Can Apple Customers Still Feel Special?

That question might sound a bit odd at first, but it’s a good one. When things, whether they be products or habits, tend to grow in popularity, they lose their initial lustre. If you’re part of a rather small group of like-minded people, you might have reason to feel special. That’s how Apple fans likely felt even just five years ago, and even more so ten to fifteen years ago. But what about now?

Wired takes a look at “8 signs” that Apple customers are no longer special, and for the most part, their choices are good ones. What would take away the special feeling? Well, over-usage is a good one… the fact that when one thing becomes so popular, it can suck the fun right out of things. I’ve had this happen with things I’ve liked, so I know what it’s like. It’s like following an indie band for years, and then they explode and hit the mainstream… it’s hard to feel the same way.

In the case of Apple, the fact that Macs are deliberately shown on-screen in movies and TV shows is one good reason, and the fact that The Simpsons mocks the company doesn’t help either. Then there is the fact that Wal-Mart is going to be selling the iPhone. Oh, and how about the fact that President-elect Obama uses a Mac as his main PC? So while it might be hard to feel special anymore, if there’s one thing Apple fans have to be proud of, it’s that Macs do seem to be taking over the planet.

Windows PC owners always pull the “Macs aren’t compatible with any decent software” card when bashing Apple. But that insult is clearly outdated if Barack Obama was able to win the U.S. presidency with a Mac as his computing weapon (while using iChat to stay in touch with his family, no less). And wait – there’s one more thing: Obama has his own official iPhone application! Can we all “think different” if we’re all using the same trendy gadgets?