The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[spaceghost]

They didn't create it, but they certainly perfected it.

I believe @WDW1974 is absolutely correct. I could write an essay on it, but it's so easy to demonstrate it's really not necessary. The non-user replaceable battery which seems to crap out at about 18 months (conveniently past the paltry one-year warranty, unless you pay another $100+ for an additional year of limited warranty coverage), the app update ecosystem which causes you to have to update apps to keep existing functionality, which in turn requires you to do the system updates, which are not optimized for use on earlier devices even though they are all but required.

Of course the other piece of the puzzle is the carriers. This model wouldn't work if you didn't have Verizon, et al, wanting to lock you up in a contract for two years. The leverage they have to do that? A new phone every two years at a steeply "discounted" rate that most of the people buying them would not choose to buy otherwise. If that practice didn't exist, most people would not be upgrading their phone every two years.

 

[misterID]

Before Disney released an official app with standby line wait times there were multiple apps out there which provided the same info from unofficial sources. I know, I had the Touringplans.com one. People complained that Disney should just release an app with official wait times. That aspect was exactly what the people were asking for. The other things like making/changing ride and dining reservations on your phone are also considered a plus to the system by those using the app. Nobody asked for FP+, but if they rolled that system out without the ability to make changes on your phone the masses would be complaining and asking for it. I don't see how that's dumbing down their offerings. If you don't want to use your phone to access MM+ you don't have to, but the majority of users seem to have positive feedback on that aspect even if they disagree with the project as a whole.

If I went to WDW more than I do I probably wouldn't understand fp+

With so much planned on my week, it's nice to be able to plan things more closely and have a more precise plan. Funny enough, it helps when you're devoting days away from Disney. Those days used to be spent casually visiting the parks through the week.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I believe @WDW1974 is absolutely correct. I could write an essay on it, but it's so easy to demonstrate it's really not necessary. The non-user replaceable battery which seems to crap out at about 18 months (conveniently past the paltry one-year warranty, unless you pay another $100+ for an additional year of limited warranty coverage), the app update ecosystem which causes you to have to update apps to keep existing functionality, which in turn requires you to do the system updates, which are not optimized for use on earlier devices even though they are all but required.

Apple is not acting at all outside of what was already the prevailing cellphone update cycle. And funny you mentioned batteries, because Apple right now is replacing, for free, batteries in the 2 year old iPhone 5 because they are having a shorter than expected life. That's a new lease on life for a smartphone that for a lot of people is not going to be significantly different than the iPhone 6.

Apple tends to continuing to support older devices for longer. You're not going to find many Android devices from 2011 running Kit Kat, but the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 will each get iOS 8. Even then, continuing software updates are nothing new to the computer world. That gets right back to what I mentioned about hardware eventually catching up to the software. For a lot of people this point has already been reached, and thus the widespread use of older versions of Android and Apple has abandoned charging for their OS updates. It is also why the phone companies are trying to get people only to the monthly phone payments, because more and more people are getting to the end of their contract and their not interested in paying $200 when their existing phone is still working just fine.

 

[misterID]

They didn't create it, but they certainly perfected it.

I believe @WDW1974 is absolutely correct. I could write an essay on it, but it's so easy to demonstrate it's really not necessary. The non-user replaceable battery which seems to crap out at about 18 months (conveniently past the paltry one-year warranty, unless you pay another $100+ for an additional year of limited warranty coverage), the app update ecosystem which causes you to have to update apps to keep existing functionality, which in turn requires you to do the system updates, which are not optimized for use on earlier devices even though they are all but required.

Yes, and it's a mold Microsoft is following very closely now as well.

 

[DisUniversal]

Sometimes hyperbole is warranted to illustrate the lunacy as play. Apple designs phones so you basically have to replace them every 18 months. I find that absurd.

I realized how ridiculous this was when at a WDW outlet store and saw it was selling iPhone covers for $3.99 (instead of the $30-35 it charges full price), but it was quickly explained to me that those are for the iPhone3 (you'd think this was tech from 1979 the way it was explained) and ''nobody has that phone now.''

Technology is moving fast....what Apple is doing is no different than most all other forms of technology lately and due to competition, they really don't have a choice. Do you think a case for any other 6 year old phone would be selling for more than $3.99? Most people probably aren't using the same PC/laptop they were 6 years ago. Many don't have the same TV they did 6 years ago....or video game console....or DVD player....or digital camera. There is no basis for focusing negativity on Apple when they are no different from the competition.

 

[DisUniversal]

Wonder how the UNI foamers will take this, but some of UNI's research has shown that people visiting DA feel it has too many shops and not enough attractions (how many minutes before the Twits who never read a word here will have this and be ROTFLTFAO while ignoring the pesky fact that UNI execs are concerned about this?)

I know I'm very much looking forward to the ice cream. Much more so than the shops (although I do think I should have an interactive wand in my hands! ... Tohmmmmy ... Tohmmmmy ... tell me you got that!?!!)

I enjoy myself at DA and don't give much thought to what other people visiting feel. If I run out of things to do there or get bored, I move on and enjoy the rest of a great theme park. DA is only one part of it and regardless of whether or not some feel there are enough attractions, at least they are trying...unlike a certain competitor 10 minutes down I-4 that tells their customers to "Remember the magic" because they seem incapable of creating any lately.

 

[GoofGoof]

If I went to WDW more than I do I probably wouldn't understand fp+

With so much planned on my week, it's nice to be able to plan things more closely and have a more precise plan. Funny enough, it helps when you're devoting days away from Disney. Those days used to be spent casually visiting the parks through the week.

I agree with this. I'm not trying to defend MM+ or more specifically FP+.

The original post that started this discussion was from a poster saying they felt like Disney was trying to tie them to their phone. I disagreed and said that people are already tied to their phones so Disney was just providing them with the ability to use MM+ from their phones. If that service didn't exist a lot of people would be killing them for not having it. Not everybody, but the masses these days are hooked on smart phones.

 

[BrianLo]

the app update ecosystem which causes you to have to update apps to keep existing functionality, which in turn requires you to do the system updates, which are not optimized for use on earlier devices even though they are all but required.

It's often more of a struggle just to maintain functionality with each update, even when a lot of the time nothing has been actually enhanced.

Ah, this is not true. You neither have to update apps or the system. They can't remove functionality/take away anything you currently have.

Sure, you can't get *new* apps or iOS updates for some of the models 4-5 years out, but that's a hardware limitation...

Nothing is stopping you from using the original iPhone 1.0. Just because Apple (or Samsung or whomever) makes it enticing enough to get the newest version is not their fault, it's ultimately up to the consumer.


I think we are starting to reach a point where the cellular cycle won't be so short, hopefully it starts to line up with other consumer electronics where it is ok to own a computer, camera, etc. for 5 years.


Really though, I hate this argument. No one is convincing anyone one way or the other and unlike the Disney/Universal debate, you can't exactly visit both. Just find what works for you.

 

[DisUniversal]

I think we are starting to reach a point where the cellular cycle won't be so short, hopefully it starts to line up with other consumer electronics where it is ok to own a computer, camera, etc. for 5 years.

Until they make the display out of sapphire and the case out of titanium, I don't see that happening. Devices that are carried around in pockets/purses and used MANY times per day just aren't likely to survive 5 years regardless of how fast the technology contained within becomes obsolete. If we're talking children, it's been a challenge for me to get the kids phones to last 2 years and that's with a replacement or two under Applecare +.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

It's Disney Walmarting itself to meet the LCD in society today.

You can say it's about giving people what they want, but Disney was never about that ... hell, Cook used a Disney line in his presentation yesterday and I'm shocked no one here (that I've read) has brought it up. He said Apple was in the business of giving consumers products they didn't know they wanted or needed.

I disagree with him (naturally).

But I don't think Disney should be dumbing its offerings down because people are more ignorant than ever. I am an elitist though. ... I only hang associate with people who use toilet paper.

Spirit, I'm kind of surprised that's the Tim Cook quote you went with. This one is particularly damning.

It turns out most people who have worked on this (mobile payments) have started by focusing on creating a business model that was centered around their self interest instead of focusing on the user experience.

That sure sounds familiar...

 

[Mike S]

Wonder how the UNI foamers will take this, but some of UNI's research has shown that people visiting DA feel it has too many shops and not enough attractions (how many minutes before the Twits who never read a word here will have this and be ROTFLTFAO while ignoring the pesky fact that UNI execs are concerned about this?)

I know I'm very much looking forward to the ice cream. Much more so than the shops (although I do think I should have an interactive wand in my hands! ... Tohmmmmy ... Tohmmmmy ... tell me you got that!?!!)

If people weren't expecting a lot of shops in Diagon Alley then I would say they aren't that familiar with the source material. Within the Alley itself I can't imagine any other ride fitting except for Gringotts.

Early reports made Borgin & Burkes and Weasley's sound more like walk-through A-ticket attractions--there's no question that what opened are just straight-up shops. They tried to turn Madam Milkin's into another Ollivander's-type experience, but it doesn't seem to be taking. (Buying a want is iconic; trying on robes, not so much).

While I think when done right themed shops/eateries absolutely help establish atmosphere (e.g. old MSUSA, The Yankee Peddler, Moes Tavern), Universal went a little too overboard in their "shopping as an attraction" plans. Diagon Alley sorely needs a Flight of the Hippogriff/Luigi's Tires, probably even two C-tickets like that given its size.

Thinking about it now they could have had some kind of an attraction in London other than the Hogwarts Express. The London Eye? A Knight Bus simulator (though I think that would probably have had obvious capacity issues)? Maybe if phase 3 happens that will address things in USF's Wizarding World attraction wise with the Ministry of Magic which unlike Hogsmeade and Diagon has no shops in it at all (obviously) so no potential problem balancing shops and attractions with that one.

 

[GoofGoof]

Until they make the display out of sapphire and the case out of titanium, I don't see that happening. Devices that are carried around in pockets/purses and used MANY times per day just aren't likely to survive 5 years regardless of how fast the technology contained within becomes obsolete. If we're talking children, it's been a challenge for me to get the kids phones to last 2 years and that's with a replacement or two under Applecare +.

Mine is going on 4 years but the flash stopped working and my home button sticks sometimes. I was pretty happy to make it this long.

 

[DisUniversal]

Mine is going on 4 years but the flash stopped working and my home button sticks sometimes. I was pretty happy to make it this long.

My phones barely make it two years. I'm always hopeful that when my contact is up, I'll be able to go a year without having to get a new one, but it never seems to work out that way. Sort of similar to the dream I have of a car lasting significantly longer than the payments.

 

[Mike S]

I think that's a fair concern for them. Taken as a "whole" the Wizarding World is fairly well built out, but it's a bit lopsided if you can't get on Gringott's easily.

But... isn't that the point of "Phase 3"? Or is that what you mean by budget cuts.

I hope phase 3 isn't affected too much by budget cuts. I want that to definitely be on the same level or even above that of Diagon Alley. I will say this, if a ride is made about us following Harry and co. through the events that took place in the Ministry of Magic during Order of the Phoenix or getting yet another Horcrux during Deathly Hallows I will be a bit peeved. Try to give us a new experience with this Uni.

 

[Snowflake82]

Wonder how the UNI foamers will take this, but some of UNI's research has shown that people visiting DA feel it has too many shops and not enough attractions (how many minutes before the Twits who never read a word here will have this and be ROTFLTFAO while ignoring the pesky fact that UNI execs are concerned about this?)

I know I'm very much looking forward to the ice cream. Much more so than the shops (although I do think I should have an interactive wand in my hands! ... Tohmmmmy ... Tohmmmmy ... tell me you got that!?!!)

I would say that the shops are almost attractions in themselves for a first visit, but I don't think that would hold for multiple repeat visits. My group included a 9 yr old who was actually trying to outfit himself for his first year at Hogwarts. The rest of us just had fun finding identifying objects from the books in the displays. There were also games organized by the staff in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes that were fun for the kids.

The ice cream was quite good - I recommend trying some of more unusual ones!

Edit - there seem to be multiple posts about the shops that I didn't see before posting this. Even though we enjoyed them, I generally agree that with other's posts here about them. And I liked the clotted cream ice cream, even though I didn't expect to.

 

[Snowflake82]

No I don't. Been an ongoing conversation where wdw brought Len into our conversation. Go look at my, wdw' and lens comments and you'll catch up but thanks for your concern.

Got it now - pronoun confusion in the first couple of paragraphs of your post.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Got it now - pronoun confusion in the first couple of paragraphs of your post.

I hate the pronoun game

 

[AEfx]

Ah, this is not true. You neither have to update apps or the system. They can't remove functionality/take away anything you currently have.

That is sooooooooooo not true.

Change to OS forces App to update some core functionality to continue to work --> app feature ceases to work until updated --> cannot update app without updating OS. Witness the day after a new OS version goes live and dozens of apps suddenly need updates - often not for any additional features, just to continue to work under the new OS.

It's quite common. I've had it happen - I don't update to the new OS right away, until I have to. I'm out of contract on an iPhone, and I won't be buying another one. This was my second, and will be my last - but that's a much broader discussion that doesn't go here. This is one of the larger factors, though.

You need to be sure of your Apple history before making such claims.

Jobs unveiled the original iphone in Jan 2007. It went on sale in June 2007.

Ipad was announced Jan 2010, and released April 2010.

The few months wait for the Apple watch is entirely in keeping with Apple practices of major product launches, not a sign of a weak product.

You got me there. You know more about them than I do - did they give actual launch dates at that time, or was it nebulous "2015" like it is here?

 

[englanddg]

That is sooooooooooo not true.

Change to OS forces App to update some core functionality to continue to work --> app feature ceases to work until updated --> cannot update app without updating OS. Witness the day after a new OS version goes live and dozens of apps suddenly need updates - often not for any additional features, just to continue to work under the new OS.

It's quite common. I've had it happen - I don't update to the new OS right away, until I have to. I'm out of contract on an iPhone, and I won't be buying another one. This was my second, and will be my last - but that's a much broader discussion that doesn't go here. This is one of the larger factors, though.




You got me there. You know more about them than I do - did they give actual launch dates at that time, or was it nebulous "2015" like it is here?

Thanks.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Change to OS forces App to update some core functionality to continue to work --> app feature ceases to work until updated --> cannot update app without updating OS. Witness the day after a new OS version goes live and dozens of apps suddenly need updates - often not for any additional features, just to continue to work under the new OS.

Your describing a whole bunch of different things. Not updating your OS or your apps in most cases is not going to suddenly stop anything from working the way it was before the update was available. That Microsoft is doing this with Skype is noteworthy because it is so uncommon. When it does happen it is something like Skype that is connected to a bigger system that is being upgraded, not an app that functions independently. Why apps need to be updated when a new OS is released varies for many different reasons. Still, none of this is unique to Apple, iOS or even smartphones.