While Apple Is Criticized for Foxconn, Other Companies Are Silent

[djk]

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/...-rivals-are-silent/?smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto

In the last week I have asked Hewlett-Packard, Samsung, Microsoft and others about their reports on labor conditions. Most responded with a boilerplate public relations message. Some didn’t even respond.

The answer from Barnes & Noble, the maker of the Nook e-reader, was typical.

Mary Ellen Keating, a senior vice president, said only, “We don’t comment on our supply chain vendors.”

Lenovo e-mailed a general report on sustainability. Samsung, which sells more cellphones than Apple, gave no response.

Hmmm. Can I expect a boycott of the Galaxy S3 from our resident anti-Apple freetards when Samsung announces it?

 

[blackrock13]

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/...-rivals-are-silent/?smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto



Hmmm. Can I expect a boycott of the Galaxy S3 from our resident anti-Apple freetards when Samsung announces it?

I suspect a case of selective memory coming on..

 

[Tony321]

We LOVE Samsung

 

[b4u]

I expect djk will be one of the first to own a Samsung Galaxy 3

 

[mrsix]

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/...-rivals-are-silent/?smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto



Hmmm. Can I expect a boycott of the Galaxy S3 from our resident anti-Apple freetards when Samsung announces it?

If I were boycotting Apple based on its supply chain vendors, then I might. I don't like Apple because many of its products are overpriced, overly proprietary, and the company is arrogant in the way it markets (tries to create the market rather than listen to it...SD cards, flash etc.).

If they dropped their prices to competitive levels and offered me some choices, I would have no problem owning an Apple. As it is, my Samsung Galaxy and PC give me everything I want, and I don't have to be subjected to Apple's whims.

It's not really rocket science. Put 2 products side by side, compare spec for spec, price to price, and usability (subjective). I'll choose the one that has more checkmarks in the "better" column. If both products are comparable, I'll choose the one that gives me more extras for free.

BTW, whether or not other companies are just as guilty as Apple of exploiting overseas workers, the fact remains that Apple is among them. The "everyone else is doing it" defense is for 3 year olds, just like the iPhone.

 

[danibbler]

BTW, whether or not other companies are just as guilty as Apple of exploiting overseas workers, the fact remains that Apple is among them. The "everyone else is doing it" defense is for 3 year olds, just like the iPhone.

Actually, you're wrong. Please get your facts and logic straight.

 

[djk]

I don't like Apple because many of its products are overpriced

You feel they are overpriced. Ultimately, the market sets its price. If everyone felt that way, they'd never sell anything.

and the company is arrogant in the way it markets (tries to create the market rather than listen to it...SD cards, flash etc.).

Again, if they are fighting the free market, they wouldn't have sold anything. So there is obviously a significant demand which they are meeting. Apple isn't for you. And that's another beautiful thing about the free market. There's alternatives, Android being the most popular.

It's not really rocket science. Put 2 products side by side, compare spec for spec, price to price, and usability (subjective). I'll choose the one that has more checkmarks in the "better" column. If both products are comparable, I'll choose the one that gives me more extras for free.

Not always. For example:

But again, to each their own.

BTW, whether or not other companies are just as guilty as Apple of exploiting overseas workers, the fact remains that Apple is among them. The "everyone else is doing it" defense is for 3 year olds, just like the iPhone.

The point asks - is utilizing overseas labour an absolute evil? If it's absolute, then those on here who love to harp on Apple should be equally critical of Samsung and others. But they're not. And that lack of action allows other companies to continue with these practices. I don't remember Samsung working with the FLA. I don't remember HP disclosing any labour accountability reports. So, how about it? Let's hold the others to the same high standard of criticism?

It probably won't happen. Because most detractors don't really give a shit about what happens in China. It's all about slinging mud at Apple for any reason.

 

[mrsix]

The point asks - is utilizing overseas labour an absolute evil? If it's absolute, then those on here who love to harp on Apple should be equally critical of Samsung and others. But they're not. And that lack of action allows other companies to continue with these practices. I don't remember Samsung working with the FLA. I don't remember HP disclosing any labour accountability reports. So, how about it? Let's hold the others to the same high standard of criticism?

It probably won't happen. Because most detractors don't really give a shit about what happens in China. It's all about slinging mud at Apple for any reason.

If the question is about the evils of using overseas labour, then my answer is the same as it was earlier. It doesn't matter. Whether it is or not, Apple is doing it. You are criticizing who we criticize and this is way beside the point. If I mention that slavery is evil, and I cite the American Slavery era as an example, will your retort be that the Europeans were doing it too?

Apple exploits overseas workers to manufacture a product for a price that pads their margins. It doesn't matter who else is doing it, Apple is doing it, and that's my point. You want to call out the Samsung and HP fanbois? Go to it, but you still haven't explained why Apple is there.

And by the way, if you're telling me that a spec for spec comparison of 2 products, combined with price point and subjective usability is not a good method for choosing a good product for me, then you are not the same type of consumer that I am. I like to make informed purchasing decisions.