Quote:
Originally Posted by stonetools
There is no question but that Apple marches to its definition of what the average user wants. Turns out, though, that they are usually right  .
The geek way is to be focused on specs, features and options-what can this device DO, no matter how inconvenient it is. Pretty much classic examples of geek design are the Linux Operating system and Google TV-lots of features and options, but no non geek wants to use them.
The Apple way is focused on user experience -what's simple, what's elegant, what's easiest for the average user. That frustrates geeks who want lot if options and who aren't confused by complexity, but the Apple way sure seems popular right now. |
I don't disagree that the Apple style does seem to be popular, and that there are plenty of folks who prefer the appliance approach to their computing, but, seriously, it does come at a cost. The first two versions of the iPhone didn't support voice dialing - a feature fairly standard in the industry at the time. I don't believe iOs YET supports the full Bluetooth headphone protocol - last time I paired my headset I couldn't advance or rewind tracks, despite it being part of the standard and the buttons to do so being on my headphones.
I'm not sure if there are any statistics to support a theory I have, but when you look at the sales of Apple products, and the significant (in a statistical sense) amount of user griping just on Apples own support forums, you begin to see that they may have the largest group of unsatisfied adopters. It's a weird metric because many of these folks like some aspect of the product, and most don't generally dislike it enough to abandon it, but just the same, they're dissatisfied with the way Apple treats them, and addresses their concerns.
Granted, aspects of that happen with many firms too, but what seems to make Apple unique is the cadre of die-hard users who turn up when Apple pees on us, and loudly proclaim, with great joy, that it's raining apple juice.
