Day: September 10, 2019

That is if you’ve got the cash…

I’ll admit Apple products are expensive, no argument there at all. 

But then again how many of you have computers that last 7 years? How many of you have computers or phones that work pretty much as advertised and are compatible with each new operating system that’s released?

With each of those operating system releases, you always get some new functionality, or basic improvement in the way the device works. 

Mr Cook will no doubt say something like, These are the fastest and most powerful (Insert device name) that Apple has ever produced.  He’ll be stating an obvious truth because the nature of electronics is that each successive generation is the fastest of its kind.

What’s not as obvious is that whatever device you’ve got, as long as it’s still being supported, will also have its life extended for another year. Sure it may not have all the lights, whistles, and bells, but it will be functional and possibly faster, instead of choked into uselessness by an operating system that it was never designed to run.

There may be exceptions, but if you’re using a 5 year old smartphone isn’t it time you considered an upgrade???

The thing that I’ve always found a little amusing is how many of the folks who jump on a new phone or new computer every year, are also folks that are bordering on rabidly ECO-Nazi. (That may be redundant, rabid & Nazi, I’ll have to think on that one) 

These folks will castigate you for using a plastic straw, or bottle but they’ll toss last years devices for this years devices instantly. I think I’m bad about such things, and I’m an every 2 or 3 year guy. 

I’d love to see Apple make some kind of reward for the oldest device in use. I think it would be cool if Apple announced the oldest serial number in use, and just sent that owner a brand new device, and a recycling box for the old one.

Apple will always have units that are replaced in the retail chain due to accident, theft, or damage. But it would be cool for Mr. Cook to show a picture of the old device at this yearly event as a testament to Apple’s reliability and value. Talk about a way to get all the “Green” folks in your camp.

It might have an impact on Apple’s sales long term, but short term, the demonstration of Apple’s commitment to the environment would be huge. Come on Android users don’t you want to have a product that lasts?

Alas, that’s not the way things work. We’re a consumer society and there’s at least 2 generations that always rush to the newest and shiniest hotness on the store shelves.

Here’s an example: This is an iPhone 5S. It’s still in use, and working just fine. Every once in a while it gets a little twitchy about connecting in weak cell areas but other than that, it’s been a reliable machine.  This isn’t even the oldest phone in operation that I personally know of. (You know who you are…)

I’d bet there are still “Daily Driver” iPhone 4’s out there. 

For me personally, I really like my iPhone X. That’s what I took this picture with. I can’t see spending the money on a new iPhone this year and possibly not next year. 

With 5G transmission on the horizon I may just wait until the advantage of 5G coverage outweighs the cost disadvantage of upgrading. 

My iPhone X is a world phone. If I were to do an extensive amount of traveling I’d stick a local SIM card in it and go prepaid in the countries that I was traveling in.

The single advantage for me to having a new iPhone Xs or iPhone 11 would be the ability to have dual SIMs. I could see it, if I was running a business so that I could have a business number and a private number on the same phone. 

Since I’m not in that particular situation my current iPhone X is serving me just fine and will probably continue to do so for the immediate future.

The announcements from Apple today are still a mini-christmas for me though. I’ll find out when the new operating systems will be released and there will probably be features added via the OS that I’ll use. 

I know there will be a new IOS, and that there’s going to be a new iPad OS. Then there’s also the new functionality of the Mac OS and all of those things have my attention.

So, Merry Apple Christmas. 

I’m off to make sure I can stream it live! 

Have a great day.