The internet is an enabling environment: on-line researching, on-line communications and on-line procurement of goods and services, to name a few.
Apple's store got it 'right': you can buy a computer configured the way you want and it will be delivered to you location in a matter of a few days. Ditto for iTunes. In 2007, Apple released the iPhone and you could buy it on-line with no issues. Then, in July of 2008, Apple decided to get it 'wrong' - Apple did not sell the iphone via the internet and the long lines and insanity followed....for weeks. The internet was no longer a viable medium for selling a high volume consumer item. Now, on Spetember 7th, EA releases the most anticipated game in recent memory: Spore...and they got it 'right and wrong at the same time'. Yes, you could pre-buy the software but if you chose to buy it on the day of release, you are told by sole Mac-based distributor of the software that it will 'take up to 72 hours' to get the link to download the software you already paid for. 72 hours? In the age of the internet? Really? What's that all about?
As we stand in awe of the technological achievements of the past 13 years, let us pause, and remind ourselves that this technology has grown up significantly but, alas, it has not fully matured, much to the chagrin of the buying public.
Apple's store got it 'right': you can buy a computer configured the way you want and it will be delivered to you location in a matter of a few days. Ditto for iTunes. In 2007, Apple released the iPhone and you could buy it on-line with no issues. Then, in July of 2008, Apple decided to get it 'wrong' - Apple did not sell the iphone via the internet and the long lines and insanity followed....for weeks. The internet was no longer a viable medium for selling a high volume consumer item. Now, on Spetember 7th, EA releases the most anticipated game in recent memory: Spore...and they got it 'right and wrong at the same time'. Yes, you could pre-buy the software but if you chose to buy it on the day of release, you are told by sole Mac-based distributor of the software that it will 'take up to 72 hours' to get the link to download the software you already paid for. 72 hours? In the age of the internet? Really? What's that all about?
As we stand in awe of the technological achievements of the past 13 years, let us pause, and remind ourselves that this technology has grown up significantly but, alas, it has not fully matured, much to the chagrin of the buying public.