Sunday, July 25, 2010

Apple's diversion seems to be working...

Ever since Apple's press conference a little over a week ago I've seen a lot fewer fervent iPhone4-hate posts.  Now I don't particularly care for Apple's tactics on the issue (i.e., pointing out everyone else's death-grip antenna problems) but I have to admit that it was pretty darn effective.  I still think Apple has a problem (potentially worse than the other smart phones out there) but they've certainly been able to reduce the ferocity of the attacks.  For that they get top marks.

It was also obvious just how personally they took the attacks.  They put their hearts and souls into the project and believe they have an exceptional device. When reviewed from a lot of different angles they're right.  It seems like a great device (I'm in Canada so I haven't seen one yet).  So when the media blew up the severity of the antenna issue they got a upset.  That was obvious in their defensive position and the tone of their message.  But you know what? I completely understand.  I like to think I'm pretty passionate about my work too and have undoubtedly gotten overly defensive on occasion.  I know what it's like to feel unfairly shot down...  So again, I think they did a good job getting that across in the message.

But the job's not done... The free bumpers and refunds address the immediate problem but now I expect Apple to take this brief reprieve and use the time to come up with a better solution.  Maybe we'll see a small adjustment that will make the iPhone 4 more acceptable, maybe we'll see more carriers adopt the iPhone (and remove the negativity that comes with AT&T), but I expect we'll see a more thorough solution in the next iPhone iteration.  What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, right?

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

How Much of Apple's current problem is AT&T?

People have been bitching about dropped calls and reception issues with the iPhone forever.  Everyone who has an iPhone in the U.S. bitches about AT&T.  So now when the iPhone 4's quality is called into question, I'm guessing a lot of the AT&T hate is being inappropriately applied to Apple.  I'm not saying there isn't a problem with iPhone 4.  I actually have no idea, but I'd be willing to bet that the dog pile that's forming is at least partly due to AT&T.  How exactly would a consumer be able to tell the difference?  All they know is that they can't make a call.  Is it the carrier, the phone, or a bit of both?  The current bitch-o-rific bandwagon is to blame Apple so that's what everyone is doing.

Part of Apple's solution to this iPhone 4 debacle should be the end of the AT&T exclusivity in the U.S.  Of course it may become a little more difficult to convince another carrier to offer the iPhone if everyone thinks the product has a defect...  What a mess.

Monday, July 12, 2010

iPhone 4 Disaster

Regardless of what's really happening with the iPhone 4's antennae, Apple may have a Windows Vista on its hands... a PR nightmare.  I think they can (and will) recover but in the meantime Google is probably preparing its "I'm an Android" ads just in case.