So Very Pretty...

As Apple continues its rise to become the dominant global economic power, I’ve been thinking about the hows, whys and wherefores of this- and how it relates to consumer choice and their nearest competitor- Android (sorry Microsoft, RIM, Nokia, Palm, etc. You suck).

In conversation with several friends, the questions is just what IS it that Apple have? We know that they appeal to a non-tech savvy mass. We also know that they control their product tightly at market. And that most companies say "We know what we are. Make it so." to their dev teams and Steve Jobs says "I know what we stand for. Surprise me."  But why is this successful for them and not others? 

Because Apple is the ultimate Benevolent Dictatorship. The perfect Controlled Utopia. In fact- they are these guys.

The Alliance in the universe of Firefly and Serenity offers stability, progress, empowerment and prosperity, wrapped up in a sleek and beautiful shell. Those who choose to be members of the Alliance can expect their lives to enhanced and enriched. 

Look at it. the iCity.

Of course, there is a cost- loyalty is expected, and the Utopia provides whatever you want, as long as all you want is what it is willing to give. But that's okay- the Alliance has an education system to make sure citizens know that the Alliance is the only viable path to the future. Most citizens have only heard rumours of what lies outside the Alliance's borders. 

Education, the Alliance way.
Best not to think about how seamlessly she would fit into the iPad ads.

Of course, the Alliance has to protect itself- and this may mean some questionable actions on the part of its operatives. And an impressive security force. But, as writer-director Joss Whedon asserts on his commentary, the Alliance "is not the evil empire". It is just really serious about making people's lives- better. It's not perfect, but it's trying to be. 

Shiny and powerful. 

And then there's the other side. The Independents. And this is who Android is, out there on the raggedy edge. With the Alliance at the core, defining the environment, the Independents are numerous but disorganised. 

We are cool. And broke. And about to crash.
 But, y'know- in a  cool way. 

There are stronger and weaker elements, and as a unified whole, they could topple the incumbent giant. But that level of coordination eludes them. Here and there, they still fight the Alliance, maybe one day gaining more ground, but the War is lost. People chose Unification and prosperity over Independence and freedom. 

The attraction of the Independents is freedom. Out on the edge, it's not about the rules imposed but the rules you choose for yourself. Here, you shape your own destiny. It's a place for the individual.

 Fast, uniquely featured and unstable as all hell.
 A great example of what running unsigned apps can do to an OS. 

 But here, far from the protection of the Alliance, there are dangers. Criminality is common place, deals are welched on and the Reavers lurk, ready to take everything that makes you who you are. Out here, you are responsible for protecting yourself. But still- being Independent is just cool

Reavers. In ur fone, stealin ur shit.

I look at this, knowing- just KNOWING- that I should fight for the Independents. I have an Android phone. I love the notion of freedom that Android brings. My only Apple purchase to date was a G2 iPod. And yet...I'm not a "power user". I read tech specs, but really it's end-user experience I actually need. I don't want to jailbreak and root and fly the deepest parts of the Black. I want everything to just work. And be beautiful. And be safe.

And that's why I know my next phone will be an iPhone, and I'll buy an iPad and  then I'll turn the key myself on my luxury prison cell and lock myself in with a sigh of relief that now I'm committed, it'll all just be...magical. After worrying about MitMo and DroidDream and watching my friend's Dell Streak die in a lonely corner, bereft of love and support, I'll choose the Alliance's dictatorial utopia over the chaotic freedom of the Independents. And that's why Apple are winning- because most people don't realise there's a choice. And the ones who do...people want the ease and beauty Apple promise to deliver, and if history has taught use anything, it is that people don't want ultimate freedom. As a whole, we just want enough freedom to get by on, and as much beauty and convenience as we can grab.