What Manjoo wishes Steve jobs would have said: 'He could have admitted a problem, offered a fix, and said, "We're sorry for any trouble we caused you."'
What Jobs said: 'To our customers who are affected by the issue, we are deeply sorry, and we are going to give you a free case or a full refund.'
Granted, Jobs only said that in response to his question, and not as part of his initial presentation. And Manjoo's critique of the dropped call statistic sounds dead on to me. But Manjoo specifically said what he would like out of the conference (even before this article), Jobs gave it to him, and he still is acting like Jobs personally punched him in the face.
Some see the tests where the other cell phones are shown to have a problem if you wrap your entire hand around it and point out that it's nothing like the little spot you just have to touch to make an iPhone die if you're less than 20-something dB above the minimum signal.
Others see the apology you quoted and don't understand the media witch hunt, where the press even supports those who traffic in stolen phones.
(I realize that I'm oversimplifying both of those stories a bit, but they're not my main point.)
Seems like there's no middle ground any more. If you post something in support of them, you'll be derided by someone as a fanboy. If you post something against them, you'll be derided as a hater. Whichever one you pick, you'll likely stay there, because both sides feel free to act like jerks toward the other. And why would you want to switch and side with those jerks who were mean to you?
I try to remain neutral, but it's hard. I see some people giving them a free pass, and I dislike it. But other people do give them flack when it's unfair. I don't want to do either. I want to be fair.
In short, maybe what we really need here is more civility?
I'm an Apple fan who doesn't get the witch hunt, but I readily acknowledge Jobs glossed over the problem. The problem is that the problem ultimately wasn't much of a problem to begin with, but the haters keep looking for something to get angry about. I can't go a day on Hacker News without seeing several grossly uncharitable comments get a bunch of upvotes. Any other topic, and it'd get rightly voted down. It's extremely poor form for Hacker News, and it's started to make me pretty bitter. In fact, the only reason why I created an account was to fight back against the hate/FUD.
I believe that there are a number of strong, charitable, level-headed criticisms you can make about Apple. I don't have a problem with those, and appreciate it when people make them. But that's not what we're getting here. What we're getting is a bunch of snippy and sneering quips from people who don't bother to examine the range of possible reasons why Apple did X, instead always assuming that they did X just to be manipulative jerks. It's just crazy.
I like Hacker News a lot, but this has really been souring the experience.
Edit: And look at how I get anonymously downvoted. These guys can't even argue in their defense. They just maliciously downvote.
I get the impression that a lot of people wouldn't have been satisfied with anything less than Jobs admitting that the iPhone 4 has been a total disaster, getting down on his knees begging forgiveness for Apple's success, and tearfully crying out "My life is a sham!" before committing seppuku.
I've been interested to read people's responses to the press conference. Those who have taken a contrarian view have often mentioned it as though it were fact that Jobs didn't admit that it was a "real problem". I, on the other hand, was struck by how often Steve used the word "problem" rather than the lighter "issue".
I don't understand what the big problem is. So, my iPhone 4 has a small hardware flaw. I found this out weeks ago. It hasn't made a difference to my life and I am certainly not going to return it.
Does it drop calls? Yes. Does it drop less calls than my 3G? Yes. Does it have better reception in general than my 3G? Yes. Am I happy with 02, my network? No - but they have always been pretty bad where I live. (But also bare in mind the walls to my house here in Scotland are made of damp sandstone and are 3ft thick.)
I think that my iPhone 4 is not just the best phone I've ever owned its the single greatest consumer electronics device that I have ever owned. If it was recalled you'd have to prise it out of my cold dead hands (or replace it with an iPhone 5).
Nobody I know that owns an iPhone 4 cares about this issue - they all think it's funny. The only people that seem to care are either people I know who own android devices (who gloat) and tech journalists who seem to be very, very angry for some weird reason.
A lot of the press gets by by writing snark-filled criticism of anything and everything. Bigger names make for better press: the snark that pulls in the most eyes is the snark about the fall of the biggest Goliath. So, this segment of the press has wanted an excuse to tear into Apple for years—it's a very big name—but Apple has Done No Wrong (from their fans' perspectives), so they haven't been able to.
Now that there is something that consumers could, theoretically, get mad about, they're going to attack Apple full-bore, no matter how irrational it is on an objective scale.
Anyone who would expect this story to blow over doesn't understand the media. It's pretty much the same situation as happened with Toyota. Market leader stumbles, that is news.
I knew about this problem before I bought my iPhone 4, I didn't care then and I care less now.
The iPhone is the best tech device I own. It helps me run my life by managing my diary, email and contacts with a easy to use interface that my old blackberry could never aspire to.
It rocks and I don't care if I loose one call in every 50...it's a small price to pay.
I agree that Apple has been the darling of the media for a while, but I don't know if I would call this the same kind of scrutiny other corps put up with; this is bordering on irrational (if not there already).
Since when has Apple not be under the same "scrutiny" that any other corporation has had to "put up with?" did Apple just suddenly come upon the scene as a public technology company?
It was sort of funny to me how this video and Steve Jobs had essentially the same message and points - everybody makes mistakes, if you dont want an iphone 4 bring it back. Hmm. For the record i think it was a pretty good conference on the issue
Are you posting this to get people to ignore this topic or in support of the article? I thought the conference was fine. I was shocked they played that snooty stuck up video.
Well, I can understand how one might find Jonathan Mann to be snooty & stuck-up. I don't know much about him, but it appears he has already led an extraordinary life. I thought his song was amusing.
The article wasn't about him or his song, though, and I don't think he is employed by, or represents Apple. Apparently they thought it was amusing too.
I only linked to it because there is deep wisdom in the chorus that could have saved Farhad Manjoo a lot of typing.
This is one flaw being criticized, he admitted Apple and phones aren't perfect, he apologized after the initial talk to those affected, he expressed how committed Apple is to making ALL users happy, and he offered a free case. Yeah, he might feel like it's a bit over-the-top media sensationalism, but to the USERS/CUSTOMERS, he is being nothing but kind and supportive.
What Jobs said: 'To our customers who are affected by the issue, we are deeply sorry, and we are going to give you a free case or a full refund.'
Granted, Jobs only said that in response to his question, and not as part of his initial presentation. And Manjoo's critique of the dropped call statistic sounds dead on to me. But Manjoo specifically said what he would like out of the conference (even before this article), Jobs gave it to him, and he still is acting like Jobs personally punched him in the face.