It’s not really cheating if you’re finally using the real McCoy, is it? Young Sohn, Samsung’s Chief Strategy Officer, has admitted in an interview with MIT Technology Review‘s Jessica Leber that he prefers the warm embrace of an Apple product when he gets home from work at the end of the day. Well, maybe not its warm embrace; phones can’t hug back, yet.
From the interview:
“I use a Mac, actually, at home. I’ve always used Mac, an iPhone, and an iPad. I also have the Galaxy … At work I’m using Samsung devices; Apple at home, mainly because all of my systems and files are done that way. That’s sticky, you know? However, I did figure out how to sync all of my contacts and all of my schedules between the two different systems. You can do it. It’s a bit of work, but it is possible.”
The interview is quite lengthy, and a lot is discussed. It’s worth reading in its entirety. We kind of just plucked the quote out as a mini “sound byte,” which is kind of unfair, but it’s pretty clear that Samsung’s Young Sohn is a big fan of Apple products.
There’s some interesting parallels to be drawn between Sohn and, gasp, Steve Jobs, when it comes to using competing products while working for a big tech company. Upon returning to Apple after his hiatus, Steve Jobs continued to use a ThinkPad and OPENSTEP until the company created something up to par with his standards. Young Sohn doesn’t come right out and say that Samsung’s products aren’t up to snuff for him personally, but it’s pretty obvious from his interview where his opinions sit. If it was better, it sounds like Sohn would be using Samsung products. It’s interesting to see that he’s sticking to his guns about it too.
If Samsung wants to actually compete, they need to start making products that people, like its own executives, would prefer to use both at work and at home. That’s where they need to start, and that’s exactly what needs to happen if it’s serious about not getting complacent and hitting the “next stage of growth” like Young Sohn suggests.
Anyway, the interview is worth a read. We recommend taking the time to check it out.
