Overlooked in all the discussions about Apple is the manner in which Apple markets their products. The marketing is not so much as "bait and switch" as "bait and bait". Their most recent porducts have been released lacking certain features, e.g., a camera on the iPad. The idea seems to be to release the product, hype it endlessly as a "must have" item, sell as many as they can, then re-release the product a "newer & enhanced" version and repeat the hype. The iPad could have been released with a built-in camera and other features, but wasn't, for no apparent reason. It is mindful of the business practices of IBM in it's mainframe glory days. A former associate of mine who worked for IBM told me that IBM would create a new improved model of an existing mainframe/opertating system and basically shelve it until its competition caught up to them and then release the "new" version to stifle the competion. Apple seems to operate along the same model. This is one of the main reasons why I do not rush right out and buy the latest technology as it is released; eventually there will be a better, more featured and usually cheaper product in the near future, sometimes from a competing brand. I will pay for good technology but not hype and questionable marketing.
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