Om Malik blogging about the Taboola deal:
Apple’s decision to strike a deal with Taboola is shocking and off-brand — so much so that I have started to question the company’s long-term commitment to good customer experience, including its commitment to privacy.
Apple was a great company when their business was aligned with their values and the interests of customers and developers. Services and ads have pulled them too far off track.
@manton Man, this is so bad... as someone who despise everything related to ads, I'll have to ask myself serious questions about my Apple One subscription sooner than later.
@numericcitizen Personally, I'm currently only paying for iCloud storage and TV+. I still prefer my news on the web rather than bundled into a single app.
@manton When is the last time Apple did something really cool for it's users and we were all like "Hell yeah. go Apple!" It sure wasn't for the face computer or the iPad that's still just an iPad.
@amerpie For the record, I love the iPad exactly as it is! And no, I don't agree with the general techie narrative that iPadOS isn't up to snuff. But that's another conversation! 🤓
As for when the last time Apple did something really cool for it's users? Honestly, my general response is that I think tech folk have become deeply cynical about Apple and maybe about tech in general. Perhaps that's a good thing. These are tools, I'm not sure they were meant to be focused so intently. I think it's fair to say that for many it's an obsession (I include myself there).
But to flip back to your question, I think the past 24 years have been an amazing ride. From the many devices to the evolution of the classic Mac to OSX to iOS to WatchOS. Apple Silicon was a huge leap forward. The iPad, the app store and transition to free OS updates made for a safe, easy-to-use computer that my granny and all the other elders in my extended family have greatly benefited from. I have a deep appreciation for the iPad not just because it's my favorite computer but because of the enjoyment and connection it provided to my granny in the last years of her life.
I think tech folk have forgotten what it was like 18 years ago when computers were such a barrier. And, over time, I think many of us have become a bit joyless and spoiled. We overlook all of the many little details and take for granted what these devices do for us.