I really don’t get the latest round of Apple bashing. It all began with the debacle of the Google Voice app not being accepted into the iTunes App store a couple of weeks ago. Why is it so difficult for people, especially tech savvy business people, to understand why Google Voice was rejected? The answer seems obvious to me… it is designed to replicate native functionality of the iPhone (making and receiving phone calls and SMS) that Apple/AT&T don’t want other apps to reproduce. It makes perfect sense to me since this would adversely affect AT&T’s bottom line. It is a business after all, and the fact that they don’t want people bypassing their mobile network via VOIP calls is pretty logical. While no one knows for sure yet, there seem to be pretty good arguments for both Apple and AT&T not wanting Google Voice running on their respective platforms. At the end of the day it will probably result in some licensing agreement between, Apple, AT&T, and Google with a varied option of services that, most likely, would include a premium for using Google Voice the way it was intended (on the iPhone).
I, for one, find it pretty amusing that even some very reputable tech bloggers and entrepreneurs like Om Malik, Michael Arrington, and Jason Calacanis are lashing out at Apple and droping their beloved products. It actually reminds me of when people lash out about democracy. Is it perfect, no. But, further to Winston Churchill, “It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.” While the context is completely different the same rules apply. Speaking of government, there are actually some pretty good parallels between Apple and The United States. For instance, The U.S. is home to only 4% of the world’s population, but it is one of the world’s leading power houses. Similarly, Apple’s Mac line-up holds only 10% of the personal computing market and the iPhone has captured just 8% of the mobile market, yet Apple is a (if not, the) leader in both arenas - in terms of technology.
I also think that adopting Google products to replace Apple’s is an even bigger joke. Google is an unbelievable company, with phenomenal products… There is no doubt about that. But, to say that their software products outperform those of Apple is downright elementry. Tech leaders and experts will really change their Operating Sytem, Browser, and multiple desktop & mobile applications in favor of a web company over a proven technology leader? I hear all the cries but the proof is in the pudding. When you can show me benchmark tests of Chrome OS beating Mac OS X running Adobe CS4 apps then maybe I’ll start paying attention. Or, perhaps, letting us know how ditching your iPhone for anything that can run Google Voice has really improved your life AND productivity level. Again, I’m a huge fan of Google and a majority of their products but, I’m not about to throw away tried and tested platforms, that have been evolving for decades by one the highest regarded technology companies in the world, for new open source ones. It’s one thing when you’re talking about web applications and a whole other ballgame when you’re talking operating systems.
Another aspect to these “expert” bashing sessions that I find surprising is that they all seem to think what’s best for them is best for you. We all use computers and mobile devises differently, for work and to manage our digital lifestyle. What’s best for me isn’t necessarily best for you. Whenever somebody asks me for advice on what kind of computer or mobile device they should get, I always start off with the following question: “What are your primary uses for the device?” For example, I see no reason why someone in the financial industry would prefer a Mac over a PC. Just like I couldn’t see a film/video editor, or music producer, or graphic designer prefer a PC over a Mac. (For better or worse, it is the naked truth… different industries have adopted different platforms to adhere to their business structure.) Sure, the iPhone isn’t perfect and currently its biggest downside/hindrance is AT&T. But, like it’s big brothers - and democracy - it is the best option out there, for me.
UPDATE:
A couple of interesting direct responses to Jason Calacanis’s - The Case Against Apple-in Five Parts.
The Case In Favor of Apple -– in Five Parts - Courtesy of The Cult of Mac
The Case Against Apple Is Just As Much A Case For Apple - From TechCrunch
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