Customers are complaining about their iPhones. The phones are dropping too many calls and having trouble connecting to the 3G network. iPhones have been quite a big deal since their release in June 2007. The iPhone is only offered with AT&T service. Apple initially introduced the product with a steep price tag of about $500. In just a few months, the price had decreased to about $300. The iPhone is now “starting at $199,” according to Apple’s website. Though I am always impressed with Apple products, I think that the iPhone has too much hype to its name. I do not see the growing desire to diminish one’s eyesight by staring continuously at a tiny little screen in order to check email or watch a video. In this day and age, people are becoming far too invested in their availability. I’m sure there are very few moments in all of our lives when we don’t have our cell phone with us. We are always allowing ourselves to be accessed through telephone, and now, with inventions like the iPhone, through email as well.
The cell phone I have now has an mp3 player. I do not see the purpose of this feature, I never use it and it doesn’t hold anywhere near the amount of songs that I have. As a whole, the American population (and those in other parts of the world too) are becoming far too dependent upon this technology. I believe that cell phones are used for telephone calls, iPods are used for music, DVD players are used for movies, and that computers are used to access the Internet. When all of these are combined, the likelihood of the product functioning at 100% is lessened, just as though anything being overloaded with tasks wouldn’t function at its peak.
The big debate over the failures of the iPhone is in determining where to place the blame. The options are either with Apple or with AT&T. It seems that the majority are placing the blame on AT&T. Ironically, the company claims to have the fewest dropped calls. Many think that the iPhone itself is more to blame than that network. Problems have also been reported in parts of Europe, which would not be a part of AT&T. Something that is always a little suspicious is when companies refuse to comment on the topic at hand. According to the article, “Jennifer Bowcock, a spokeswoman for Apple, said executives there declined to comment about consumer complaints.” The president of network services for AT&T wireless divisions, Bill Hogg, did acknowledge the complaints.
Verizon is quick to take any opportunity to diminish AT&T’s reputation for its own gain. From a marketing stand point that must be the big break they’ve been waiting for, however they need to wait for the facts to come through before placing judgment on the network. It’s like a bad rumor, being started without knowing any facts. The Verizon Company commented that “they’d rather miss a deadline than have a bad launch.” In years past Apple has gotten in trouble with missing deadlines that destroyed its reputation, according to lowendmac.com.
If I were an iPhone owner who was having these issues I would be upset. The iPhone has a lot of bells and whistles and consumers are paying for each and every one of them. If I had something so pricey in my pocket it better work. As far as who is to blame, Apple or AT&T, I’m not sure. The experts don’t even know. I do find it suspicious that Apple is not acknowledging the complaints and it making software patches for the product. However, Apple has made a comeback in recent years and has gained a strong following. A feat like that could only come from reliable product.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/29/technology/29phone.html
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