The Unmentionable Phone
I’ve had a lot of random thoughts about the iPhone since it first came out in January, ranging from lust to disgust. Although I wanted to hold back until it came out, I thought it might be appropriate to say something on the eve of its release. Jamin had a an entertaining post about it, and it seems to have deeply angered people like Dvorak from PC mag. There are lists all over the place about the top reasons to buy or not to buy one. I always find discussions of Apple and their products interesting.
Bad Apple
I don’t really know much about them as a company besides the rumors that are circulated. For a long time I had no interest in them and I regarded them as people who made stuff for simpletons. I started using them in undergrad at the computer labs just because the log-in process was significantly faster. After using them extensively during the first year of grad school, I’m totally sold on their simplicity and I tell everyone to get one who isn’t tech-savvy. They are computers made for people whose goal is do get stuff done and not to just use a computer.
All politics aside, that’s how I see the iPhone. Like any product, there are lots of benefits and detriments. But Apple has attempted to make a device for people whose goal is to call, get info, and listen to music. Not only that, but they announced and presented it in a way that is easy for people to understand and realize why they would want it. We learn in school how important the argument is for new products and this is a prime example. They are stressing the functionality of it in a clear and concise manner that makes sense, there’s no shame in that.
I see it as a really positive wave of energy because they are proving how important user-centered design and clarity is for mobile devices. Their innovation was not in bringing a new technology to market, but taking existing technologies and features and packaging them in a way that will hopefully allow for a greater experience for people.
Money, Money, Money, Money
While this is great and all, it’s not worth it to me. It’s probably also not worth it to a large percentage of the population that will settle for free and low-cost phones. I was considering buying one at first because I had never shelled out the cash for a phone or an iPod, so it seemed like it might be worth it. But $600 plus a $60 phone bill is not something I want to deal with right now.
Perhaps when there is a potential for longer-term usage (changeable battery, memory extensions, etc…) I might consider spending that much on a product. So whenever good design becomes affordable for the everyday person, I’ll get in line the night before. For right now I’m fine just ogling at it and wishing for a free one.
I didn’t know you had a blog. What’s with the secrecy?
Anyway, I’ve heard a myriad of complaints about the iPhone already. Particularly in its lack of support for different file formats, etc. So really, is a pretty, simple-to-use phone worth the hassle of software/technological/format issues? I guess we’ll see. Knowing Apple I’m sure they’re smarter than I think they are. Or maybe not. Though, like you, I sort of got sold on their systems as well after first year. What is Apple doing to us?
Eheh, no secrecy, just trying it out for a bit. Well regardless of the problems, hopefully it allows for the value of design in mobile devices to be a little more salient rather than number of features jammed into it.
Hopefully… although I feel like the iPhone is making its way towards a jamming of features. Again, we’ll see.
I should head down to the NYC Apple store. I hear it’s going crazy down there.