Everyone is supposed to love their iPhones, lest they be branded an Apple-hater. But Apple's comeuppance is at hand.
In the latest going-gaga-for-iPhone customer satisfaction study, CFI Group reported that the iPhone took top honors among smartphones after surveyin
CFI's study echoes another recent survey by RBC/IQ ChangeWave, which found that 99 percent of 200 respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with their iPhone 3GS. And earlier this summer, the American Customer Satisfaction Index released its customer satisfaction scores, which showed that-surprise!-Apple continues to rank above its competitors.
Moreover, criticisms about the iPhone have been directed at anyone other than Apple. The number one iPhone complaint is aimed at AT&T's shoddy service, which is due largely to an overtaxed network. Never mind that Apple deftly negotiated the exclusivity deal.
Poor battery performance? That's on iPhone users themselves for taking advantage of all the lovely apps. Now it's up to users to disable power-hungry features or purchase a battery pack to breathe more life into the iPhone.
The latest iPhone controversy concerns the new iPhone 3.1 software update that disables corporate Microsoft Exchange e-mail access for some first-gen iPhone and iPhone 3G users, first reported by CIO.com writer Al Sacco. Corporate IT departments, not Apple, are being blamed for being inflexible.
But Apple's time for taking responsibility is coming: Will Apple extend the AT&T exclusivity deal or open up the iPhone to other carriers? Analysts have taken different positions. My story covering this debate led to a flood of email from iPhone customers and wannabe customers.
Virtually all of these consumers really, really don't want to see an AT&T contract extension-and they'll likely hold Apple accountable if it happens.
Here's some of their comments:
How accountable is Apple? Send me an email at tkaneshige@cio.com. Or follow me on Twitter @kaneshige. Follow everything from CIO.com on Twitter @CIOonline.
This story, "Happy iPhone Customers Limit their Love to Apple" was originally published by CIO.