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Apple will only open APIs a little, because "the customer pays us to make some of these choices on their behalf"

Apple will only open APIs a little, because "the customer pays us to make some of these choices on their behalf"

Posted: 28 May 2013, 23:00, by Michael H.

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Apple will only open APIs a little, because

Apple CEO Tim Cook has had his PR team working overtime, because there's no way a headline this good came off the top of his head. In one quick move, Tim Cook both excited the Apple fanbase, and caused all of the Apple haters to go blind with rage by saying that while Apple will open up APIs a little, there won't be a huge change, because "the customer pays [Apple] to make some of these choices on their behalf".

In response to a question from the audience, Cook said, "I think you will see us open up more in the future, but not to the degree that we put the customer at risk of having a bad experience." This means that Apple will allow developers deeper access to APIs, and could even open up iOS to more customization in the form of alternative keyboards.

Of course, while we expect there will be some rage spewed on the Internet over Cook's comments, the fact is that he's telling the truth. As much as Android fans may praise the platform for its abundance of choice, some users simply don't want to make that many decisions. Some users want a device that doesn't have as many options, because the learning curve isn't as steep, and the functionality is good enough. It's all a matter of opinion, and personal preference. Fanboys may forget, but one of the choices Android offers is to not choose Android at all.

source: AllThingsD

28 Comments

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posted on 28 May 2013, 23:06 24

1. threed61 (Posts: 246; Member since: 27 May 2011)

Why rage, if you don't like it, don't buy an iPhone.

posted on 28 May 2013, 23:30 5

4. joey_sfb (Posts: 6613; Member since: 29 Mar 2012)

My iDevice feel like a toy compare to my ultra portable and Android tablet. You cannot export your data to other apps due to a lack of file system in iOS.

posted on 28 May 2013, 23:43 6

5. Droid_X_Doug (Posts: 5993; Member since: 22 Dec 2010)

Quite a few people have taken your advice....

posted on 29 May 2013, 00:30 1

12. threed61 (Posts: 246; Member since: 27 May 2011)

Including me, choice is good!

posted on 30 May 2013, 15:01

25. number29 (Posts: 185; Member since: 25 Jan 2013)

And too many choices is bad - The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less

posted on 28 May 2013, 23:09 6

2. PermanentHiatus (Posts: 267; Member since: 22 Jun 2012)

Some people just like to be told what to do.

posted on 28 May 2013, 23:15 7

3. quakan (Posts: 1398; Member since: 02 Mar 2011)

Or don't prefer to have to setup their phone like it's a Windows PC.

posted on 29 May 2013, 00:25 4

11. tech2 (Posts: 3487; Member since: 26 Oct 2012)

Its called customizing. There is a difference between 'setup' and 'customizing'. Customizing means even if you don't want to go through those additional settings you can still use your phone without any hassle.

Both Windows and Android have evolved to work in that way. You can just start up your device select language/locations, enter your email address and setup Wifi/data and you're done, your phone is set to access emails, calls, internet and messages.

posted on 29 May 2013, 07:51

22. sum182 (Posts: 229; Member since: 19 Nov 2011)

Personally, thats what i like about having a "smart" device. It should be able to do as much as windows. That's the point.....which is why i dont understand why people buy ipads. The point of a tablet is to have a more portable computer, but the ipad is VERY far away from having the capabilities a computer has....well, IOS is, the ipad is more than capable. But, as the generations pass, there is no learning curve. We all grew up with tech, so we understand it. The simplicity of IOS is losing its luster as the tech generation wants more from their devices. And, dare i say it, even my father, who traded in his IP5 1 week after having it.

And setup on an android is easy, name? wifi? gmail? other accounts? DONE! Now make it look and feel how you want.

posted on 30 May 2013, 15:03

26. number29 (Posts: 185; Member since: 25 Jan 2013)

The point is the have all of the capabilities that the consumer needs, which the iPad has. Email, browsing, apps, games, videos, music, camera, the iPad does it all.

posted on 29 May 2013, 00:10

6. abcdefgh (banned) (Posts: 471; Member since: 29 Mar 2013)

"in future"-maybe 3013

posted on 29 May 2013, 00:12 1

7. speckledapple (Posts: 892; Member since: 29 Sep 2011)

There probably will be some rage but you must admit that there is something wrong with the idea that a multi-billion dollar company feels like they should make decisions for its customers on its behalf. Reading it then rereading it again just sounds out of place.

posted on 29 May 2013, 00:38

13. number29 (Posts: 185; Member since: 25 Jan 2013)

This is precisely why they are a multi-billion dollar company.

posted on 29 May 2013, 06:28

20. Droid_X_Doug (Posts: 5993; Member since: 22 Dec 2010)

On their way to being a $1 company. Fewer and fewer people are into that kind of arrogance.

posted on 30 May 2013, 15:05

27. number29 (Posts: 185; Member since: 25 Jan 2013)

It's not arrogance, it's called knowing and anticipating your customers needs. Apple do a much better job of satisfying my needs than Samsung for instance (and hence I own an iPhone 5 as opposed to a Galaxy S4). Samsung are quite far off the mark with the S4 as far as meeting what I want from my device (too big, too plastic, too many superflouse features and settings to name a few).

posted on 29 May 2013, 00:24 3

10. jedpatrickdatu (Posts: 169; Member since: 24 Jan 2013)

I agree with Tim Cook and PhoneArena. The reason iOS and Windows Phone fans exists is many people want to leave it to their phones to do the work for them without any fuss or confusion, whereas Android floods you with customization options. While Android does have its place in the market, not everyone has the time, knowledge, or interest to learn what launchers are or how to hack their phones.

posted on 29 May 2013, 01:56 2

16. Reluctant_Human (Posts: 904; Member since: 28 Jun 2012)

You have a point but customizing a phone doesn't mean hacking it. We're talking about simple things like which app opens what and what keyboard you want to use. You can "hack" IOS device if you choose as well. You just need to jailbreak it.

To each their own but i prefer to have options. Just like you can choose not to buy an android I can chose to turn some setting that I may not like.

posted on 29 May 2013, 01:27 2

14. pratyushgaur.6 (Posts: 24; Member since: 21 Feb 2013)

I look at Apple customers with lot of empathy. Poor souls are a slave to a cult. And the worst thing is that they enjoy the slavery. :(

posted on 29 May 2013, 01:48 7

15. Ray.S (Posts: 388; Member since: 19 Jul 2011)

iPhone also offers the choice to not choose iPhone at all.

posted on 29 May 2013, 03:30

18. kaira (Posts: 26; Member since: 12 May 2013)

Your judgement is clouded... That says too much about your love for iDevices... Stop being a Fanboy, Ray. S!

posted on 29 May 2013, 11:54 3

24. MichaelHeller (Posts: 2720; Member since: 26 May 2011)

Or, you can allow people the freedom to prefer what they want. Just because Ray may prefer iPhone, and I prefer Android doesn't make one of us right or wrong. It's just a choice.

posted on 30 May 2013, 15:07

28. number29 (Posts: 185; Member since: 25 Jan 2013)

Spot on. I don't understand why some people feel so threatened that there are many millions who prefer and choose the iPhone over whatever the lastest, most hyped Android is. Some people just seem to want us to all be assimilated and all to be using exactly the same devices. It baffles me no end.

posted on 29 May 2013, 03:38

19. Topcat488 (Posts: 1396; Member since: 29 Sep 2012)

iphone needs to stop offering the "choice not to choose" iphone!!! I was a strong believer in the iphone, buying 3 of them... Until so many bigger and more beautiful Android phones flooded the market. I simply got tired of "waiting" for 1 simple iphone a YEAR!

@ Ray.S

posted on 29 May 2013, 09:57

23. PhoneCritic (Posts: 946; Member since: 05 Oct 2011)

To each his/her own. If you like being told how to only use something you actually purchased and own ( Granted yes, I know Apple has Licences iOS to you. You don't actually own the software But you do own the hardware as you exchanged your hard earn cash or time you put in at work for it). If Apple says "no, you can't customize iOS they way you want only we can. Or "only we, Apple, reserve the right to tell you and supply what features and functionality you can have" I understand that. Its call a closed system where as Google says hey we make no profit off of Android use it the way you see fit it belongs to you. (because its free Open system. But we, Google, reserve the right on how Google apps work and what functions and features they will have and we will licence you a copy of it < just like apple too>) That is understandable too. Its all about choice. Some people like to be told what they can do some don't.

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