Apple's image still shines despite iPhone woes

Developers irked
But developers, too, are irked by Apple's secrecy and limits on the kind of programs they can design. An unusually restrictive agreement they must sign keeps them from comparing notes even with fellow programmers.

They also complain that Apple has limited their access to the iPhone's inner workings. For example, non-Apple programmers can't reach into a user's iTunes library and play a song or display cover art.

Apple has kept developers in the dark as to why some applications are rejected or, in rare cases, removed from the iTunes store without warning or explanation.

One such program let people use the iPhone's cell service to connect a computer to the Internet. Its developer, a company called Nullriver, did not respond to a message seeking comment, but wrote of its consternation on its blog.

DoApp, a small mobile-software company in Minneapolis, said it took two months for Apple to review and ultimately reject its 99-cent whoopie cushion application. Wade Beavers, DoApp's vice president of strategy, said Apple had never hinted that a program that mimics bodily functions would be considered inappropriate.

"Sometimes you feel like you're in line with the 'Soup Nazi,'" Beavers said, referring to a "Seinfeld" episode in which a soup vendor capriciously banished patrons. "It's a really good deal to be part of the Apple thing, and you don't want to say anything to rock the boat. No soup for you! Your apps are gone!"

Beavers also grumbled about crashing Mac hard drives and terrible iPhone 3G service. Even so, he said he'd still buy Apple products on the strength of their design — and because Apple gave small companies like DoApp the same access to the iTunes store as industry big shots.

Apple's loyal fans
Baba Shiv, a professor of marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, compares Apple's fan base to Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders who pass over arguably higher-quality Japanese bikes.

The critical move that changed Apple's relationship with users was the launch of the iPod, Shiv said. Apple went from being a private luxury — a maker of niche products — to a mainstream one, and wormed its way deeper into customers' psyche.

"In the public domain, the coolness factor matters," he said. Indeed, an iPod "halo effect" is thought to be one big reason why Macs have boosted their share of the U.S. personal-computer market to nearly 8 percent.

Shiv said Apple's fans play down negative information to explain their relationship to the brand — and justify spending more for products that may not be better than the competition's.

Once that loyalty is formed, "the transgression has to be so egregious for someone to completely change the narrative," Shiv said. "If something like this had happened to Microsoft, the long-term impact would be much more for Microsoft than for Apple."

MORE FROM TECH AND GADGETS

Tech and gadgets Section Front

Dumbest Facebook quizzes ever!   British scientist says she penned call-girl blog   Egypt to apply for first Arabic domain name Windows Mobile 6.5 phone gallery Google narrows book copyright deal Facebook message frees NYC robbery suspect YouTube to support 1080p high-definition videos Clicker launches a TV guide for the Internet Facebook, Wikipedia brief Vatican on Web Britney’s Twitter, MySpace accounts hacked Tech and gadgets Section Front   Add Tech and gadgets headlines to your news reader: