| Apple undoes its iTunes Ministore public relations faux pas | | Date Created: 18 Jan, 2006, 11:16 PM |
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It only took a week, but Apple appears to have learnt from its public relations pseudo-disaster involving iTunes Ministore which "appeared" in the latest version of iTunes.
Note the graphic above (click to enlarge) or simply open your own iTunes (6.0.2) to see that the default is now to have the Ministore switched off. You need to click a button at bottom right of the iTunes window (next to the Equalizer icon) to turn it on.
This is a good thing, and Apple (and others observing) have learnt an important lesson in privacy issues in 2006. Like it or not, we live in times which many in power and authority would like to assert requires special invasions of privacy without permission. Indeed, reporting such invasions is apparently to be deemed not in the country's (choose which country of the "coalition of the willing" you think it best fits) security efforts.
Clearly, it was a marketing exercise under the guise of being "helpful". I have no doubt many people have enjoyed immensely what iTunes Music store has brought them. Not just ease of use for one-click buying of music they ordinarily would purchase at a bricks-and-mortar store, but one where they are exposed to a huge variety of choices especially of artists and genres that were unfamiliar.
Being able to sample the "hook" sequence of the music, as well as select from books, podcasts and now video material, makes it a sweet shopping experience.
Not everyone agrees, some disliking the DRM aspects of iTunes, others feel locked into the iPod economy, still others complain that 128kps is inferior to AIFF or WAV on CDs (and they are likely right). And now, privacy issues in addition to how hard mastering iTunes seems to be for some people...
But for those without golden ears, who simply want an easy and satisfying shopping experience with a few quirky traits thrown in (such as the mixes and biographies, as well as the free sample and occasional video track), the iTMS is a most enjoyable experience.
The iTMS privacy issues took some of the shine off what was a very good week for Apple, following Macworld where all eyes were on Apple to come up with some something special following the disappointments of CES which is turning into an internet fest for the big boys, rather than a consumer show.
Apple is being seen increasingly as the company who most understands the desires of the consumer, allowing ease of use for "veterans" and the product coolness desired by Gen Y.
I can't think of too many consumer companies who can appeal to such a broad variety of generations with the range of products Apple designs and brings to the market.
I don't think Gen Y gives two hoots about the ministore privacy issue, given how facile they are with technologies, and how habitually they must give over information to whomever calls with the next greatest cellphone deal or whatever.
Older folk, more anxious and unsure of their future, are perhaps the prime worriers here, whether it be on principle or that they are truly fearful of where their musical choices are ending up, and how it will be used.
And with iTunes, it wasn't just the song you were playing whose information was being returned to Apple, but just highlighting a song (not even one playing) was sufficient. |
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Notice how the ministore reflects the highlighted song (actually, the artist), not the podcast that's playing. (Click to enlarge, and ignore my very eclectic tastes!)
Still, it's good to see Apple altering their approach relatively swiftly, but please, don't ask for public apologies, because they won't be forthcoming in our litigious climate.
Apple heard, and did something about it.
Normal bitching and moaning about Apple (hmm, what about its use of RSS?) can resume from the usual suspects now. |
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