Apple has been surpassed in price, function, and overall value in both short term and long term.
Tends to happen when they release the same product each year with only minor changes and the same or higher price tag.
I have an iPod - one of the oldest models, a 60gb. It has survived over 7 years and is the only Apple tech I have found to be worth the money.
My laptop is superior to a similar priced model of theirs.
My phone is superior to a similar priced model of theirs.
My computer is far superior to a similar priced model of theirs.
These are direct comparison of stats, function, and longevity. If you take the time to look around, you'll find that only loyalty has kept Apple going, not innovation.
PUBLIC OPINION > Apple Is Still Cool... Sort of
SodaHead Living
2013/01/30 00:00:00
Almost a decade ago, Apple was at the top of its game. In 2001, the tech company had opened its first official retail stores in Virginia and California and invented the iPod. In 2003, Apple unveiled iTunes to the world and in 2006, the company released the MacBook Pro and iMac, Apple's first Intel-based computers.
Don't get us wrong: Apple is still popular among its fanbase, showing no end in sight for its ever-upgraded iPhone and even managing to unveil a new tech gadget, with the release of the iPad. But with the recent 10 percent drop in stock shares, along with the death of the company's co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs back in 2011, many question if Apple still has the same steam it did a few years ago. Fef dared to ask the question on many people's minds: Is Apple still cool? And though a small majority voted "Yes" (52%), consumer confidence is definitely down among some demographics. Let's get to it.
TECH INDUSTRY ISN'T IMPRESSED
What better way to see how Apple is doing than to ask people in the tech industry? Interestingly, those who listed "Information Technology (IT)" as their career industry voted against Apple, with a strong 60% saying the company wasn't cool anymore. "Arts and Entertainment" on the other hand, was still into the company, with 54% saying that Apple was still cool. But what "career industry" was the most supportive of the company? Students! At 63%, students proved that they still love toting their Macbooks and iPhones to class.
YOUNGSTERS YEARN FOR IPHONES
Speaking of students' support, we thought it would be interesting to see how age affected opinions on Apple. Just as expected, the group that was most supportive of Apple was the 13-17 crowd, at 61%. But more interestingly, the age groups that were least supportive of Apple were 18-24, 25-35 and 35-44 -- at only 43%, 37% and 45% voting that Apple is still cool, respectively. Unfortunately for Apple, these are the age groups that tech companies usually expect sales from.
LOWER INCOME'S GOT NO APPLE LOVE
We also thought it would be interesting to take a look at the correlation between income and love of all-things Apple. Turns out, those who make $50K and under aren't impressed, with only 46% voting that Apple is still cool. Maybe you've got no love for the company if you can't afford it? Those who made $75K-100K were most impressed, at 71%. Those who made $100+ were also supportive of the company, but much less so, at 55%. We guess the uber-rich are a tough crowd...
If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our original poll about Apple. We'd love to hear from you!
Don't get us wrong: Apple is still popular among its fanbase, showing no end in sight for its ever-upgraded iPhone and even managing to unveil a new tech gadget, with the release of the iPad. But with the recent 10 percent drop in stock shares, along with the death of the company's co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs back in 2011, many question if Apple still has the same steam it did a few years ago. Fef dared to ask the question on many people's minds: Is Apple still cool? And though a small majority voted "Yes" (52%), consumer confidence is definitely down among some demographics. Let's get to it.
TECH INDUSTRY ISN'T IMPRESSED
What better way to see how Apple is doing than to ask people in the tech industry? Interestingly, those who listed "Information Technology (IT)" as their career industry voted against Apple, with a strong 60% saying the company wasn't cool anymore. "Arts and Entertainment" on the other hand, was still into the company, with 54% saying that Apple was still cool. But what "career industry" was the most supportive of the company? Students! At 63%, students proved that they still love toting their Macbooks and iPhones to class.
YOUNGSTERS YEARN FOR IPHONES
Speaking of students' support, we thought it would be interesting to see how age affected opinions on Apple. Just as expected, the group that was most supportive of Apple was the 13-17 crowd, at 61%. But more interestingly, the age groups that were least supportive of Apple were 18-24, 25-35 and 35-44 -- at only 43%, 37% and 45% voting that Apple is still cool, respectively. Unfortunately for Apple, these are the age groups that tech companies usually expect sales from.
LOWER INCOME'S GOT NO APPLE LOVE
We also thought it would be interesting to take a look at the correlation between income and love of all-things Apple. Turns out, those who make $50K and under aren't impressed, with only 46% voting that Apple is still cool. Maybe you've got no love for the company if you can't afford it? Those who made $75K-100K were most impressed, at 71%. Those who made $100+ were also supportive of the company, but much less so, at 55%. We guess the uber-rich are a tough crowd...
If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our original poll about Apple. We'd love to hear from you!
I rarely ever had any problems with Sony. I maintain all my equipment like new and nothing breaks or dies - with an exception if somebody else uses it or damages it.
lot of tablets have come close to the ipad ifnot have reached the level.
i have a macbook pro and i love it. much better then pc.
if i could afford it i'd go with the best imac
Even if I was uber rich I still wouldn't like apple products because they're a waste of money.
39, < $50k/yr, tech guy (I build websites, servers, maintain the interwebs , or parts of it, etc), guess what my phone is? Guess? Ok, Ill tell ya... It's an iPhone
Also, I would suggest listening to the people actually in the industry. What do artists know about hardware anyway? People need experts, not celebs.
When a (barely) minimum wage employee can afford not one, but two of their products brand new (iPhone, iMac), that proves JUST how much of a status symbol they are. They're not, not at all. Havent been for ages now.
Building and submitting applications to Apple's iTunes store is a pain in the rump. Six weeks of waiting for approval, and in some cases it can take even longer! Both Blackberry & Google Play are around the 2-3 week window of approval. Though I have stopped supporting Blackberry this year.
Another issue I have with Apple is how annoyingly difficult it is to upload your CD's or other MP3's using their clunky iTunes interface. Then, there is the painful process of migrating your music to something other than your Apple device. I got another device (not mentioning what so they don't get sued too) with a simple file explorer option for transferring files to and from... It also automatically updates it's OS instead of being forced to sync it to iTunes.
The last, is the price verses value comparison... I research the specs before I purchase anything, and I don't allow a sales rep to guide me. Competitors offer more powerful devices, better interfaces, at a lower cost. The only thing that is selling Apple right now is loyalty and darned good marketing.
They have me on the techie thing though.
Apple puts out how many phones a year? It's to be expected that their competition, who puts out multiple phones, AFTER Apple puts theirs out are going to smoke them.. That's a no brainer there
As far as apps to their store, this is probably true, but hey, it's how they choose to operate. Do you know precisely how many they have to go through? How many they have to tear apart every day? No, well, neither do I. The point is that with that many apps in their store, it's a nightmare process. Give 'em a bit of a break. Google doesn't have half the apps, OR half the stringent process. Why? Because Google doesn't care.
As far as uploading / ripping your CD's, seriously? Clunky? Hardly. Build playlists, upload playlists. Use smart playlists, or even Genius. Yeah, they actually WORK. I've been using iTunes for years now, and let me tell you, up until 11, it's been the least 'clunky' out of any of them (and I've used ALL of them, musicmatch, win media player, napster, yahoo's media player, you name it, I've used it). Of course, with a real media library, everything else was a memory hog.
As far as price vs value
4 years ago, I purchased an IPhone 3G-s for around $300
To this day, it still functions. I gave in and upgraded to the 4S 2 years ago, but the 3G-s got pass...
Apple puts out how many phones a year? It's to be expected that their competition, who puts out multiple phones, AFTER Apple puts theirs out are going to smoke them.. That's a no brainer there
As far as apps to their store, this is probably true, but hey, it's how they choose to operate. Do you know precisely how many they have to go through? How many they have to tear apart every day? No, well, neither do I. The point is that with that many apps in their store, it's a nightmare process. Give 'em a bit of a break. Google doesn't have half the apps, OR half the stringent process. Why? Because Google doesn't care.
As far as uploading / ripping your CD's, seriously? Clunky? Hardly. Build playlists, upload playlists. Use smart playlists, or even Genius. Yeah, they actually WORK. I've been using iTunes for years now, and let me tell you, up until 11, it's been the least 'clunky' out of any of them (and I've used ALL of them, musicmatch, win media player, napster, yahoo's media player, you name it, I've used it). Of course, with a real media library, everything else was a memory hog.
As far as price vs value
4 years ago, I purchased an IPhone 3G-s for around $300
To this day, it still functions. I gave in and upgraded to the 4S 2 years ago, but the 3G-s got passed on to my 5 and 6 year old neices... When I go there in July, it'll still be working. Why? Not because they're easy on it. no, no, no, half the time they forget where it's at, load the thing down with apps running, whine about the battery not keeping a charge. why? Because this thing is built to last.
If that doesn't SCREAM value, then there's something wrong with you. My 4S? Still rock solid, and while I may (debating) upgrade when I'm able, I don't HAVE to.
As for the Mobile OS of Apple. Look into Symbian or Windows Mobile. Symbian hit the market and up until two years ago (Nokia purchased and killed Symbian) it was the Number 1 Mobile OS. The only truely open sourced Mobile OS that with any cellular running the S50 or S60 could do anything. You want your cellular phone to open your garage door. Bam there a apps for that and you did not need a networked Garage Door. You want a universal remote that can operate anything that has remote. Bam they has a apps for that. Now you may say that Apple came in and made it better, but Apple came in over 27 year later.
Apple sold there first Iphone in 2007
Symbian first phone was on the market in 1980.
Windows Mobile hit the Market in 2000
Now that is just a few Mobile OS. Lynix and Even Motorola has their out before then.
Just my opinion.
Tends to happen when they release the same product each year with only minor changes and the same or higher price tag.
I have an iPod - one of the oldest models, a 60gb. It has survived over 7 years and is the only Apple tech I have found to be worth the money.
My laptop is superior to a similar priced model of theirs.
My phone is superior to a similar priced model of theirs.
My computer is far superior to a similar priced model of theirs.
These are direct comparison of stats, function, and longevity. If you take the time to look around, you'll find that only loyalty has kept Apple going, not innovation.
Windows 8 GAINING on Apple?
Win 8 is a joke. You want to see a product torn apart by it's users, thrown out? Look at Windows 8