∞ Gruber, Arment and honesty in publishing

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Daring Fireball’s John Gruber and Instapaper founder Marco Arment took two prominent Web sites to task for recent articles they wrote. My interpretation of their critiques come down to one thing — honesty in publishing. Having a difference of opinion is fine and expected, but not being honest with your readers to make a company happy is not right.

Gruber on David Pogue’s New York Times piece suggesting we should “praise Google for its noble experiment” with the Samsung Chromebook:

Really? Why? Would everyone have praised Apple for its “noble experiment” if the $500 iPad had been too big and heavy, felt like it was worth only $180, and was “a 3.3-pound paperweight” when offline?

Marco Arment on Ars Technica’s review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1:

Translation: Android tablets have managed to copy the iPad’s hardware well enough — the easy part — but have failed to provide good software and significant third-party app choice — the hard part.

So, with similar hardware with similar capabilities selling at similar prices, why should someone choose an Android tablet over an iPad?

Update: Marco as posted an apology and explanation for his comments “An apology and clarification on ‘softball’ reviews“


  • Jaredparker

    In Gruber’s case, I didn’t get the impression he was accusing Pogue of dishonesty. I felt like he was critiquing the common assumption that Google is always an innovator. But the Ars review was definitely dishonest.

  • Anonymous

    Any company should be praised for trying something new. Innovation is a good thing, even if Gruber doesn’t like the result. The market will decide whether they want the tradeoffs that come along with that innovation or not.

    • http://twitter.com/bertinio_7 Roberto Felgueiras

      But if there was any innovation it might be on the software end only (which it’s not… really) his comments on the hardware, it’s price and it’s relation the software are correct and relevant. The review was for the package as a whole, not Chrome OS specifically. There was nothing innovative there.

    • kibbles

      no, trying something new for newness-sake alone is not praiseworthy. delivering a solid, reliable, smart, product that offers value to its consumers is praiseworthy.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ABSY4YXKJ2JYM4KQVSUY3MELIY Sasparilla Fizz

    I thought Gruber should have included the last sentence of Pogue’s review (which Gruber left off from his quote) which says “But unless you’re an early-adopter masochist with money to burn, you probably shouldn’t buy a Chromebook.”.

  • Not an Ars Writer!

    Accusing publications of biasing their reviews by trying to make companies happy isn’t right. Where’s your evidence for this? A review you consider a bit too softball?

    It’s dishonest to say “this will appeal to Android enthusiasts”?I’m sure plenty of people of could throw the same accusation at you over your effusive praise of virtually everything Apple, and critisism of everything Apple-competitor.And you’d rightly consider those accusations to be nonsense. The notion that Ars slants their reviews to get review units is strong stuff, and one you’ll notice Marco doesn’t suggest.

    Dick move.

    • http://Androidized.com Lucian Armasu

      Yeah that was a dumb conclusion. If Ars did that, they wouldn’t have trashed Duke Nukem Forever like they did.

  • http://twitter.com/schram Stuart Schram

    A more honest headline for this article: “Apple Fanboys Butt-hurt over Positive Mentions of Android”.

    Because, yeah, when you’re looking for honest Android impressions, Marco Arment and Jon Gruber should be at the top of everybody’s list.

    I’m an iPad 1 and iPhone 4 owner, but I guess I haven’t had enough kool-aid to disguise what a crappy article this is.

    • Steven Fisher

      I can’t speak for Marco Arment’s post since I haven’t read it yet, but John Gruber’s post is just taking several quotes from David Pogue’s article.

      From David Pogue’s article, you can not tie these statements:
      ” How well does Google’s newfangled concept hold up in the real world? Unfortunately, not very well.”
      “With very few exceptions, when the Chromebook isn’t online, it’s a 3.3-pound paperweight.”
      “I tried valiantly to use the Samsung as my main machine, but by the end of a week, I was about ready to toss it like a Frisbee.”
      “Truth is, considering how stripped-down the Samsung is, you have to wonder why it’s as big, heavy and expensive as it is.”
      “Maybe the Chromebook concept would fly if it cost $180 instead of $500.”

      With this statement:
      “You should praise Google for its noble experiment.”

      This is ridiculous. This is a not an idea for rent, it’s a product for sale. A product that if people are going to buy, they need to be able to use. Having a unique idea isn’t good enough; it has to be a good idea, with a solid execution. “Praise them for a noble experiment” as part of a review? ARE YOU @#$%ING KIDDING ME?

      • http://twitter.com/jscarlton Stuart Carlton

        I think Pogue’s “noble experiment” line could have been better worded, but the review was overall pretty negative. Taking one quote out of context doesn’t do justice to the whole piece. Still, Gruber’s point is a decent one: 21st-century Apple tends to be graded differently than other companies. Probably because they’ve been so successful…

        • Steven Fisher

          Sure, I’m taking it out of context. I’ll admit that. But that’s the point, isn’t it? In context, it’s an even lamer statement. It’s a bone thrown to Google/Samsung. Why? Who’s the target of his review? It’s the people thinking about buying one, not Google/Samsung.

          • http://twitter.com/jscarlton Stuart Carlton

            No, I meant Gruber was taking it out of context, sorry. I agree with what you’re saying generally, I just think if anyone thinking about buying a Chromebook read the review, they’d see that it’s a half-baked product.

            The larger argument, that Pogue is too accomplished to worry about bone-throwing, is dead on. I just don’t think the actual bone-throwing was all that harmful, if that makes sense.

          • Steven Fisher

            Yeah, I can see your point. Fair enough.

    • His Shadow

      Spare us. The fact is that also-rans are getting 8/10 reviews from people who should know better. Buzzword compliant specs lists and promises of future capabilities are being used to gloss over the fact that the experience of these Android tablets is poor.

  • http://Androidized.com Lucian Armasu

    Gruber sounds as butthurt as always.

    • kibbles

      so does your mom.

    • His Shadow

      What is this sophomoric infatuation with anuses? If Gruber’s writing makes you want to fuck him, just say that.