Seduces

I’m not used to speaking well of Apple, quite the opposite. Over time, however, my position has softened. I still think it lags behind others in terms of the software it provides, but I use practically all its operating systems, and for better or worse, they’ve not only become a habit for me: they’re a given.

I was therefore fascinated to read that Apple is preparing a solution to update iPhones on sale without opening their packaging. To prevent smartphones from being sold with an already obsolete operating system, they have invented a tablet through which, by placing an iPhone on it, it is updated wirelessly.

The stated reasons are related to device security: given the growing number of security flaw fixes, selling a smartphone with a system protected from day one is certainly an added value for protecting your customers.

Regardless of the technology used or how the same solution could be applied to other devices, as John Gruber asks, it’s a seductive idea.

And it’s a seductive idea because Apple could do without it.

Researching, developing, and implementing this solution has and will continue to incur costs. Despite the results, the benefits it will bring will not be significant in terms of risk reduction—unless the company realizes that, statistically, a large portion of customers don’t update their OS after getting a new iPhone.

It’s an overzealousness, precisely, an extra care, a meticulous attention, a concern that seduces.

And seduction, as we know, costs money.