Not Thinking about Thoughts on Music
Posted by Pat Nakajima | Friday, February 23, 2007 3:35 PM PT
Over on Digital Media Wire, a piece written by Rohit Bhargava lets us know the 3 Big Reasons why he isn’t an “Apple Enthusiast.” After reading the now canonical “Thoughts on Music” from the book of Jobs, he felt compelled to expose what he felt to be some of Apple’s biggest weaknesses. His three key arguments:
- “Aside from product design, money comes first”
- “Two sided approach to DRM”
- “Spoiled brat reputation for business”
The first argument tries to take Apple to task for the fact that “when it comes to marketing products - moneymaking seems to come first.” Disregarding the strange hyphenation scheme used, I’m still inclined to disagree with his argument. Not that Apple’s marketing is designed to make money, but that there is absolutely anything wrong with that. Of course Apple’s product marketing puts money first,
that’s what marketing is for! He compares Apple to the Greenpeace movement to get Apple to be more environmentally friendly. Perhaps it’s wise to consider the fact that Apple is a corporation that was created in order to sell products, as opposed to Greenpeace, which was created, so far as I can tell, to provide opinions to people who don’t feel like forming their own. So the differences in their marketing goals would tend to be a bit different, no?
On to Argument 2. He criticizes Apple’s closed DRM system. The favorite talking point of those who haven’t really given the situation the thought or evaluation it needs. I’m not going to waste the space on it.
And Argument 3. Apparently wanting control over its products and PR causes Apple to be a spoiled brat, though I’d just be inclined to call it effective branding. Nobody is doting on Apple. It doesn’t have a sugar daddy. Instead, Apple has clear objectives, and asserts itself as needed to accomplish these.
It’s fine if people aren’t Apple enthusiasts. I just wish they’d give it a bit more thought sometimes.
Hell, they don't need to give it thought...unless they're going to list the reasons.
Thanks for commenting on my post and sharing your thoughts. Just to clarify a few points and respond to your post:
1. My point about moneymaking is not to say that they shouldn't be in business to make money. Of course they should. But as anyone who has walked into an Apple store knows, you are paying double for the branding and design on Apple accessories like power cords, cables and connectors, and so on. Losing the charger was another example - which is why they sell it separately for nearly $40 now. My view on the Greenpeace campaign is that it calls out Apple for marketing itself as a leader in the environmental area without actually living up to it. I'm no big believer in everything they do, but in this they do have a point.
2. I understand that it's easier to blame the DRM situation on the studios, however Apple has a hand here - in closing their DRM technology to others. As I stated in a response to a comment on my post - I don't buy Jobs explanation in his essay of a fear of hacking keeping Apple from opening this into an industry standard.
3. Wanting control over marketing and PR is not the issue. Every company wants that. Keeping a strangle hold on it through such archaic policies as strict rules for employees keeping them from participating in social media and online discussions openly is holding Apple back. Just imagine how much more Apple could do if they embraced social media beyond publishing an essay or two on their site.
I know many people will disagree with my view on Apple - and I certainly appreciate that. But with all due respect, to suggest that anyone publishing criticism of Apple does so without thinking about it isn't quite true.
Except you're wrong, Rohit. Apple doesn't advertise itself as an environmental leader. Now you might be confused because such a role is in keeping with Apple's image, and I agree. However, you'd be hard pressed to find an ad that suggest Apple is a paragon of environmental ideals.
I disagree that accessories cost 2x as much. Maybe 50%. Or amazingly cheap (check out the HDMI cables). If you are suggesting $40 is expensive for a charger, I just checked Dell's site--how does $100 sound?