Apple doesn't need to improve iTunes. They need to take it out back and shoot it.
What Apple should do....
- When you attach an iOS device to a computer, expose a file system (not the file system) with "folders" that represent each apps local storage and let you copy files back and forth instead of forcing you to use iTunes to copy files into the app's local storage.
- Enable you to buy media on the web (app, books, etc.) that automatically gets downloaded to your device (like Google). They are so close to doing that now.
- Create a simple iOS backup and restore program for ios devices.
- iTunes should only play and manage music and movies.
- Enable the creation of smart playlists on devices.
> - When you attach an iOS device to a computer, expose a file system (not the file system) with "folders" that represent each apps local storage and let you copy files back and forth instead of forcing you to use iTunes to copy files into the app's local storage.
That's pretty much how iCloud Drive works, except it's not over USB.
On the one hand I agree with you. On the other hand, the days when it really mattered are arguably in the past. I have a big physical music collection on iTunes and even I don't touch my collection in iTunes much any longer.
Because Apple's premier software play is learning from other people's code running via the app store (not competing it down), and their content IP play is running too rich to alter in motion.
Because Apple hasn't been a technical leader in many years. They've established their brand as a luxury brand and their products as a status symbol; all else is secondary, including to most of the users. Almost nobody arrives at a purely rational decision to buy an Apple product in 2018 when competitor products nearly universally have a lower ratio of price to (performance/quality/screen size/serviceability/etc). Like everything else Apple does today, this strategy is also unoriginal: Harley-Davidson was a major innovator way back in the day, but nobody but a Harley fanatic in the biker community will recommend you to buy a Harley today, because they're (outdated design/inefficient/unreliable/etc); despite this, they're the most recognized brand by non-bikers and Harley fans will ride it out with Harley-Davidson to the end.
Apple’s ecosystem just works. I’ve used this example before, but when I needed to buy my great grandma who lives in a poor country who never learned English or went to school, a device to video chat with all her (grand)children, it was a no brained to get an iPad mini.
It works every time she uses Facetime and there is no problem other than turning it off and on. Similarly, all the grandparents, uncles, aunts, they don’t want to spend time learning how to sign into various google accounts and services. They want to press a button and see their loved ones. So everyone has an iOS device. Because google couldn’t get it together and offer something that worked, and didn’t change names every two weeks.
Similarly, WhatsApp took instant messaging. It just worked, sharing contacts, pictures, video is dead simple.
Not to mention iOS devices last the longest by far and get security updates quickly and for a longer period of time. And the resell prices prove it. And you can quickly go to an a Apple store and get it fixed or replaced. Who cares if it’s specs are not the best, it just works for 90% of people.
In 2008 I bought a high end Dell laptop. It ended up running way too hot and it would freeze up playing some games. I got fed up with the Windows ecosystem and tried out a MacBook Air. It was easy to setup out of the box. No crap Ware was on the computer. For the first time I actually used a trackpad and it was good enough that I no longer use a mouse with Mac laptops. When I bought my next computer it was a breeze transferring over my settings and programs. Whenever I use a Windows machine the workflow is way worse from my perspective. I remember well the frustrations with using Windows that disappeared with using Mac OS. I won’t go back.
Apple has its own set of frustrations but none of them, in my experience, compare to the hell of dealing with Dell and Windows. Never again for me. I recommend to people to use Macs. I think it’s rational to use Apple products. My iPhone 6 Plus still gets updates and works well. My iPad Pro is better than any other tablet I’ve looked at.
I would say just the opposite. Dell laptops have single handedly made me never want to spend money on Apple laptops. They are cheaper with more versatile configurations.
I have no complaints about either the cheap Dells I’ve had over the years or the midrange ones - just always buy thier business line or from the Microsoft store.
I have a 2008 Core 2 Duo 2.66Ghz Dell that’s going strong as my Plex server. It was one of the last great 15” displays with a 1920x1200 display.
My current work and personal laptops are midrange 2n1 Dells.
MacBooks just aren’t compelling to me and this is coming from someone who has an iPhone 8 Plus, an iPad, a 6S (without a sim) and 5 AppleTVs (2 free from DirectvNow). Not to mention I had two FrankenMacs in the past - an LCIi with a //e card and a PowerMac with a Dx/2-66 card and later two Mac Minis.
It's totally reasonable for someone to like Dell and want to stay with Windows. It's not for me though and my point to the OP was that it's not irrational to prefer Macs. I don't buy them for status symbol (at least not consciously). I've looked at Surface Pro and Surfacebook but I just can't get over how clunky Windows feels to get anything done. I especially hate the nagging to get a One Drive account.
I don't think of people who prefer Windows and Dell as status seekers or in otherwise derogatory terms. To each his own!
That’s not what I am getting at. Apple has never produced a mainstream compelling laptop - a laptop with decent specs with a decent screen at a competitive price.
When I was in the market for a laptop in 2016, all I wanted was a Core I7, with 8GB RAM, an SSD and a 1080p display. The closest Apple had was $1600. The Dell was around $800.
Even today, if I wanted a MacBook with those specs there is nothing. The MacBook Air has anemic specs and the MacBook Pros cost a lot more - and I would still want a 5K monitor.
Luckily, I don’t have a need for a personal laptop. I’m good with getting a 5K iMac. The cost of a good 5K monitor is $1300. The 5K iMac doesn’t seem excessive.
