Rottin’ Apple (Inc.): Not Biting It
I am a company’s wet dream. I am your early adopter. I am your brand loyalest. I am your biggest brand ambassador. I am a consumer, techie. I like being ahead of the curve, a trend-spotter and trendsetter. Forgive my modesty, but as I continue to think about the evolution of the Apple brand and all of my devotion to it (not to mention $$$) I am becoming increasingly bitter.
It was February 2003 when I anxiously unwrapped my first Apple computer in the back seat of my parents car too excited to wait to get home. I had saved up enough money working at Banana Republic to pay for half of my first Apple product, the iBook. At that time, the conversion to Apple was in its infancy when only the creative types were the ones sitting at Starbucks working on their latest graphic design and Final Cut Pro movie. Admittedly, I was a poser and wanted/needed a new computer as I ventured off to college. Like every new Mac user, it took a little adjusting, but once I fell in love…I really fell hard.
Six months ago, my iBook finally croaked on me. R.I.P. iBook G4 2003-2008. But, it never really died. The monitor simply gave way. I can hear it working, but the monitor doesn’t turn on. So, with the announcement of the new MacBook, I placed my dying iBook in its InCase sleeve and stored it away in my closet. I then went out and bought the new, beautifully designed MacBook to accompany my iPhone 3G. But, because I had been a previous Mac owner and I owned the 3rd Generation iPod (the one with the four buttons before the click wheel) I was never jumping on any bandwagon. I was simply continuing my brand loyalty.
I once loved my Mac products so much because of their longevity and quality. To this day, I am able to listen to my first iPod without a problem and I bought it as a refurbished product (when Apple did refurbished products). But now, with the release of the new iPhone 3G S and Apple’s endless quest to come out with a new product every couple of months, I am beginning to lose respect for its ingenuious designs, advancements and quite frankly— quality. 
I’m beginning to question Apple’s real motivation. Is it still to provide superior and advanced products or have they become so keen on pleasing their investors, board of directors and shareholders that becoming a market leader and trumping their competition is priority number one?
The Apple name is becoming diluted and so are their once well manufactured products. As a former Corporate Communications account exec, I represented publicly trade companies, so I understand the importance of touting the bottom line and driving revenue streams. But at what expense is Apple willing to fore-go some of its greatest brand ambassadors?
- I stood in line the first day to get my hands on the iPhone 3G merely one year ago.
- I paid the $300 and even switched service providers (paying the $250 termination fee) only to find out that the newest version is offered at a fraction of the price.
- I bought the new MacBook only to find out that a month later Apple was offering it at discount to any that were purchased online.
- My iPhone cannot be updated to the new 3.0 software because my computer (which I hardly use) cannot support the back up.
- My iPhone has complications that Apple believes are easily solved by turning the device off and on.
- And I’m beginning to question whether my MacBook will hold out as long as my iBook did…. if some of my friend’s recent experiences with their latest Apple products are any indication, I’m giving it 3 years versus the 5.5 that my iBook lasted.
As a once huge Apple pusher (not unlike a drug pusher), I have started to resent the blatant disregard for us early adopters. The new iPhone 3G S a fraction of what I paid for my iPhone 3G—- Really?
Dear Apple,
Have you learned that by not including search features with every new device you come out with every 6 months that I will probably go out and buy the newest version? For example, no camera feature on the iPhone 3G, in retrospect, seems absolutely ridiculous for such an advanced phone. I suppose you are the smarter one and the joke is on me and my depleting bank account.
You, Apple, should be grateful for people like me. People who go out and stand in a ridiculous line for 3 hours for a phone. But the truth is, there are millions just like me or even NUTTIER than I. More devoted than I and you know this. So, my rant to you could mean squat because once you go Mac—You never go Back— right?
One of the main reasons so many people have come to appreciate you, Apple, was the value behind each of your products. We were paying for quality. We were paying to be a part of the exclusive group of individuals who forge $1500 for a lap top when we could easily purchase a PC at a fraction of the price. Yes, Apple you are smart. Yes, Apple you are the hipster of technology brands. But, Apple your level of coolness has plateaued.
This rant is not to say that I am turning my back on you, which you probably already know thus why you could careless about my minor qualms. But more than anything it is the slow dissipation of my once deep admiration and love for a brand that gave me my first laptop.
In the words of Death Cab for Cutie: “it’s too important to stay the way its been. There’s no blame for how our love did slowly fade. And now that it’s gone, it’s like it wasn’t there at all. And here I rest…where disappoint and regret— collide.”
Sincerely,
Your once admiring fan and estranged lover….
-Druster
