The Iphone 4 Mob Mentality

OK, so there is an issue with the Iphone 4 antenna. Got it. But, judging from the way many in the tech blog world are treating it, this is not only the only thing happen in the world, but it is Armageddon itself. Are you kidding me?

Look at Techmeme right now (see below). This issue dominates the page. And now you got a Senator chiming in about it? Dave Letterman making jokes about it?

Screen shot 2010-07-15 at 11.35.24 AM.png

This is a mob mentality. The situation does not warrant this kind of response. The Iphone isn’t the first phone to have an issue like this – not by a long shot. Not only that, most Iphone 4 owners are not even experiencing this issue at all.

However, it suddenly became cool to bash up on Apple over this issue, and everybody is piling in a big me-too bonanza.

PCMech isn’t going to pile on. Not because the issue is fake, but because I believe it is being overplayed HUGELY.

Here’s the reality check:

Iphone 4 has a design flaw with the antenna – yes.
Most people aren’t even really affected by it and will notice next to nothing.
The issue could be solved by placing a bumper around it. Easy.
A recall is overkill. The Friday press conference is probably going to (rightly) put things into perspective. And I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Apple makes it so people can get free bumpers.

The world will continue to spin. The sun will rise. Iphone is still a great phone. But, if you don’t like it, there are a lot of Android phones out there. And guess what, they have problems, too. It just isn’t as cool to bash up on them.

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David
100% Agreed.
I've been trying to decide, is it the “Anything made by Apple must be perfect” mob, or the PC crowd using this as an opportunity to bash Apple???
I'm an admitted PC. But I've found myself defending Apple over this one (maybe a first). People are being completely unreasonable over this one.

http://davidrisley.com David Risley
I think its a bit of both. Why people act like these tech companies are football teams is beyond me.

lespaul20
I think has a lot to do with two things: First, Apple is known for their engineering skills, this seems like such a simple flaw, elementary flaw. Second, Apple has so far been way too quiet. Admitting it wasn't exactly a well thought out design would put to rest a lot of the mob. Their continued arrogance throughout this whole debacle has done them no good.
Something like this polarizes the whole Mac vs PC(or Andriod) even more. Apple has created an expectation in peoples minds, especially the fanatics, and when they fail to meet those it's going to be pitchforks and torches from all sides.

http://davidrisley.com David Risley
Yeah, as some have pointed out, this is Apple's first PR problem, really. They're pretty new at it.
Still, the of pitchforks and torches (even through metaphorical) is idiotic. Obviously, it is happening, but why? I mean, why would a PC user feel in any way motivated to pile onto Apple? They've got no stake in this affair, so who cares? It seems some people just have this deep desire to watch successful companies fail. The Linux nerds love to attack Microsoft for the same reason. Some attack Google for the same reason, and instead go and sing the praises of failed companies. Its just stupid.

lespaul20
Overall it has to do with arrogance. Most people don't like and every successful company has it. When you are an engineering company and you flop on something that seems so easy to test you are going to have this push back. Apple is one of several companies that has become a corporate celebrity. People like celebrity gossip. The media is no different to corporate celebrities, it attracts readership(aka revenue as you know how this works.) Apply have some very loyal customers that can be just as antagonizing about things and I think people enjoy giving it back.
Have you talked about this to an iPhone 4 user? They become extremely defensive very quick. This can be just as ridiculous and the media.

Matt
I agree with everyone else. some people like a phone that you can make a phone call with. others don't. it's all about personal preference. i think everyone should make phones you can't call anyone with. it's the wave of the future!