Why Are Some People So Anti-iPad?

[eelpout]

You didn't get the point I was trying to make. That is what the device is supposed to do. Why a mechanic or a student would buy an iPad. They don't want to spend their time fiddling with the command line or running some script. A nerd on the other hand enjoy these things. Just look at how many iPhones/iPods have been sold to date and nerds still complaining about how the iPhone lacks their "essential needs".


ps: You are judging too much why one would buy an iPad or what they would do with it. Not everyone uses the iPad to waste time. Don't you think some photographers can use the iPad? Students to jot down their notes? A news ticker? I could go on and on. Just go and take a look at the Apps in the store to see how the iPad tries its best to integrate seamlessly into the lifestyle of the avg. person. Whether it is for entertainment or productivity. It doesn't matter.

Get your point. I was being facetious and am firmly in the nerd camp. I think the iPad is perfect for someone like my mom where the iMac can be too confusing because it's not so focused on a single task.

I'm on the wait and see bus for myself. If the vast majority of my current magazines were to go iPad, I'd consider it. But, being a developer and a photographer, I'm too use to having some process go on in the background while browsing (compile, Photoshop or Lightroom batch process etc.) that the iPad for me, is just too redundant and limited. Having a different interface, gesturing, in a magazine form factor, is just not compelling enough to have yet another device. Though I can see where they would be great on a plane. Apple should really make a deal with inMotion and rent iPads for flights. It would get more people to try them out as well.

 

[leetleo]

"Haters" are actually an intended consequence of Apple's ingenious marketing strategy. Even a cursory analysis of Apple's marking landscape reveals a design intended to drive division between those who accept the Apple narrative and those who rebel against it, precisely to spite its revelers. Apple creates an "us vs them" mentality that automatically moves interpretation of their products into an emotional domain. Fervent Apple devotees fuel the indignation of those who care to "take fanboys down a peg", and that very indignation is the life force of Apple devotees. The constant and heated controversy registers on an emotional level and gives Apple defenders a reason to be constantly vigilant in extolling the virtues of Apple. Just as it was intended, the controversy ends up working to Apple's benefit, by bringing Apple's products to the forefront of everyone's mind. The iPad was ubiquitous before it was even physically available, all Apple had to do was throw out a few keywords like "revolutionary" and "magical" and a cacophony of contentious debate about what a consumer tablet should be immediately ensued.

In the end, the most effective thing the Apple haters can do to spite Apple is to stop hating so much. The common thread among all "cool" and "trendy" phenomena in society is a backlash against its popularity.

 

[r0k]

"Haters" are actually an intended consequence of Apple's ingenious marketing strategy. Even a cursory analysis of Apple's marking landscape reveals a design intended to drive division between those who accept the Apple narrative and those who rebel against it, precisely to spite its revelers. Apple creates an "us vs them" mentality that automatically moves interpretation of their products into an emotional domain. Fervent Apple devotees fuel the indignation of those who care to "take fanboys down a peg", and that very indignation is the life force of Apple devotees. The constant and heated controversy registers on an emotional level and gives Apple defenders a reason to be constantly vigilant in extolling the virtues of Apple. Just as it was intended, the controversy ends up working to Apple's benefit, by bringing Apple's products to the forefront of everyone's mind. The iPad was ubiquitous before it was even physically available, all Apple had to do was throw out a few keywords like "revolutionary" and "magical" and a cacophony of contentious debate about what a consumer tablet should be immediately ensued.

In the end, the most effective thing the Apple haters can do to spite Apple is to stop hating so much. The common thread among all "cool" and "trendy" phenomena in society is a backlash against its popularity.

Good point. Sometimes free publicity is good publicity even when it sounds bad. I remember having new gadgets from other companies and people asked me "what's that?" Nobody has ever asked me what one of my Apple gadgets is. They ask me how I like it. They ask me how much it cost. But invariably, they already know what it is and what it is supposed to do or at least rumors of what it does.

I have seen this with my iPad. People have asked detailed questions about how it works and it's clear a lot of them want it to be a laptop without a keyboard. I carefully tell them not to expect that kind of functionality just yet and advise them not to buy it without trying it out in Best Buy or an Apple Store and thinking about how they might use it.

But haters stop hatin'? Come on. Haters and fanboys just gotta rant. Reality does not distract them from their thought processes. Apple just laughs all the way to the bank.

 

[NikeTalk]

Because they are not sheep

 

[GamecockMac]

Because they are not sheep

No, they are trolls.

 

[leetleo]

Good point. Sometimes free publicity is good publicity even when it sounds bad.

For Apple in particular, I'd argue that "bad publicity" is the best kind, as it invariably keeps people talking about their products, but almost never costs them anything in the way of brand loyalty. In fact, it often has the opposite effect since many Apple enthusiasts feel (at times rightfully so) personally attacked by criticism of Apple, because they self identify with the brand. Pre-release, popular aggregation sites like Digg and Reddit would have you believe the iPad was doomed for failure with, "giant iPhone without the phone"-esqu comments rounding out the top voted tier of nearly every iPad story. Ultimately however, the opposite was true, because people want to be in on the excitement.

But haters stop hatin'? Come on. Haters and fanboys just gotta rant. Reality does not distract them from their thought processes. Apple just laughs all the way to the bank.

Agreed. Though, I'd hesitate to label either side as outright thoughtless. My observation is that there is a lot of thought, but just like a microcosm of the American political system, fair constructive criticism and honest recognitions of valid achievements are tantamount to blasphemy in the "us vs them" paradigm. You can't praise Apple without being a fanboy and you can't critique them without being a hater. Of course, everyone agrees with this sentiment, but then quietly maintains their litany of anecdotal instances detailing why the other guys are the real morons. This is not to say that I don't personally lean in one direction or the other, but I don't let a broad ideology (either in concurrence or protest) guide my individual judgments.

 

[ImperialX]

More like people are Anti-Apple.

 

[r0k]

For Apple in particular, I'd argue that "bad publicity" is the best kind, as it invariably keeps people talking about their products, but almost never costs them anything in the way of brand loyalty. In fact, it often has the opposite effect since many Apple enthusiasts feel (at times rightfully so) personally attacked by criticism of Apple, because they self identify with the brand. Pre-release, popular aggregation sites like Digg and Reddit would have you believe the iPad was doomed for failure with, "giant iPhone without the phone"-esqu comments rounding out the top voted tier of nearly every iPad story. Ultimately however, the opposite was true, because people want to be in on the excitement.



Agreed. Though, I'd hesitate to label either side as outright thoughtless. My observation is that there is a lot of thought, but just like a microcosm of the American political system, fair constructive criticism and honest recognitions of valid achievements are tantamount to blasphemy in the "us vs them" paradigm. You can't praise Apple without being a fanboy and you can't critique them without being a hater. Of course, everyone agrees with this sentiment, but then quietly maintains their litany of anecdotal instances detailing why the other guys are the real morons. This is not to say that I don't personally lean in one direction or the other, but I don't let a broad ideology (either in concurrence or protest) guide my individual judgments.

Funny you should mention American politics. I was so tempted to say something about health care or the upcoming supreme court nomination fight as an example of opposition for the sake of opposition.

 

[leetleo]

Funny you should mention American politics. I was so tempted to say something about health care or the upcoming supreme court nomination fight as an example of opposition for the sake of opposition.

haha yeah, the parallels are striking. If the iPad bankrupts Apple and the company goes under, the marketing team has a bright future in politics.

 

[OnlyApplesOnly]

iPadz

I love my iPad, and I will not try to make people understand how great it is!

I feel the same way about my Apple TV!

My four year old has his own Mac Mini, my wife has her iMac and I have mine. My job got me a new Macbook Pro.

My point! I don't care what anyone has to say about Apple, we are only Apples.....lol

 

[czachorski]

"Haters" are actually an intended consequence of Apple's ingenious marketing strategy. Even a cursory analysis of Apple's marking landscape reveals a design intended to drive division between those who accept the Apple narrative and those who rebel against it, precisely to spite its revelers. Apple creates an "us vs them" mentality that automatically moves interpretation of their products into an emotional domain. Fervent Apple devotees fuel the indignation of those who care to "take fanboys down a peg", and that very indignation is the life force of Apple devotees. The constant and heated controversy registers on an emotional level and gives Apple defenders a reason to be constantly vigilant in extolling the virtues of Apple. Just as it was intended, the controversy ends up working to Apple's benefit, by bringing Apple's products to the forefront of everyone's mind. The iPad was ubiquitous before it was even physically available, all Apple had to do was throw out a few keywords like "revolutionary" and "magical" and a cacophony of contentious debate about what a consumer tablet should be immediately ensued.

In the end, the most effective thing the Apple haters can do to spite Apple is to stop hating so much. The common thread among all "cool" and "trendy" phenomena in society is a backlash against its popularity.

Wow. Just wow. I loved this post. Made my day.

 

[Manatee]

What an awful regime we live under that doesn't give these people the option of not buying the products they don't like or want.

I really don't get it. There are plenty of products that don't appeal to me. Whine? Nope. Complain? Nope. I just buy what I do like.

Speaking just for the U.S., there are around 300 million of us. We're not all going to like the same things. There are plenty of choices!

 

[JediZenMaster]

I love my iPad. I buy things because I like them. People who are anti iPad or pretty much anti anything make me laugh. Because if you dislike something speak your peace and be done. But don't argue your point to change my mine because it's not happening.

By whining about a product that one does not own your giving it publicity and therefore creating buzz for it.

 

[FlavaFlavez]

The fact that people hate on it, makes me want to buy it even more. I cant wait for my 32gb 3G iPad. I will most likely call out of work that day too.

 

[None Such]

I've seen the irrational hate from day one. I was waiting in line to pick my ipad up and some lady said "i feel like if I'm not getting an iPad then i'm not important" and the Best Buy guy says "no, that's what Apple wants you to believe".

I guess for me I just don't get the irrational and unessecary hate towards it. I had one family member say "oh brother" when she saw me with it at family lunch on sunday(she ended up telling her husband he should get one after seeing it in action). I had another just laugh when he saw that I got it and I asked him why he was laughing and he just laughed and his laughter turned to nervous laughter. One of my sister in laws said "it's a big iphone!" I wish I would have had the bathtub/swimming pool analogy to use. Another friend of mine told my wife it was a waste and that I should invest in Apple stock instead because that was 70 cents and was about to split. And then he mentioned something about starving people around the world. My wife said "yeah, that's what you did with all your Christmas present didn't you?

These were all people that had never used one. My brother in law saw it asked if he could use it. He kept borrowing it. He was wanting to get a kindle or a reading device and loved it. He's a recent Netflix convert and loved the Netflix app. He asked if more were in stock and was thinking about getting one.

I don't know, I guess a lot of people think I just wasted money on something unecessary. When I just saved all the giftcards, visa giftards and money from Christmas and put some more money with it to get it. And I don't care if I paid for it on my credit card on a whim why does it bother anyone else that I enjoy it? I love how people on the internet are trying to tell Jobs, Ive etc...how they missed a huge opportunity with it and how they think they know better about their company than they do.

 

[NotTempted]

"Haters" are actually an intended consequence of Apple's ingenious marketing strategy. Even a cursory analysis of Apple's marking landscape reveals a design intended to drive division between those who accept the Apple narrative and those who rebel against it, precisely to spite its revelers. Apple creates an "us vs them" mentality that automatically moves interpretation of their products into an emotional domain. Fervent Apple devotees fuel the indignation of those who care to "take fanboys down a peg", and that very indignation is the life force of Apple devotees. The constant and heated controversy registers on an emotional level and gives Apple defenders a reason to be constantly vigilant in extolling the virtues of Apple. Just as it was intended, the controversy ends up working to Apple's benefit, by bringing Apple's products to the forefront of everyone's mind. The iPad was ubiquitous before it was even physically available, all Apple had to do was throw out a few keywords like "revolutionary" and "magical" and a cacophony of contentious debate about what a consumer tablet should be immediately ensued.

In the end, the most effective thing the Apple haters can do to spite Apple is to stop hating so much. The common thread among all "cool" and "trendy" phenomena in society is a backlash against its popularity.

This is why I read here. Thank you for a break in the monotony!! I agree of course with all of your points. I did want to mention however that this marketing strategy by Apple does IMO have a large margin for error in that most of the current Apple Fanboys/girls have had to pay a premium either at the time of purchase or monthly to have and think themselves proud of that Apple sticker. What then occurs when Apple releases a device that has a larger demographic and a $499 one time price tag? Cannibalism and competition, both in the product line and in consumer loyalties. But what is the end game/worse case scenario here?

To be honest, it would be unwise for me to guess but based on the somewhat glowing reception and reviews from new and existing Fanpeople of the new iPad, I see a higher likelihood that everyone on the block will now be sporting an Apple sticker in some aspect of their daily lives. Genius.

Thanks again for the most remarkable post that I have read here in a long time. I hereby nominate your post as the "best post of the year!"

 

[wingsthree]

Most of the people who badmouth the iPad are generally people who also have never even touched the device. I'm a firm believer in that if you haven't experienced it for yourself, then your opinion is not valid.

I've spent about 90 minutes at the local Apple store and chose not to buy one. It isn't for me for a bunch of reasons that are my own. And you know what, that's okay!

 

[wingsthree]

Not anti-iPad but Apple definitely left the thing underwhelming. Why won't they allow me to sync my iPhone to the iPad? Why can't I download photos from my camera to the iPad? How is this thing "magical"? Yes, if I didn't have an iPhone I probably would get one, but at this point in time, what can it do that my iPhone cannot? I've been messing about with a friend's iPad for the past couple days...just cannot figure out why I would need one right now.

I love how the easy answer is "don't buy one". Hilarious.

This made me laugh; I agree totally. If I bought one, it would gather dust in the living room most of the time. Speaking of living rooms, does the iPad stream to an external video source (HD television) like my tiny iPhone can?

 

[bobob]

Most of the people who badmouth the iPad are generally people who also have never even touched the device. I'm a firm believer in that if you haven't experienced it for yourself, then your opinion is not valid.

I've spent about 90 minutes at the local Apple store and chose not to buy one. It isn't for me for a bunch of reasons that are my own. And you know what, that's okay!

Interesting that you chose to quote fraggot's post. Your opinion is already valid because you have met his criteria of experiencing the device for yourself - - no need to get all coy with your "bunch of reasons that are my own" - - you are already a justified non-buyer!

 

[None Such]

Interesting that you chose to quote fraggot's post. Your opinion is already valid because you have met his criteria of experiencing the device for yourself - - no need to get all coy with your "bunch of reasons that are my own" - - you are already a justified non-buyer!

Awesome!

 

[kas23]

Interesting to read some people saying "I haven't touched my MacBook in days" comment. This is implying that this device is not necessarily adding to someone's daily computing experiences. That is, it is not offering something that cannot be found in a pre-existing device. It is only acting as a substitute of another device. Otherwise, people would continue to use their laptops just as much. It is not necessarily offering any unique functions. The iPhone offers a unique function, a phone. You don't see people saying "I haven't touch my iPhone in days". No device would prevent me from using my iPhone besides another phone. This begs the question, if an ipad causes you not to use your laptop or desktop, do you really need them both then? Does one really need both an ipad and a laptop? If you still need a laptop, then what exact role is the ipad?

 

[*LTD*]

Interesting to read some people saying "I haven't touched my MacBook in days" comment. This is implying that this device is not necessarily adding to someone's daily computing experiences. That is, it is not offering something that cannot be found in a pre-existing device. It is only acting as a substitute of another device. Otherwise, people would continue to use their laptops just as much. It is not necessarily offering any unique functions. The iPhone offers a unique function, a phone. You don't see people saying "I haven't touch my iPhone in days". No device would prevent me from using my iPhone besides another phone. This begs the question, if an ipad causes you not to use your laptop or desktop, do you really need them both then? Does one really need both an ipad and a laptop? If you still need a laptop, then what exact role is the ipad?

It seems to provide a better, more fun, more interesting, more satisfying User Experience than their laptop, it would seem. It's not about "functions." It's about enjoying some of the same things a helluva lot more on an iPad. Your thinking is so robotic! Functions, aesthetics, form, the fun and intuitiveness of touch-based input, the beauty of the device exterior and the beauty of the UI, the convenience of the App Store, etc. . . . these are not separate things.

 

[None Such]

Interesting to read some people saying "I haven't touched my MacBook in days" comment. This is implying that this device is not necessarily adding to someone's daily computing experiences. That is, it is not offering something that cannot be found in a pre-existing device. It is only acting as a substitute of another device.

It doesn't have to be one or the other. It can add to it and replace an existing device. The iPad has a touchscreen, that can't be found in the Macbook.

 

[leetleo]

Thank you for a break in the monotony!!

I'm glad that you enjoyed my post lol.

What then occurs when Apple releases a device that has a larger demographic and a $499 one time price tag?

Great point! I think you're absolutely correct about the potential for product cannibalism and erosion of brand loyalty. Apple covertly nurtures a thread of elitism throughout their brand to establish the chic "Apple Club" culture, but their cool-index will take a major hit when every soccer mom and 10 year old becomes evangelical about their revolutionary iPad. Mark my words, we're going to see a flurry of "I loved the iPad back when everyone hated it" commentary if/when the public claims the iPad as their mainstream tablet computer. This sort of dissent will open the door for competitors who want to capitalize on Apple's overexposure, but in the end, that scenario is obviously still a big win for Apple, as being "too popular" is a great problem to have.

 

[Tanna]

Heh, that's funny. I thought the iPad was all about wasting time: browsing the Internet, playing games, watching movies... I'll give exception to the actual reading of eBooks.

I found this topic after trying to find out why someone would sniff and say that I don't really own my ipad. I'm seeing a lot of possible answers.
I use to be totally pc, completely building my Frankenstien computers from board up. The downside of this is that you spend about five minutes actually on the computer, and approx. 60 hours a week nursing every pc in the world, it seems. Pc users tend to mooch a lot of work from pc builders. My ego isn't that weak to need approval that much.
I bought a Mac, I love my Mac, and my Mac works for me, not me for it,so that throws the "Can't open it, don't own it." argument out the window. I was tired of seeing more of the inside of a computer than I saw the monitor.
I LOVE my Ipad. As an artist, I always dreamed of this- a computer like a sketchpad. I can store my art in the ipad, work on it, and transfer it back to my imac. It's perfect and useful for what I wanted.