Software application development
This blog is intended to provoke discussion and exchange between like minded software application developers, engineers, architects, project managers - and keen hobbyists too.
Tuesday 25 March 2008, 9:38 AM
Apple Crumble Grumble
First, there was the incident of my browser imploding on my old PowerBook G4. OK, so I'm only running Panther and the new Safari upgrade is for Tiger upwards. So why did the software updater let me install and then decide to send all copies of Safari down a spiralling staircase of thermonuclear destruction?
Software updates come at you so often with Apple that sometimes it becomes a case of 'click to update' without giving it too much thought. Thinking about it more closely, it's usually just an upgrade to iTunes so they can sell me more "stuff" to download. Note to self for more caution in future - Firefox it is from now on then.
Then, after doing some digging around in the FAQ department of the online Safari support pages I noticed that there was a glaring lack of 'mobile development' info to be had. As I rifled through the reams of pages on best practices for development I thought, hang on – they have to be kidding, no web for mobile?
This was because I was already too far in – Apple appears to keep its 'development for iPhone' section separate to its web development section. I think this is a strange move from a strategic point of view based on the consensus from the rest of the industry. Mobile device access is a natural extension of all development, web or otherwise – isn't it?
Thinking about this little rant, I did speak to Apple's VP of developer relations Ron Okamoto a couple of years back. He's a lovely chap for sure, but our chat was all 'big picture' stuff and I wasn't able to write up a Q&A from it. Does Apple invite us developer-focused journalists to the Apple Developer Connection? They do not. Go figure.
PreviousComments on this post
So, Apple doesn't get it wrong?
Well the computer industry does have a short memory doesn't it? No one seems to remember back to when Microsoft saved Apple with a $150M lifeline to save it from chapter 11.
It's not a case of what Apple get's right any more, it should more be a question of what is Apple? A hardware manufacturer, software house or consumer electronics vendor? There is no doubt that Apple is a brand and has amazing loyalty out there to those who have more money than they have ability to know what their computer does.
Let's be realistic here, Apple's shiny OS, is not really anything more than a sharp set of clothes wrapped around a Unix kernel. Whoopee doo, no one else does that, do they?
Yet, all they have to do is release another iProduct and the Mac masses go all mouth frothy and throw their wallets in the direction of Jobzy. You have to admire their marketing.
So, unfortunately for the Mac world, it was not their precious piccy drawing tool that made Apple, it was their toys. Personal electronics, which I think came from the PIE division, which IIRC was the home of the Newton. Which came from John Sculley, but those of you with iProducts, probably don't remember him.
Yes, so Apple does get some things right.
64BITZ, i think you give Apple way too little credit; their success is based on marketing?
If you look (objectively) at products like the iPod, iPhone, besides marketing, you may also notice attributes like; Innovation and Good design. Even looking back in history; apple introduced the GUI, the computer mouse etc...
These attributes are somewhat lacking in other companies, so they choose to copy and mass produce, that's OK too; everybody has to be for something, we benefit from cheaper prices!
Its true Microsoft rescued Apple but lets not ignore the circumstances that led to that; Apple's board had lost its mind and fired Steve, since his return, Apple seem to be on the march forward, maybe that's the period in Apple's history that Adrian was reffering to.
Hey Harpless, nice to have your comments. So, was it you who bought the iPhone? :)
Their success is based on drooling Mac addicts that must have anything with the Apple logo written on it. They are the electronic version of prada.
Just a point of correction, Apple didn't invent the GUI, Jobzy saw potential in a preview he saw at Xerox PARC. Xerox were fantastic innovators, but they had really poor marketing.
With regards innovation and good design not sure, Apple had to move into other areas because the Mac simply didn't have the market share to keep the company going, even when the Mac clones were released, the market take up wasn't massive. So now they more realistically rival Sony, who was at one time one of their bedmates.
The area I am surprised that they haven't entered is the games console marketplace, you can guarantee that Applie could release the iGamesBox, and not have any games for it, but every Mac, iPhone and iPod owner would buy one.
This Apple consumerism, is so rife because the Mac user feels second class, similar to how a VB programmer is made to feel by C# and C++ peers. The real point is that the Mac, as a computer, has retreated to it's native vertical market of publishing, and outside of this area the Mac is still not considered a 'business machine'.
Out of all this, no matter what Apple do, they will always have their followers, whether they invite journalists to their DevCon or not.
Thanks to you both for your comments guys,
OK - so I might be "slightly" guilty of being attracted to the style and form of Apple's products - but it is also the functional side that appeals.
I was repulsed by Macs as recently as 10 or 15 years ago. A mouse with only one button? How very quaint and 1970s of them. Us PC users here in the late 80s like our five button mice with retractable scroll wheels, paper towel dispensers and optional coffee cup holders - don't ya know?
The thing is - once the blue screen of death and the virus had become part of our subconscious, we accepted them as part of parcel of using a PC.
Then, as Harpless points out, after Steve's return - things started to change and the product really did feel more, go on - dare I say it? User friendly. Yes yes I know Mac's have viruses and can crash - but so does my toaster.
There are, gentlemen, degrees to this issue. N'est pas?
I think you touched the right point their Adrian.
You know that the Mac is not mass market as it doesn't get many virus attacks. Ok, it gets the odd few, but nothing like what the PC gets. It says it all if the virus writers don't consider the Mac a platform 'large enough' to warrant their work.
The main issue that I have with Apple kit is that I don't know if it should be used or just looked at. Is it form, or function?
A laptop the thickness of a sheet of A4, super, great where do I put my DVD's? A phone that has an accelerometer, exactly why do I need that? So the software knows how I am holding the phone. I must admit I haven't played with Apple kit for years, it just doesn't float me. If I look at my Windows Mobile and it's upside down, I just rotate it in my hand, look mum, no accelerometer.
So, the question I now ask, is Apple kit, nanny technology for a country that is without doubt a nanny state?
Anyone care to dance on this one?
Thanks for commenting Mr 64BITZ :-)
I liken the difference to using a PC and then moving to a Mac to...
Being right handed but having to write with your left hand all your life and then finally being given the chance to use your right.
Is that too strong - yes, it probably is.
OK, it's like, I dunno - better keyboard shortcuts, better folder behavior, better multiple window sharing options (that Vista emulated) ...
Actually, I'm a big fan of both mediums if I'm honest. But I don't think it's all down to pretty looks and accelerometers - there has to be more to it.
