Apple Fans: Why is it that i-Phone users are so in love with Apple products and need to get the latest i-Phones as soon as they hit the market?

I don’t understand the fanboy syndrome either. I ventured over into the apple ecosystem briefly. Good reliable systems with stable software and quality hardware. Expensive and behind the curve now though. I still use my macbook but I could not tell you the last time I booted into OSX.

You might find this interesting. It touches on some of the concepts of “fanboyism”, and how it is built upon our rationalization of past purchases. Once we have built an identity around a product/brand, it then takes work to maintain it.

Mass hypnosis. Steve Jobs was a charlatan – a very smart charlatan, but still – and he brainwashed people into joining his controlled and safe Apple world, where the people would never need to think for themselves, because the Apple environment was their womb.

It’s a lot like religion – Apple users want simple answers and complete acceptance, and the Apple environment does not challenge them. It makes them feel comfortable.

To paraphrase Karl marx:

Apple is the opium of the masses.

Apple fans exist so that other people can feel very smug and superior.

@janbb – and it’s working!

I like Apple products because I don’t want to be challenged (yes, @elbanditoroso, you’re right ~)...by my phone. I use my phone. I prefer to be challenged by people, life circumstances, etc.

I am amused by the level of unbridled Apple love and hate. Both are silly.

I guess I can’t answer your Q, @jca, because I own Apple products because they are reliable and easy to use (my iPhone 4 is 3½ years old and works well), not because of some extreme fan hood.

I also wonder why people wait overnight to buy movie tickets for a predicted blockbuster, or buy a new car when the old one is fine.

Just an attempt to keep this on track: @jca is not asking why people use Apple products (or don’t). She is asking for an explanation of the Apple phenomenon. Why is it that there are people camping out, etc? Admittedly, I don’t even think my first answer sufficiently covered this. Does anyone have any scholarly resources that might shed some light on this?

I think it’s because Apple attempts to build perfect devices. I say perfect in the sense that it cannot be any better with the available technology—there are obvious physical, economical, usability constraints, etc. So yes they could pack it full of really expensive components to give it an even better list of specs, but the costs would go way up and then it’s no longer priced as a phone most people can afford to buy every couple of years. Apple tries to come as close to the ideal of perfection that they can in almost everything they do.

The phenomena you’re seeing is some people recognize this philosophy and feel compelled to own the product as soon as they can. It’s like art collectors or antique collectors, or car collectors, etc.

I’m not saying they actually achieve perfection, but Apple generally won’t release stuff unless they think it’s the absolute best they can possibly make it given real-world constraints. Many other companies take a “it’s good enough, ship it” approach.

Thank you, @hominid.

For the same reason some people have to have the latest Nike Air Jordans. Because some people build their identity upon the brands they use and wear.

It’s the same with everything. There are people who are vehemently argumentative about the advantages or disadvantages of having a cat vs. a dog. There are those who argue endlessly and even insult one another over their preferences for ragtops vs smudgepots (sailboats vs. powerboats). It’s some kind of instinctual need to belong to a specific group. It’s ridiculous. There are advantages and disadvantages of all these things that are suited to certain people and their needs. What’s to argue about? Maybe it’s nature’s way of keeping us in shape for real battles, like a future struggle for food, or potable water. Maybe it’s an opportunity to develop skills of negotiation to prevent us from unnecessarily killing each other off. Who knows.

On the surface, it looks awfully unnecessary to me,a real waste of time and energy. Real schoolboy shit.

@Espiritus_Corvus Nailed it.

@janbb LOL. Too bad I posted the damn thing in the wrong thread. I meant it to go here where it would have made more sense.

Part of it is that there is one new phone a year. And if you didn’t get one this weekend you are probably going to be waiting a month*. No one is camping out for a new iMac.

*I checked Apple’s site and it is 3–4 weeks to ship

I was a day one original iPhone purchaser. $600 for an 8 GB phone with Edge speed data (2G more or less) and no apps and no app store. I was a fanboy at the time, but also at the time every other phone’s OS sucked a zoo’s worth of ass. (Also, I did get Apple’s $100 rebate when the price dropped $200 a few months after release.)

The best thing to come out of that purchase is that I still have the original AT&T unlimited data plan.

Since then, however, I haven’t been a day one guy. I got a 3GS only because my original was stolen, and then I upgraded to the 5 (when it was new) after I had already replaced the battery once in the 3GS and the second battery started failing.

One factor that probably has contributed to day one sales is that it has been relatively easy to recoup costs by selling an older iPhone.

If you have to ask you wouldn’t understand.

I started using a Mac in 1988 — long before Apple became the pseudo-religion it is today.

I’ve stuck with Apple products all these years because I’ve never had a single problem with the many computers and devices I’ve owned from them, they’re reliable workhorses, and they do exact what I need them to.

That being said, I never get any apple product when it first comes out. Early adoption is never a good idea for me. I’m usually about two years behind what’s the newest. That’s just smart for me.

Apple Fanboys and Apple Haters alike are pretty pathetic IMHO.

I like the idea of Apple products being easy to use out of the box, and as I am totally a non-techy person, I would probably buy them, if only they weren’t so damn expensive. I can buy a PC of a higher spec than a Mac for half the cost, seems like a waste of money to buy the Mac.

@SecondHandStoke: “If you have to ask you wouldn’t understand.”

Are you saying what it appears that you are saying? Are you confirming @Darth_Algar‘s answer?

Waiting in line for the newest Apple product to be launched is ridiculous and takes power away from the consumer. I said on facebook yesterday ot is like writing gouge me on our foreheads. The items are not limited editions and numbered. There is no reason that someone should have to buy it today! Two weeks from now should be just fine, unless you just happened to drop your current phone in the toilet.

I have mixed feelings about Apple. I broke down and bought an iphone last year, because my husband really wanted to try one, so I decided to try at the same time. I do have an ipad, but there is more than one thing I don’t like about, and I don’t find it intuitive like so many people say, but I am accustomed to it now, and there are things I like about it too. I really really wish apple would have a delete button and not just a backspace. That has bothered me since the beginnings. I also don’t like that you have to buy all apple accessories pretty much. I was really annoyed that for years you had to get AT&T if you wanted an Iphone.

Some people will camp out for something new, concert tickets, to see a celebrity, to be the first through the door on Black Friday, and more. Some people never would line up for hours or days for anything or anyone. Some people fall in the middle.

I was going to ask a similar Q when I saw the ridiculous lengths people will go to just to get the latest iPhone NOW (when later is just as good).

It makes no sense to me and I’m an iPhone user and would not consider switching. But there’s absolutely no way I would camp out for days in a long line just so I could get it sooner. That’s ridiculous to me.

So, not every iPhone user is crazy enough to do that.

But to answer the rest of your question about why I would not get another brand phone, it’s simple. My cell is my ONLY PHONE. I don’t have a landline or computer phone for a backup. RELIABILITY IS CRUCIAL FOR ME. and Apple provides that

There are too many quirks and differences in the Android OS (some of which are imposed by the various cell companies upon basic Android) so more chance of something getting screwed up.

So, how do I know that about Android OS? Because I have an Android Tablet (Samsung Galaxy 7 inch) so I’m not a blindly loyal Apple Fanboy.

But, if there’s a glitch in Android that puts my Tablet out of whack for a few days, I can deal with that. But I definitely don’t want to be forced to deal with that in my one and only phone.

The clerks at the CELLPHONE stores are worse than useless when it comes to getting accurate info. for problem solving. They are salespeople, period.

If there’s a problem with an Android phone, what recourse would I have? Damn little, that’s what.

So since most smartphones, whether Apple or Android are heavily subsidized by the CELLPHONE companies, there is no outrageous price differential for Apple iPhones as there is for their computers.

So, why should I switch from the most reliable one (Iphone) also backed up by the company consistently rated #1 for tech support satisfaction? And if that fails, there is usually an Apple Store full of experts in their product.

Do you know of any Samsung stores around? I didn’t think so.

So, I really don’t care who wants to think less of me for having an iPhone. It works and has never failed me. That is no accident. Apple designs them that way.

But I’m not enough of a blind fanboy to camp out for days just so I can get the newest one sooner.

And I’m realistic enough about Apples blind spots to choose an Android Tablet. This way I’m not limited to the “walled garden” of Apple and their refusal to deal with Flash. I can have the best of both worlds. But I’m not stupid enough to have an Apple tablet and an Android phone. The reliability of my ONLY PHONE is much too important to me.

I figure if others want to waste time arguing about all of this, then let them :)

No argument from me. Just curiosity.

My phone is provided by my job, so I take it, happily, and don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. It’s free and it is what it is.

@hominid

No.

“My phone is provided by my job, so I take it, happily, and don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. It’s free and it is what it is.”

Microsoft’s survival strategy in a nutshell.

Pathetic.

Aren’t you the least bit concerned about what being issued inferior tools to do you job says about your perceived value by your employer?

@cookieman

Apple appreciation simply cannot be a religion.

Because Apple’s appeal is based on a hard science known as ergonomics.

@SecondHandStoke: Is that a joke? I like my Samsung. It serves the purpose (calling, texting, email, photos). I use the phone for nothing other than the above.

Sigh:

Purpose… How absolutely matters: How a device serves is just as important as the service itself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_factors_and_ergonomics

Yes, of course I, as a trained industrial designer, had to be joking…

Sorry to disappoint. I like what I like. Samsung has fans, too. I’m sure Apple is great, but my phone suits me just fine (and as stated previously, it’s free, which is the best part).

Oh, don’t get me wrong. I was quite pleased with my Samsung phones.

That is until the iPhone dream became a reality.

Justifying a product’s or services’ existence because of price or because it’s free…

Life is just way too short for that.

@SecondHandStoke: That’s great!

Re-read @canidmajor‘s well articulated comment and you’ll know why I too prefer Apple products. I’m not brainwashed by anybody—I simply stick with products that have proven reliable and well suited for my needs. I love gadgets and own ones by several makers, but I stick with my iMac, iPhone and iPod Mini because they work for me.

This subject has come up so many times on Fluther… what a waste of energy debating personal preferences.

The other stuff is reliable also. It’s just preference.

I don’t know how much this will be helpful, but I buy something the moment it comes out (pre-order it online) because I immediately want that extra efficiency and comfort that the newer products have to offer. Time and comfort is something I greatly value so it would be a great disservice to me if I didn’t buy and make use of the product immediately.

However, I’m not exclusive to one particular brand. I had the samsung s4 but did not get the samsung s5 when it came out. I bought the “HTC One” instead.

The nice thing about Apple is that their programs and products are developed in house, so you don’t get conflicts.

I find a lot of Apple loyalists have liked Apple from way back in the years of the beginnings of the PC wars. A lot (not all) of loyal Apple people talk about their reliable iphones, but have never owned another brand smarphone, and a lot of people have been happy with the reliability of their phones that are not Apple. Having owned both android and apple myself, they aren’t that different. Some things I liked better on my Samsung, some things I like better on my iphone.

A lot of the loyalty is marketing and the consumer’s desire to identify with the product. Just like wanting to identify with Cadillac over Lexus. Either you identify with the market it caters too or you want to be similar to those in your own immediate group. Not all consumers are swayed by the marketing and advertising of a product, but many are.

@eno The absolute opposite of how I think of technology and cars for that matter. The first year out they often have glitches they need to work out. I bought the first version of ipad annoyed it didn’t have a camera. Of course, a while later ipad 2 came out with a camera. My ipad has all sorts of problems, they started within a year of purchasing the ipad, and the Apple store informed me the original ipads tend to get the problems I have and eventually it will completely crash and die. I have heard the original ipad was rushed to market, I don’t know if that was true.

The fantastic thing about Windows is, that it will run on bloody everything.

@JLeslie

Can’t say I ever ran into such problems with electronics or cars, then again, I never bought an apple product.

New products may suffer from glitches but not all units suffer these defects. You might have been part of the unlucky bunch that got the glitches or “lemons”.

Mercedes-Benz was recalling one of their models that I least back in 2011, however, only 5,800 cars were part of the recall. I was never one of the unlucky ones. I’d imagine that is what happened to you with Apple.

@eno I haven’t been very unlucky, but I don’t often buy things the first year out. The only time I have was a Porsche Boxster I think and the ipad. We had a few minor problems, but all my Porsches have had at least a few minor problems first year out or not. Maybe my iphone was the first year of this version? I have no idea. Since they come out with new phones all the time now it wouldn’t surprise me.

I think the dishwasher I just bought has some new things on it, I am not sure exactly how long it has been out, but I read and was told by a salesperson that it had trouble closing, but the company fixed the problem. There is an off chance the one I ordered might be a malfunctioning one if it had been in a warehouse a long time. The newer ones from the manufacturer already have the fix. It is beyond me that a company misses a problem like that.

One of my cars doesn’t have a malfunction per se, but a stupidity that a manufacturer ever thought it would be desirable. My key has one button for lock and unlock. If I start to walk away from the car and don’t remember if I locked it I can’t just push the button to lock, because I might be unlocking it if I had locked it. It doesn’t honk when locking or flash lights. The stereotype in my mind was immediately a bunch of male, German, engineers thought that was a slick idea. Women complained like crazy and they changed it going forward.

The use of the term “brainwashing…”

I’ve seen this happen on Fluther a number of times before:

Why is it that some people think people only have what they have due to marketing or peer pressure?

Is it really so unlikely that I made careful decisions about what devices I’ve bought based on their merits?

Am I the only one here that has considered that the reason one might try to get the latest ASAP is because their corporate competition might do the same?

Ireally think that the people who want to have it first just think it’s a fun thing to do. No deeper or crazier than standing in line for the Rocky Horror Show or tickets to see the Stones. Big fucking deal!

@janbb I think you’re right about that too. Some Apple fans enjoy the opportunity to meet other like-minded people.

@SecondHandStoke: I’m justifying my use of the phone I use because it meets my needs and it’s not one more bill per month that needs to be paid. Reason enough for me.

@SecondHandStoke

I really doubt anyone’s corporate competition is standing in lines to get the latest phone as soon as the door opens. Or that anyone standing in that line has corporate competition. This might be why people think “brainwashed”, because you’re reaching to defend your use of the product beyond simple personal preference.

^ But it IS more than a matter of personal preference.

A more direct and intuitive line towards an objective is just that.

The standards are based on our physical selves and the way humans process information.

Things we all generally have in common.

Only one system can address this best.

Yup.

YAWP.