barthrh

I recently watched a "scam the scammer" video where the caller connects to the user's computer, uses fake banking pages to show that they over-refunded them some money in their bank account and then tenaciously pursues them to be refunded via gift cards. In the one I saw, it was Target and other retail cards. I assume that they then sell these cards on a card exchange to turn them to cash. In this example, Target would benefit (the card would ultimately be used at their store), but should they bear any blame or financial burden because someone was dumb enough to be played? The lack of accountability in people is astounding. Own your screw ups.

lkrupp said:

Always remember the macOS market has had "side loading" and third party payment systems since day one and is quite healthy and profitable for Apple to this day. iOS can implement gatekeeping that can be bypassed by the user if so desired, just like macOS. Warn the shit out of users before allowing it. Scare the crap out of them before letting them download and install questionable software.

We as Apple supporters should also be ready push back when some idiot gets their data or identity compromised and then tries to blame Apple for it, just like the losers who install malware but claim they didn’t do nuttin’.

A phone is a different device from a computer. The user profile is different, users expect it to work like an appliance, the sensitivity of the device is greater as something with you all the time and your primary point of communication / payment. If users install apps from outside the app store (which will of course be riddled with malware, as is evident in 3rd party Android and even the Play store), many will get hacked. The headline will read "App steals $xxx from iPhone user." There will be no mention of the third party store, just as there never is when a 3rd party battery or charger starts a fire. No doubt revenue is #1 or #2 on Apple's list of concerns, but the iOS' near squeaky-clean record has got to be a concern as well.

GeorgeBMac said:Apple already has a raft of classes and excellent instructors -- and they are continually building and improving on that.

And, like you say, Apple would not want their hardware.

So, what's left?  A couple million subscribers who would have to buy Apple equipment anyway?  Why bother?

Agree. I like Peloton and their product (I have one). The instructors are top notch. The hardware is excellent and creates great stickiness. The issue is that if they roll Peloton into Fitness+, subscription revenue disappears, like my $40-$50/mo. Even if theses are new subscribers, it's still as drop in revenue unless they retain a separate fee for the bike / tread classes. So they get talent; whatever, there is a lot of talent out there. It's worth something, but not the billions they'd need to pay, in my opinion. Way cheaper to selectively poach instructors with signing bonuses.

darkvader said:

jace88 said:

It’s due to recent changes to Australian consumer law around the sale of additional warranties. Basically can’t be done until four days after the purchase. Apple basically confirms this is the rationale in their email to customers after making a purchase of an applicable device eg iPad mini. 

Wow!  That's an amazing win for consumers in Australia!  All 'product protection plans' are scams, and yes that absolutely includes AppleCare.

How is it a scam? For anyone who avoided a $600 repair for a $99 deductible, I think they'd disagree. All insurance is a scam until you need it. I've been paying thousands a year in home insurance and have never been robbed or burned down. That doesn't make it a scam. I hope I never see any value in my life insurance.

Insurance is only a scam when the insurer tries to dodge the claim. Based on commentary from users who filed claims, AppleCare+ pays readily.

It seems like the easy solution is to raise prices in SK by 3.1% (probably more due to income taxes, but conceptually the same).