Is modern technology plateauing?: iPhone 5 disappoints

On Sept. 13, Jimmy Kimmel, television show host, staged a clever prank centered around the release of the iPhone 5. Participants in Kimmels’ “First Look: iPhone 5” believed the device handed to them by the cameraman was actually the newly released Apple product. Unwittingly, the participants claimed that the “iPhone 5” had faster service, a sleeker design, and better quality.

After abundant praise for the phone, the group was shocked to find out the seemingly new gadget was, in fact, only the iPhone 4. Technological advances are revered for their novelty, not by their merit. Currently, Apple leads mainstream modern technology.

Its recent iPhone 5 release, however, was a disappointment; the additions to the device were minimal. The corporation severely overextended its products by including its own Apple Maps app, intended to replace Google Maps, and by making buyers pay for a YouTube app. Furthermore, along with the initial cost of the phone itself, consumers have to purchase a “docking connector” in order to connect the device to computers.

These inconveniences reveal Apple’s growing nonchalance concerning its services and customer satisfaction. The company took its consumer base for granted.

Despite Kimmel’s negative publicity, people all over the world stood expectantly in line, eagerly awaiting the iPhone 5’s release on Sept. 21. Once in hand, consumers notice that some of the phones had scratches on the aluminum plate backing, as well as glitches within the “Apple Maps” app. The app is so misleading that even the company acknowledges its defects. It seems that Apple did not really consider the impact of their additions to the iPhone, simply throwing them in for novelty’s sake.

According to Apple, the new iPhone 5 “gives shape and purpose to previously empty and meaningless lives.” The statement is misleading. People wait obsessively for the next update, yet Apple is still the top corporation in the technology industry. Apple should show more professionalism with their services.

Freshman Kaitlin Tseng is currently an owner of an iPhone 5. She was among the many excited who, prior to the phone’s release, remained uninformed about the changes.

“Some of the negatives were that I do have trouble with looking up YouTube [videos] on the go,” Tseng said.

The phone simply did not meet its expectations, failing to please many. Seemingly overhyped, the iPhone 5 lacked the necessary improvements to be considered an upgrade from older models.

Considering the public disappointment in the model, Apple CEO Tim Cook delivered his much-needed apology to the general public. Cook admitted that Apple “fell short on [its] commitment,” a refreshing display of honesty. Many hope that the negative light on the iPhone 5 will force Apple to cut down on its misguided ‘innovations’ and focus on actually upgrading models.