by Julia Queller
Apple recently unveiled iOS 5, its new software system for the iPhone. Hailed as the world’s most advanced operating system, iOS 5 is the must-have update for all technology lovers, which, let’s face it, includes everyone nowadays. When the update didn’t run as smoothly as Apple fans expected, people spiraled into a panic, whipping out their phones to furiously tweet about the wait.
Apple recently unveiled iOS 5, its new software system for the iPhone. Hailed as the world’s most advanced operating system, iOS 5 is the must-have update for all technology lovers, which, let’s face it, includes everyone nowadays. When the update didn’t run as smoothly as Apple fans expected, people spiraled into a panic, whipping out their phones to furiously tweet about the wait.
Commentary
It is yet to be determined whether iOS 5 is drastically better than the previous version, but because it’s “new and improved,” we feel like we can’t live without it.
It seems that we can never be satisfied with what we have. As soon as we customize our personal settings, we’re ready for the next version. Apple launched the iPhone in 2007 and is already marketing the fifth generation. While it is commendable that the company places such value on improvement, the frequency of updates is excessive and only promotes our society’s mentality that life begins with our next purchase.
There are some services, like weather updates or tip calculators, that come in handy on the go. But some gratuitous apps trick us into thinking that we’re unable to survive on our own.
For example, the iPhone’s new software application, Siri, is being marketed as a personal assistant. However, not every person who needs to make phone calls is also in need of an assistant. New technology is stripping away our independence and forcing us to rely on software instead of our intellect.
Our reliance on technology has caused us to forge strong connections to our phones. We are in a relationship with our gadgets; we become frustrated with them, but also can’t stand being apart from them. While many of us don’t feel complete without a phone in our hands, we should remember that we do have the ability to function on our own.
It seems that we can never be satisfied with what we have. As soon as we customize our personal settings, we’re ready for the next version. Apple launched the iPhone in 2007 and is already marketing the fifth generation. While it is commendable that the company places such value on improvement, the frequency of updates is excessive and only promotes our society’s mentality that life begins with our next purchase.
There are some services, like weather updates or tip calculators, that come in handy on the go. But some gratuitous apps trick us into thinking that we’re unable to survive on our own.
For example, the iPhone’s new software application, Siri, is being marketed as a personal assistant. However, not every person who needs to make phone calls is also in need of an assistant. New technology is stripping away our independence and forcing us to rely on software instead of our intellect.
Our reliance on technology has caused us to forge strong connections to our phones. We are in a relationship with our gadgets; we become frustrated with them, but also can’t stand being apart from them. While many of us don’t feel complete without a phone in our hands, we should remember that we do have the ability to function on our own.