less of their users than the aforementioned "problems" did.
Those few who object, like you, have the freedom to move on and should do so.
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Android's momentum and range of devices give consumers more options than ever. It'll be interesting to see how Apple will balance not alienating consumers, app developers and vendors as it tries to maximize profits. Even successful companies can overreach.
Mobile devices have become user-friendlier over the years, which also weighs against Apple. The fact that someone as tech-limited as I am is willing to switch to Android doesn't work in Apple's favor, for instance.
Apple's key strength has been creating user-friendly access to content. The company is risking undermining that key feature with this current course. If I were a content provider, I might go along with Apple in the short term, to avoid losing market share, but I would be developing Web access so I could abandon Apple as quickly as possible, while holding onto my content buyers longer term. Even if content providers go along for now, they've gotta be wondering what happens the next time Apple decides to put the screws to them.
Apple has created a chilling effect with its current course -- among informed consumers, as well as content providers and app developers. That does not seem like a good long-term business strategy when Android is waiting to eat your lunch. Apple might gain short term, but short-term strategizing can bite. For one thing, it's much cheaper to keep existing customers than it is to attract new ones. And it will be harder to attract new ones if you've made content providers, vendors and app developers skittish.