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September 6, 2007

steve_jobs

Real Steve Jobs gets snarky with USA Today

Posted Sep. 6, ’07, 11:13 AM PT by Cyrus Farivar
Category | Apple » Steve Jobs

Real Steve doesn’t always do many media appearances, but here’s a few choice quotes in his recent interview with USA Today:

Q: What do you say to customers who just bought a new iPhone for $599? Sorry?

A: That’s technology. If they bought it this morning, they should go back to where they bought it and talk to them. If they bought it a month ago, well, that’s what happens in technology.

…

Q: You made an interesting joke today when you played Give Peace a Chance by John Lennon and quipped, “That’s when NBC calls.” NBC last week said it would stop selling TV shows on iTunes. How does this affect your company?

A: Overall, it’s zero. Music dominates iTunes. In terms of TV shows, NBC supplied us with 30% of our TV shows, and we love their content. I hope it works itself out over time.

…

Q: Many people already have Beatles music on CDs. Will they really buy it online if they already own it?

A: I do expect them to, yes. That’s been the case with other music, as well.

I own every Bob Dylan album ever, but I buy a lot of it on iTunes, because I guess I’m just too lazy to rip it from the CD.

[via TUAW]


7 Comments

Richard said:

Steve Jobs is asking for a big rebellion with his arrogance on abandoning early adopters of iPhone. His comment shows he is now out of touch with his base and in touch with the marketing 'suits'. This attitude brings to mind the Sculley era.

September 6, 2007 11:24 AM
fletcher Author Profile Page said:

The griping reveals that Apple made a mistake with how they handled the price drop on the iPhone. It is never a good idea to make your customers unhappy.

But, I can guarantee you that for every unhappy customer there is another potential customer who has not yet purchased an iPhone and is now excited to be able to.

I got burned myself last year. I have an early MacBook Pro. I like the machine, but I look wistfully at the new modes with Core 2 Duo chips, FireWire 800 support, dual layer DVD burners, 802.11n support, etc. If i'd waited just a couple months I would have a better machine for no more money.

September 6, 2007 11:54 AM
Early Adopter said:

I bought an iPhone the day of its release. I have no problem with the price drop. I had mine for 2 months and during that time it has made my life easier and has performed better than expected. Having access to Google Maps with traffic on my phone in my car has saved my hind-end more times than I care to recall.

I also got a certain sense of satisfaction as an early adopter. Having total strangers come up to me and ask me about my COOL PHONE. Literally grown men and women wanted to hold it and see it. Total strangers saw my phone and waved theirs at me. We smiled at each other as if we were friends, members of the same exclusive club.

When I bought the phone, I bought it knowing the cost of the device and the terms of service. I found them acceptable. The fact that it has dropped in price is not a rip-off to me. Nor do I think I have a rebate coming.

I ask all of the gripers, are you going to give back any of the experiences you had with the iPhone when it first came out. Any of the ooohhh and ahhhhs you got from total strangers. Are you going to give back any of the usefulness of the device you have enjoyed.

If you bought your iPhone within the last 2 weeks Apple will refund the difference if your bought it 3 weeks ago, I can see how that would sting. Anything longer than that, quit your griping.

No one forced ANYONE to buy the phone. Consumers made a CHOICE. Live with your decisions.

I cannot understand how adults can be so immature and have such a sense of entitlement.

Aaron,

Los Angeles, CA

September 6, 2007 11:56 AM
Walt said:

I agree, that is technology for you. No hard feelings here. And that's as one who waited 12 hours in line and paid $600.

As for the Beatles, I've got all the songs I want by them already ripped from my own CDs. I think it will be a non-event the day they become available on itunes.

September 6, 2007 12:11 PM
Knight said:

Steve is right though: "That's technology". You can always wait a little while and get an ipod cheaper or a computer better. Whats the point in whining? Its like going out to buy a 2007 car, and then complaining when the 2008 comes out a few months later- suddenly your $40,000 vehicle is on clearance for $32,000. I've never seen an autodealer that would give a customer that kind of break. What Apple did is the same as your local dealer saying "Here, I will pay for $4,000 of your next service charges. That doesnt makes sense.

September 6, 2007 1:58 PM
Anonymous said:

Technology s exactly that. It evolves. It changes. If you wait to have the best thing, you'll be waiting forever.

September 6, 2007 4:42 PM
Manic Design Author Profile Page said:

I suspect that most of the people who were yelling about the price drop were not Apple devotees. More likely they were cell phone users who were all hopped up on the incredible marketing for the iPhone. The poor things just aren't used to the fast pace of internet time.

September 8, 2007 4:02 PM

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