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I don't see this as a PR stunt at all, this goes to one of Apple's core values. Apple's very good at marketing, if this were a PR stunt they would have large br

by mythz 10y ago

I don't see this as a PR stunt at all, this goes to one of Apple's core values. Apple's very good at marketing, if this were a PR stunt they would have large brand building ads and little substance, whereas this initiative requires a lot of resources, logistics and investments to run and are offering it for free. Since Tim took over Apple's been doing a lot more towards "We want to leave the world better than we found it". Eventually I expect it will be good for Apple's bottom line long-term, but this follows their theme (e.g. Swift playgrounds, WWDC Scholarships) of helping teach more kids how to code. Personally I think Apple wants to attract students, because they prefer that demographic. There would be a lot more money to be made going after Enterprise wallets than spending it on free programs for cash-poor students. Basically under Tim's leadership I'm expecting Apple to invest a lot in: Green Energy, Kids Education, Privacy, Diversity. Not because it's good for their bottom line, but because they think it's the right thing to do.

CPLX 10y ago
Perhaps add privacy to that list as well. Hopefully.
- mythz 10y ago
  Updated, thx. Yeah that's definitely one of their core values.
MarkPNeyer 10y ago
> Not because it's good for their bottom line, but because they think it's the right thing to do. I agree with the op but want to take this one step further. When you're apple's size, perhaps what's good IS good for your bottom line, in the long term. Can you really grow a company when most people are too poor to afford your products? No, you really can't. Will apple do better if there are many more people with disposable income enough to buy more apple products? I think so. Maybe spending money on education and fixing the environment are necessary for them if they want to keep growing. I'm not saying this to be cynical - i'm saying this because if it's true, it doesn't actually matter whether this is a dollars and cents calculation.
vacri 10y ago
Going after the educational market is an ancient tactic of Apple's. If you get people using your product in schools, then when they get out into the real world and purchase their own $thing, they'll likely choose the one they're familiar with. Educational discounts for tech companies aren't really altruism - they're usually considered a loss-leader. This happens in other arenas as well - for example, part of the reason why the religious right is so strong in the US at the moment is due to a lot of grass-roots work done in the 80s and 90s on school boards; playing the long game with the next generation. It's a tactic that was openly acknowledged in the 80s, and it's paid off for them.

by mythz 10y ago

CPLX 10y ago

Perhaps add privacy to that list as well. Hopefully.

mythz 10y ago
Updated, thx. Yeah that's definitely one of their core values.

MarkPNeyer 10y ago

> Not because it's good for their bottom line, but because they think it's the right thing to do. I agree with the op but want to take this one step further. When you're apple's size, perhaps what's good IS good for your bottom line, in the long term. Can you really grow a company when most people are too poor to afford your products? No, you really can't. Will apple do better if there are many more people with disposable income enough to buy more apple products? I think so. Maybe spending money on education and fixing the environment are necessary for them if they want to keep growing. I'm not saying this to be cynical - i'm saying this because if it's true, it doesn't actually matter whether this is a dollars and cents calculation.

vacri 10y ago

Going after the educational market is an ancient tactic of Apple's. If you get people using your product in schools, then when they get out into the real world and purchase their own $thing, they'll likely choose the one they're familiar with. Educational discounts for tech companies aren't really altruism - they're usually considered a loss-leader. This happens in other arenas as well - for example, part of the reason why the religious right is so strong in the US at the moment is due to a lot of grass-roots work done in the 80s and 90s on school boards; playing the long game with the next generation. It's a tactic that was openly acknowledged in the 80s, and it's paid off for them.