Apple's India move spurs debate among Mac fans

BANGALORE: Following reports that Apple India plans to open tech support centers and a development facility in India, the Internet is abuzz with Mac users on various forums, airing their strong views on the company's decision.

The reactions range from disappointment, and strong disapproval of Indian call centers to appreciation at Apple's move.

Incidentally, Dell was another company got some flak for increasing its tech support centers in India.

Some observers have commented that the outsourcing debate has been renewed after a period of time. Perhaps in Apple's case, it seems to stem from the fact that the Apple user cult which is devoted to the company's products (mainly for its design, good looks) and for being different from other PCs, feels let down that the company seems to be going the way of other companies by deciding to outsource tech support to India.

This feeling was echoed by a netizen who wrote, "It's very disappointing! My smug satisfaction that my computer company was better than the heartless run of mill just took a big hit!”

Said another blogger: “I'm not a protectionist, and I have nothing against India, but I'd like to see Apple keep as many jobs in the USA (and Canada) as possible.”

The company has tried to allay fears of transfer of jobs from the US to India by clarifying that its US call centers would continue to grow.

“I think this is a good move by Apple. It is not outsourcing local jobs. Apple is a global company, and it makes sense that some of the support work should be done overseas to be a little closer to those markets. Apple also has to compete in a global environment,” says a positive post on the macobserver site.

Apple, which has taken up 1,40,000-1,50,000 sq ft of commercial space in RMZ Ecospace business park in Bangalore, hopes to recruit 1,500 people.

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