Apple has over 500 million users worldwide and a net worth of $1.3 trillion. If you've ever stopped to wonder how they make so much money, you've probably realized that most apple users would never use a different type of device. I know that I am part of this population and though I would like to think it is because I decided that Apple has the best products, I know that it goes much deeper than that.
When the first iPhone came out in 2007, people who already had iPods saw it as something that was very user friendly, so they bought it over other competing devices. Of course, they only thought it was so user friendly because they were familiar with its design. After getting their first iPhone, Apple users dug themselves further and further into the trap. They started buying apps that only worked on Apple devices. One very noticeable way Apple kept its costumers loyal is by creating iMessage, which only works between Apple devices. Apple also makes all of its devices only work well with each other, and not any other brand of device. For example, making messaging and facetime apps available on Macs and iPads. Apple TV also has a photo app so you can see all your photos from your phone on your TV.
Using these methods, Apple has created an ecosystem that traps consumers unlike any of its competitors.
I have also fallen into using Apple because it seems the most user friendly to me and I remember when in the Marketing Documentary they were talking about "love marks", Apple was one of the first companies I thought of as inspiring that.
ReplyDeleteI definitely relate to what you discussed, so it was an interesting read. I think that this dedication to Apple as a company that many people have can lead them to look down upon competitors. For example, if someone has an android, there also is a negative connotation towards them since a lot of us believe that "apple is better." This is an interesting mindset that I think we have in other aspects as well. We tend to gravitate towards what we have known, what we're comfortable around. When things are out of the ordinary (android), we tend to bash it. This may be the way we look at electronics, but we also look at other aspects in our life in the same way.
ReplyDeleteI think one reason why our community has such a pro-Apple mindset is because of the wealth in the Silicon Valley. Since we have a high cost of living, a $1000+ iPhone is affordable to most. Conversely, in other, lower cost of living areas and countries, the majority of people use Android because it does everything iPhones do.
ReplyDeleteThere's definitely an element of status at play here. Apple has marketed themselves as a high-end product and having nice Apple equipment can often be seen as a stature thing. I think this is especially prevalent in Silicon Valley especially because we have such a high cost of living as well.
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