“The remarkable resurgence of Apple and Steve Jobs has continued to accelerate in the new year with the launch of the iPhone and, to a lesser extent, Apple TV. The reviews were stellar, the stock jumped to an all-time high, and rivals were again left shaking their heads over Jobs’ ability to re-invent at a stroke even the largest and most complicated categories,” Jonathan Weber writes for The Times.

Weber writes, “Yet Apple is exhibiting the kind of corporate hubris that is almost always damaging in the long run. Overwhelming success tends to breed arrogance and greed – especially with someone like Jobs, who is more than a little arrogant to begin with – and that in turn tends to have consequences.”

“Indeed, I would argue that a backlash against Apple is inevitable, though it will probably take some time before it has any effect on business. Already, there is carping in Silicon Valley and elsewhere about Apple’s closed systems, especially its insistence on locking non-iTunes music out of the iPod. There’s been grumbling about the terrible reliability record of the iPod line, and about Powerbooks with bugs. There has even been a corporate scandal, over stock option backdating, that the company has failed to explain candidly and which could result in serious legal problems sooner rather than later,” Weber writes.

Weber writes, “Yet somehow Apple continues to be viewed as an underdog and get a pass on issues that would subject other companies to unrelenting criticism and even government lawsuits. Dell, for example, has received an enormous amount of flak for shoddy customer service, while Apple offers essentially no customer service without the expensive AppleCare service plan.”

MacDailyNews Take:
Apple again leads Consumer Reports’ survey for notebook, desktop computer tech support, value, more – October 16, 2006
Apple Mac desktops, notebooks top PC Magazine’s Annual Reader Satisfaction survey – again – August 22, 2006
Apple far outscores all other PC makers in Consumer Reports Computer Tech Support Survey – May 05, 2006
Apple Mac desktops, portables top PC Magazine’s 2005 Reader Satisfaction survey – August 24, 2005
Apple Computer products top PC Magazine’s annual ‘Best of the Year’ survey – December 16, 2004
Apple Macs top PC Magazine’s ’17th Annual Reader Satisfaction Survey’ – August 10, 2004
Apple leads PC Magazine’s 16th annual Service and Reliability Survey – July 10, 2003

Weber continues, “Similarly, the way Apple uses digital rights management software to keep iPod/ITunes as a closed system would be considered an outrage if tried by Microsoft.”

MacDailyNews Take: It is being tried by Microsoft, Mr. Weber. We can’t blame you for not having heard about it, but it is/was called “Zune.” Do some research before constructing your next hatchet job, okay?

Weber continues, “Today the cult still shows up at MacWorld, but it’s a little odd to see such feverish loyalty to a company that registered $2 billion in profits last year and brazenly pursues strategies that keep its customers dependent on its very expensive gear. While still a lot smaller than Microsoft, Apple is extraordinarily well-positioned to capitalise on the transition to digital media, and its market power is growing every day. Why is critical scrutiny so lacking?”

Weber writes, “Jobs is at least the equal to Gates when it comes to holding a high opinion of himself, though he is a lot more charming. Maybe that’s an important difference. But frankly, I doubt it. Jobs might be able to steamroll even the Securities and Exchange Commission for now, but when you think you are above the law – or even above the laws of business – you eventually get taken down a peg. You read it here first.”

Full article here.
If ever you needed proof that any moron can work for the The Times covering technology, you have it now. This article contains no substance, just personal opinions, strange boasts (“You read it here first” Read what there first?), anecdotal evidence that’s simply not supported by years of studies, outright fantasies, etc.

Is this — OMG, Apple is out-innovating entire industries and charging money for it! What a bloody calamity! — really the best The Times can do?

SteveJack’s Take: I told you so.

Related article:
The massive FUD campaign against Apple’s iPhone ramps up – January 10, 2007