Why this Machead won’t be getting the iPhone… now
Steve Safran January 9th, 2007
Apple punishes early adopters. There’s just no way around it. I am as slavish a Machead as they come. I run out and buy their new gear. I’m on my third iPod, and that’s out of five generations of them. I buy the latest iLife update, even if it adds two GarageBand sound effects and an extra iDVD template that I won’t use anyway. But Apple has trained me now: if I buy the first version of a new product, I will regret it. I have the first iPod – look at the battery problems that had, and how reluctant Apple was to address them (halfheartedly as they did). Early adopters should be rewarded – we pay the most and help establish the market for a product, after all. We should get upgrade discounts or trade-in rebates or something. Anything besides regret. Apple has a deliberate strategy – make no future product announcements so you won’t cannibalize your own sales. That’s fine. But I’ve learned from that strategy, too. There will be a better iPhone soon enough. I can wait.
14 Comments Add your own
1. Vinny | January 9th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
By your standards, name one company that doesn’t punish early adopters.
2. Anonymous | January 9th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
If you’ve worked in the technology field long enough, you should have realized by now that you never buy and/or install the first generation of any hardware/software product. At least that’s my personal rule. If you’re willing to jump into the hoopla of Jobs’ megalomaniacal ranting about his company product launches, then you deserve every bit of problems you inherited from their products.
And no, I’m not just ripping Apple Comp… er uh, Apple Inc. Same goes for Micro$haft — I never install any of their first gen OS’s until at least SP1 is released! =)
I’ve worked in the tech world long enough, and it’s inevitable that any new product is going to have bugs/security flaws/problems/incompatibilities, etc… no matter HOW “trendy” their product is….
3. Cory Bergman | January 9th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
But I CAN’T WAIT. I’m geeking out all over. Frankly, this is the coolest device I’ve ever seen.
4. thedetroitchannel | January 9th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
that 1st ipod thing will haunt apple all the way to the bank.
if by chance anyone has a first or second generation that still works i’m told there are people who will pay handsomely to get their hands on it.
5. Steve Safran | January 9th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Vin and Anon: I agree with your points. I’ll be giving the same advice for Vista. It will have TONS of issues.
Nearly all companies punish early adopters. They take advantage of our geekiness. It’s just that Apple Culters are even MORE slavish in our devotion. And I thought it was worth taking a breath.
Bergman: YOU MUST RESIST! Those are natural urges you’re experiencing right now. They’re perfectly OK to feel. But your body chemistry is out of control right now, and you have to channel those strange feelings into rational choices. Yes, it’s “cool.” But if all the bloggers were jumping off a CMS, would you? Remember: your gadgets still love you, no matter what.
6. iBuyMac | January 9th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
I didn’t know my sluggish first gen. iPod was such a hot commodity. As with anything I want to buy from Mac, I wait several months because it’s become common knowledge that as soon as I buy one thing it gets immediately upgraded (iPod, Macbook, Shuffle). I just can’t win!
7. Vinny | January 9th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
I disagree. If you want something, buy it. First gen or not. So what if something comes out a month later? I bought my Intel Core Duo iMac a month before the Core 2 Duo iMac came out. Was I bummed? Not really because I was happy with the Core Duo one I already had working the way I like it.
Truth is, technology in general is not a first-generation-friendly field. That being said, waiting for gen 2 isn’t always pleasant either. I for one will most likely buy this puppy on day one. Of course, I’ll probably also buy the replacement when it comes out too. It’s just the way I am, I guess
8. Nick Geidner | January 9th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Steve and Cory, you shouldn’t have to worry. Apple has incredible guerilla marketing and they always tend to get their products in the hands of people that matter. They sent iPods out to the President, Supreme Court Justices, famous actors and actresses, and leaders of industry…so I’m sure you’ll get one sent to you.
n
9. Cant Hear Me Now | January 9th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
How long is the exclusive contract with Cingular? The sales for other devices partnered by Cingular will plummet.
10. flotsam | January 9th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Hey guys…it is JUST a phone. That it has “mac” associated with it makes the macheads wet their pants but end-game question is how functionaland functioning will it it be for you?
What will it connect to and with what ease?
Then blog.
11. Safran | January 9th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Geidner: If they have been sending out the iPhones to influencers, I’m hurt. Just like with the Great Vista Ferarri Laptop Giveaway, I guess I’m just not influential enough to rate one.
Safran
PS: Picturing the president with an iPhone makes me giggle in so many ways, it’s hard to know which to list first. Even my esteemed colleague on the right, Mr. Vin, will agree that POTUS is less than technologically savvy.
12. Anonissymo | January 10th, 2007 at 4:13 am
cingular’s contract is 2 years
13. Anonymous | January 10th, 2007 at 11:16 am
A subscriber’s contract is 2 years, but Cingular’s exclusivity contract with Apple is for 3 years. So you’re stuck with Cingular for 3 years unless you’re going to give up your iPhone. Also, no one has mentioned what Cingular rates are going to be for the iPhone. How many thousands of dollars will an iPhone eventually cost you?
14. Ron Jon | February 3rd, 2007 at 3:00 pm
How does one get a phone now?? I want to start testing on it. Does anyone have a clue?
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