Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Apple
    • Apple
    • Applications
    • Mobile
    • PC Hardware

    Software Quality Emerging as Apple’s Soft Underbelly

    By
    Don Reisinger
    -
    September 11, 2009
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Apple arguably enjoys the most respect and adoration in the tech industry. Consumers all the over the globe wait to hear what the company will be offering next. But in the past two days, Apple has released an update to the iPhone OS and its new “Snow Leopard” operating system.

      The latter update came just two weeks after Apple released Snow Leopard on Aug. 28. Some might say it’s not a major update and it encompasses a few minor fixes to enhance Snow Leopard’s experience. But I’m not so quick to agree. I think it reflects a real problem Apple is having: Its software isn’t as reliable as it wants us to believe.
      There’s no debating that the iPhone provides an outstanding experience. Its software has made the device so successful. With applications, almost perfect touch response and a healthy helping of slick features, the iPhone has risen to the top of the mobile phone industry.

      But it’s not without its problems. An iPhone 3.1 update fixed several problems, including how the phone synchronizes with Exchange. eWEEK’s Andrew Garcia wrote in his review of iPhone OS Version 3.1 that prior to installing the update he wasn’t able to “synchronize in a predictable manner unless data push was enabled.” Finally, only after the update was added to his iPhone, was he able to sync properly through Exchange.
      On the Mac OS X side, things aren’t much better. Just a couple weeks after releasing Snow Leopard, Apple has already been forced to update the software with several fixes. Snow Leopard 10.6.1 fixes an issue that might stop DVD playback without notice. The update also addresses printer compatibility problems (an issue I’m still dealing with) and a bug that makes it difficult to remove items from the Dock. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are many more issues addressed in the update, including a security fix.
      It should be noted that software needing updates isn’t anything new. Apple, like every other company that’s forced to maintain operating systems, needs to constantly deal with slight problems that really only show themselves when they’re made available to the public. But it’s the fact that Apple, a company that prides itself on selling a premium product for a premium price, has spent so much time over the past few months updating software that’s cause for concern.

      Earlier this in September, Apple released a note saying that Mac OS X “Leopard” versions 10.5.8 and later are susceptible to a security problem that could allow a “Java applet to obtain elevated privileges.”

      Apple Must Focus on Software Quality

      The security notice came on the heels of several other updates made to Apple’s OS over the past few months that have addressed similar problems. Apple isn’t unique in needing to update software, but I do believe that as these issues become more frequent, Apple will need to do a better job of proving to users that it really is providing a premium product.
      For the past few years, Apple has spent millions of dollars advertising the quality of its products. Its “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC” ads have done wonders for the company. They have detailed (fairly or not) how far superior Apple’s operating systems are to Microsoft’s. As a user of both operating systems, I think it’s safe to say that Mac OS X is indeed more robust than Windows Vista.

      But with the release of Windows 7 right around the corner, Apple can’t rest on its laurels, allow software issues to frequently arise and expect to maintain its monopoly on the OS conversation. Windows 7 is a better operating system than Vista. And although it will undoubtedly suffer from more security problems than Snow Leopard and Microsoft will eventually release updates to fix bugs, what can Apple really say to make itself look better if it is updating its own software with almost the same frequency?
      On the mobile side, it’s an entirely different story. The fact that the iPhone can’t quite get Exchange support to work is an embarrassment for Apple. But it’s only embarrassing when the company considers those who use Exchange support. The vast majority of users who don’t use Exchange won’t even know the difference. And even with all the software updates affecting their iPhones, they’re probably quite pleased with the Apple product.
      Going forward
      So as we look ahead at how Apple will adapt to its success, it’s important to realize that the company still reigns supreme when it comes to hardware design. On that side, it’s still a premium provider of a premium product. But in software, there’s room for improvement.

      Although it might appeal to some, the company’s operating systems aren’t quite as “premium” as its hardware. And if there’s any place where competing companies can capitalize on an Apple weakness and possibly capture market share from the company, it’s in software. A better operating system providing a more robust experience might be able to beat Apple. The only problem is, right now, no such operating system-either in the mobile or desktop markets-is available.

      Don Reisinger
      Don Reisinger is a longtime freelance contributor to several technology and business publications. Over his career, Don has written about everything from geek-friendly gadgetry to issues of privacy and data security. He became an eWEEK contributor in 2009 producing slide shows focusing on the top news stories of the day. When he's not writing, Don is typically found fixing computers or playing an old-school video game.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×