Tonight on AOTS, they aired a segment titled “Is Apple Rotten to the Core?” They paired it with their home page poll and a blog post from the loop. In my opinion, they kind of played the “don’t upset the Apple cart” role and didn’t sway one way or the other by presenting both sides with enough quality time that only TV can provide so I decided to extend my opinion as well as open up the virtual round table here on iBAM for continued discussion. First, let’s start with my thoughts, then most importantly … Your opinion.

Here’s what I think:

First, I would like to say that over the last 11 months, I have become a very loyal and vigilant Apple Fan. Coming from 15 years of PC hell, I can’t even begin to express the relief I have and continue to have since switching to Mac. Now, understanding that I am still in the “under 1 year old” category with my Mac, I do concede that my opinion might not be fully matured and have certain weights in directions that you may not agree with. In this event, I wish to remind you that this is not only my blog, but also my opinion and you are welcome to yours as much as I am.

That said, I want to express my concern with what I would call Apple’s “growing pains”. Not that they haven’t ever grown before, but this is such a unique time for technology. I think we are witnessing a company that has gotten too huge (MS) and grown beyond it’s capabilities to control itself. I think with the massive catastrophe of Vista, Apple is benefiting from a market vacuum similar to the Pepsi vs. New Coke vacuum of the 80’s. In the midst of this mass exodus of consumers and the very obvious market boost, I think that maybe… possibly… Apple could be spouting off a bit too much and rushing to the market with new innovations a little too quickly.

I am reminded of a scene in that TV movie about Gates & Jobs where Bill says it’s more important to be first than best. I have to admit that I do agree with this in some aspects, but eventually you start making a lot of people frustrated and the longevity if your product will most assuredly suffer in the end. Here we are, 30 or so years later and we are seeing the first of the fruits of being first rather than best. We are witness to what could be perceived as the beginning of the end of the tale. However, I think that if Apple isn’t careful, they could initiate a chain of events that could only be called a Deja Vu experience for us all.

We have all been witness to the “Mac has no viruses” and “Mac just works” commercials and (some even worse) statements in the Mac vs PC commercials. I have to admit that the iPhone price reduction scenario was a bit weird for me and brought up a few old bad memories but it seems we all weathered well and moved on only to be once again thwarted by an series of iPhone/iTunes updates that seemingly attempted to further “control” our usage and pick our pockets in yet another creative way. Isn’t Apple our friend in this new world of technology? Why the sudden push for control? It’s concerning… And here I hold, full of questions.

I only stop here because I believe that the end of the story is yet to be told. My hope is that our pal Steve won’t follow in the well-worn steps of so many other “retired” CEO’s and take his company up a fast ladder of success to only find out that he forgot to let the concrete on the newly formed foundations dry. I think that Apple is an outstanding company, has superb products, leads the charge in technology’s innovations, and is all around king of the hill when it comes to where they sit in today’s technology market. They have pushed the envelope in just about every way, defining new rules for how we think about many different subjects from music delivery, television and advertising to user interface, customer acquisition and how we communicate with each other. Truly, Apple is on one of the highest pinnacles they have ever been on. I just harbor and constrain a deep thought that they could face the imminent doom that so many other companies have tasted in years past if they continue on this trend. With the end of the story still yet to be written, I offer my concern and that is all.

Now, it’s your turn to agree, disagree, sympathize or whatever. I open the forum to you. What are your perceptions and how do you feel about the trend we may or may not be seeing. Do you think this subject is a worthy discussion? As always, I will accept all comments (except spam) and post them just as they were written. Let your voice be heard. What do you think, is the Apple rotten to the core?