If you were Apple, what tricks would you utilize to increase the sales of your latest product?
If you know corporations, you'd know they use any possible trick they can as a generality to increase their profit: think of how huge a factor it would make in the sale of new iPhones if the old ones became slower.
People have made the anecdotal observation that their Apple products become much slower right before the release of a new model.
Now, a Harvard student's study has done what any person with Google Trends could do, and pointed out that Google searches for "iPhone slow" spiked multiple times, just before the release of a new iPhone each time.
The study was performed by student Laura Trucco. The study also compared the results to "Samsung Galaxy slow," and found that the same spike in searches did not occur before the release of a new Samsung phone.
This isn't the first time the theory has been put forth. Surprisingly a New York Times writer suggested Apple might configure its new operating systems to only really work properly on new devices.
Writer Catherine Rampell said:
The public has to get wise to the way corporations generally operate. They hire efficiency experts and people who can maximize the profit made from any product they produce. Not every corporation is the same, but the inherent incentive must be understood, or people will continuously be played by the corporations.When major innovations remain out of reach, and degrading durability threatens to tick off loyal customers, companies like Apple can still take a cue from the fashion industry.
Reader Comments
This is their attempt to correct their image.
AFTER they got caught using nefarious sources for their minerals and having wretched working conditions..
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At least the other tech companies that make consumer end electronics do NOT try so hard to have the facade of being the clear choice of the scholarly, progressive, artistic, and anyone who just really cares about innovation in general. They just try to look "cool" Most sad is that people eat up that Apple marketing like none other while actually contributing to the issues that they think they care about. OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND is truly the modern consumer's way of life.
(1) Devices are designed to run till warranty is over (expected 18-36 months).
(2) There is a kill-switch. So a device can self-destruct via remote control. This is sold as an anti-theft mechanism.
(3) Forcing design to ensure devices cannot be repaired. If you try to repair I've been told it is very easy to breakdown and be useless. This coming from an electronic engineer that knows how the hardware parts are meant to work.
(4) Warranty does not cover a device hardware being manipulated. When you go to the shop asking for repairs: there is no such service. You buy a new one, and if you're in their database, a discount could be offered.
(5) The operating system design is tweaked so when you switch to another system, it works differently. The mouse has more than one button. Switching from one window or tab to another works differently. This is kinda psychologic programming, you learn to use their devices, not any other, no compatibility means difficult for a customer to leave.
The summary: it uses excellent strategies to extract as much money as possible. To ensure in few years more products will be sold when previous models breakdown.
See at: [Link]
I quote myself there:
It should be pretty clear the company strategy is to ensure a monopoly. Not to blame the company though. Countries regulations seems to allow that. The fault here is on the ignorance of consumers that do not understand the power they really have by banning any spending on bad companies. ¿Do anyone remember the symbolic story behind Adam and Eve biting a poisoned apple? The same symbol used as the company branding logo. They even do not hide it. It is in plain sight. But people is so ignorant, that do not understand the meaning. Consumers that bite, get trapped, and they deserve the pain for their bad choices.
Wow
But alas, we know non of this is in peoples interests, its in corporate interests. They don't want you to be self sufficient! Because if you are, what do you need them for?! I digress
Apple is just another evil corporate entity hidden behind a hipster cutesy curtain. And the tools who wait in line to buy a product and play dress-up of their demigod Steve Jobs are the perfect example of how they want the population to be. Worship money, fame and the company.
This short video will crack you up
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Or maybe this
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I must be one of those apple fools you speak of though, I'm on my iPhone right now. I'm the only person in my family with an apple product and I've NEVER had a problem with any of my (3) iPhones while my Samsung wielding family members all have issues with battery, connectivity, failing apps and hardware and lack of general hardiness.
I'll still happily through it off a bridge if the moment hit me and I felt compelled to do so..