Apple에 대한 10가지 오해

다른 많은 성공적인 기술 회사와 마찬가지로 Apple, Inc.는 신화의 자석입니다. 여기에는 간단한 이유가 있습니다. 캘리포니아 쿠퍼티노에 기반을 둔 이 회사는 비밀에 싸여 있습니다. 언론과 소셜 네트워킹 웹사이트는 항상 애플의 차기 제품 출시에 대한 소문으로 가득 차 있다. 이 비밀은 "호빗" 영화 제작보다 더 철저히 지켜지고 있다.

회사를 둘러싼 신비로움은 정당하고 힘들게 얻은 것입니다. Apple은 1976년에 설립되었으며 Apple I 개인용 컴퓨터(PC)의 발명으로 빠르게 성공을 거두었습니다. 그러나 Apple을 유명하게 만든 것은 1984년 매킨토시(및 이를 출시한 고전적인 텔레비전 광고)의 출현이었습니다. 그러나 공동 창립자 스티브 잡스 와 사장 겸 CEO인 존 스컬리 사이의 긴장이 이듬해 잡스를 사임하게 되면서 지속되지는 않을 것입니다. 잡스는 1997년까지 애플에 복귀하지 않았다. 당시 애플은 급격한 쇠퇴의 한가운데에 있었다[출처: 애플 박물관 ].

아무도 아이맥이 오는 것을 본 사람이 없었기 때문에 그 하락은 우연이었을 수도 있다. 아무도 iPod, iPhone 또는 iPad 의 혁명적인 영향을 예측하지 못했습니다 . 이 미친듯이 성공적인 제품의 결과로, Apple 충실한 사람들은 어떤 신제품 발표가 이루어질지 추측하면서 큰 기대를 가지고 연례 MacWorld 컨퍼런스를 기다리고 있습니다.

기술 세계에서 모든 Apple의 록스타 지위에도 불구하고 우리는 여전히 회사에 대해 모르는 것이 많이 있습니다. 여기서 우리는 특별한 순서 없이 Apple에 대한 10가지 신화를 폭로할 것입니다. 미스터리가 해결되었습니까? 아니면 해결되었습니까?

내용물

1. 애플은 사업을 중단한다
2. 스티브 잡스가 없으면 애플은 끝난다
3. Mac과 Windows 컴퓨터는 호환되지 않습니다.
4. 애플 제품은 비싸지 않다
5. Apple은 오픈 소스의 친구입니다
6. 아이패드는 그저 큰 아이팟 터치일 뿐이다
7. Mac은 Apple 브랜드 액세서리와 함께 더 잘 작동합니다.
8. 애플은 플래시를 싫어한다
9. Apple은 iPhone을 사용하여 사용자를 추적하고 있습니다.
10. Mac은 바이러스에 감염되지 않습니다

기술계에서 가장 큰 농담은 애플이 33년 동안 문을 닫았다는 것이다. 수십 년 동안 마이크로소프트가 지배하는 시장에서 할 수 있을 때마다 아주 작은 몫을 차지하는 개인용 컴퓨팅 세계의 외진 곳이었습니다.

Apple의 많은 제품 릴리스는 기술 저널리즘 조직에서 조롱을 받았습니다. 그 분노의 대부분은 상업적으로 생산된 쓰기 가능한 최초의 태블릿 PC 인 Newton을 향한 것이 었습니다. 이 태블릿 PC 는 중요하고 상업적인 폭탄으로 판명되었습니다. 혁신은 비용이 많이 들 수 있으며 일부 언론인의 생각에 Apple은 파산에서 항상 한 걸음(거짓) 떨어져 있습니다.

이 소문의 한 예는 2007년 Apple이 iPhone을 출시했을 때 발생했습니다. 오늘날 iPhone은 스마트폰에서 가장 잘 알려진 이름입니다. 그러나 2007년에 비평가들은 Apple의 새로운 iPhone(및 가격표)을 "일부 가제트 애호가에게 어필할 사치품에 불과하다"고 일축했습니다[출처: Lynn ]. 2008년 4분기 미국 경제가 침체된 지 몇 달 만에 Apple은 400만 대의 iPhone 을 판매했는데 이는 전년 동기 대비 88% 증가한 수치입니다 [출처: Apple ].

비평가들은 또한 애플이 컴퓨터 하드웨어 사업에서 밀려나고 대신 소프트웨어나 전자 제품에 집중하게 될 것이라고 오랫동안 예측해 왔습니다. 2006년 예측에 따르면 Apple은 2010년까지 매킨토시 컴퓨터 생산을 중단할 것이라고 합니다[출처: Siebold ]. 물론 이러한 추측은 거짓으로 판명되었습니다.

한편, 애플은 2009년 5월에 1년 전보다 25% 더 많은 매킨토시 컴퓨터를 출하했습니다. 이에 비해 일반적으로 개인용 컴퓨터 시장은 같은 기간 동안 출하량이 1% 증가하는 데 그쳤습니다[출처: Gonsalves ]. 2009년에 Mac은 미국 PC 시장의 견고한 9%를 차지했는데 불과 2년 전 [출처: Cheng ]에 비해 6%였습니다.

Apple을 가장 깐깐하게 비판하는 사람들조차도 이러한 수치에 대해 비판할 만한 것을 찾기가 어려울 것입니다. 그러나 우리 목록의 다음 항목에는 숫자가 어떻게 생겼는지에 관계없이 Apple을 주시하는 사람들이 있습니다.

Steve Jobs 는 Apple의 성공과 동의어입니다. 그는 1985년 이사회 쿠데타로 축출된 후 임시 CEO로 1997년 허둥지둥 회사에 복귀했을 때 오늘날까지 계속되고 있는 신화적인 Apple 부활을 이끌었습니다[출처: Cheng ].

Jobs는 검은색 터틀넥과 청바지를 입은 테크 구루였습니다. 그는 매년 MacWorld에서 무대에 올라 오리지널 iMac 을 포함하여 지난 20년 동안 가장 혁신적인 컴퓨팅 및 전자 기기를 세계에 소개했습니다. 아이팟과 아이폰.

잡스가 2009년 1월 심각한 건강 문제로 인해 6개월간의 휴가를 떠나면서 그와 그의 회사는 전 세계적으로 헤드라인을 장식했습니다. 카리스마 넘치는 CEO 없이 애플이 살아남을 수 있을까? 특히 잡스가 2011년 8월에 CEO직에서 물러났을 때 직장으로 복귀한 후에도 이 질문은 계속되었습니다. 잡스는 2011년 10월 5일 56세의 나이로 세상을 떠났습니다.

그의 죽음으로 인한 자연스러운 슬픔과 불확실성에도 불구하고 대부분의 전문가들은 애플이 잡스가 없었다면 문제가 없을 것이라고 믿고 있습니다. 한 가지는 잡스가 그의 카리스마와 영향력에도 불구하고 애플의 가장 위대한 히트작을 구상하거나 디자인하지 않았다는 사실을 간과하기 쉽습니다. 산업 디자인 수석 부사장인 Jonathan Ive는 오리지널 iMac, 클릭 휠 iPod 및 iPhone 3G에 대한 공로를 인정받았습니다[출처: Arthur ]. 기억에 남는 Apple 광고 및 마케팅 캠페인은 모두 어떻습니까? "스위치" 및 "Mac 대 PC" 광고를 기억하십니까? 이것은 Globel Marketing의 수석 부사장인 Phil Schiller의 아이디어였습니다[출처: Dannen ].

More importantly, the Apple that Jobs left behind in 2011 was very different than the Apple that Steve Jobs saved in 1997 [source: Harris]. Thanks to Jobs, Apple has a clear vision, strong branding and an unflaggingly loyal following. Even as it moves on following Jobs' death, the company will be on sure footing -- or as sure as things get in the tech industry -- for a long time to come.

Our next myth has caused potential Apple customers to hesitate, but let's see why it's all just a misunderstanding.

One of Apple's biggest marks on pop culture was its "Get a Mac" ad campaign featuring actors John Hodgman as PC and Justin Long as Mac. The "Mac versus PC" TV commercials prompted both serious debates and numerous parodies. With all that hype, it's easy to assume that Macs and Windows PCs are so different as to be utterly incompatible.

It's true that Macs and Windows PCs run on different operating systems. Macs use the UNIX-based OS X while Windows machines use, well, Windows. But that doesn't mean that the two operating systems speak completely different languages.

For starters, just about every common software application runs on both Macs and Windows PCs. That includes Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook), most major Web browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari), Adobe Photoshop and even iTunes. This means that Mac and PC users can share almost every type of document or file. What's more, Macs and PCs can easily run on the same home or corporate network.

For users, the major difference between Mac and Windows comes down to cosmetics and semantics. A long-time Windows users might look at a Mac and ask, "Where's the Start menu? Why don't applications close when I click the X? What the heck is a Finder?" One other notable difference is games, with some PC games appearing for Mac after the title's initial release, or not at all.

Part of the confusion comes from the different ways that the two systems approach menus. On a Mac, the main application menu is always on the top of the screen, separate from the active application windows themselves. So, even when you close your browser windows on a Mac, the application you were using is still running. You have to select "Quit" to close the application completely.

The great thing is you don't have to choose between Macs and PCs anymore: Apple offers an application called Boot Camp that lets you run Windows on your Mac. When you use Boot Camp, you can select whether to switch between OS X and Windows when you reboot the computer. Apple ensures that Windows has all the hardware drivers it needs for the Mac you're using, though it does limit you to the 32-bit version of Windows even if you have 64-bit Mac hardware.

Now, let's look at a myth that could hit you right in the wallet.

This is a myth perpetuated by Apple's talented public relations department and echoed by Apple fans around the world. Apple does not quibble with the fact that, on average, Apple products cost more than similar products made by other manufacturers. Instead, it argues that its products are so superior that they're worth the price hike.

Compare the minimalist perfection of the iPod to the clunky MP3 players that came before it. Consider the intuitive touch-screen magic of the iPhone and the baffling menus on other smart phones. Remember when you saw your first iMac ? It knocked those beige boxes right out of the park, didn't it?

Of course people are willing to pay a little more money for superior design and a more satisfying user experience. How much more are the willing to shell out, though? You can't put a price tag on style, but you can put a price tag on hardware.

In 2009, given a MacBook Pro and a Dell laptop with nearly the same hardware specifications, the Mac cost $675 more [source: Wildstrom]. Opinions vary on whether it's worth it to pay more than 50 percent more for the MacBook to get your hands on the OS X operating system. Microsoft calls this the "Apple Tax." Apple calls it just another myth [source: Fried].

Apple's prices have also prompted creative hackers to invent their own Mac knock-offs. For example, PC hackers at Hackintosh.com maintain steps on how to run Mac OS X on cheaper PC hardware, even though OS X is not supported on hardware other than a Mac. For our next myth, we'll look at why these efforts to tweak or clone Apple software isn't as easy as it might seem.

In computing lore, Microsoft is the monopolistic beast who crushes the creative and entrepreneurial aspirations of small, open-source (or non-proprietary) developers. Apple, on the other hand, is one of the "good guys." It would certainly seem to be true, since OS X is built upon the community-coded FreeBSD kernel and Safari uses open-source technology called WebKit [source: Cubrilovic]. Also, the application programming interface for Apple iOS is available for anyone who wants to dabble in creating their own apps for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch .

The irony is that Apple, the friend of open source, is now viewed by many techies as more proprietary than Microsoft [source: Asay]. The complaint, echoed by many open-source software developers, is that Apple builds its products by using the very best open-source technology and then closes them off to the public behind hermetically sealed cases and teams of lawyers.

For example, Apple's lawyers recently pressured a small group of Linux programmers to stop online discussions of reverse engineering iTunes to figure out how to make iPods work with software other than iTunes. Apple says that's illegal [source: McMillan]. Apple only wants iPod to work with iTunes and it only wants iPhone users to download new applications through its own online App Store. This is frustrating for developers who have to win the approval of Apple before they can distribute their software to consumers.

Software rights aren't all that Apple's fighting for. In our article Why has Germany blocked sales of the Samsung Galaxy Tab? we take a brief look at Apple's lawsuits against Samsung and other tablet PC manufacturers for copying both its hardware and software designs. Thus, Apple isn't just protecting its own products, but it's making sure others can't benefit from cloning the features that made those products successful.

You may not be able to clone Apple products, but would Apple clone one of its products to create another? We'll answer that question in the next myth.

Following the iPad launch, critics looked beyond the dazzling demos to see what the device was all about [source: Fox and Albro]. Their conclusion? It's just a larger version of the iPod Touch .

On the surface, this certainly seems true. Both devices run the Apple iOS and, thus, can run any of the apps available from the App Store. The look and feel of the operating system is identical on each devices, as is the sleek, minimalistic look of the silver edging, black frame and single button. Between the two, the iPad gives you the larger screen for an easier experience reading e-books or watching videos.

The devices do have some important differences on the inside, though. First, the iPad can function as a larger iPhone, too, if you purchase a model that works on a supporting 3G mobile network (AT&T and Verizon in the U.S.). This is useful for people who want the convenience of wireless Internet when there isn't a convenient WiFi network available.

In addition to the 3G option, the iPad features a 1 GHz dual-core processor. This means it will better support the apps you run, especially for tasks like watching videos or playing graphic-intensive games.

Finally, the iPad supports full HD video. Apple indicates that the iPad can play video up to 1080p, with 30 progressive frames per second. The iPad can also display video up to 1080p when attached to larger screens using Apple's proprietary adapters.

Speaking of proprietary adapters, the next myth separates fact from fiction when it comes to whether you're better off buying Apple accessories for your computer.

If you visit an Apple retail store, you can't help but notice how every component they sell is designed to look great together. Every Mac desktop is paired with a matching monitor, keyboard , mouse and speakers. Even the adapters and cables are shaped and colored to complement the Apple aesthetic.

While matching peripherals and accessories might help you feel good about your purchase, don't believe the myth that you're better off purchasing them. If the accessory uses USB, WiFi or Bluetooth, you have a lot of non-Apple options on the market since these are industry-standard ways to connect devices.

For instance, the Apple Magic Mouse is a wireless mouse using Bluetooth and powered by two AA batteries. Besides having proprietary Multi-Touch that resembles the MacBook touchpad, it's just a wireless mouse that will set you back $69. By comparison, a Logitech V470 Cordless Laser Mouse for Bluetooth retails for $49.99, and Logitech and its retailers across the U.S. often offer discounts of $10 or more for this product [sources: Apple, Logitech].

If the accessory requires a proprietary connector, you may need an adapter, but you might not need to buy the accessory itself. For example, a current MacBook offers a Mini DisplayPort (MiniDP) for connecting to a separate display. If you use a non-Apple display with an industry standard technology, like DVI or VGA, you'll need to purchase an adapter from Apple to switch between connectors. An adapter will cost around $29 [sources: Apple, Apple].

As a disclaimer, though, we should note that some accessories offer little or no reliable alternatives. For example, MacBooks use a proprietary MagSafe power adapter, and it's staunchly defended its exclusive rights to produce MagSafe adapters. You could purchase a MagSafe knock-off, but that's risky. If the power adapter doesn't work properly, it could cause serious damage your computer that might not be covered under warranty [source: Apple].

Now let's look at a myth that's caused a lot of hesitation for prospective iPhone buyers.

Flash is a proprietary media file format created using Adobe Flash software. To view Flash content, your Web browser must include a plug-in provided by Adobe. Flash is supported in most Web browsers, but it isn't available on any Apple iOS device, including the iPad , iPhone or iPod touch .

The myth behind Apple's decision is that the company just hates Flash. This started when Apple released its first iPhone without supporting Flash. Ongoing updates to the Apple iOS platform signaled that Apple had no intention of supporting Flash on its mobile devices. It seemed as if Apple was waging a silent war against Adobe. Bitterness increased in the media, from both industry critics and Adobe, following the iPad's announcement in January 2010 [source: Dilger].

However, in April 2010, co-founder and then-CEO Steve Jobs published his "Thoughts on Flash" statement as an official response to public criticism. This set the record straight on why Apple chose not to support Flash in Apple iOS. Jobs stated that while its own products are closed and proprietary, Apple felt that Web standards should be open. This means supporting standards like HTML5, CSS and JavaScript and avoiding the proprietary technology of Flash [source: Jobs].

Jobs also dispelled the assumption that the Web was unusable without Flash support. He reminded readers that while there is a lot of Flash content on the Web, much of that content is also available in H.264 format, which is supported on Apple iOS. Rounding out his explanation, Jobs also echoed sentiments from across the tech industry indicating an increasing lack of security and reliability in Flash technology [source: Jobs].

In short, though Apple clearly doesn't want to support Flash in Apple iOS, its reasons stemmed from business decisions rather than personal opinions. Coincidentally, the big tech buzz in November 2011 was that the silent war had ended with a victory for Apple. That's when Adobe announced that it was halting development of its Flash Player software for mobile browsers, effectively surrendering interactive mobile Web experiences to the newer and increasingly popular HTML5 technology [source: Finkle].

Apple may not be keeping track of Flash, but are they keeping track of you? In the next myth, we'll find out if iPhone users should worry about Apple spying on them.

On April 20, 2011, startling news reports blanketed media outlets around the world saying that Apple was tracking users of its mobile devices without their knowledge. The rumor stemmed from an original report by tech researchers Pete Warden and Alasdair Allan, posted at Warden's Github.com site (called iPhone Tracker).

Warden and Allan explained that they'd found a hidden file in Apple iOS following its iOS 4 update in June 2010. They also reported that they couldn't find any similar tracking codes in the Android mobile OS. The news cycle continued for days without an official response from Apple, leading to the rumor going viral across the Internet and a legal inquiry from the U.S. Congress asking Apple to explain its plans and answer questions about it [sources: Arthur, Keizer].

A week later, on April 27, Apple finally released a statement to address these claims. In the statement, Apple denied it was tracking its users and stated that the data collected was anonymous, encrypted information about cellular towers and WiFi hot spots that the iPhone detects. Apple explained that it was using the data to develop a crowd-sourced database "with the goal of providing iPhone users an improved traffic service in the next couple of years" [source: Apple].

Despite the statement, some critics were still unconvinced. Apple's statement did not explain why it concealed the presence of this hidden file, which stored the collected location data unencrypted on the iOS file system. It also described certain actions as bugs, including continued collection of location data even with Location Services turned off. Apple promised fixes to these bugs in the "next major iOS software release," meaning iOS 5, which was released later the same year [source: Keizer].

For our final myth, let's take on one of the big reasons many people give for choosing a Mac over a Windows PC.

Perhaps one of Apple's biggest selling points for Mac OS X is its seemingly invincible barrier against viruses and other malware. Not so fast, though. No operating system is perfect when it comes to avoiding malware, including the iron-clad Mac OS X.

The difference is in how much and what types of malware affects Macs. First, there just isn't a lot of malware out there designed for Mac OS X. Malware developers are typically looking to reach the largest audience possible with their efforts, and Mac OS X is not a prime target. There are a lot of reasons for this, including the following:

Second, the types of malware that affect Mac rely less on OS vulnerabilities and more on the gullibility of the user. For example, one form of malware disguised itself as an anti-virus program for Macs. It advertised under the name Mac Protector, Mac Defender, Apple Security Center and other titles. The malware included everything you'd expect from a typical anti-virus program: installation, system scanning and even a prompt to register the product.

The best way to protect yourself from malware threats on a Mac is to keep the system up-to-date. Apple will likely find and address any Mac OS X vulnerabilities before they become a big problem. In addition, research any new software before you install it. That includes anything claiming to be an anti-virus program or a legitimate Apple product.

In our countdown, we've focused on 10 myths about Apple and its products. With the company's popularity, the increasing market share for Macs and the success of its mobile products, there will likely be more myths to come. In the meantime, check out lots more information about Apple myths on the next page.

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