Brands are more than happy to leverage that passion to keep your wallet open.
The relationship only benefits one side, though, and it’s not you.
Unrequited Love
The “relationship” between a loyal supporter and a company is essentially unrequited love.
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It’s an entirely one-sided relationship.
You are as much the product as the actual phone, tablet, laptop, etc.
This is especially true when the product is “free.”
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Apple didn’t startfocusing on privacybecause it truly cares about protecting you.
That doesn’t mean it’s not the safest option, but don’t think their intentions were pure.
What does that look like?
Let’s talk about Apple, which is probably the most infamous company for this behavior.
You now need to be on a carrier that supportseSIMif you want to use an iPhone.
This is a decision that exclusively benefits only Apple and the major carriers.
As XDA-Developer’s Adam Conwaypoints out, this move is especially egregious even for Apple.
Apple fans were quick to defend the decision with the arguments Apple provided.
However, Apple didn’t bother with that theater when talking about removing the SIM card tray.
No defense or explanation was given.
It may sound harsh, but Apple doesn’t care what you want.
Apple knows the stranglehold it has on many iPhone users, and it actively works to deepen it.
That’s the danger of locking yourself into one company’s ecosystem.
Once they’ve got you invested, there’s less incentive to cater to your needs.
Apple is betting you’ll do the latter.
Remember when nearly every smartphone—except the iPhone—had a removable battery?
It was a simple feature that extended the life of the unit.
Nowadays, smartphones with removable batteries are rare, especially in the high-end class.
Companies will say sealing the battery inside allows it to be water resistant, but that’s not true.
Finding genuine replacement parts and repair documentation can also be a nightmare.
Thanks to third-parties likeiFixit, you’re not completely out of luck.
This problem has gotten enough attention that “Right to Repair” legislation has been proposed in several regions.
It would require companies to offer genuine replacement parts, tools, and repair documentation.
If companies cared about us, they wouldn’t need the government to step in.
This is commonly known as “shrinkflation,” and it happens in tech too.
Streaming is a product category especially ripe for shrinkflation.
We can see examples of shrinkflation in smartphones too.
Now, there are some companies that only give you the phone and cable.
Has the price gone down as a result of including fewer accessories?
You’re paying more for less.
Related:Which Smartphone Accessories Are Worth Buying?
The goal of a business is to make money.
Sometimes that goal aligns with giving people what they want, but it often doesn’t.
Tim Cook was onceasked about RCS support on the iPhone.
The truth is you and I do not have a relationship with these companies—we have transactions.
We are not being paid to advertise for them or defend their anti-consumer decisions.
Don’t give them a free pass.
They’re not your friends.
