Jan Manon
Apple CEO Tim Cook this week responded to an email sent by a customer who explained how iPad and iPhone helped their grandfather recover from cancer surgery — like an Apple commercial come to life.
Posted to Reddit on Monday, Cook's reply to a letter written by user "bhanel" references a heartwarming story highlighting the real life impact iOS usability features can have on device owners.
"[Cook's] reply was brief, but I'm impressed that he took the time to read my letter and respond at all," the Reddit post reads. "I think it's great that he takes time to read and respond to emails regular folks send him. I just thought I would share my story with you guys."
In the letter to Cook, "bhanel" explained that their grandfather had undergone bladder surgery after being diagnosed with cancer late last year. The operation expectedly took its toll, leaving the former U.S. Navy man, pastor and business owner in pain, too weak to use his old flip phone.
During the holidays last year, the unnamed man received a gift from his grandchild, a new iPad Air picked up from the local Apple Store (customer service was excellent, "bhanel" said). He didn't know how to use a computer, but after a being taught the basics the man was able to install apps on his own, and even started a dialogue with his doctor via FaceTime.
Two weeks later and the grandfather had taught his wife how to use iPad and ditched his old flip phone for a new iPhone 6, a transition he told "bhanel" was made easy thanks to the consistent user experience Apple provides across iOS devices.
It looks like Apple won over a new convert.
Andrew O'Hara
Amber Neely
Oliver Haslam
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
Charles Martin
17 Comments
People don't understand that Apple's simplicity has opened the world of technology to the people.
Apple gets bashed for this too.
This is not surprising, actually. Jobs was also doing this. He did actually read emails and would reply to people. Whether the email was about a problem or something more personal, he often enough actually did take the time to read and reply. He also had an open-door policy at the company itself, where employees of Apple could visit him, tell him about their problems and he would try to help.
It's a heartwarming story and my heart goes out to these people. It's also nice to see Cook doing the same as his predecessor. If for no other reason than because it's a human thing to do.
I have sent him a ton of messages, asking when the freaking MacMini and the MacPro will be updated. ZERO reply !
<rant> Lets see which big media outlets run this story. The collusion for big money/media to bring Apple's share price down as much as possible has almost finished running its course. When you see non stop negative stories surrounding a company you know that it is a targeted attack. The doom and gloom has passed extreme levels. That means it is almost finished. These corrupt scoundrels will turn their attention to Amazon next. No where in the past two years have you read a single negative thing about that overbought balloon. That is about to change. </rant>. Although Tim's reply was brief, it was at least a reply. Health is going to be an even bigger deal with the Apple Watch 2 and coming products. Everyone cares about that.