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February 28, 2005
The Apple experience
During a trip yesterday to the beautiful (and busy) Apple store on Michigan Avenue, I bought a Powerbook. And I loved the experience.
All of Apple's experiential marketing consistently exudes luxury. From the layout of the store, to the knowledgeable and candid help of store associate James, to the terrific design of the packaging of the box (even the handsome and sturdy Apple shopping bags), to the speed of my new laptop starting up for the first time, finagling my wireless network and getting on the Net in about 8 minutes, it was like upgrading to first class after 15 years of flying coach.
Is there a technology company today with more beautifully executed experiential marketing than Apple? I don't think so.
Welcome, brother, to the cult. The mothership will arrive when Jobs releases the iBerry, and the iPod holds all of NetFlix's library of DVDs.
Next, you need an iChat so we can see you and your poodle broadcast to the universe!
Brother Peter: The Apple store didn't have an iSight in stock (associate James was very apologetic) so I ordered one online. It should arrive in a week. Our poodlecasts will begin shortly after that.
Ben,
I am a recent convert as well, and was blown away by the experience of opening the box. Everything about the switch was pleasent.
I bought one of the 12" PBs and am in love. Better software, better interface, just plain better!
And I can now get across the country on one battery. The PBs have amazing battery life!
Apple seems to have captured the Christmas present nature of opening a thoughtfully packed present that surprises its recipient with its care and attention to detail. It really was like Christmas opening a beautiful box.
Awesome, Ben. You've been talking about doing this for a while!
A buddy of mine has an e-mail autosignature that says:
"The box said use Windows XP or better, so I bought a Macintosh."
Paul, the Windows forcefield is strong!
Or perhaps it's the habitual nature of aggregated use that keeps people locked up with their OS.
Either way, my Windows experience finally attenuated enough to break free. Since then, it's been like taking a version of the Red Pill.
