We've talked in class about the many media changes underway. These effect not just media businesses but also consumers. Content is more portable than ever--think of MP3 players that store thousands of songs or the Kindle device than can hold hundreds of books. Content is often cheap--or free. Online sites let you watch many of your favorite programs for free, with only limited commercial interruptions. But the technology to consume these free, portable products isn't free and neither is access.
One neat access portal is Apple's iPhone and AT&T's 3G Network. I'm not here to endorse the phone but it provides some neat features. Here's a link to a video review of the phone from David Pogue of The New York Times. Note also that Pogue has other articles and videos with product reviews. And, the NYTimes is working harder than ever to draw eyeballs to their website with new forms of content--all part of the ever changing industry and how consumers consume media.
Lastly, if you're thinking of getting an iPhone, it's expensive for a student's budget. The phone costs about $200, monthly telephone service is around $40 and the required iPhone Internet/data package is another $40 plus taxes! And, the speedy 3G service they advertise is not yet in Florence. Still, technology prices always drop. Think about price drops for laptops, HD TV sets and BlueRay DVD players...
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/06/18/technology/personaltech/1194841040529/the-iphone-3g-s.html?scp=4&sq=david%20pugue&st=cse
I think iPhones are under-used, over-priced, over-advertised bits of plastic. This isn't to say they aren't useful, but most students I know don't really use them properly other than to update a twitter or flickr or facebook status and/or to waste time playing one of many trifling down-loadable games.
ReplyDeleteyes , there are many other phones that are less expensive , but get the job done just as well as an i phone . like LH said , students don't really use the i phones to their full potential like they were intended on being used , so for students , it's much more feesible to get a lower cost phone with a lower cost internet plan to do the facebook or twitter stuff . i can see where if you're doing more business work out in the work field and traveling a lot , an i phone might be much more useful . also like you said , the 3G network isn't avaliable here yet , so all those faster features are practically useless , why pay more for something you aren't even getting ?
ReplyDeleteAfter viewing the video I'll give props to David Pogue for the commercial. It makes the Apple iPhone look very appealing, but it seems like there are to many options on such a small device. This phone seems way to advanced and EXPENSIVE for the majority of consumers today. It's almost like you have to be a computer super genius to operate the thing and understand what all its capable of. I'm pretty technologically savy myself and just watching the video wonder if I could operate this small technical advancement. I don't even use all the options on my "standard out of date cell phone" now. I also complain every month when I receive my cell phone bill. There is no way I would by a phone that is going to cost me no less than $300. "IT'S JUST A PHONE" If you need a computer...buy a computer!
ReplyDeleteI think the iPhone is AMAZING!! It is basically a mini computer that you can take anywhere with you. I do not think that it is too expensive concidering all of the things that it can do. Some college students spend $200 dollars a month on alcohol alone, so maybe if one managed their money correctly, one could afford an iPhone. Personally, I think the iPhone is very easy to operate. It is a lot like an Apple MacBook, its different from Microsoft and just takes some getting used too. Once you get the hang of it, it seems like you can get what you want in less steps. Even thought the 3G network isnt available here, the iPhone really works just as fast.
ReplyDeleteI think that iPhone has shown us the potential for the future of communication between humans, but I have a difficult time believing that future is one where we use text messages in broken English. As others have mentioned, the iPhone is a computer, and so many people do not know how to completely use all the functions of their own computer, myself included, so now we are lead to believe we need to buy a phone that is more technoligically advanced than we may ever be, at least without some continued education. I personally do not own an iPhone and although my friends who do own iPhones say they work well as a phone, they all agree they don't know how to operate half the capabilities the iPhone possesses. This is what I think is wrong with the direction of technology in today's society. Until we know how the iPhone works and operates, how useful is it? Do we even need something that is going to perform all the options the iPhone offers if we are so technologically stumped we can't text in complete sentences? It is rather funny to me to see students who have spent a month's rent or more on something they have no idea how to use. It reminds me of Native Americans who just traded for guns, circled around an animal, and end up shooting one another instead of the animal, all the time thinking they were making progress in their hunting technology. When we are advanced enoughed to need an iPhone with all its marvelous applications, maybe then I will get one. Heck, we might be getting them free from the government by then.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the iPhone is way ahead of the game as far as being more computer-like goes, I agree that it is definitely not used to its full potential. I think that it is used, more often than not, as an accessory or a status trophy rather than because it is so technologically advanced. While some do use it as an organizational business tool, for the most part it's a classic example of "keeping up with the Joneses"
ReplyDeleteAs an owner of an iPhone, I thinks its amazing! I switched services from Sprint to AT&T. I have clearly noticed that the wireless service and customer service is much better. The iPhone offers a ton of features that can useful on an everyday basis as well as in a time of crisis. There is a flashlight application on the phone that I thought Id never use but something told me to download it. The other night I was helping a teammate look under the hood his car to finish taking off his alternator. The flashlight we had went out so I used the app from my phone and it worked just as well. I think the phone is more valuable to the user if they know how to use it properly.
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