Chill!!
1. It does not make someone a troll purely because you don't agree with what they think. You have a difference of opinion.
No, a troll is someone who goes out of his/her way to express a strong opinion (usually counter to the spirit of a particular venue), and does not rely on logic, but emotional rhetoric and name calling to tout their points. I don't call someone a troll lightly, but when the shoe fits, I'm not being pulled in by one. I'm not the only one to note that the remarks were overboard. Calling the person "naive" is not an insult, it just means they are expressing an opinion without being aware (or even addressing) many of the important points.
2. Because he / she does not like Apple's positions regarding iPhone and NBC shows etc, it does not make that person an Apple hater!!!!
Meh. Logic. Give me logic. I've laid out my case as to why NBC has a poor position. Simply insisting that others are "Apple lovers" simply for pointing out NBC's lack of common sense (in logical detail and anecdotes) is what a troll does. Trolls usually use lots of exclamation points too, while making blind statements with nothing to support them. ie.
"You MUST believe me!!!!!!!!" Sound familiar?
The problem with the iPhone is that the customer pays FULL price and still gets told what network they will use. In fact, you pay for the phone without signing an AT&T contract. Both points are unlike all other phones. There is no evidence that Apple is subsidising the phone.. as I've repeatedly said, that $200 per customer from subscriber fees that goes towards apple could be pure profit, no one outside Apple knows either way.
You're told when you buy the iPhone that it is ONLY for use with AT&T. When you connect the iPhone to iTunes and it comes up asking you to choose your AT&T plan, you are free to take it back and get a refund. When you state things that are categorically UNTRUE, you undermine anyone's estimation of your ability to reason. You're trying to peer inside Apple's pocket and count the money in its wallet. Stop it. That's called jealousy. Just look at the iPhone. Try it out. Read Apple's website. If you want it, buy it. If anything about it doesn't suit your needs, don't buy it. Making Apple the villain for running a great business seems very immature.
You state that: "Both points are unlike all other phones." Point #1. "You pay FULL PRICE and then get told what network to use." Point #2. "You have to pay for the phone without signing a contract." First, who cares what you percieve as "full price"? Helio charges $295 for a comparable piece of HARDWARE (with much less memory) and requires a 2 year agreement. The device ONLY works i the Helio network, and you will NEVER be able to switch to anything other than Helio's service. Secondly, you comment on buying the phone BEFORE you sign a contract. Why does this matter. Listen closely... Return... The... Phone. Why is that so hard? Moreover, you can cancel AT&T within the grace period, and not get charged. Your left with a perfectly working iPod with no phone services.
Here's my most salient point. Why would a logical *thinking* human being willfully purchase a product that clearly states a number of requirements they do not wish to abide by, and then complain about it as if they didn't know? In Buddhism, its often said that the suffering of the world is caused by not accepting reality for what it is. There was a wonderful movie I pesonally liked called "What dreams may come" that had a very moving view of what happens to those that commit suicide in the afterlife. A personally hell caused by the inability to accept ones own actions. I only feel sad for people like that. It would be one thing if Apple tricked you. They did not. Stop whining.
Getting on topic:
When it comes to NBC - its probably six of 1, and half a dozen of the other: Apple unwilling to budge their position, and up'ed the stakes by stopping selling of NBC shows. NBC wanting to up the price.
Again, I don't think Apple has "upped" any stakes. I think if they allowed a content provider on its way out, to sell "seasons" of shows that won't be available, it creates an ENORMOUS amount of extra work for Apple and creates a significant amount of consumer confusion. Currently, when shows are late, people complain. Sometimes there are delays between the start of a season, and when shows begin appearing regularly in iTunes. People are able to purchase "season passes" and thereby get a discount on the entire run. --Let's take an example. A few months ago, when the movie "Rattatouille" was out, the album was released. But it was only a "partial" album. Were the FULL album available, it would be $9.99, but instead only 10-11 tracks were available. If I'd purchased a 10 tracks, and later wanted the complete album (including album only tracks), I'd be paying MORE than $9.99. Similarly, if someone wants a season pass for a tv show, like Battlestar Galactica, and Apple knows they're not going to be selling the season, they wouldn't sell it. Customers would be highly confused and angry, not knowing whether to buy each episode just to be deprived of a season pass pricing later. Also, for those buying one offs, suddenly in early December, across the spectrum, people will start wondering why the episodes stopped and posting complaints, well AFTER the point where there opinion likely won't matter. Even if seasons on iTunes start later than usual, its better customers voice their opinions NOW, then waiting for December well after discussions have ended. It's just COMMON SENSE for Apple. To my knowledge, Apple won't be pulling existing/past seasons until December. It's the NEW seasons that they won't carry for the perfectly understandable reasons I mentioned.
As I said before, its a negotiating game.
NBC and Apple will talk and a comprise will be worked out.
Is it really? In my opinion, NBC simply feels the need to make more money and they think they don't need iTunes. NBC seems like they have a full plan on where they see themselves going (Hulu), and that iTunes doesn't need to be a part of that plan. Google and find the CNN Money article and check it out. These vague comments about iPods containing mostly stolen content, and that Apple needs to do more about piracy are RIDICULOUS. Also, I'm sure Apple has nothing against "bundling" so long as the bundling isn't about raising prices, simply to re-present past values as "bargains". All of these words by NBC ring very hollow.
I think consumers need to speak out NOW if they want NBC to reconsider. It's already been circulated that the networks do NOT believe that their is a future in downloadable content/video (and that iTunes is not long for this world). They do not want people "downloading" but "streaming" content they can choose to give access to on their own schedules, and as a "service" representing a continual source of revenue. As consumers we really need to discourage moves toward this trend, so that we are not all labelled "thieves" simply for repurposing content we've been given access to, for our personal use and convenience.
~ CB
