npsimons's Journal: Note to self: Don't bait the Apple fanboys

So, I saw the article bemoaning the American cell phone markets' lag behind the Japanese. The thing that caught my eye was the reference to the iPhone. "Finally!" I thought, "someone besides me who sees through the hype and realizes that the iPhone doesn't bring anything new to the field."

I should have just let it go, but this is something that really bugs me about Apple supporters: they think that Apple invented everything first, that Apple makes the best of everything and that Apple can do no wrong. I respect and admire Steve Wozniak; I recognize that Apple's products are ideal for some people; but the whole worship thing has got to go. Apple fanboys don't realize that Apple isn't perfect, their products aren't right for everyone, and no, they aren't the innovators they make themselves out to be.

So I posted a slightly inflammatory comment (I admit the words "copycat", "fuck" and "toy" could have probably been left out). But I still think the meat of my comment was spot on: Apple is not first to market with a multi-function smartphone, and they are very similar to Microsoft.

The first mod was "Insightful", so either one of my fans was looking out for me, or somebody else actually realized "hey, I can do everything the iPhone can with my phone!". The next was a "Redundant", which might be honestly fair due to the fact that others had mentioned the whole cell phone monopoly. Then the next was a "Troll", which honestly, I wasn't trolling, so I figure it's a Mac zealot. Big surprise.

But then, I actually got a response. A halfway reasonable response! Which I was little quick with the flamethrower to counter, I'll admit. But after people start misdirecting and putting words in my mouth, the kid gloves come off.

What's this all leading to you might ask? Well, for one thing, I knew I was going to piss some Apple fanboys off. And I'm not one of those malicious people who likes to spread hate and discomfort just for fun. But more importantly, I think exercise makes me more aggressive and likely to pick fights. I guess the only solution is to stop reading slashdot and go climbing more often. Probably be better for my health and the blood pressure of others. Besides, Apple could start making iPhones out of dead babies and their fans would say "Apple's being so environmentally responsible by recycling!". There's nothing I can do to convince them Apple doesn't have their best interests in mind, or that they aren't innovative, or that there might be better alternatives to Apple out there.

This has been bugging me since the first adverts

[Marxist Hacker 42]

My two year old TMobile MDA does everything the IPhone does and then some- I've yet to see Word or Excel compatible office software, and I can actually go without the data plan since Portland has a downtown-wide WiFi cloud.

Re:This has been bugging me since the first advert

[Captain Splendid]

And I'll say to you what I said to everybody else with the same comment. If there's all these phones that do everything the iPhone does, and more, where's their ad? How come Apple has been the only one to figure how to advertise such a phone? I hate cellphones, still don't own one (praise Allah!), and the first time I saw an iPhone ad, I started to drool. I know this has nothing to do with what a phone can do, but if Apple's the only corp that knows effective advertising and marketing, they still deserv

Re:

[Marxist Hacker 42]

And I'll say to you what I said to everybody else with the same comment. If there's all these phones that do everything the iPhone does, and more, where's their ad? How come Apple has been the only one to figure how to advertise such a phone?

Both T-Mobile and Verizon have advertised their high-end phones around here- but maybe it's because I'm in the Silicon Forest where there would be a high number of early adopters.

I hate cellphones, still don't own one (praise Allah!), and the first time I saw an iPh

Re:

[npsimons]

So let me get this straight: it doesn't matter if there are superior products already pre-existing, the only thing that counts is that Apple advertises better? By that yardstick, Microsoft and McDonalds are the best companies in their respective markets!

As a sidenote: I find it very interesting that so far, no one can answer (or perhaps admit the obvious answer to) two simple questions: can the iPhone do everything that other smartphones can? Does the iPhone bring anything new to the market? So far, I've

Re:

[Captain Splendid]

So let me get this straight: it doesn't matter if there are superior products already pre-existing, the only thing that counts is that Apple advertises better? By that yardstick, Microsoft and McDonalds are the best companies in their respective markets!

In this capitalistic market, yes they are. Also, you're misunderstanding where I'm coming from. I'm not a fanboy, I just believe Apple gets what they deserve. There's something like 150 years of polling/marketing/advertising data and experience out th

Environmentally responsible

[benhocking]

Besides, Apple could start making iPhones out of dead babies and their fans would say "Apple's being so environmentally responsible by recycling!".

Well, you have to admit, that would be environmentally responsible. (Disclaimer: my first experience with a Mac, in the late 80's, left a bad taste in my mouth that still hasn't completely washed out. It's irrational, but it's there.)

Re:

[npsimons]

Well, you have to admit, that would be environmentally responsible.

Don't get me wrong; I'm not against stem cell research or the whole idea of "waste not, want not", and it would be environmentally responsible ;) Maybe I should have phrased it as "killing babies to make iPhones". Ah well, I'll let it stand as I wrote it.

sorry man

[ak3ldama]

i just want to say that it is easy for the mac freaks to make your /. experience suck. the alternative is to rarely/never read or post on the apple articles. it has made my time on /. much more palatable.