“Apple went ahead and apologized. It was a real apology, not a non-apology apology that we’re so used to with qualifiers smothering all sense of sincerity”

To be an Apple shareholder these days is to live in interesting times. For the Chinese, such times are to be avoided or at least so goes the ancient proverb. Apple has recently relied on two very interesting strategies to persevere through the Steve Jobs post-partition. The first exists in endless supply, but is rather underused. The second is more finite and Apple has done an impressive job in stockpiling it. Had enough with the Zen riddles?

Tim Cook, Apple’s new CEO, has been on an apology tour of late. The maps fiasco now has the status of an internet meme. More interesting is Apple’s apology to Chinese consumers over iPhone warranty problems. The issue wasn’t exactly manufactured, but the media pressure on Apple was certainly given a not too gentle state-sponsored push.  Read the rest of this entry →