Jason Snell has a few words to say about Dan Rayburns’s post on LinkedIn concerning the price increase for Apple TV and why it spells the end of the device. I, too, have a couple of things to say.
First, when did LinkedIn become a social network? I thought it was supposed to be a place where job seekers and employers could find each other. I first became aware of its descent into silliness last year when Watts Martin informed us that, according to “LinkedIn influencers”, real people don’t use em-dashes. Martin and I had a good chuckle but even at the time I wondered what a LinkedIn influencer could possibly be. Now, apparently, LinkedIn is a place where anyone can advance any nonsense they please.
Second, everyone writing about Apple’s recent price increases keeps ignoring the fact that they were driven by AI-fed RAM increases that are out of Apple’s control. You can argue that the 50% increases were out of bounds but, again: RAM prices.
Third, I think Rayburn’s whole argument is silly. If you belong to the Applesphere, you’re used to high prices. Some iPhones are approaching \$1,000, a top-of-the-line iWatch is about \$800, and even before the increases, MacBook Pros were pricey. I’m pretty sure few Apple users are going to complain about \$250 for an Apple TV.
Finally, Apple TV is more than just a streaming device. Here at the Irreal bunker we do little streaming but have a top-of-the-line Apple TV. Why? Because it’s the hub for the bunker’s Smart Home system. It basically runs the bunker’s nerve system1. If it didn’t stream at all we wouldn’t care. It still runs the household automation.
Footnotes:
Heh heh. OK, that’s a little overwrought but you get the idea.