jamnap

It is way past time for Apple to create a loyalty rewards program in which the only reward offered is first and trouble-free access to new releases.  Your loyalty status could be based in the number of Apple products/devices associated with your Apple ID (I have over 15 to include Studio Display, mac mini, MBP, ATVs, HomePods, iPhones, iPads and five various AirPods).  The most loyal brand cutomers should get a special site to order.

Got my 15 PM order placed at 0809 (Florida) after same issues by many with "be back soon."  I gave up on the App, went straight to apple.com (turned off VPN), did not use my pre/order stored info, started from scratch and within 90 seconds got 15PM black 512 and paid with Apple Card to get 3% kick-back.  Delivery is on 22 SEP.  Am pissed I had to wait 8 minutes cuz then got stuck in traffic and late for work.  My manager at Dunkin Donuts was not happy, so I quit on the spot.  Oh well, at least I got my 15.  Will apply for a job at Apple Store.

Sure, price increases affect all of us, but when was the last time you paid for a iOS/MacOs/WatchOS/TVos software update?  It costs $$$$ for engineers to R&D great hardware and for software engineers to contantly tweak and update billions of lines of code with new/improved features. These services have to be factored in to purchase prices.  I own just about every category of Apple products and subscribe to many of their services, and I have never had any hardware failures, and services remain reliable (with an occasional outage now and then).  Most of my friends on the Windows platform often get hit for software update: I have never paid for a osMac update.  So when you hear of Apple’s quarterly profits, think about how much goes to R&D.  Pricing for everything is going up, but I won’t mind a higher 15 Pro Max knowing I am purchasing a top-of-the-line high-tech and dependable device. You get what you pay for. Ciao.

More color choice for the Ultra is needed before I buy in.  

iPhones prices do not bother me when you think about all the R&D being done, as well as constant iOS software updates/upgrades. This also goes for my Mac and MBP: os updates and upgrades require software engineers.  Years ago before I smartened up and dumped Windows for Mac, I recall paying MicroSoft for yearly Windows updates.  Not sure today if Window users have to pay for software upgrades but I know I have never paid for any Apple device OS updates.  And, it must cost Apple $$$$ to keep updating Maps, Numbers and Pages -- all of which I use daily and have never paid a fee to use.