Apple Acceptance Corporation

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Financialization is pervasive, today.

I’ve noticed that Apple, perhaps the large organization most concerned about image and experience has succumbed to the primacy of “the deal”, or just _____ per month.

To wit:

I suspect a promotional poster at the store entrance was not part of the planned aesthetic.

Apple’s store app and web page prominently feature monthly payments:

Apple’s titanium card seems timely. It will be interesting to see how the risk / reward relationship with Goldman Sachs plays out.

The Australian Open “App”

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Once a tennis parent, always a tennis parent.

We’ve enjoyed watching bits and pieces of the Australian Open Professional Tennis Tournament (1).

As ever, in 2019, watching the event via the ESPN+ app and/or Directv App is easy, particularly when complemented by tournament app updates and of course ongoing Twitter commentary.

However, I have been greatly disappointed in the Australian Open’s App. They have essentially stuck their website inside an “app”, with all of the challenges that entails.

I am further amazed that this course was chosen given the budget and profile that the Open enjoys.

“This website uses cookies to enhance…”

One can draw a number of conclusions from this non-effort:

A. Elegance and a great user experience don’t matter.

B. Only a small percentage of users care; see “A”.

C. Website (cookie) data collection is so pervasive that we are willing to sacrifice an elegant experience for advertising and profiling (therefore monetary) reasons.

D. Top management is unaware.

E. Elegant and fast iOS app development is too expensive for this event.

F. The Open has sold digital experience rights to a 3rd party who monetizes in other ways and therefore does not value a great user experience.

G. ?

(1) Navigating the live video rights is a hassle. Some events are widely available in the United States, others difficult if not impossible to find. I tapped to view the Kerber vs Collins match and received this message:

We have tried to do better with amuz on iOS and Android (amuzapp.com). There are some bugs, but it is generally elegant, easy and fast.

Abundance. Christmas. Retail, circa 2018.

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I’ve long practiced retail avoidance, preferring to shop by app, website or phone.

This year – during a time of incredible abundance – offered a few chance encounters with traditional retail destinations, including Macys, Kohls, Wal-Mart, Madison’s Orange Tree Imports and nearby Camera Company.

Kohls pleasantly surprised me with a very fast checkout. Someone has thought about the experience, including queue management. That said, the signage and checkout counter aesthetics could be significantly improved. In addition, Apple Pay did not work.

Unlike Kohls, Wal-Mart was not all that busy on a recent Saturday. The checkout experience was reasonably quick, though Apple Pay is verboten, while Wal Mart pay, perhaps languishes.

Orange Tree Imports is always an intriguing stop, featuring interesting products and thoughtful staff.

Explore Orange Tree in the amuz app

The Camera Company offers extensive photo and video hardware along with excellent print and friendly support services. Oh, Apple Pay is no problem.

Merry Christmas!

P.S. I remember my grandparents talking about the joy of an orange, at Christmas.