DarkQuark:

Many people think Elon Musk is a genius. What he is (in my opinion) is a marketing genius.

schmidtbag:

Musk isn't wrong but Apple's response is a fair one: if you don't like it, leave. I practice what I preach - I don't give money to companies that abuse their position or are funding the wrong people. I have never bought an Apple product, I never will, and I often discourage people from doing so as well. None of that changes the fact it's their right to charge whatever they want and regulate what ends up in their marketplace. I'm so sick of this "I don't like this and therefore you need to stop doing it" attitude. How about find real problems to worry about, that are actually immoral and/or a threat to you? If you are an app developer for iOS, either suck it up, move to a different marketplace, or reflect upon your career path. Much like literal taxes, you're either paying for a better environment, or, you're paying for desirability. Apple's marketplace is both, which is why developers keep supporting them despite the significant losses and wrist-slapping.

Dribble:

I think the love/hate relationship that Apple inspire is actually a marketing plan by Apple. It makes their supporters feel they are on a war footing with everyone getting at Apple, that makes the support stronger - same basic technique that's kept North Korean's in line for generations.

waltc3:

I think everyone should dump Apple for general computing--the company has nothing to offer--backwards hardware and software compatibility are the last things Apple thinks about for its Mac business and customers. The cult leader is dead and so at least all of that nonsense is over and done. Most of Apple is devoted to cell phones, as cell-phones make up 90% of Apple's income! Basically, Apple really doesn't care about its Mac business these days--that's strictly small-time these days. Cook still gives lip service to the Mac but isn't remotely interested in making competitive products. Apple's attitude for the Mac has never been more "take it or leave it, we don't care!" than it is today. Little wonder: Apple simply doesn't even need a Mac business to survive and prosper. The company's Mac business is all about n00bs--always has been--gouging the gullible and the inexperienced is Apple's habit. Being overcharged and underserved is the forte' of Apple's Mac business, and Apple is particularly good at doing both. Kind of amusing to think that Apple has "transitioned" away from the Mac almost entirely...;) Apple loves its transitions. Hard Pass.

fantaskarsef:

This is hilarious. If he really became the CEO of Apple, he'd just so defend the app store cut model in a way he does now condemn it. Oh, and EPIC charges that "tax" as well. Is that right, just because it 's less than Apple's? If it's not, Musk should stay true and say that Epic's not better, just because they charge less.

stereoman:

Well considering Blackrock and Vanguard own Apple and Epic Games none of this means anything.

RealNC:

So I decided to go back and calculate the total amount of money Apple has gotten from me in the last 14 years. * tip tap tip tap tap tap tippidy tap scribble scribble * $0.0

alanm:

Due to Apple, you are paying a LOT more than that when you buy your next GPU or your next non--Apple phone. They have a significant part of the semi-conductor industry tied down with their massive chip orders and it will be reflected in increased pricing of all products. Apple by far surpass Nvidia and AMD combined with their chip requirements. They are even more responsible for the chip shortages than miners are.

Denial:

Ehh you can just as easily make the argument that Apple subsidizes the cost. I also disagree about the chip shortages. Apples demand has been consistent for years.. it's not like they doubled orders randomly. It's forecasted in advance and TSMC or whomever has years to build fabs to meet that demand. Something like mining or COVID orders are completely unpredictable and can just as easily vanish as randomly as it came.. so there is no way to anticipate and meet that need.

fantaskarsef:

Oh, and EPIC charges that "tax" as well. Is that right, just because it 's less than Apple's? If it's not, Musk should stay true and say that Epic's not better, just because they charge less.