Apple: innovation or gimmick
It’s an autumnal tradition unlike any other.
Last year around this time, we were treated to the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus as well as the iPhone X with face recognition technology. Last Wednesday the world was introduced to the iPhone XS and the iPhone XR.
Now as someone who loves everything Apple does it is hard for me to deny my excitement. One of the best parts of September is the unveiling of new Apple products, it’s like Christmas for the tech-savvy – but just like last year and the year before I’m left wondering the same question my mother asked me right after I purchased my iPhone 8.
What’s so special about this new batch of iPhones?
That’s a good question. A valid question, and besides the argument of “this iPhone has a really high-quality camera,” I’m left drawing a blank as to what could possibly be so much different with these new iPhones.
Yes, the iPhone XR comes in a number of pretty colors. And yes, the fact that I can get a red iPhone so that I don’t have to buy a red iPhone case does seem like a perfectly reasonable reason to buy the new technology.
To be perfectly frank it doesn’t really matter. I think I can speak for a number of people when I say that the biggest draw to the new iPhone is the fact that, well, it’s new.
My iPhone 8 is great. Apple has seamlessly perfected the touch ID making unlocking my phone so painfully easy that I can barely believe it. And the camera? It’s a beautiful 12 megapixels – and no I have no idea what that means. All I know is that it’s supposed to be good.
And what does my lack of knowledge on the new phones and the phone that I have currently and have had in the past say?
Some may say that I’m a product of my generation and that I’m so easily buffaloed by the concept of “new” that it doesn’t really matter what Apple does or doesn’t improve with their new phone models, it just matters that it’s new.
Truthfully? I have to agree. Am I proud that Apple could slap a “new” sticker on an iPhone 4 and market it as the iPhone XX and I would want to buy it? No. But I would anyway.
According to an article from AndroidPub in 2017, a whopping 87 percent of smartphones being used were Androids and only 14 percent were iPhones.
Like many iPhone enthusiasts, I find the popularity of Android devices somewhat surprising, especially when encountering the unmistakable green text bubble in iMessages. This divergence in user preference often leads to discussions about the merits of each platform. According to insights from AndroidPub, while iOS leads in user interface preferences, Android is not far behind, suggesting that Apple indeed has its strengths recognized by users.
On a personal note, even if Android were to offer me a lifetime supply of free devices, my loyalty would remain unwaveringly with Apple. This preference might label me as pretentious or squarely place me in the category that baby boomers love to critique, but my commitment is to Apple’s ecosystem. The anticipation of owning the latest Apple device, despite it being remarkably similar to its predecessors, is a sentiment I cherish deeply.
Beyond personal preferences, there’s a practical aspect to using an iPhone that often goes overlooked: the importance of learning to troubleshoot it. Understanding how to diagnose and fix iPhone common issues not only enhances the user experience but also extends the device’s longevity. Knowing how to reset your device, manage storage, optimize battery life, or deal with connectivity issues can save time and reduce dependence on technical support. This skill set is invaluable, ensuring that users can enjoy the seamless operation of their devices and maintain their loyalty to Apple’s renowned ecosystem.
