Many consumers have a tumultuous relationship with this tech giant, and I’ve always speculated about why that is.
Consider AirPods; Apple had the nerve to debut wireless headphones just months after removing the headphone jack from their phones. What’s more remarkable is how AirPods evolved from an ironic purchase into a resounding financial success. Is Apple effortlessly changing the mainstream and bringing out our inner hypocrite? The answer is clearly yes, but I want to look at how the company got here and what obstacles stand in its way.
The Ecosystem
Apple integrates all of its products and services using threads such as iMessage and AirDrop. Once you realize you’ve received a text from your iPhone, you can respond to the message on your MacBook. In a world where convenience is becoming synonymous with good, this continuity is welcome.
The ecosystem can be most enticing when you need to upgrade and already own at least one Apple product. It’s a necessary investment, so spending money is inevitable. Apple has reasonably powerful hardware, but connectivity is where it puts Android to shame. This is the entry point. By adding one device, you’ve built the ecosystem.
It’s not an airtight enclosure, but it comes with some annoyances. Apple’s lightning cable chargers are only compatible with Apple products, and they cost anywhere from 25 to 45 dollars. Cross-platform services such as Google lessen the blow of leaving the ecosystem, but adjusting to a life without Apple almost demands a new mindset. All the mini luxuries disappear, and you may need to fend off thoughts of returning.
Products
Whenever Apple doesn’t innovate, it crystallizes. On November 10, 2020, Apple announced the M1 MacBooks. For the first time, Apple would design a chip specifically for Mac. The company promised significant speed, thermal, and battery improvements for the same price as the Intel-based predecessors. Apple lived up to every ambitious claim and now boasts a lineup of two excellent computers.
IOS 14 took strides in customization, allowing users to overhaul home screen layouts. The new operating system was practical. Thanks to widgets, you can see your to-do list the instant you unlock your phone. IOS 14 also had a secondary, more understated effect. It fostered a sense of community among Apple users. People flocked to social media, sharing their unique creations. My personal favourites are soft and classy and just for doodles.
Other times, greed prevails. Apple admitted to slowing down older phones to protect the batteries. They received universal backlash, as well as a 113 million dollar fine. The company failed to be transparent with customers. To many, the battery explanation was a pretense, and it was much more plausible that Apple was slowing down your old phone so you would buy a new one. Apple has also become somewhat of a poster child for cutting corners. Most recently, Apple sold the iPhone 12 without a charging brick.
The Verdict
Arrogance is an integral part of Apple’s identity. It fuelled innovation and transformed technology on a massive scale, but perhaps it left some blind spots. Some suspect that Apple has peaked, and its anti-consumer practices are a result of senility. These criticisms are valid, but maybe we are only disillusioned because Apple set the bar so high in the first place. Apple has the capital to do anything. The question is if they owe it to us.
Great points, Grace! I loved reading this 🙂