Apple pays for reviews? 

Re: Access - absolutely correct. Sending out a limited number of units to reviewers early is far more valuable than paying for a review. Especially on an Apple product. As you referenced the company was unhappy with overtly negative and overtly positive editorial content. Either way it sounds like there was some editorial judgement made by the company in deciding who would get blessed with an early sample. It's not just the early views it's the subsequent views that come as those videos will almost always be the first results on a search or algorithmic recommendation. Heck the Wall Street Journal had time to rent out a stadium for a 5G bandwidth test that I watched while waiting for Fedex to deliver the phone I paid for. While objectivity is always the most desirable in our space that judgement should be made by the viewer - not by the brand who is picking winners and losers for early access that will drive significant revenue for the creator. Creators should be disclosing if they received a unit well ahead of release as it does give them an economic advantage.

Found this channel after the guy says he "quitted" only to find out every new video is PACKED with valuable opinion and insights. If this is quitting RU-vid, keep quitting man, thank you for your takes on technology.

They don’t pay for reviews but they do control the narrative of reviewers by taking away access.

Yes. We do want your take on the return policies of companies like Apple.

Down for your hot takes on all things; particularly the buying/returning, but of course not limited to that. I’m here for the rants and rambles!

Thank you for addressing this topic. Your years of experience provide clear and concise information that can go a long way to inform viewers of how things actually work behind the scenes.

You’re Back - sorta. 😊 Another great unexpected video and commentary. You’ve been missed, but I’m so glad I kept my subscription to your channel for both the intellect and straight-forward opinions like this you always provide. Keep it up Rene - and thank you. I look forward to your next video, and yes - YOU PROVIDE VALUE HERE. (Oh, and I’d love to hear your comments about reviewers taking advantage of Apple’s return policy - I bet they are similar to mine.)

What’s your take on Verges review of Apple Vision Pro ? Especially the conclusion part

Mainstream tech reviews get access to "early review units". They don't get money directly, but get access to these products before the public can get it. This means they get to create a review video and then drop the review exactly on the day of the release of the product which means more clicks, views, and thus thousands/millions of dollars in ad money. Everybody else drops the review much later but the hype and algorithm dies down and get extremely low views and has to rely on Patreon to keep their channel going. Then they claim their hands are clean and didn't accept any money for reviews which is kind of a lie, they still get money indirectly.

I hear that! We all need more Rene! ☕️☕️☕️

I'm happy to see you on RU-vid again. I missed the way you talk about your content.

"...send limos for coverage and make it snow sponsor dollars like a Waterloo blizzard." is my new favourite line. Amazing turn of phrase and great video as always!

He’s back!

Imagine they all told the truth about Apple like Louis Rossmann..........

I would like to hear your opinion on creators buy a product, make a few vids with the last one being “why I returned…” I’m not keen on it. Especially when I “feel” they had no intention on keeping it. Even though it’s a billion or trillion $ company. Or am I missing something? Being a young channel myself, I’d like 2. But it seem disingenuous.

Would like to hear the reviewers returning the products they made videos with. And more content. Your genuine hot takes are appreciated

Please talk about buying and returning.

I always enjoy your content Rene. You have a well thought out presentation and the word/phrase salad is always layers of tasty. I usually watch a set number of reviewers as I value their opinions. Not just on Apple, but Android as well. I like to see what's out there as I know the time will come when I'll switch back to Android. So, Phones and accessories are where my interests lay. The Vision Pro? Haven't watched a single video on it. I want nothing to do with that. Too many people are already zombie like with their seeming inability to hold face-to-face conversations without their face buried in a phone screen. Then again, I'm getting old and not in the demographic so my opinion doesn't carry weight. It's refreshing to see you back man.

I caught, immediately, when you said 'indoor baseball". But, mainly because I've only heard "inside baseball" in the last two weeks.

I have been a longtime fan of the channel and these recent videos have been some of the best and high-caliber content (they’ve always been great, but this has hit a new level).

Great video. Consistency is key is content creation. Find you lane and make it the best content.

I can't be the only person that's fed up with hearing about Vision Pro..

Sadly, I don’t trust any review on RU-vid these days. You just don’t know who is providing the funding in the background. I have even seen some RU-vidrs hide the paid promotion notice so you only see it for a split second.

Great video Rene! Miss you on MBW with Leo Laporte. You ever plan on going back on his show?

Hey Rene. I do want to see that video. I always roll my eyes at any request to "let me know in the comments," but your videos have always been a cut above other tech reviews. I'm a writer and have a deep appreciation for your clever scripts, so I don't mind throwing you a please-engage-with-this-video bone. I'd watch you review a phone book.

Great video and mesage. I feel like ALL creators that doe reviews in ANY niche should be required to watch this one. Thank you Rene! 🤙🏻

The two biggest omissions from their review program that irk me are LTT (LMG) and SnazzyLabs. And sure, you can make the argument about LMG's relationship with Apple as a whole, but Quinn has been the best reviewer of Apple products for a while, and I weigh his opinion on Apple products far above anyone else in the industry. He's the reason I'm typing this on a 16" MacBook Pro. So yeah, Apple does pay for reviews by not paying for them. By shipping to just the "right kind" of creators.

Welcome back bro

I need to know where to buy that hoodie.

So happy your putting out more videos again, Rene! Every single additional video topic you mentioned potentially talking about in a future video earned a big yes from me.

“Reviewing every iPhone since the 3g. And every iPad, watch, AirPods and HomePod since the OGs.” Nice!

Lovely to see you back to your best. It looks like Google is letting you "Do your thing". Party on!

I love your videos man. Been watching for years, keep it up. I feel like I can trust your videos. One!

As a fellow nerd, I love your analogies.

We miss you on MBW Rene!

Jesus, Rene… this is a masterclass in media history. The last 25 years of technology advertising and editorial in the first 3 min. 30 years of writing made clear in 90 seconds. Well done!

Also, interesting: there’s a lot of meta-content about RU-vid on RU-vid.

I, for one, am always pleased to see your channel uploading an opinion piece.

They don't

Yes, please explain the iPhone XS story

Make a video on returns, please 😊

I would love to hear about your embargoed review.

😆I feel you on that international exchange.

Yeah, I would like your review of why people would return Apple products after just buying them that’s me sounds crazy, but if you wanna make a video about that, I’d love to watch it

Awesome video, as always! I'm so glad that you're making posting the occasional "Apple" video. I'm looking forward to your next one.

Does mkbhd do this

RU-vid’s algorithm indirectly disincentivises disclosure because as soon as you address the fact a product has been sent to you by the brand, you lose at least 30% of the audience and it drastically reduces average view duration which is then penalised by the algorithm. I always still say it within the first 10-20 seconds of my videos and just take the hit so it really frustrates me when I see creators leave their disclosure to the end of the video or just in the description.

Yes mr Ritchie...tell them..tell them all

I’ve always doubted Apple paid people for reviews. Imagine the amount of discourse if some tech reviewer gets in their feelings for any reason (hypothetically), that’ll be bad for everyone involved. Just saying. Especially when tech Twi- X exist with all of the ragers on it!

Yes please make that next video!

I’d pay just to keep seeing semi-regular Rene content. Miss you, bro.

Remember there was a time when Apple allowed reviews on its web page. Whatever happened to that review page 🧐

They do

Yes, keep them coming

You've heard of double negative, now get ready for "...can feel the exactly opposite: not only not refusing to never not ever take..." 2:45

a metric mile ? Metric ton yes

You’re amazing

I love your content but since you work for RU-vid, this is a bit odd since I would expect this Chan to bash Apple at times.. but maybe I’m wrong

Would love to hear your views on the shameless reviewers who buy then return the products for the clicks, instead of giving real opinions

I tend to like Renee’s conclusions, but man, he needs an editor on his scripts. The rambling hides the message.

It’s inside baseball……..

I have been looking forward to new iPads in 2024, so I have been looking at iPad videos. I have noticed that the majority of the videos are sponsored by Paperlike. If your sponsor requires you to have an iPad, your video cannot say don't buy an iPad. I find this kind of awkward. I feel that this sponsor causes an opinion to be biased. I know RU-vidrs need to earn a living, but then don't say it is a review, because these are not an objective reviews. These are just informative videos and not reviews. Over the years I have purchased products based on RU-vid videos. Now I see videos to get informed, but I do not pay attention the RU-vidrs personal recommendation, because most of the time they are not accurate or biased.

Ladies and laziest. He’s back! He’s back!

The first wave of reviews is always completely useless other than seeing how the products look in the hand.

Go in Rene

🙏🏻☺️

Exactly what I come here for, to be educated on these things rather than all the noise one can't avoid hearing all over the place, thanks Rene.

Great video!

1st one

People still line up for hours to buy Apple devices?

Everyone should know Apple doesn’t pay for reviews. Only people that think that are little android fanboys. Most the Apple hate tech people still carry Apple products daily.

You know you still miss apple much more than you like google.

Phones specifically are incredibly meh now, I’ve never been so disinterested in feature reviews because they’ve become commodity - they may as well be reviewing mashed potato. I do watch Michael Fisher’s reviews because they come with a lot of style and panache and Jerryrig’s deconstruct to destruction videos keep my interest too. You and Leo’s back and forths on TWIT were always excellent as well.

macrumours would be bankrupt 2 weeks after opening without the apple cheques....

TL;DW: they don’t

yes apple does.

Wasen’t surprised when he didn’t say Brent Rivera

❤️❤️❤️

Apple pay not having to pay... have a new apple vide creators have money asured.

I liked it better when you weren’t working for RU-vid directly. Your videos are missed!

0:52 if you need someone’s opinion, ask someone that isn’t taking payoffs. I’m a retired Air Force electronics and computer technician and I did the first review with a physical Fire TV in my hands using Google class just to have Amazon force my review down to the bottom so people couldn’t see it after it had been up part of the day on the day, it was released. This is an absolute fact. 7:32 I don’t have to take payoffs because I’m retired and make $60,000 a year. I’m not selling my opinion to anyone for any amount of money. I have my own integrity that I have to maintain. They demonetized my channel for telling the truth on RU-vid so I could care less about any of your reviews. I have 700 videos up that no one paid attention to and it wasn’t like I was trying to get rich. I’m trying to communicate and then RU-vid plays games like this so I’m gonna just get rid of all of you using general AI since you can’t follow the first amendment and you want to lie over and over again.

I don't need a youtuber to tell me that apple pays youtubers for their reviews. Him and the rest are all the same. Don't buy something someone in RU-vid tells you so...they are all biased. Where the money is,where they go

Apple has become a horrible company. I purchased a Vision Pro, it’s been impossible to use, their staff has been utterly useless, and the only option I’ve been given so far is to return and replace it just to get a light seal that fits, which won’t be available for at least a month. I will never buy another Apple product for myself or anyone else. I despise this company with a passion.

What’s your point here? You’re just waffling on behalf of your new paymasters.

Apple and… Lenovo it seems.

Reviews there shows are so bad they gotta pay viewers

Quit Google and come back to RU-vid. You’ll be still paid by them.

Google talking

Simple answer: no

Not keen on this hyper-scripted format

A lot of Gobley goop nerd alert.

Unfortunately youTube nowadays is just like old media and a glorified qvc channel.

Access is payment. Even if say MKBHD doesn’t get $$$ directly that early access is worth serious $$$.

Some of these RU-vidrs/reviewers refuse to call out Apple when there’s an issue,Because they’re so afraid of losing access to them. Smiling and pretending there’s nothing wrong with an Apple product when there’s obviously something wrong is just as bad as being paid for a review. To sit there and say Apple is perfect and they never have any issues with products and services tells me all I need to know about you and you can’t be trusted with an honest review

Seeding products early is payment. Not everyone is governed by the FTC. Such an American-centric view to take. Showing your true bias. Probably without even realizing it's there....

Renee talked a lot... but said little, IMHO.... 😩 I miss the product reviews... but at least he no longer needs tolerate the LaPorte over-speaks , interruptions of answers, mere words into his responding to a question ! Gawd , that obtrusive Leo attitude soo drove me crazy !

It’s an 11 minute video. It’s not going long it’s 11 minutes. Get a hold of yourself here. Are you ok? You sound like your always gasping for air after every word. It’s actually getting really bad and quite concerning.

Why pay for something if they can get it for free?? Except Linus, he's definitely in Apple's pockets xD

Next time a simple yes or no ....

You are Renee Ritchie and this… is vector… (or to me it felt like your videos back in the days, made me a bit emotional 🥲)