Long-time Ars reader/subscriber here. They’re a pretty source for English language tech news. I am particularly fond of their reporting on tech adjacent public policy issues (US centrism notwithstanding).
One area where they are weak is taking a critical look at Apple. They keep promoting the notion that Apple is somehow different.
They did report on Apple’s censorship of steaming content on AI (due to the upcoming release of Apple intelligence) and critiques of the CCP, but beyond the initial reporting it’s like nothing happened.
They all use Apple products, nothing wrong with that they have excellent products, but you would think that a tech news site would have at least one or two journalists who use Windows/Android/Linux full time.
It’s almost as if they need a “hero company” in their lives and can’t deal with the notion that all these tech megacorps are the same; sketchy, dishonest and corrupt.
To be fair as someone with no Apple products I’m always on the other side. As a result I’m usually extra critical of them.
Apple makes fine products. They haven’t made one I want to use, but they’re fine. I have plenty of complaints about Android as well.
I think reviewing tech products/software is difficult, especially from a neutral angle. It’s easy to fall into a side or want a “hero” product. Especially when, I’m sure Apple TV users are big fans of their product. I’m sure the designers made a good product. I bet I would even enjoy using their product.
But do I want to spend $120 on a new physical device plus subscription just to watch Severance? I already have a device that can watch everything else (Chromecast Ultra). Oh I need to buy a new version of the device I already have because that one supports apps like Apple TV and I’ll still be able to watch all my apps the way I do today but for Apple TV I’ll have to use the remote.
Somewhere in there the company who makes the product I am using also fucked up. I guess I should have bought a Roku. (I won’t go into that.)
As you said these mega corps can make good products. But sometimes they do be sketchy.
I like the article I’m just disappointed they missed, to me, such an obvious angle.
I have no issues with them even bring fans of Apple products and giving glowing reviews that may not appeal to my sensibilities.
Just he intellectually independent and honest. Don’t be suckers.
All the journalists at Ars exclusively use Apple products outside of work assignments. The notion of not wanting vendor lock-in, needing flexibility and wanting intense price competition is not part of their MO.
I think you’re 100% correct. I’m bothered by the article dancing around this by using the word “marketing”.
I wish the article pushed back against Apple and pointed out their obviously missing flaw, even if it’s part of their strategy.
Long-time Ars reader/subscriber here. They’re a pretty source for English language tech news. I am particularly fond of their reporting on tech adjacent public policy issues (US centrism notwithstanding).
One area where they are weak is taking a critical look at Apple. They keep promoting the notion that Apple is somehow different.
They did report on Apple’s censorship of steaming content on AI (due to the upcoming release of Apple intelligence) and critiques of the CCP, but beyond the initial reporting it’s like nothing happened.
They all use Apple products, nothing wrong with that they have excellent products, but you would think that a tech news site would have at least one or two journalists who use Windows/Android/Linux full time.
It’s almost as if they need a “hero company” in their lives and can’t deal with the notion that all these tech megacorps are the same; sketchy, dishonest and corrupt.
To be fair as someone with no Apple products I’m always on the other side. As a result I’m usually extra critical of them.
Apple makes fine products. They haven’t made one I want to use, but they’re fine. I have plenty of complaints about Android as well.
I think reviewing tech products/software is difficult, especially from a neutral angle. It’s easy to fall into a side or want a “hero” product. Especially when, I’m sure Apple TV users are big fans of their product. I’m sure the designers made a good product. I bet I would even enjoy using their product.
But do I want to spend $120 on a new physical device plus subscription just to watch Severance? I already have a device that can watch everything else (Chromecast Ultra). Oh I need to buy a new version of the device I already have because that one supports apps like Apple TV and I’ll still be able to watch all my apps the way I do today but for Apple TV I’ll have to use the remote.
Somewhere in there the company who makes the product I am using also fucked up. I guess I should have bought a Roku. (I won’t go into that.)
As you said these mega corps can make good products. But sometimes they do be sketchy.
I like the article I’m just disappointed they missed, to me, such an obvious angle.
I have no issues with them even bring fans of Apple products and giving glowing reviews that may not appeal to my sensibilities.
Just he intellectually independent and honest. Don’t be suckers.
All the journalists at Ars exclusively use Apple products outside of work assignments. The notion of not wanting vendor lock-in, needing flexibility and wanting intense price competition is not part of their MO.