Apple Inc.: Society's Fetish For Apple

Apple Inc manufactures both hardware and software uniquely with methods of their own. Apple’s computer operating system is highly secured and is not subject to viruses and hackers and the products are designed to be concerned about the consumers’ style life. Apple is successful with their marketing is this is because of Apple build strong name and image in the market. Apple’s products are different as mentioned and it has a lot of unique features. This is another method of Apple doing marketing.

Apple was established as an IT company dealing in exclusively in computers. However, competition in the technology sector forced the firm to focus on other consumer products. The diversification strategy has seen Apple’s sales grow tremendously in the last decade, earning the firm the No. 1 brand position at Forbes. The Apple brand is recognized on an international scale and enjoys a strong recognition thanks to its aggressiveness when it comes to creativity and innovation (Tar, 2013). It has a large number of loyal customers who would purchase the new products regardless of the market price, which guarantees profits from the new division.

Apple’s advertising focuses more on a lifestyle instead of a product and has helped create a cult-like loyalty among Apple enthusiasts.

The concept of commodity fetishism applies both to the perceptions of normal people and people in everyday life and to the formal study of economics. Economists, both then and now study the economy in terms of the movements of money, goods, and prices, which is essentially, the point of view of the corporation. from this point of view, the social dimension of economic life is considered unscientific and unworthy of discussion. Karl Marx argues that this commodity fetishism allows capitalists to carry on with day-to-day affairs of a capitalist mode of production without having to confront the real implications of the system of exploitation on which they depend.

The momentum of obsolescence became increasingly stronger as the decades passed, and in contemporary society, the dynamics of planned, technological, and psychological obsolescence is unmistakable. Today, products are made of faulty parts, and have become gradually more expensive to repair. Consumers are now forced to weigh up the price of repair alongside the price of a replacement, giving them little choice but to pick the easier alternative and replace the item. An example of this modern triad of obsolescence can be seen within the “Apple Conspiracy”, where it is alleged that Apple releases software updates for iPhones that instead of enhancing the performance of the phone as promised, actually degrade it by making the phone slow, and decrease the battery life. Coincidentally, this often occurs when the newest model of the iPhone is released, prompting frustrated users to either upgrade their phone, or deal with a degraded product. The conspiracy’s major mainstream moment was an article in the New York Times by Catherine Rampell:

When it comes to Apple products we think of the iPhone, iPad, mac, and countless other products. Apple is the number one seller in the world right now, so of course companies are going to do whatever it takes to compete. Even if that means stealing some of their layout, the way the phone operates, and even looks. That is exactly what Samsung did to Apple. They stole things from Apple and Apple sued for patent infringement. Apple won in the end and was rewarded $1 billon in the end from Samsung.

There are many essentials that are fetishized by Americans; one of those things is coffee. It is no secret that there is a big demand for coffee with many specialty coffee shops springing up, such as Starbucks, Peet’s and Coffee Bean. Oftentimes, the consumer loses sight of where things come from and how they are produced. A key component of production is the producer. The consumer does not pay enough attention to the ethical treatment and wages of the producer. This paper discusses Karl Marx’s premise on Fetishism of Commodities and its direct relation to the production of coffee, focusing on the value of the coffee bean as well as how that directly impacts the farmer and his family.

The shooters slaughtered 14 individuals at an occasion party in December 2015, at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California. Those murdered extended in age from 26 to 60, with stories of their cherished one 's catastrophe generally as shifted. There 's a father whose six kids will spend the occasions without him. Another father who was arranging a Disney land trip. A nice 27-year-old with starting eyes and a speedy grin.

People in the modern society feel the desire to have the newest and the best. Businesses and companies are constantly trying to keep up with these demands releasing new products continuously. With new products always being produced, people abandon their old version in the attempt to own the best. Think of the number of mobile phones, ipods and computers we have bought in the past few years. We all know the old one worked fine but the desire to have the latest and greatest model, to be in with the new technology takes over our thought process.

1. Yes, Apple has managed to make it's users praise their products as if it were a cult. People worldwide praise it as the #1 brand on the market, often bashing other phone or computer brands to prove that Apple is #1. The documentary even shows how a person who is addicted to Apple sees Apple similar to religion. Even Apples employees are a good example.

Apple is a technology company that is forever changing. From the iPod to the iTouch/iPhone to the Mac, Apple’s rapid growth as a technology superpower could not have been possible without an intricate information system. The innovation of Apple over the years has seen unprecedented advances in the way we look at technology. This is important to Apple because they have expanded their range of business and revolutionized their product. The problem with this is that not a lot of companies and businesses see Apple as unnecessary

Apple came back from near extinction to become one of the most revered technology companies in recent memory. They achieved this status by developing innovative design products and pushing the limits of their marketing prowess. Apple is known for their ability to listen to consumers and revolutionize market segments by providing modern design laden and feature rich alternatives to the target markets. They employ strategies that might contradict normal convention by keeping their prices high to build a brand image of prestige and promote their products through word of mouth. The impact on marketing is hugely noticeable by other companies following suit with store models

“Apple uses promotional and advertising tools to capture the attention, interest, and desire of the consumer. Apple captures our attention and interest through innovating and sleek imagery of their products on Apple's official website as well as keynotes and other publication” (Villefranche, 2011). For example Apple just released the I phone 5 which was highly anticipated and the publicity that Apple had prior to the release was tremendous and also brought in many new customers. It has been said that the first weekend the I phone 5 was available they sold 5 million phones. Apple made a plan and set up objectives and goals that they desired. Through integrated marketing they have met those goals and it allows for them to set higher goals and reach them as well. Apple also knows their competitors very well and this allows them to be in this market and compete very well.

Apple prides itself on offering innovative technology to a society that has become dependent on it. In markets inundated with companies offering similar products and services, Apple has had to rise above and distinguish itself from the masses. While their products have a cultivated a devoted-customer following (our family is one of them), their organization and the values it espouses are what will help them to remain a relevant and successful company in the tech world.

The company started off as “Apple Computer,” best known for its Macintosh personal computers (PCs) in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Despite a strong brand, rapid growth, and high profits in the late 1980s, Apple almost went bankrupt in 1996 (Kim & Yoffie, 2010, p.1). This can be explained that Apple has become larger and more significant than other competitors put together in 1980. Because Apple failed to innovate in 1996, the company almost went bankruptcy but eventually Steve Jobs took Apple from bad situation to the company that can make billions of dollars through promoted itself as a hip alternative to other computer brands. Apple highlighted its computers as the world’s “greenest lineup of notebooks” that were energy efficient and used recyclable materials. The goal was to differentiate the Macintosh amid intense competition in the PC industry (Kim & Yoffie, p.4).