Apple are getting a lot of press at the moment for pissing off some major companies, and to a point, their devout fanbase. What's going on?! Is Jobs turning into a paranoid and bitter old man? Let me digress..
The most public is obviously the bloody battle being waged with Google, using HTC as a Stalingrad. The positive relationship between Apple and Google has led to some great things for consumers including integrated maps and search in the iPhone, but now this talk of using Bing instead????? Bing is awful, and siding with Microsoft? WTF? That would be a real step backward for the iPhone. I understand that Steve won't sit by and watch Apple IP being flouted like it is right now, but to go out and use words like 'Google's mantra is BS', and 'I hate Eric Schimdt' is nothing more than unprofessional.
Next comes Adobe and the Flash wars. Steve has made some pretty harsh comments about Adobe including words like 'lazy', and 'no effort with the Mac platform' etc. Again, built-in PDF functionality in the iPhone, Mac and presumably iPad is an often overlooked gem, but how long can Apple bash Flash until that relationship turns sour?
Now Intel, who knows what's going on with the MBP's at the moment, but one thing that remains a hotly discussed topic is the integrated graphics Intel have shoehorned into the Arrandale chips. I very much doubt Apple are happy with being told what they can have in regards to graphics chipsets. Rumours sparked some time ago that Apple might have even reject the base Arrandale architecture and demanded that the IGP be removed. Tantrum much? If Apple and Intel come to blows, who do you think would win out of that cage match? Is the price to be paid for jumping on the mainstream bandwagon Steve's worst nightmare? A slip in CONTROLLLLLLLLLLLL.
Next, I have some very good friends who work for Orange, one of the largest mobile providers in the UK who recently negotiated a deal for the iPhone. They say that Apple are a nightmare to work with, placing rediculous, arrogant demands on their partners, all in the interests of extreme branding, and ultimately, again, control. Right now, they can get away with it because they have the product everyone wants, but this is a very volitile market, and leaving a bunch of burning bridges in your path can't be a smart move.
And finally, to me, the loyal, long-term customer who has been buying Mac products for years without question. What is going on with the product line Apple? It's insulting that we are still being asked the current prices for a bunch of outdated Macbook Pro's.
The question I have, is have Apple been peeing in their own private swimming pool for long enough for people to start noticing? Who would want to live in the yellow stinky pool when there's a whole ocean out there? Who will Apple play with when everyone has packed up and gone home?
The most public is obviously the bloody battle being waged with Google, using HTC as a Stalingrad. The positive relationship between Apple and Google has led to some great things for consumers including integrated maps and search in the iPhone, but now this talk of using Bing instead????? Bing is awful, and siding with Microsoft? WTF? That would be a real step backward for the iPhone. I understand that Steve won't sit by and watch Apple IP being flouted like it is right now, but to go out and use words like 'Google's mantra is BS', and 'I hate Eric Schimdt' is nothing more than unprofessional.
Next comes Adobe and the Flash wars. Steve has made some pretty harsh comments about Adobe including words like 'lazy', and 'no effort with the Mac platform' etc. Again, built-in PDF functionality in the iPhone, Mac and presumably iPad is an often overlooked gem, but how long can Apple bash Flash until that relationship turns sour?
Now Intel, who knows what's going on with the MBP's at the moment, but one thing that remains a hotly discussed topic is the integrated graphics Intel have shoehorned into the Arrandale chips. I very much doubt Apple are happy with being told what they can have in regards to graphics chipsets. Rumours sparked some time ago that Apple might have even reject the base Arrandale architecture and demanded that the IGP be removed. Tantrum much? If Apple and Intel come to blows, who do you think would win out of that cage match? Is the price to be paid for jumping on the mainstream bandwagon Steve's worst nightmare? A slip in CONTROLLLLLLLLLLLL.
Next, I have some very good friends who work for Orange, one of the largest mobile providers in the UK who recently negotiated a deal for the iPhone. They say that Apple are a nightmare to work with, placing rediculous, arrogant demands on their partners, all in the interests of extreme branding, and ultimately, again, control. Right now, they can get away with it because they have the product everyone wants, but this is a very volitile market, and leaving a bunch of burning bridges in your path can't be a smart move.
And finally, to me, the loyal, long-term customer who has been buying Mac products for years without question. What is going on with the product line Apple? It's insulting that we are still being asked the current prices for a bunch of outdated Macbook Pro's.
The question I have, is have Apple been peeing in their own private swimming pool for long enough for people to start noticing? Who would want to live in the yellow stinky pool when there's a whole ocean out there? Who will Apple play with when everyone has packed up and gone home?
