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Apple Developing Hardware Subscription Service for iPhones and Other Devices
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I didn't buy it upfront. I'm paying it off over the course of two years, like most other people. The difference is I'll own the device and cease payments, unlike someone utilizing a hardware subscription.
Problem in general with subscription services for critical day to day needs is people assume their financial position will either stay the same or get better. If a person's phone is subscription based only, and a situation comes up that they can no longer afford the phone (job loss as one example) then they are SOL when it comes to people getting a hold of them.
Now I have no data to say whether the apple consumers who will use this service can easily afford it or will use it because they normally can't afford the iPhone. However looking at the overall economic data of the United States in regards to median wages, debt loads, savings rates, etc. I would guess more people will use this service who SHOULDNT be.
Now I have no data to say whether the apple consumers who will use this service can easily afford it or will use it because they normally can't afford the iPhone. However looking at the overall economic data of the United States in regards to median wages, debt loads, savings rates, etc. I would guess more people will use this service who SHOULDNT be.
I suspect this will be similar to automobile leases as opposed to purchases. With the auto lease you pay a fee up front, a monthly amount usually less than a purchase plan, then in 24 months or so you either turn in the vehicle or pay a whole bunch of money at once to keep it. Auto leases are good for businesses, but usually not so good for individuals. For one thing, you will get dinged if you put too many miles on the vehicle, you will get dinged and shredded if you damage the vehicle. Auto leases came about after many states banned balloon payment loans which are basically the same thing but different enough to get by the laws. You can bet Apple will be greedy, will make a ton of money on these, and probably screw the customers in the process. Better to save up and upgrade on your own once every 3 or 4 years than be locked into a questionable lease type program. So two ?? down. If it looks like ?, smells like ?, feels like ?, and tastes like ?, then it is a big pile of ?. Don’t drink the apple juice on this one or you might regret it!
Sadly we are not going back to the 1950's so I guess some people will just need to get used to it.
No, the devices will be simply recycled or sold on the 2nd life market such as overseas in developing markets where they do not thousands of dollars to just plop down for a new mac etc.
Sadly not everyone can afford thousands of dollars to buy a new device all the time and own it.
Honestly if this service is a rental and is cheaper than the iPhone upgrade program, which is simply a monthly installment plan for buying a phone at full price, then I’d be interested. If I’m being honest with myself, I’m never going to switch to android and I like upgrading to the latest and greatest iPhone. If this service costs anywhere less than 2/3 of the price of the iPhone upgrade program and doesn’t require a loan, then sign me up. Saves me the trouble of selling my old phone anyway.
I quite like owning things and deciding on the quirks and functionalities in devices and tools for creativity that suit me best.
That said, a computer or personal device is something that I now need to be a utility that enables me to be creative, recording music or art, while at the same time getting out of the way.
Like with software, I can see the attraction of getting past the ‘skin’ of machines that are designed to get a job done. As I get older, and technology progresses, and option paralysis becomes obsolete, I can imagine clear path of simply just not giving a crap about how I’m going to have to babysit my tools.
I might become a monk.
That said, a computer or personal device is something that I now need to be a utility that enables me to be creative, recording music or art, while at the same time getting out of the way.
Like with software, I can see the attraction of getting past the ‘skin’ of machines that are designed to get a job done. As I get older, and technology progresses, and option paralysis becomes obsolete, I can imagine clear path of simply just not giving a crap about how I’m going to have to babysit my tools.
I might become a monk.
It makes sense for a business from a tax standpoint and asset/inventory management. It can for individuals too but not as likely....
That is a good point. I live in the U.K and there are a lot of tax breaks you can get for renting/subscribing etc. It is possible for example to get some of your electricity or gas (natural gas not what Americans call gasoline) paid for as just one example.
It would be possible, in the u.K at least (I do not know US situation) to set up your own 'business' and use this program to rent say a Macbook Pro.
Then you could get some of your electricity used to power/charge the MacBook Pro paid for in the form of a tax rebate. You would need to be using the device for business purposes (easy enough to do if you are creative enough), I believe you can also claim other business expenses as well which would mean that you could use the Macbook Pro for some of the time for business purposes and for the rest use it personally.
Then you can claim back some expenses through tax and that would reduce the monthly payments.
If you are creative enough it can be done and legally as well, so Officer Plod needs not to come calling.
I'm not renting software, so I'm certainly not renting hardware.
WEF says, “Why don’t you want to be happy?” ?
Agreed.
But I do see some use cases where 'renting' an app such as XD for a 2 month project could come in handy.
Yeah, I bought the Affinity Suite when it was on sale last year for $100 or so. I mean it's not bad, for the price, but it there's a reason why it's so cheap. And from what I've read on some of their forums, some key features have been slow to roll out. They're certainly not replacements for ID, AI and PS.
I’m surprised cell phone companies haven’t figured out a way to do this and every time you make a call or text you have to listen to an ad.
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I’m sure some of the reasoning for this is the augmented reality headset that will probably be out in the next year or so. It’s probably expensive enough that most wouldn’t want to buy it at full price, so they will subscribe to it.
Interesting…
Interesting…
I know that Apple is looking to release a lampshade by the end of 2022, but it could be delayed into 2023 or canceled entirely should Apple decide to go in a different direction.
You could literally write anything with that statement and be right.
You could literally write anything with that statement and be right.
Makes complete sense given that they've emphasized recycling in the past few years. It's obviously fantastic that they're doing that, but it also paves the way for consumers to feel less guilty about trading in devices frequently via subscription.
Apple is developing a hardware subscription service that would allow customers to "subscribe" and receive an iPhone or other Apple device as part of their subscription, similar to the way current Apple subscriptions like iCloud work, reports Bloomberg.
Customers would be able to pay a monthly subscription fee and gain access to a device for the subscription period. This would be ideal for customers who do not have the funds to buy an expensive iPhone, iPad, or Mac up front, but who can afford a monthly price for the device, plus it would bring in more revenue for Apple.
Apple is said to be aiming to make the process of buying an iPhone or an iPad "on par" with purchasing iCloud storage or paying for an Apple Music subscription, with customers able to subscribe to hardware with their Apple ID and App Store account.
Compared to the iPhone Upgrade Program, it would differ because Apple would charge a yet-to-be-determined monthly fee rather than splitting the cost of a device across a 12 or 24 month period. It would also cover other products while the iPhone Upgrade Program is limited to the iPhone.
It is possible that Apple will allow subscription users to swap out their devices for updated models when refreshed products are released, and Apple has had discussions internally about tying the subscription program to Apple One bundles and AppleCare support plans.
Customers would be able to purchase a hardware subscription on their devices, through the App Store, through the company's website, or at an Apple online store.
According to Bloomberg, the service will be Apple's "biggest push yet" into recurring sales, but the project is still in development and little is known about it at this time. Apple has been working on it for months, but it was pushed back to allow Apple to focus on a separate "buy now, pay later" service that is designed to allow customers to pay for Apple Pay purchases in installments over time.
Apple is working to implement hardware subscriptions by the end of 2022, but it could be delayed into 2023 or canceled entirely should Apple decide to go in a different direction.
Article Link: Apple Developing Hardware Subscription Service for iPhones and Other Devices
You are both wrong as you seem to think everyone is as rich as you are!