Bloggers need Apple, and Apple needs us
Apple is a unique company in that, at least since the turn of the century, it has achieved an almost frenzied popularity that is unmatched in the technology world. And the Internet has proven an apt speakerbox for spreading every piece of news or hint of development that involves the company. But how much of what’s called Apple “news” is more than empty rumor, and more importantly…do we care?
I myself am a writer of what is called Apple “news,” and I’m probably not the first to admit that most of what makes the Apple news mill go round is less than newsworthy. After all, it isn’t like Apple is dropping new products every month.
In fact, product updates are few and far between. And aside from quarterly updates and the annual conference or two, there really isn’t much in the way of exciting news.
Yet Apple-centric blogs and Web sites thrive. So, if there aren’t any new or updated products, that leaves us with software and rumors to work with. I can’t say how tired I get of hearing about new Apple stores opening up, or yet another iPhone app being added to the App Store.
So we hash out and rehash pointless rumors. We discuss what updates we’d like to see in Apple’s limited line of products, quibble over the nature of Steve Jobs’ ailment, and act like we’re each the greatest authority on the best course of action for a wildly successful technology company.
And the rumor mill is what keeps the hype going, isn’t it? Even if the rumors very rarely come true. The hype is what keeps Apple on that pedestal that can’t be attained by any other company. We are the ones keeping Apple in that seat, simply by fueling the fire. What would happen if we just refused to voice the rumors and kept Apple coverage strictly to updates? Could Apple become just another Sony, Dell or even worse…Microsoft?
We stoke the furnace and make sure that everyone always has a bit of an Apple buzz going. Why? Apple and the media have a symbiotic relationship. We use them to pay our bills by writing worthless posts, leeching off the rumors of others, and in doing so, we keep Apple’s product image up. We need them, and in a way, they need us.
I’m not terribly comfortable with the nature of the contribution I or any other Mac blogger makes. I’d like to think that I’m always working to contribute something new, but the reality is that many times, that simply isn’t the case. Tabloidism is the name of the game, sadly. If only it could be different…
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December 30th, 2008
Are things OK, Triston? Get a Netbook for Christmas?
Apple has always been about shamelessly using it’s customers for hyping it’s product. All it needs to do is take the store offline and the internet lights up with rumor.
Those of us who see little use in making our computers a part of our self image have always been bemused by it.
December 31st, 2008
Ahhh, young people and their existential angst.