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FREED
"I was censored, now I'm Freed."
Articles Posted: 47; Links Seeded: 1160
Member Since: 11/2006Last Seen: 9/02/2009
Member Since: 11/2006Last Seen: 9/02/2009
11 Votes
27 Comments
Has Apple Bitten Off More Than It Can Chew?
News Type: Opinion — Seeded on Sat Jul 26, 2008 9:03 PM EDT
Article Source: Wired Newsadvertisement
"Unfortunately, they are dropping the ball, not communicating, and adding to the problem by increasing the frustration of their users via their unwillingness to shoot straight with us," MobileMe user Joe Holley wrote in the support forums. He mentioned that the lack of mail access may have robbed him of a potential job opportunity.
Gene Munster, an analyst at Piper Jaffray, said he's been in general very pleased as an Apple customer. However, he noted a recent change: In the past when he called Apple's customer service, he didn't have to wait at all; nowadays, he has to wait several minutes. He added that the Genius Bars at Apple stores are becoming increasingly crowded.
These might appear to be trivial issues, but combined with the aforementioned list of user problems, they suggest that Apple isn't keeping up with its rapid growth.
If the company doesn't address these problems quickly, it could wind up looking more and more like its Windows-based competitors.
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{"commentId":2289768,"authorDomain":"freed"}
I've definitely had more problems the last year or so
{"commentId":2289768,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"freed"}
- 2 votes
#1 - Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:34 PM EDT{"commentId":2312270,"authorDomain":"Exergames"}
{"commentId":2312288,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}
I always thought Apple was all about form not function nowadays? There is certainly a designer price tag associated with the brand.
Nothing could be further from the truth...
{"commentId":2312288,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2313382,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Nothing could be further from the truth...
Thats no kidding. With the PC, I had a ton of books and used them on a regular basis also, when I bought my imac, I bought a single book "Switching to Apple" that give me the differences between the two systems and other then an advanced PhotoShop CS3 book. I took it home, plugged it in and never have opened a manual nor needed to, everything just works and is simple to figure out.
I get far more production out of the imac then I ever did from the PC, life is just so much easier and more straightforward and the best part, its way more fun again.
{"commentId":2313382,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2289916,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
However, he noted a recent change: In the past when he called Apple's customer service, he didn't have to wait at all; nowadays, he has to wait several minutes.
Lets see, last time I called HP support it was almost 4 hours....and it still did not work...
I Have had some problems, but not much, sometimes MobleMe has not synced and .mac will be down for a short time, but compared to MSN or Hotmail ? Its been far better as I run both.
However the local Apple Stores are always packed now with so many new users. But still compared to the Windows world, life has been far easier for me.
{"commentId":2289916,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 3 votes
#2 - Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:56 PM EDT{"commentId":2291463,"authorDomain":"freed"}
I don't know, Tedd. Macs used to be so dramatically less trouble-free, and of such higher quality than windows machines, but I don't think the difference is as clear. I am contemplating a switch, but I am sure I'll regret it.
{"commentId":2291463,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"freed"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2292169,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
I have just switched back to Mac 4 months ago from 13 years of straight PC's and going thru 11 PC's and Working professionally in the Windows world and there is no comparison at all for me. While I find the Mac world a little frustrating in the lack of software, the ease of installation, (software) not having to worry about the right driver or the right DLL, not worrying about virus updates or the tons of Windows updates, I can far more done on the Mac then the PC. Take a glance at the Windows Forums one day and look at something like the SP2 or SP3 XP updates and you will see what I mean.
The Mac world I feel spoiled.
{"commentId":2292169,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2303826,"authorDomain":"freed"}
I'm sure you're right, if I switch, I'll regret it.
{"commentId":2303826,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"freed"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2304038,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Believe me, living in Redmond and doing MS support for years and switching to a Mac ? It was just a little scary to me as I had about 3 bookcases full of software and if you Google my name your will find a ton of my comments on how to use this or that Windows based software. So I was going into a bit of an unknown world. However I love the quality of my 24" imac and 17' MacBook Pro, there is nothing close that I had seen in the PC world with all the neat little touches built into both and having the software clean itself up after install was great, no worries about daily virus updates and true plug and play. For my life, it just seems much easier and less hassle. Reading the MobileMe forums, I read about all the mess that some people have run into, but I have not run into any of that other then a few times when the server was down for a few hours.
There are area's of software I wish there were more applications in, like there is nothing in the Mac world like Streets and Trips or MapPoint and that surprises me a little, that would make it nice for my GPS stuff, so I have to use Google Maps, which is OK, but not great, but so far, so good.
{"commentId":2304038,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2318359,"authorDomain":"freed"}
Does google earth cover some of your needs? There are definitely some holes and I can't watch netflix downloads - I don't have much time for movies these days anywats...
{"commentId":2318359,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"freed"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2319253,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Google Earth is OK for looking at views, I have Google Earth professional which gives you the higher resolution (4 times higher) and Google Maps will do a limited routing plan but something like a cheap program lets say Microsoft Streets and Trips, or the Delorme version of it, both will plug directly into any brand GPS and you can enter up to 16,000 stops and plan a trip across the US and it will figure out the best route, give you very detailed maps, lists all the gas stations, and tons of detail if you pick the detailed tab.
I used it for a trip from VA to Seattle and it was great, it figured out the milage, it was exact, it logged into the Internet and found out what roads were closed due to construction and rerouted me around that area, even around Sturgis, as the big Harley Meet was going on, I also plugged in my gas milage and I would warn me when I needed to stop. Plus worked with the GPS all for $29. Also worked on the PC, Windows PDA and Palm PDA.
Next step up is Microsoft Map Point which give the very detailed maps of area's like the hiking type maps with elevations and are very useful for location of cell towers, good places to go sking, places to get good views from (Blue Angels in town this weekend-Would be great for that, but I already know the good spots)
Other then that, I have found most stuff.
{"commentId":2319253,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2345444,"authorDomain":"freed"}
Tedd,
What about on the water? I'm still looking at boats, and the last time I sailed it was with charts - you know paper (it was a while ago:)) - To interact with GPS systems on sailboats do you need a windows based laptop?
{"commentId":2345444,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"freed"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2345521,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
On my sailboat I always used a dedicated GPS just for that as the sailing charts were far more detailed then the software versions. The newer series of Garmin Charts are called Bluewater Maps, and they seems to come in both formats finally. Before it was only PC. Most people just buy a dedicated GPS and skip the charting software as its about the same price and then you don't need the PC.
{"commentId":2345521,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":2345898,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}
Geez, Tedd, this never occurred to me before but you should probably write an article on GPS for boats -- the different options, maybe brand by brand comparisons, etc. this would probably be appreciated by fishermen as well as sport and pleasure boaters.
Just a thought.
{"commentId":2345898,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2346968,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Geez MinnieApolis,
Actually...I have written a few article on GPS already....That was my first real job was the design of the GPS system..So its something that has been around for a long long time with me :-)
I have thought about a Newsvine Version if there was any interest as I do a fair amount of Geocaching and Geotag all my photo's, however I am going to be taking a somewhat long leave here from the vine very soon, so it might be some time before I am back.
{"commentId":2346968,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2355901,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}
Aw, but Tedd, we can't manage without you! A long leave? You going back in the hospital, or just into the Witness Protection Program??? (small joke)
{"commentId":2355901,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2358597,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
ugh,,,awful joke actually...PC term today is "WitSec" sounds less scary, so they say...
yeah after todays mass shootout in the vinecast corral, I think I need that break, and yes, a long hospital routine and after that ? yikes, thats a scary thought.
{"commentId":2358597,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2374783,"authorDomain":"freed"}
Take care brah - still expecting you to sail over in October.
{"commentId":2374783,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"freed"}
{"commentId":2290538,"authorDomain":"douglasq"}
Well, I got help right away at the Dell Genius Bar the other day.
Oh wait....Dell doesn't have ANYTHING comparable to the Apple Store Genius Bar.
Neither does Microsoft.
Sony might for all I know but I didn't want to go into their totally empty and dark retail store complete with throbbing dance music for no one's benefit.
{"commentId":2290538,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"douglasq"}
- 2 votes
#3 - Sun Jul 27, 2008 12:39 AM EDT{"commentId":2290566,"authorDomain":"jasengroves"}
Apple: the new Microsoft.
But seriously, Apple might have it's problems, here or there, but they are WAY better than your other options. Fortunately for me, Milwaukee, WI has two apple stores, and which is a lot for a small town, so they're never busy. BUT I haven't had to go to one in about two years to see it's service department. But I think that's a testament to Apple in itself: I haven't had an actual problem with either of my Macs for over two years. PLUS, the last problem I had with a Mac, THEY fixed for FREE and didn't ask any questions. No matter how bad Apple gets, they'll still be better than ANY of their competitors.
I'm sorry rant, but here I go: I'll take here-or-there problems with Mac or MobileMe over the flaming piles of crap that any PC offers. Maybe I'm biased, because my G4 PowerPC has run for nearly five years now, and it has NEVER had a problem, which is leaps and bound better than the last FOUR (!) PC's that I had to replace annually before I switched (which, to this today was the best technological move I've made). My iMac has only needed a power supply replaced a few years back, and they took care of it with minimal paper work. I had to sign my name once addressing the issue, and it was over. I'd like to see your local Best Buy or Circuit City do something like that. Apple still cares, even if they screw up, they still care. And, believe me, they're working on fixing any problem with MoblieMe, the iPhone, or what ever next best thing they roll out. Just because something new has a few hiccups doesn't mean it will remain that way forever. Apple cares more about evolution, MS cares about nothing but money.
{"commentId":2290566,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"jasengroves"}
- 1 vote
#4 - Sun Jul 27, 2008 12:43 AM EDT{"commentId":2290575,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
I Think Dell is about the only computer I never owned actually, but most people I have talked with have been pretty happy with them. Never owned a Gateway either. But tons of HP's, Compaqs and one big disaster a Sony Vaio laptop...one of the first one's..
{"commentId":2290575,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
- 2 votes
#5 - Sun Jul 27, 2008 12:45 AM EDT{"commentId":2291776,"authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}
I think the most important thing Apple needs to do to break through to more consumers is to open up so that 3rd party applications run easily (and legitimately) on their products. When your customer base is fan-boys you can get away with limited options, but not if you want to reach the millions that are used to Windows and Linux.
{"commentId":2291776,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}
- 1 vote
#6 - Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:11 AM EDT{"commentId":2301114,"authorDomain":"masternav"}
Heh. Continous, quarter over quarter +30% growth in the PC sector, far outstripping any other PC manufacturer in that growth profile - that is some fan-boy base you seem to disregard. While it is true that there are billions of PCs in use (including all PCs everywhere regardless of use, which in fact dilutes the statistics as Apple only actively competes in the consumer/prosumer markets) an excess of 22 million Macs in use (and apparently increasing as indicated above) seems to be a rather large fan base. I don't think given the market numbers reported that Apple has to "break through" to consumers - it seems they are "getting it". The only thing that doesn't need to run on a Mac is the incredibly diverse and pervasive crap that gets passed off as applications for the PC market. The large volume of applications argument loses a lot of steam when you do a careful analysis based on quality and useability of those products, and discover that there are far more application of dubious merit than truly good quality ones. You can bury a pile of gold in a manure heap - but you still have to dig through all that manure to get to it.
{"commentId":2301114,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"masternav"}
- 1 vote
#7 - Mon Jul 28, 2008 1:11 PM EDT{"commentId":2302085,"authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}
I take your point, but many users want to install the crap you refer to. Sure, the numbers and tests show that Apple have many great, stable products. But people want more, and want to be able to develop their own stuff.
Part of the reason Apple is so successful is because they are the only ones making Apple computers. But I believe the time is coming where they will be even more successful if they open up.
{"commentId":2302085,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":2302232,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}
I think the most important thing Apple needs to do to break through to more consumers is to open up so that 3rd party applications run easily (and legitimately) on their products.
There are thousands upon thousands of quality 3rd party applications that run easily and legitimately on Apple products. Not sure where you got the idea that only Apple software runs on Apple computers???
Having switched from Windows to Mac OS 2 years ago, and as a power user, I can honestly say the number of high quality 3rd party software (free, shareware, and commercial) is much better than it ever was when I was strictly in the Windows world.
And anyone can develop applications for Mac OS. If you're a developer, pick up a good book on Cocoa and get started coding! It's far easier for a single individual to write a high-quality app and have it spread like wildfire through the user base in the Mac world than it is in the Windows world. Why? Because the user base is passionate about good software, and the technology blogs will cover your nifty new app (if it's good) getting you unbelievable exposure. Sure, it happens in the Windows world, too, but there's so much more cruft to sift through many of the good apps get lost in the shuffle.
{"commentId":2302232,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":2303930,"authorDomain":"freed"}
But I believe the time is coming where they will be even more successful if they open up.
They tried that already, and had to hire Jobs back to keep from going under - it was a disaster.
{"commentId":2303930,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"freed"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":2306563,"authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}
Ok, I'll take your guys word for it :)
{"commentId":2306563,"threadId":"320377","contentId":"1698371","authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}
- 1 vote
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