OK, those points are fair but still very presumptuous. You are assuming that ALL the users of iPods/iPhones/iPads are blabbering idiots who bought the device as a fashion statement. I own an iPod classic. Not because it's a fashion statement, but because it is simply the best large capacity PMP on the market. I love the software and I adore the click wheel, I think it works excellently for it's purpose and yes, it's a great looking piece of tech. Does that, by your definition, make me a blabbering idiot incapable of making informed buying decisions?
If every user would have asked around or looked around to compare players or even TRIED an iPod before buying one, you'd have a point, but they don't, so you don't. I know too many Apple users thanks to being in the graphics industry and they share so many similarities - especially the casual users - and they just buy blindly and won't concern themselves what their device can or can't do.
Look, when you buy a device without looking or asking for alternatives, but simply for that one product without having ever used it, something is wrong. As good as you may like the iPod, most would have been equally happy with another player which does everything they need for a lot less money and in my book, saving money is a good thing.
When asking why they buy one, it's ALWAYS one of the following:
- it looks cool
- they're the best, aren't they?
- it's fashionable
What you say is *maybe* true for a quarter of the market share but don't kid yourself - the rest is pure brand recognition. I'm sorry, but your exceptions won't prove what I've seen all over the Internet and with all the people I've met with Apple gear.
A girl upstairs has an iPhone and the battery died completely and she now lost all her details on the phone. I asked her what she used the phone for because I was curious how bad the loss of data was and she told me "just phoning and messaging". This is the most recent response that I recall that is typical of any Apple user I know.
Equally, when a person may argue their iPhone is better, that is down to their personal choice. It may in fact be true; the iPhone may be a better device for their needs. I don't see why that should make your blood boil? How can a persons choice of smartphone, that doesn't effect you in any way, possibly illicit such a reaction? Unless you are somehow insecure about your own buying choice, and so feel it necessary to defend your decision at every opportunity?
Can you not read? I thought my English wasn't that bad. I made it VERY clear that it concerned people who don't have a clue what they're buying, have no clue what the alternatives are, have no clue what the advantages/disadvantages are, and who DON'T CARE. It could be a turd in a box and they'd still buy it - that's what annoys me.
Did you ever stop for a second and think that for non-technically minded people the LAST thing they want to do is actually think about these sorts of things? All the confusing jargon and pushy sales people in the phone stores, all the choice of networks/providers, contracts and talk plans. We live in a world where people, quite literally, have better things to do than spend hours researching and debating whether iOS or Android is the better choice for them. They see how simple it is, they see the marketing, they have a play in the Apple stores and they realise how painless the whole process can be with an iPhone. So they buy it and it makes their lives that little bit more exciting/productive/entertaining and they think it's the most wonderful thing in the world.
You're basically saying "People are so ignorant, they'll just hop on the brand they recognise the most to make it easy" which is ... what I just said and you disagreed.
Well done. How's the foot you just shot yourself in? That's my whole points - people go for Apple not because it's the better choice but because they're led to believe it's the ONLY choice for whatever reason.
And my Desire worked perfectly out of the box. I can't see how an iPhone is any simpler for basic use. I passed it on to my father's girlfriend who is a technophobe and she was impressed and managed to surf and use the apps with ease.
You may think the car driving comment of mine is ridiculous, but it isn't. A car with manual transmission is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY more complex to drive than using the Desire for basic tasks. Do you honestly claim the opposite?
