Posts Tagged ‘cell phones’

talkingDigital response to the iPhone brick issue

Well, the Mac loyalists are mad at me again.

Last week I wrote a short commentary on our website about how unsportsmanlike it was for Apple to release an update that broke all of the iPhones that weren’t playing by Apple’s rules.

People who simply wanted to get more out of their new $500 device had that device put completely out of commission by the very company they had paid that money to.

Perhaps I should illustrate my point further.

A few years ago several companies began manufacturing a kit which allowed Toyota Prius users to plug their car into an electrical outlet to charge the hybrid engine, thus increasing the already excellent gas mileage.

Now, imagine how those Toyota users would respond if the company issued a mandatory safety recall on all Prius’ and in the process of installing the new safety features they disabled the electrical system on cars that had the added kit. Not because it posed a safety threat but because Toyota simply didn’t like people tinkering with their cars.

Would this be fair?

This is what Apple has done with the iPhone. It’s dirty. The only reason Apple did it was to teach their customers a lesson about trying to go outside of the Apple circle.

I am not criticizing Apple’s technology, their ease of use or their price, they are wonderful products. I am criticizing the ethics of their business practices.

I hope this settles the issue once and for all.

03

10 2007