Why is Everybody So Angry about Apple’s iPad?
I realize that anytime you write a post regarding Apple or an Apple product, like I did on Thursday after Apple’s iPad announcement, it triggers a lot of emotional responses from both Apple lovers and haters, but I’ve gotta tell you, after reading some of the comments from my post, and how people reacted to Terry’s post (which I linked to) and other articles around the Web, I think this iPad product announcement has actually wound up making some people madder than Nikon’s pricing for the D3X (and I didn’t think that was possible, though I think it’s just as silly).
So, here’s a quick Q&A to wrap up this blog’s coverage of the iPad until it actually ships:
Q. Wow Scott, some people were really mad about you recommending that they should buy an iPad. Why do you think that is?
A. Actually, if you re-read the post (link) I didn’t recommend that anyone should buy an iPad. I just said I was going to buy one (well, two. One for my wife as well).
Q. Then why were they so mad?
A. Anytime you use the word ‘Apple’ in a sentence, and you’re not referring to New York City or a healthy snack, it triggers something in people who hate Apple with a passion that knows know bounds, and they go on the attack.
Q. They really hate Apple that much?
A. Just ask the folks at Engadget.com (one of my favorite sites), who ran a post yesterday on how to get a custom RSS feed that excludes their news about Apple for “…people who hate Apple news.” (their words).
Q. OK, but why do they have it in the for iPad? Is it because of all of Apple’s hype around the product?
A. Apple didn’t hype it at all. Apple didn’t even mention it. In fact, you couldn’t get anyone at Apple to even admit the existence of the iPad until the moment it was actually introduced.
Q. So Apple never promised anybody anything in the iPad?
A. Nope. Apple is notoriously secretive about product releases, so there were no “the iPad is coming” ads, or banners, or anything from Apple itself. Even Apple’s media invite only said “Come see our latest creation.” The hype wasn’t created by Apple.
Q. So why are some people so Mad?
A. Because they were led to believe the iPad would have some features it in it doesn’t have.
Q. Did Apple lead them to believe this?
A. Nope. Just rampant rumor and speculation all over the Web.
Q. So they’re mad at Apple because the rumor sites made them think the iPad would have more or different features?
A. Yup, pretty much.
Q. That’s crazy.
A. That’s a statement, not a question.
Q. OK, isn’t that kind of crazy?
A. Yup.
Q. And they’re mad at you because you told them you’re buying an iPad, even though it doesn’t have those features, right?
A. Yup.
Q. But you never told them to buy an iPad, right?
A. Right. I just gave my opinion, which is, I think Apple’s going to sell a lot of them. That’s what my post was about.
Q. And that made some people really mad?
A. Oh, yeah. They let me know in great detail why I was wrong, why Apple was wrong, and exactly why they weren’t going to buy one.
Q. Why would they take the time to write a long comment on why they wouldn’t buy a particular product?
A. Ahhhh, this is what really amazes me the most. You see, Olympus just came out with a small point-and-shoot digital camera called the Olympus Optio I-10, and I looked at a very favorable article about it, but it’s not really for me. There are some things I’d want in a point-and-shoot that it doesn’t have, and there are some things it has I don’t need, so I’d probably go with something else. But yet, I have no urge whatsoever to write a long detailed comment to that Olympus blogger about why that Olympus isn’t for me, or where I think Olympus messed up in not creating the perfect product for me, nor do I post something telling the writer that he’s an idiot for writing about it. You know what I do instead? I just don’t buy that camera. Instead of spending my time writing comments like that, I figure I can use that time to write a book or two, and it’s worked out pretty well so far.
Q. After the iPad was introduced, most analyists greatly upped their predictions for how many million units Apple will sell in the iPad’s first year. Do they know something we don’t know?
A. Yup. They know that the iPad isn’t for everyone, just like the iPhone isn’t for everyone, but they also know there are enough people who, when they see and hold one in person, will absolutely fall in love and buy one right there on the spot. There is a big market for the iPad, it’s just not for everybody, but it doesn’t take everybody to make a product a hit. It just takes a lot of somebodies.
Q. But it doesn’t include a phone? How it could it not include a phone?
A. It’s not a phone. We all already have a phone. This is supposed something in-between a phone and a laptop (at least, that’s what Apple says).
Q. But isn’t just a big iPod Touch?
A. Kinda. It’s actually more than that, but wouldn’t a big iPod Touch be really nice? I always wished mine was bigger (stop snickering).
Q. But it doesn’t support Flash, right?
A. I know, that’s the one thing I really wished it did, that it doesn’t.
Q. Well, that’s a deal breaker for me.
A. Then don’t buy it.:)
Q. Hey, you’re being kind of harsh, aren’t you?
A. Not at all. Seriously, if it’s not for you, you shouldn’t buy it. The iPad’s not for everybody, and not everybody will buy it. If it makes sense for you, great. If it doesn’t, why in the world would you buy it? Besides, I put a smiley face after my comment to take the harshicity out of it, because I don’t work for Apple. If you buy it, don’t buy it, etc., it doesn’t change my life one way or the other.
Q. Aren’t you going to write a book on it?
A. My plate’s pretty full this year with all the updates and new titles I have coming, so no iPad book for me.
Q. Hey, are we going to be able to shoot tethered into the iPad?
A. Maybe. Terry had a post on his blog about Apple’s “iPad Camera Connection Kit” which lets you import images from your digital camera into your iPad.
Q. Shouldn’t Apple have come out with a product that is for absolutely everybody, that immediately fulfills everyone’s individual needs, and included all the speculated and rumored features, no matter how far fetched?
A. Yes.
Q. Then why didn’t they?
A. They never have. No one ever has. Well, maybe except for Microsoft. (wink).
Q. Hey, aren’t you just a big shill for Apple?
A. Yup. Hey—-anything to boost the stock price for my Apple stock.
Q. Do you have Apple stock?
A. No.
Q. So what do you get from Apple? I’ll bet you get lots of freebies from Apple, right?
A. Nope. I don’t get “jack squat” from Apple. If I want Apple software or hardware, I buy it like everybody else. I did get a free t-shirt from a guy in the SoHo Apple Store after I spoke there once. That was cool.
Q. Yeah, but I bet you get special treatment at the Apple Store, right?
A. Sadly, no. I know one person there: Jessica (hi Jessica), and if I wait in line long enough, she’ll help me, just like everybody else. Hey, but when my son dropped his iPhone (a hand-me-down), the woman at the genius bar had been to my Orlando Photoshop seminar last year.
Q. Did she hook you up with a free replacement?
A. Nope. It cost me an arm and a leg to buy him a replacement. Well, it just cost an arm. I made him pay the leg part himself. It’s that whole parent thing.
Q. So you really have no “juice” at Apple do you?
A. Not a drop.
Q. So why did you say you were impressed with the iPad, and that you were going to buy one?
A. Because I was impressed with the iPad, and I’m going to buy one.
Q. That was pretty risky, ya know?
A. I know. Mentioning an Apple product is not without peril.
Q. Why is that?
A. Although there are three types of people: (1) Apple haters (2) Apple apologists and (3) Everybody else, when you write anything about Apple—–anything—you immediately hear from numbers 1 and 2.
Q. What’s an Apple Apologist??
A. That’s someone who defends Apple’s decisions no matter what.
Q. Have you experienced them first hand?
A. Not since I mentioned how much I hated my new MacBook Pro because the gestures on the new trackpad kept rotating my Photoshop CS4 canvas, but luckily Adobe released a plug-in that stopped the rotation, so my life is back to normal.
Q. So some people were mad that you pointed out that problem?
A. Like you cannot believe. I did a short video showing the problem to run here on the blog, but I stupidly posted it on YouTube.com and then embedded the video into my post. Big mistake. I still get emails from Apple apologists telling me I’m an idiot for trying to use Photoshop with a trackpad, and that the problem is my fault–not Apple’s. I just wish “idiot” was the phase they most often used. Sadly, it usually had one less letter. Those are Apple apologists.
Ask Terry White what happens if he posts something the least bit critical about Apple. When he posted that the USB ports were too close during his review of the new MacBook Pro (they are, by the way)—-so close that you often can’t connect two USB devices at once, people railed him in droves, claiming that instead of Apple properly spacing the ports, that instead all USB flash drives and cables should be redesigned with thinner bodies to accommodate the tighter ports.
Q. But you just said you agree that the ports are too close? Isn’t that saying something bad about Apple. Aren’t you going to catch a rash of $%&$ for posting that?
A. Absolutely.
Q. Doesn’t that worry you?
A. Honestly, I’m getting used to it. It used to bother me, but I find it bothers me less and less since I added the Delete Post key as an Apple Quick Key. 
Q. Does any of this surprise you?
A. Not at all. In fact, I’ll guarantee you that after all this, at least a few people will actually post comments here today going on about how Apple has totally messed up, and then they’ll go on to explain why they’re not going to buy one.
Q. Seriously, you think someone will actually do that?
A. I would bet money on it.
Q. So you think because you mentioned the iPad missing Flash, now you’ll catch some heat for that, too?
A. Absolutely. It kind of comes with the territory, but somehow, I’ll trudge on.
Q. The iPad’s not even shipping yet. In fact, it’s still months away. Do you think we should hold our judgment until we actually hold one in our hands and try one out?
A. Absolutely not. Judgment should be passed immediately (if not sooner). Nail Apple, Steve Jobs, and anyone the least bit connected to it, on any level. That’ll teach ‘em to try to introduce a new product that doesn’t appeal to every living person.
Q. So with all these people screaming about what it doesn’t have, do you still think Apple will sell a lot of iPads?
A. Yup. Millions and millions in its first year. I know, but not to you. You’re no sucker, you’re smarter than that, you’re no chump, etc..
Q. Hey, did you mean me?
A. No, not you. Them (you know who you are).
The man has given you his opinion, and spelled out he doesn’t care if you buy one or not but you’ve all still managed to argue yourselves round in a circle. You just don’t get it!
The iPad seems interesting, but what I reallly want is an iPhone that works with Verizon. AT&T is useless in my area.
This was a beautiful post, filled with sanity about the iPad and people’s reactions to it. Loved it.
I agree completely, and thanks to Scott for writing it. I’ve learned so much from him from reading his blog!
For Hitler’s view of the iPad, check this out. Don’t view if you are easily offended. Strong language included.
http://tinyurl.com/y86j5ax
Rob, I saw that too, but did not have the guts to post it here! Very funny if you can get by the offense stuff!
My issues with the iPad do not stem from apple overpromising what it will do, or whatever features it’s missing ( though it is definitely missing some )
My biggest problem is that for the last month, in all of my photography and technology podcasts and blogs, all ANYONE seems to care about is the iPad, and all of the predictions they were making for how it was going to change the industry and change the world and have a camera and run OSX and have an OLED screen etc…. I think it’s a neat device, but I also think it’s just a big iPod touch with an optional 3G data connection, and I am so tired of hearing about it. I already have an iPod touch. Call me when something new actually comes out.
I have to say I agree with you on most of this. I used to be an Apple Apologist, back when Apple was struggling to get back off the ground. Now that it is a big hit again, I still love Apple products, and I still defend them, but not like I used to. I feel that their decisions are theirs to make, but are not always the best ones. (Macintosh still does not support Blu-ray).
Sure there was hype and rumors, none of which Apple started directly, but the expectation of that extra “WOW” factor in most of their presentations just wan’t there regardless. I was really hoping there would be some extra cool new feature that wasn’t already on the iPhone/iPod Touch that would really make it unique. Sure, it is bigger, supports keyboards, and has a book store, but those aren’t really wow factors, more like given factors for a tablet pc of this type. And since it does run the same OS as the iPhone, we all wish it would support Flash, but kind of expected it wouldn’t. I’m not sure why it doesn’t run flash, it is MORE than capable of it. Anyways…
I am still thrilled that this product looks as good as it does, and looks like it will work extremely well. I will wait for the iPad 2.0 model, like I did for the iPhone. It is always a good idea to wait till at least the second generation of a new product, so they can work out the bugs and add much needed features. With any luck, in 2011, I will have a new iPad 2.0.
But do let us know how the 1.0 works out for you.
Instead of the Kindle ebook reader, I might get one for my wife. But i’ll wait 2 weeks for the price to drop $400 before i buy it. Every penny counts.
Come on Scott, that was a pretty abysmal scarecrow argument for people’s criticism of the iPad. First off, no one is angry. They just don’t like it. Aren’t they entitled to not like a product due to it’s specs and features? It’s simply not a well thought out product, it’s lacking key features that would make it useful and justify it’s price, and it’s disappointing due to the potential it could have.
And you can’t claim Apple didn’t hype it, their message control is well known, as is their use of supposed ‘leaks’ to create hype. Come on, lets grow up. If Jobs calling it ‘magical’ isn’t hype, I don’t know what is.
But that isn’t the issue either. If you detect any vitriol, its not towards some rather redundant piece of consumer electronics, it’s towards people who make long rambling bitter posts about the people who dare not to like the iPad. Sorry to say, kind of like yours.
So, no one is angry, obviously, so why do you feel the need to defend a product you have nothing to do with? Can’t people not like a product based on it’s lack of features (are saying you WOULDN’T want to be able to run Aperature, or edit on Photoshop with a stylus like a Walcom?). The anger is towards the fanboys who can’t let it go that not everyone will buy any POS with an Apple logo on it. And on their insulting assertions that everyone not blown away buy it are suffering from some kind of mania.
Why do you feel the need to misrepresent someones stance on a simple product, and defend it with such fervor? Why do you instantly right off any problem people have with an Apple product as some sort of anti-Apple dementia? That’s almost the definition of paranoid delusion.
I’m not getting the iPad because I already have an iPhone, and a macbook. The iPhone fits right in my pocket, the macbook lets me do whatever I want, even run other OS’s. Am I simply blinded by anti-Apple rage that I can’t see the point of a product that is the combination of the worst aspects of both devices?
Come on guys and gals, Apple’s questionable business practices not with standing, it’s this kind of fanboy snobbery that turns people off Apple products. Apple doesn’t need you coming to their defense, or insulting their detractors, they’re a giant corporation, they can pay people to go on the internet and pretend to be evangelists, so why are you wasting your time doing it for free? It’s just a tech company, not a religion, lets get some perspective. If people don’t like a product, they’re perfectly entitled to their opinion.
Sorry about the above comment. It was probably unduly harsh. I’ve been reading too much of these “everyone who doesn’t think the iPad is the greatest thing ever is a blind idiot” posts written buy other photographers that I’m getting a little fed up. I’m having to cover up all my Apple logos so I don’t get associated with them, and accosted in public.
Yours was actually one of the more even pro iPad posts, but I do think you’re misrepresenting people’s issues with the device a little. It’s unfair to say it’s all blind rage.
Hi Spencer:
Well, everybody may not be angry, but you sure are.
-Scott
P.S. Better check your blood pressure. I’m worried about you.
Great post Scott! Of course you knew it would further enflame the zealots right? Though they will profess to not be angry or bitter, just before going off on a bitter tirade.
I plan on using my (well mostly mine, when my wife is not using it) iPad for on location presentations (ie: portfolios) to my clients. I believe the device will be a more polished alternative to a traditional laptop or photo books. Photography is a visual business and presentation is everything.. in my humble, non-inflammatory opinion.
More clients FTW!
Scott,
Will you guys at Kelby Training be offering any of your online training videos in a format that can be played on the iPad? Talk about sweet. Relaxing in my bed, iPad propped up in my lap, filling my noggin with all of the goodness that your site provides and that I don’t get the time to enjoy while slaving in front of my computer all day long. That would be a killer app for me.
Cheers!
I vote for kelby Training on iPad too!!
Thanks a lot for this Scott! It made me laugh pretty hard. Ever since its release I’ve been getting attacked from all sides and all I can do is laugh at them while they talk about what it can’t do.
I appreciate the sarcasm/humor in your post…so refreshing.
-Leo
This was a really great post, thank you. Must have taken you some time to write it.
Scott, I just love your Q&A posts… I can’t stop laughing!
I hope you’re gonna write another “critical” article soon, so you have to post another of these hillarious Q&As.
Tomi
Didn’t you guys here about the new Apple iProduct?
… “Apple iProduct. You’ll buy it and you’ll like it!”
http://i.imgur.com/Spt9L.gif
this is the funniest thing I have seen all day and summarizes my thoughts on the subject perfectly!
so basically you are inflicting a message that people should not speak of the iPod unless they’ve iPaid for it
pardon me for not being amused by your auto-interview (?)… I’d have to go out on a limb and, in a very caps off way, express that I’m not even surprised by the sheisty premise… for it is well known that pro-apple individuals have the tendency to describe their path as “in/warm” while depicting other’s as “out/cold”… this is the attitude found in the very core of the apple existence… this is how lack of rationale is justified… kind of like the american SUV market
First let me say I am looking forward to the upcoming release of this product. I see a huge potential for this as an access device for other technologies. Having spent years working in the technology industry, one common complaint for users of electronic document management solutions was a lack of an elegant, simple to use, interface. For example, there are quite a few EMR (Electronic Medical Record) software solutions available. These allow health care professionals quick, easy access to your medical records without having to physically pull a paper file. Currently these software packages require at best, a laptop with wireless access. Imagine your physician walking in to examine you carrying a laptop in addition to all their various medical paraphernalia… You can’t because they won’t. It’s much simpler for them to just carry the file! The iPad solves this problem. It has WiFi, it has web access, it can access ALL the patient records! Now the doctor is carrying a device Smaller than the original paper files that Virtually contains all his or her patients’ records… This analogy works across all document management fields. Lawyers have access to all their case files in the courtroom, Professors can access lecture notes from the lectern. The possibilities are endless.
As for the violent opposition to this and other Apple products by certain groups, I believe this has more to do with their opposition to the cult-like product loyalty of Apple users. I was recently speaking to a friend who works for a major Japanese electronics manufacturer. I mentioned hearing that a product produced by his company had only recently released Snow Leopard support. He laughed and opined that this never occurs with new Windows Operating Systems. This wasn’t because of better preparedness on the Windows side. Quite the opposite. It’s because Windows users are jaded about any new release. They wait months after the release for all the bugs to be worked out prior to upgrading. Apple users, on the other hand, stand in line at the Apple Store the night BEFORE to ensure they can upgrade immediately!
JBT, with the risk of appearing as a party breaker type or a non-popular kid in school that doesn’t have the latest and greatest (apple product)…also as an active member of the IT community, I can’t help but succumb to some good old critical thinking
to start with your beautiful analogies and anecdotes, which are great but currently can only be categorized under fiction… the present real life poses challenges that are beyond apple’s dictated (closed) technological utopia
1. iPad in healthcare – a complete no-no for multiple reasons, some of which include the following: lack of legacy support, lack of general security & performance level with WiFi in a hospital scenario
for a product to comply with rigorous HIPA act it must maintain near absolute level of privacy protection, which is near impossible with current shortcomings of the 802.11 standards… not only the encryption problem (I am writing this from the neighbor’s WPA secured wifi network), but also the multipath propagation and signal attenuation, or the wifi leak, which makes a good case for a spotty network that can be compromised with enough resources…as we speak, there is no good defense against a primitive (yet effective) DOS attack… a testament to these security issues is a case from several years ago where a network security team was able to successfully change the blood type on a phantom patient after infiltrating hospital’s wifi network (through a combination of physical access, DOS, encryption and bug cracking)… pause and think about the implications for a second… and never forget that human life is at stake
which easily make security the the most important point… even though a proper level of security could be engineered, it would simply cost too much… both in financial and usability terms… and to the present day, it is not viable… we are simply not there yet… it is very foolish to assume otherwise
secondly, the mere lack of legacy support and lack of flexibility of the iPad platform renders any serious implementation impossible…
same applies to other industries that heavily depend on document management… such as the ones you mentioned, judicial and educational… sure it’s a great idea (an old great idea if I may add), and we will get there… just not right now… and definitely not with an apple iPad… just because somebody (eg. Steve Jobs) says so, it is simply not designed to offer a robust solution for anything else than media consumption (if that, considering the DRM issues)
I can’t emphasize it enough, it is not my goal to poke holes for poking’s sake… as much as the next guy, I’d like to see this “magical” device everybody is talking about… having said that, it appears to me apple makes it easy to for people to reprove it… surely it will have success with it’s niche market, the media consumer, but in the broader scheme of things (such as innovation of the tablet market in a benchmark-setting way) it can only flop… unless your life revolves around iTunes
smrad,
Thanks for this info. I’m more than a little surprised by this though. Especially given the plethora of EMR solutions who Currently have SmartPhone access. This isn’t something in the Works, This is currently available technology being marketed today by multiple software developers in the Health Record Industry. I would be less surprised to find there were concerns related to the possible electronic interference from the RF transmissions of WiFi and Cellular devices and various medical diagnostic equipment.
I can’t speak to the possible security concerns surrounding 802.11n wireless technology other than to point out that it’s currently being used in businesses large and small, banking and finance up to the Federal level, and (Gasp!) doctor’s offices and Hospitals. These industries (especially banking and finance) tend to depend less on WiFi security as a means of protecting their data and more on encryption.
As for the iPad being a “Magical” device, it’s has no more mystical properties than web access. Software designers are developing more and more applications that leverage IIS servers. As well as allowing developers to write cross platform interfaces, these have the added benefits of remote access as well as a simple learning curve for users.
Personally, the greatest downfall I see to this device is it’s lack of Flash support. This may have limited impact with the development of HTML5. However, since there has been no official ETA for it’s release and given the time required for web apps to catch up to this (possible) new standard, only time will tell how this will impact viability of the iPad as an interface.
JBT, I’m a little surprised you made a comment without ever reading my post…whereby I have to assume you haven’t read it, since you’ve missed almost every critical point
let’s put flash aside, I can only reiterate on the fact that 802.11 (also known as WiFi) is deemed perilous by the security community… however, I see how you might believe otherwise if your information derives from press releases
the current state of being shows that iPad has none of the core systems implemented that would make it appeal to absolute minded proffesional of any industry, short of a small nitche of media consumers
Great Post, Scott. Puts everything in perspective, I think! Also enjoyed reading your Digital Photography Book (Vol. I), so thanks for that!
Sorry Scott but I disagree with that throwaway comment about the D3X price. Nikon putting a better chip in a D3 and marking it up $4,000 was nothing but rape. And they should look at Toyota for some inkling on customer relations after hiding from the 70-200 pixie dust issue.
I watched this documentary tonight and learned why. Really pretty interesting and definitely worth your time if you haven’t seen it. I couldn’t help but to think about this post, because the movie really gives a good psychology behind the die-hard mac user from a non-offensive angle. I think it’s also available on Hulu. http://www.macheadsthemovie.com/
I think hatred comes from the price, apple is expensive, an elitist brand many simply cannot afford it. I mentioned apple once in my blog and people pounced on it immediately someone even suggested they should be banned so everyone can have an even playing field. The Ipad – Ibook store will be another killer. I will buy it.
It is certainly interesting for me to read that post. Thanks the author for it. I like such themes and anything that is connected to this matter. I definitely want to read more on that blog soon.
Sincerely yours
I think the reason for so much negative talk about iPad is because people wish it included all the things they say it does not – in the first revision. Apple, from business point of view, decided that it’s best to have bare bones now and evolve the product in the future. It gives them millions now and millions later, very simple. This means that people will have to wait and nobody wants to wait nowadays. They must have it now. So instead, they just complain how they are not going to buy it.