Is this the slow decline of the Apple "cult"?

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Claims of a “slow decline” in Apple’s fanatical following prompt a broader look at how the company has changed from underdog innovator to dominant, quasi-luxury ecosystem. Commenters debate whether Apple’s hardware and integrated software still justify its premiums and tight platform control, or whether rising lock‑in, rent‑seeking and incremental updates are eroding its goodwill among power users even as mainstream sales and status appeal remain strong. Many contrast Apple’s cohesive, time‑saving ecosystem and efficient silicon with frustrations over restricted user freedom, app store policies, and the lack of compelling new breakthroughs since the early iPhone era.

State of the “cult” and fan enthusiasm

  • Many argue the era of line‑camping and breathless praise ended about a decade ago; iPhones and Macs are now mainstream appliances.
  • The old “geeky superfan” cult pre‑dated the iPhone and is seen as fading after years of incremental updates, services focus, and rent‑seeking.
  • Apple now looks more like an upper‑middle‑class lifestyle brand; it no longer needs the enthusiast cult to succeed financially.

Innovation vs maturity

  • Several commenters see Apple as having “stopped innovating,” only making small improvements since around the iPhone 4 era.
  • Others argue phones and laptops are at the top of a maturity curve; radical changes (e.g., folding screens) aren’t yet viable, and steady refinement is appropriate.
  • M‑series chips are widely cited as a major, non‑trivial innovation, giving Apple strong perf‑per‑watt and battery life, though some note Apple desktops are weak on raw perf‑per‑dollar.

From user‑focused to services and rent‑seeking

  • Some recall an “old Apple” that optimized macOS for professional media creation and editing; they see modern Apple deprioritizing those workflows and neglecting older frameworks.
  • Others say lock‑in and superiority marketing existed since at least the late 2000s; the intensity has grown but the strategy is consistent.
  • Growing reliance on iCloud and subscription services is seen by some as shifting Apple toward “rent‑seeking,” potentially eroding goodwill from its privacy/UX reputation.

Lock‑in, ecosystem, and productivity

  • Lock‑in mechanisms mentioned: platform‑exclusive apps (Logic, FCP, Xcode), protocols (iMessage, AirDrop, Handoff, Continuity), and restrictive App Store rules.
  • Supporters praise deep cross‑device integration (watch unlocking Mac, shared notes, seamless AirPods switching, password sync, easy migration) as real daily time savings.
  • Critics argue similar functionality exists on other platforms if you invest effort; they see Apple’s walled garden as a “pretty prison.”

UX and software quality debates

  • Some strongly dislike Apple’s UI paradigms (Finder behavior, Dock, “drag to install,” mouse feel, window management), describing persistent frustration when using macOS/iOS.
  • Others highlight attention to detail: Emacs‑style keybindings across the OS, AppleScript/Shortcuts, scriptable GUI apps, and strong developer tools.
  • Several note that “intuitive” is heavily shaped by what users already know; HN‑type power users are atypical.

Competitors and broader ecosystem

  • Google is portrayed as an ad company that fails at cohesive hardware/software ecosystems and messaging, inadvertently driving users to Apple.
  • Windows and Android are seen by some as equivalent or better on raw value and capability; Linux is praised for servers but criticized for laptop UX and drivers.
  • Some ex‑fans feel trapped between Apple lock‑in, distrust of Google, and dissatisfaction with Linux/Windows, nostalgic for mid‑2000s macOS.