It is true that Apple appeals to the not so computer savvy. But in order to capture that market, Apple needed to design hardware and software of exceptional quality. As a result, they've also captured the high end of the market — engineers at Google and NASA and at plenty of tech start-ups, as well as fans of high tech and good design, such as Rush Limbaugh.
As for Samsung, I think it's a good thing that they and Android exist.
The patent system is out of control. The simple fact is, too much is patentable. Utility patents should only be granted for genuine innovation having a physical implementation, not for software nor business methods. Design patents should not be granted for basic aspects of a product's physical form that are required for it to be useful, such as rounded corners. But I don't let such considerations influence my tech purchases.
When using the term “goon” I am not talking “a silly, foolish, or eccentric person”. I mean, “a bully or thug, especially one hired to terrorize or do away with opposition”.
Interesting. TIL I learned that "goon" can also mean "a silly, foolish, or eccentric person". But it's true:
goon (gūn)
n. Slang
- A thug hired to intimidate or harm opponents.
- A stupid or oafish person.
[Probably ultimately short for GOONEY, simpleton.]
That's from answers.com. My Mac's built-in dictionary actually lists the senses in the reverse order:
goon |goōn|
noun informal
- a silly, foolish, or eccentric person.
- a bully or thug, esp. one hired to terrorize or do away with opposition : a squad of goons waving pistols.
ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: perhaps from dialect gooney [booby] ; influenced by the subhuman cartoon character ‘Alice the Goon,’ created by E. C. Segar (1894–1938), American cartoonist.
Thank you for the thoughtful response to my post. Despite my criticism of Apple’s management and legal team, I too must admit that without the competition from Apple the electronic and computing devices available to consumers would likely be far inferior to what they currently are.
Last night, my wife and I were at the annual “Heritage Dinner” at the Officer’s Club at McChord Field on Joint Base Lewis McChord. It is an annual get together for retired officers. I was actually shocked at the number of retired officers with iPhones. The WWII veteran sitting across from the table told us that he hardly uses his computer anymore because he does everything with his iPhone. The officiating chaplain wanted our card, but then had my wife enter our email and phone on his iPhone instead.
So I must admit that Apple has created products that consumers find incredibly useful. And despite my disgust over much of the legal tactics used by technology companies, overall we are all better off because of the competition.