Why is AnandTech running damage control for Apple?

[Vic Vega]

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6295/...ous-voice-and-lte-or-evdo-svlte-svdo-support-

In the last several years I have gotten the impression that AnandTech is becoming the media mouth for Apple.

AnandTech can write whatever it wants and I can choose to read or not read it - this is not in dispute.

The articles of late IMO read more like sales presentations for the piece being "reviewed" and now with this article, I feel like this is straight damage control for Apple.

Am I the only one who feels this way? Perhaps it's just my interpretation and I am way off base. I welcome clarification and discussion on this. I am certainly not the decider of what the article absolutely is or is not.

 

[Dulanic]

Honestly, I don't read those pieces as it has no impact on me since I am not planning on buying the iPhone anytime in the near future. I will never say never, but I am waiting for a huge reason to do so, but don't see that happening.

 

[cheezy321]

Why are there so many conspiracy theories about Apple as a brand specifically? You never hear people speak like this about Samsung, HTC, etc etc.

Why does everyone think apple pays off every media venue and anytime someone writes something positive about them they are simply a shill. This has always confused me.

You see a million reasons that one of their products sells well and its never because its a great product. It is always something along the lines of 'so many sheeple' or 'Great marketing' or 'brainwashing' or whatever is the most popular lame excuse at the moment.

 

[Tom]

I dont see anything but information.

 

[dagamer34]

Unlike all of the other articles which just parrot Apple PR, this presents actual information to the reader that is factually true. Heck, this article from last year is more appropriate than ever: http://www.anandtech.com/show/4925/why-no-lte-iphone-5-blame-28nm-maturity

Interpretations of an article's "bias" is left up to the reader, but this is not The Verge or Engadget where opinion is intermixed with facts (not that that is a bad thing, but that's not what AnandTech is at its core).

 

[Hmoobphajej]

I'm pretty sure that's not damage control... It's just a technical explanation of the iPhone 5's incapability of running simultaneous voice and data connections. Through in through Anandtech is not just a review site but also a site that examines the technology in the devices they review. To say this is damage control is like saying investigating anything in this industry is also damage control. Some people just like a explanation to questions they're concern about.

 

[Red Storm]

It was a good article. I was annoyed to simply read "Doesn't support it" without a proper explanation of why on other sites. That's why I like Anandtech, they give you the why in great detail.

 

[cronos]

You are way off base.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Brian Klug is a very technical guy. I like him. He's not here to defend Apple, but just provide facts. I appreciate the information he gets because it's a technical perspective, and that's what I want.

People rarely get into root causes nowadays.

 

[ThermalShark]

Anand ran an article about proving the iP4's antenna was crappy, that likely cost Apple millions of dollars.

I don't see a bias.

 

[GrumpyMan]

So the owner and crew are big fans of Apple products, I don't see the problem nor do I see bias. And if there was, so what, it's a free country.

 

[ChronoReverse]

Looks like it's just information.

 

[halik]

You need help

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Anand ran an article about proving the iP4's antenna was crappy, that likely cost Apple millions of dollars.

I don't see a bias.

He was proving a theory.
(Also can't tell if sarcasm)

 

[CVSiN]

Why are there so many conspiracy theories about Apple as a brand specifically? You never hear people speak like this about Samsung, HTC, etc etc.

Why does everyone think apple pays off every media venue and anytime someone writes something positive about them they are simply a shill. This has always confused me.

You see a million reasons that one of their products sells well and its never because its a great product. It is always something along the lines of 'so many sheeple' or 'Great marketing' or 'brainwashing' or whatever is the most popular lame excuse at the moment.

because the products are always a day late and a dollar short compared to the competition?

Without people talking them up the way they do.. ( mostly blind or "challenged" sheeple..it seems)
Who and why would anyone buy a device that is already surpassed technology wise by every one of its competitors?

I'm sorry the Iphone has been stale since the 3GS
the OS is boring..the device itself is low tech.. and yet dumb people still flock to them.

because Apple has to be feeding the media not to mention the courts.. in order for this crap to continue.

 

[Bateluer]

Anand's article was factual and technical, not seeing any Pro-Apple bias in it myself.

Apple has incentized publications in the past for positive reviews, and threatened retaliation in the form of lawsuits and pulling future review units in the case of negative reviews.

 

[cheezy321]

because the products are always a day late and a dollar short compared to the competition?

Without people talking them up the way they do.. ( mostly blind or "challenged" sheeple..it seems)
Who and why would anyone buy a device that is already surpassed technology wise by every one of its competitors?

I'm sorry the Iphone has been stale since the 3GS
the OS is boring..the device itself is low tech.. and yet dumb people still flock to them.

because Apple has to be feeding the media not to mention the courts.. in order for this crap to continue.

Lol! Now I know who to think of when I read these comments. Thanks for letting us all know the thought process behind these ridiculous comments.

 

[Blueychan]

OP's hatred for Apple is so strong that any ounce of praise for Apple is considered biased. OP needs to get a life ...

 

[Blueychan]

because the products are always a day late and a dollar short compared to the competition?

Without people talking them up the way they do.. ( mostly blind or "challenged" sheeple..it seems)
Who and why would anyone buy a device that is already surpassed technology wise by every one of its competitors?

I'm sorry the Iphone has been stale since the 3GS
the OS is boring..the device itself is low tech.. and yet dumb people still flock to them.

because Apple has to be feeding the media not to mention the courts.. in order for this crap to continue.

iOS is boring as Android is boring. Windows Phone is where it's at.

Btw, you comments are ridiculous...another Apple basher that has no merit.

 

[iahk]

I think the question is why you took this as "damage control"?

 

[Mopetar]

because the products are always a day late and a dollar short compared to the competition?

Good thing they've never come out with anything like the retina display or the iPad, because everyone else already had those.

Without people talking them up the way they do.. ( mostly blind or "challenged" sheeple..it seems)
Who and why would anyone buy a device that is already surpassed technology wise by every one of its competitors?

Considering their sales volume, it can't just be Apple fans buying their products. It would seem as though the product stands on its own. Just because you can't see beyond a feature checklist doesn't make the device "surpassed" or somehow not worth purchasing for some people.

There are a number of reasons people might buy an iPhone. Just because you have an apparent irrational dislike of it doesn't make those peoples' decisions less valid.

the OS is boring..the device itself is low tech.. and yet dumb people still flock to them.

No real need to hurl insults just because you disagree with someone else's choice, especially over something as meaningless as a mobile phone.

 

[bucwylde23]

Personally I don't care if any phone can do simultaneous voice/data. I avoid talking on the phone as much as I possibly can.

 

[cl-scott]

Why are there so many conspiracy theories about Apple as a brand specifically? You never hear people speak like this about Samsung, HTC, etc etc.

Why does everyone think apple pays off every media venue and anytime someone writes something positive about them they are simply a shill. This has always confused me.

You see a million reasons that one of their products sells well and its never because its a great product. It is always something along the lines of 'so many sheeple' or 'Great marketing' or 'brainwashing' or whatever is the most popular lame excuse at the moment.

I'm going to leave the OP's post alone, and just say that as someone who spent about 2 years dealing with Apple on the business side of things... I wouldn't be AT ALL surprised if they are actually trying to manipulate stories being published.

Apple is fundamentally an anti-competitive, monopolistic, abusive, arrogant, and just downright nasty company. Apple thinks that they have divine providence or something to tell YOU how to run YOUR business, and when they snap their fingers, you are to be at the ready for whatever lapdog task they have for you. If you fail to do so quickly enough, or they're just bored, they will literally create some rule and then declare you in violation of that rule. They will tell you absolutely NOTHING about the rule, like where it is in the contract you have with Apple, or where you can find a written copy of the rule so you can bring yourself into compliance. It's their not so subtle way of telling you that you have displeased your Apple taskmasters.

I have no doubt they are using methods like this to try and "encourage" media outlets to publish only favorable articles. I can't say that every single article that is favorable towards Apple is a result of this policy, but I'd feel pretty secure in a wager that a great deal of them are.

As the saying goes: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled discussion.

 

[TheStu]

Anand's article was factual and technical, not seeing any Pro-Apple bias in it myself.

Apple has incentized publications in the past for positive reviews, and threatened retaliation in the form of lawsuits and pulling future review units in the case of negative reviews.

Please cite your sources. Also, please cite sources proving that no other company, has EVER done this themselves.

 

[tw1164]

Brian Klug is a very technical guy. I like him. He's not here to defend Apple, but just provide facts. I appreciate the information he gets because it's a technical perspective, and that's what I want.

People rarely get into root causes nowadays.

He's great on the podcast too.