4 ms·

Off the cuff social theory, FWIW (not too much, but interesting to consider more generally): My guess is that the real issue and discussion is a subtext, that A

Off the cuff social theory, FWIW (not too much, but interesting to consider more generally): My guess is that the real issue and discussion is a subtext, that Apple has lost its cache, and that people are testing and exploring the shape and boundaries of the new social dynamic/norm around Apple. How far has their social position slipped? If I say X will I get a strong response, or is it going too and will it receive a negative response, or does it go not far enough and will it seem bland and be ignored. It's like gossip - or it is actually gossip. It's the currency (or securities market) of social status. I used to follow a sports team where the head coach and one chief assistant were beloved. I said that if they don't play well then the other chief assistant is in trouble, because he had little reputation with the fans and would be blamed by process of elimination, whether or not it was his fault. Sure enough, despite undeniable, simple evidence that his area of responsibility was performing well (points are a very easy metric), he got the blame and then the shaft. If Jobs was still around, unconventional decisions would be seen much more positively; Cook and Apple no longer have that cache and now their position will be tested until their new social position is established.

overgard 10y ago
I can only speak for myself, but I dont really buy it. As early as two years ago I was super excited to buy the retina iMac, and my perception of the company then was about the same as it is now. I think this new generation of products has just had too many issues, and apple gets judged more harshly because the tight lockdown of their ecosystem makes moving harder. If dell came out with a bad laptop I can go buy an HP, but if apple comes out with a bad laptop I have to switch all my software.
- jeffjose 10y ago
  Tight lockdown of their ecosystem should make it easier not harder. A more open company, such as Microsoft, would have customers that use all sorts of compatible devices and accessories to worry about. One could argue Apple has it easy. Most people use their devices in predictable configuration.
  - ajmurmann 10y ago
    I think the OP's usage of "harder" was about the consumer situation if the company screws up and not the challenge for the company.
- TylerE 10y ago
  My opinion of Apple is about the same as it was two years ago. My confidence in that opinion is much solidified. The ship is tilting, the fruit rotting.
- x0x0 10y ago
  And Apple charges high prices. Being nickel and dimed for connector cables is one thing if you buy a $500 Dell. When you buy a 15 inch laptop that starts at $2400 (with a never upgradeable, tiny 256G hard drive) pre tax, pre service plan, expectations are higher. My solution was to buy the last gen mid 2015 mbp.
jodrellblank 10y ago
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/cachet http://www.dictionary.com/browse/cachet ?
- hackuser 10y ago
  I guess that's the sign I've been in the IT business too long. I meant, of course, that they've exhausted their cache of cachet. <ahem>
angry_octet 10y ago
> Apple has lost its cache, Maybe they have cached their cachet.
xenadu02 10y ago
Apple is always beleaguered. Apple has always had hardware issues and software issues from time to time. Apple has always had the occasional product mis-step. Have people forgotten the G4 Cube? The white plastic MacBook? The 17" MBP GPU recall? What about iCloud CoreData? MobileMe? The iTunes installer bug that nuked your home directory? There is a super-serious case of rose-tinted glasses going on here. I think you're right - this is just the herd trying to decide which new opinion to coalesce around. iCloud Photo Library works and works reliably for me every day. Apple Maps has much higher resolution satellite photos of SF than Google Maps and its transit directions are superior, giving specific exit numbers. The new MBP has a wicket fast storage subsystem, something that will make far more difference to far more people than a hypothetical 32GB of RAM. I don't buy the doom and gloom.
- SocratesV 10y ago
  And a +1 here. Would just add that we also need to look at the offer of product lines that Apple provides to better understand their decisions. Also, IMO, people are becoming more and more desensitised, always expecting big leaps in innovation and specs and not noticing the small steps, cornerstones of the vision Apple has for its user's experience.
- addicted 10y ago
  "I live in San Francisco and I have no problems at all with my Macs" sounds like an explanation of all the problems with the Mac.
- dagw 10y ago
  I don't buy the doom and gloom. Agreed. Even as someone rather disappointed with the new MBPs, I don't think for a second that this will have slightest effect on Apple's long term health.

overgard 10y ago

I can only speak for myself, but I dont really buy it. As early as two years ago I was super excited to buy the retina iMac, and my perception of the company then was about the same as it is now. I think this new generation of products has just had too many issues, and apple gets judged more harshly because the tight lockdown of their ecosystem makes moving harder. If dell came out with a bad laptop I can go buy an HP, but if apple comes out with a bad laptop I have to switch all my software.

jeffjose 10y ago
Tight lockdown of their ecosystem should make it easier not harder. A more open company, such as Microsoft, would have customers that use all sorts of compatible devices and accessories to worry about. One could argue Apple has it easy. Most people use their devices in predictable configuration.
- ajmurmann 10y ago
  I think the OP's usage of "harder" was about the consumer situation if the company screws up and not the challenge for the company.
TylerE 10y ago
My opinion of Apple is about the same as it was two years ago. My confidence in that opinion is much solidified. The ship is tilting, the fruit rotting.
x0x0 10y ago
And Apple charges high prices. Being nickel and dimed for connector cables is one thing if you buy a $500 Dell. When you buy a 15 inch laptop that starts at $2400 (with a never upgradeable, tiny 256G hard drive) pre tax, pre service plan, expectations are higher. My solution was to buy the last gen mid 2015 mbp.

jodrellblank 10y ago

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/cachet http://www.dictionary.com/browse/cachet ?

hackuser 10y ago
I guess that's the sign I've been in the IT business too long. I meant, of course, that they've exhausted their cache of cachet. <ahem>

angry_octet 10y ago

> Apple has lost its cache, Maybe they have cached their cachet.

xenadu02 10y ago

Apple is always beleaguered. Apple has always had hardware issues and software issues from time to time. Apple has always had the occasional product mis-step. Have people forgotten the G4 Cube? The white plastic MacBook? The 17" MBP GPU recall? What about iCloud CoreData? MobileMe? The iTunes installer bug that nuked your home directory? There is a super-serious case of rose-tinted glasses going on here. I think you're right - this is just the herd trying to decide which new opinion to coalesce around. iCloud Photo Library works and works reliably for me every day. Apple Maps has much higher resolution satellite photos of SF than Google Maps and its transit directions are superior, giving specific exit numbers. The new MBP has a wicket fast storage subsystem, something that will make far more difference to far more people than a hypothetical 32GB of RAM. I don't buy the doom and gloom.

SocratesV 10y ago
And a +1 here. Would just add that we also need to look at the offer of product lines that Apple provides to better understand their decisions. Also, IMO, people are becoming more and more desensitised, always expecting big leaps in innovation and specs and not noticing the small steps, cornerstones of the vision Apple has for its user's experience.
addicted 10y ago
"I live in San Francisco and I have no problems at all with my Macs" sounds like an explanation of all the problems with the Mac.
dagw 10y ago
I don't buy the doom and gloom. Agreed. Even as someone rather disappointed with the new MBPs, I don't think for a second that this will have slightest effect on Apple's long term health.