Tim Cooked: How Cupertino Brainwashes the Tech World

September 10, 2024 • 10 min read
Apple product evolution
Art by Some Redditor
"First they laugh, then they copy. Always." - Anonymous Apple Executive

Since 2016, Apple has perfected a dangerous ballet: remove a beloved feature, endure internet outrage, then watch competitors follow like lemmings. The pattern is so predictable it's become tech industry gospel - if Apple does it, prepare to adopt it within 24 months.

The Playbook

Apple's strategy follows three distinct phases that have shaped modern tech:

🔄 The Three-Act Cycle

  1. Controversial Removal: Eliminate loved feature
  2. Public Backlash: Memes, mockery advertisements, twitter war
  3. Industry Adoption: Same competitors implement removal

Case Studies in Courageous Removal

🎧

The Headphone Jack Purge (2016)

Apple's Move

Removed from iPhone 7

Backlash

  • 35,000+ angry tweets
  • #BringBackTheJack trends

    • Followers

    Google (Pixel 4), Samsung (S21), Xiaomi (Mi 10)

    🔌

    ChargerGate (2020)

    Apple's Move

    No charger in iPhone 12 box

    Backlash

  • $2.3M Brazil fine
  • Samsung meme: "Your charger comes with ours"

    • Followers

    Samsung (S21), Google (Pixel 6), OnePlus 9

    Why Competitors Follow

    •

    Cost Cutting: Removing components boosts profit margins 12-18%

    •

    Ecosystem Lock-in: Forces adoption of proprietary accessories (AirPods sales ↑ 400% post-jack removal)

    •

    Perceived Innovation: "Courage" narrative shifts market expectations

    The Ripple Effect

    📈 Market Shifts

    • • Wireless earbud market: $20B (2020) → $80B (2024)
    • • 73% flagship phones now jackless
    • • Average charger cost up 300%

    📉 Consumer Impact

    • • $6B spent on adapters since 2016
    • • E-waste increased 22%
    • • Average user carries 3.2 dongles
    "Tim Cook cooked the competition"