Apple Does The Right Thing

image: apple.comPart of our daily grind here is to look at all the developments surrounding Apple, both positive and negative. Usually the negative ones are far more interesting. Today though, we wanted to highlight a piece of news that broke yesterday on ifoAppleStore. According to their sources, Apple will begin offering full health benefits to part-time retail employees who work at least 15 hours/week, and who have worked at Apple for more than a year.

Apple will pay the same (roughly) 65% of health premiums that they pay for full-time employees. Granted, the cost of healthcare being what it is, that other 35% would really eat into the salary of a 15 hour-a-week employee, but for some people who might be working several part-time jobs, or freelancers/creatives who have a tough time securing affordable insurance, this could make a huge difference for them.

Kudos, Apple.

To all Apple Employees, Thank You

Long before I got into the Apple punditry business (gosh, it seems like it was just last November...) I was an Apple employee, just like many people who are now working here at The Digital Lifestyle. Today a large part of our time is dissecting Apple's products, decisions, and culture; turning a critical eye on the company.

I wanted to take a moment though, to thank the thousands of people who work, and have worked for Apple. It's easy for us to take a look at what's wrong with a product or policy, but we never want to lose sight of the amazing job you do. A product like the iPhone comes along, and as is human nature, we immediately look for what's wrong or missing. It's important to remember just how game-changing and innovative the products can be. Look at cell phones for example. How many cell phones were touting touchscreens last June? Today everyone wants to build their version of the iPhone. Just as you did with the iPod, (another product that was initially panned by many, myself included) you showed us the future. You gave us a device beyond anything else. You took functions many devices already had, and made them more stylish, intuitive, and appealing than ever before. It's a heritage that goes all the way back to that first Apple I.

So at the risk of sounding like of one of those old beer commercials, here's to you Apple employees! I know it's not just the engineers. It's not just the designers. It's everyone who works in any capacity that makes it all possible, and makes our relatively easy job as technology critics possible as well.

Keep up the great work!