Recently it was announced that Apple Support started a YouTube channel with how-to tutorial videos for iOS. Some might be thankful for the service while others may feel it’s a waste with the glut of user videos already filling up the space. We asked some of our writers, “Are you more likely to utilize tutorials from device and software companies or users?”
Our Opinion
Since there are instruction manuals attached to every device he purchases, Miguel doesn’t often watch tutorials about devices or software but does have an occasion to do it, and when he does, he doesn’t care about the source. “The only important thing for me is to get the information I need.” He starts with material from the manufacturer or developer and from there will look to see what users have to say.
Phil figures they’re assuming people don’t read these days, and to a certain extent, he knows they’re right. He notes that “logic dictates that the maker of a product is the perfect entity to demonstrate the finer points.” Yet still, he suspects that people don’t search for videos from only one source, such as Apple. It’s more likely that they search for the subject and then pick the first one that looks like it will match what they’re looking for, though ten to fifteen seconds in they may be abandoning it for the next one.
He’d personally enjoy official Apple videos, yet he also knows “Apple has a policy of never discussing negatives, so solving bugs and issues with the kit are going to be low (or zero)” on their list of priorities. He worries that these videos won’t be much more than marketing.
While Alex rarely uses tutorials for hardware yet believes that “video tutorials for complex software like Photoshop and AfterEffects are indispensable.” And if these YouTube videos Apple is putting up are as authoritative as they can be, “they’ll be a great resource for users.” In general, he believes “the product manufacturer theoretically knows the most about about the product’s use, so they can provide the deepest level of insight into its operation.”
For the other side of the coin, Ryan finds “tutorials and manuals supplied by the manufacturers to be incredibly boring and dry.” He’ll take a YouTube tutorial over those any day. He prefers videos that explain what they are doing while they are doing it. “I find that being able to follow someone step by step is faster and infinitely less frustrating.”
I see and recognize the points of everyone above. For my own use, I rarely look for tutorials, per se. I only run into them when I’m troubleshooting. And yes, Apple will know more about their product than the user, but I’ve found they’re only interested in sharing official methods with you and aren’t interested in sharing additional “tips” that might help. Often their written tutorials miss the mark, as they don’t help with my particular problems, and I’m thinking their YouTube videos will be more of the same.
Your Opinion
Are you a tutorial person? Do you search them out online or do you only run into them if you’re struggling with something? Are you more likely to utilize tutorials from device and software companies or users? Let us know how you feel about this down below in the comments section.
Laura has spent nearly 20 years writing news, reviews, and op-eds, with more than 10 of those years as an editor as well. She has exclusively used Apple products for the past three decades. In addition to writing and editing at MTE, she also runs the site’s sponsored review program.
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