I read a lot of whining on the internets about Apple's restrictive DRM. Everywhere you turn people are blasting them for using DRM and other means to keep consumers tied to the Apple iPod ecosystem.
For some reason it is bad that if you download something from the Apple store, you have to play it on some Apple device (or at least in some Apple software that's free). I don't quite understand that.
And now that I've dealt with Garmin and their GPS with downloadable maps, I *really* don't understand why people are attacking Apple.
You see, I have about 4,000 items from iTunes that I have purchased. Apps, Movies, TV Shows, and music from the early days that has DRM. They are mine. I get to use them on any computer I want. Sure there are limits, if I try to use them on more than 5 computers, then I have to deactivate my account on one of the existing computers, but it can still be done. Apple charges me nothing for this.
Now, let's talk about my Garmin experience. I downloaded a Garmin map for the UK. I paid $99 for it. Less than a week later, my Garmin was stolen. Guess what? The $99 was just a fee for that map on that Garmin, tied to that serial number (a Nüvi 1350T, if you must know). Gone is the Garmin, gone is the extra $99 map. Garmin has graciously agreed to let me download the UK map again for half price (note, that's $49.50).
Now let's compare and contrast. iTunes, in order to use the music on another device with my same account: free (within the 5 computer limit and on an infinite number of iPods/iPads/iPhones). Garmin, in order to use the map an another device, $49 and change.
iTunes manages my purchases by account. Garmin manages my purchases by serial number tied to a piece of easily misplaced (stolen) hardware.
The bottom line is that when an iPod gets stolen or goes bad, I can still use the content I legitimately purchased on a desktop machine. Plus I know that if I go buy another iPod, I can use all the content I've purchased on the new pod device. That keeps me buying from Apple, and I am a happy customer.
When the Garmin goes bad, or when some bastard smashes the window of my Jeep and pries open my center console to steal it, then I have nothing but loss and smashed windows. I don't have any incentive to step back up to the Garmin plate and buy any more Garmin hardware.
Sure I know I'd have to buy new Garmin hardware to run my UK map, and I am willing to do that, but I am not willing to shell out $50 for a digital download that I am simply repeating from less than a week ago.
So while Apple's iPod ecosystem seems restrictive, it's nothing compared to Garmin's. Why aren't people ripping holes in their broken system?
My next trip down the GPS lane will be squarely in the iPhone App court. And I will be avoiding products from Garmin for a really long time.
5 Comments
Oh, man! That sucks! Getting one's car broken into… such a violation.
Good to know about the Garmin company. $99 doesn't seem like a lot until it's stolen, then your time spent with the company, and then their half-hearted attempt to keep a customer satisfied. I wonder how much trouble a plain ol' paper map would've caused.
Oddly enough, I found another GPS system for the iPhone that costs just what my second download from Garmin would have cost. And it's on my iPhone, so I will never leave it in the car. And it'll still work on my next iPhone. And with any luck (!) it'll work on my iPad when it gets here in a few weeks.
I still wonder why the minimum wage employees at Garmin think it's a deal to let me re-download my software for "only" half the original purchase price.
My, my… that iPhone is a true multitasker. Even the camera gets used a lot – see guyswithiphones.com. Oh, wait. Don't go there. Too much nudity for one who is not single. :)
:-(
turn that frown upside down, little camper. we're getting a better GPS and have a new comprehensive "only leave what you want them to take in the Jeep" policy… :)