Why iPhones Are Not All They’re Cracked Up to Be
By Dar Alon
As I walk down the halls, I can’t help but notice that it seems as if every single person is carrying around an iPhone, their eyes constantly glued to the sleek screens.
While I think iPhones are not worth the hype, there are some key benefits TO having an iPhone. The iPhone provides a source of entertainment, knowledge, and communication in one small device. It is the perfect lazy product and I fully understand why 37 percent of Americans use smart phones.
While the benefits of iPhones seem great, it is important not to overlook the negatives of the iPhone, which most people seem to do.
With the iPhone, one must pay monthly in order to have Internet access within the iPhone. This feature is best used for people who do not have easy access to computers during the day or have a career that requires them to constantly be available. However, most students who have an iPhone do have constant access to computers during the day. In addition, most students do not need to be constantly checking their email or need to be easily accessible 24/7, so it seems to me that paying $50 per month is simply a waste of money.
Also, the ridiculously expensive Internet seems to be completely useless on the iPhone. The Internet on the iPhone is incredibly slow, especially when compared to a laptop, and is often unusable. It defies logic that when there is constant easy access to computers with faster Internet in almost every location students go, that these students choose to invest in an iPhone and suffer the slow Internet.
In addition, the iPhone cannot properly complete the main task of a cell phone: the simple act of placing a call. Whenever I am with someone that has an iPhone, it seems as if s/he never has service and therefore cannot place a phone call. My phone, which is five years old as of this August, may not have all the features the iPhone has, but it consistently has far better service and is also much cheaper.
Now I am not saying we should all revert back to 2008 when it seemed everyone had the Firefly phones with only three buttons, but the iPhone, simply put, is overpriced and impractical.
Once You Go iPhone, You Can Never Say Bye Phone
By Rosalie Goldberg
You’ve heard the usual arguments in favor of smartphones before: 4G wireless LTE (whatever that means), useful apps, iMessage, and the added ease of communicating on social networking sites. And these are only a few examples.
But here I am, the average high school student. How does a smartphone improve my life? My iPhone is a link between my family and friends, and me, and truthfully, has saved my directionally-confused butt more than I’d like to admit.
Truthfully, I get lost easily. And the Google Maps application is something I couldn’t live without. I like my iPhone because it plays music and seriously, I can barely keep track of one device, how could I ever manage to not lose a phone and an iPod?
An iPhone is a consolidation of my friends, music, GPS, and camera. Anyone on the fence about getting an iPhone should totally just go for it (insert white girl hair flip).
In addition, I’m one of those people that needs to prove herself right, and will go to great measures to find out facts and feel validated because Google is always at my fingertips. Not only does the iPhone have a bounty of information waiting for you on the Internet, but if you’re too lazy to type, there’s always Siri, who can help you out just by hearing the sound of your voice. And if you’re feeling lonely, she can keep you entertained. Siri will be your new best friend.
We’ve all been in uncomfortable situations without friendly faces to talk to, so think of an iPhone as either a conversation starter or a barrier between you and awkward reality. With an iPhone, you can easily walk by the L Bench without having to look people in the eye, or make your way around the library as you scope out the scene without having to look like a weirdo.
And if you’re not into social media or communication of any type, you can keep yourself easily entertained with some of the most useless (read: awesome) applications ever created. Take the lightsaber app, for instance. You can pretend you’re a jedi with the touch of a button — cool sound effects and light-up technology included and encouraged.
And finally, the most useful tool in existence resides in the iPhone. Selfie mode brings the world of photography to a whole new light. No more awkwardly sticking your hand out as far as possible to make sure you and your friends actually make it into the shot. With the camera view facing you, you can always see how pictures of your beautiful face will turn out before snapping a photo.
All things considered, my sentiment is this:
Once you go iPhone you can never say bye phone.