Politics Tarnish Apple Store iPhone Display

 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - A few weeks back I reported a disturbing revelation concerning a "Watch Barack Obama" text message appearing on an iPhone sitting in an Apple store display window. A tipster has alerted us to another invasive Obama text message surfacing yesterday at Apple's flagship store in San Francisco, containing a last minute plea stating; "Barack needs your help!" The entire message reads:

"Less than a week until Election Day on Nov 4th! Barack needs your help. REPLY to this msg with your 5 digit ZIP CODE for local Obama news and voting info."

I'll admit, using mobile text messaging to rally the hordes of Obama-Bots is ingenious, but seeing partisan politics texted to an iPhone Apple store display violates the socially neutral relationship I expect from my Apple retailer. Why not have the store staffers wear Vote for Obama buttons and pass out free Obamabuds too? Maybe Apple will treat shoppers to Obama's Infomerical video inside the iPhone display all weekend long. That sounds absurd, right?

My iPhone is not about Democrat or Republican any more than my MacBook Air is about same-sex marriages. When I visit an Apple store to make a purchase, the only thing that matters to me is that I'm free to be an Apple supporter. I'm disappointed with Apple dragging my store experience and beloved iPhone onto the highly charged political battlefield where it does not belong. Seeing the Barack Obama text message brightly glowing in Apple's iPhone window display, reminds me that Apple might be more focused on who they're supporting rather than who's supporting them. In our current economy, that's a risky platform to stand on.

[original photo by Nick Star]

Comments

[OS11]

This is hilarious, Apple and their users are over 95% pro Obama, so it makes plenty of sense...

Go Peace, Go Honesty, Go Obama!

[Leland]

The obvious answer is that somebody figured out the number to that iPhone and sent a text to it. It had nothing to do with the store's staff.

So, now you've got your additional page hits, putting both "Obama" and "iPhone" in your post. Go look for some real news and let us know when you've found it.

[Patrick]

I also prefer that commercial establishments be politically neutral, at least in public. Anything else is divisive.

[Sean]

@OS11
Rush Limbaugh is a proud Mac user and so are a great many not of the Obama persuasion. Using a Mac is about the product, not a social movement.

As to the article itself, while I respect the right of corporate enterprises to support whatever political candidates or causes they believe will serve their shareholders best, I also respect the right of customers and commentators to express their displeasure by blogging or buying elsewhere.