The iPhone. The phone that, back in 2007, changed everything. The phone that, in the hardware department, has lead other manufacturers to participate in an endless race to create something noteworthy. However, on the flip-side, the iPhone is the phone that, on the software side, hasn't changed much since its inception into the market. Yet, that hasn't stopped sales of the device in the slightest. More to the point, it doesn't look like it's slowing it down this year, either.
When the iPhone launched in 2007, I don't remember which phone I was using at the time. It was either a Nokia or a device running Windows Mobile. I'm pretty sure. I was impressed by the iPhone back then, so when I got the chance I picked it up. Since then, I've had each version of the iPhone, and I've been perfectly happy with it each year. It's only gotten better since the introduction of the App Store, in my opinion, where Apple's handset is still untouched in quality of apps.
This year, all of the rumors and speculation panned out, and Apple launched *exactly* what we thought they would launch. Down to the features list. As Taylor Martin articulately outlined earlier last week, this iPhone launch is different than all the other "disappointing" iPhone launches before it. While I agree that the leaks have quite a lot to do with the underwhelming reaction to the newest iPhone, I don't put the full blame on them.
I believe it has more to do with the reality distortion field.
And the fact it doesn't exist anymore.
Not counting the original iPhone's launch, every other iPhone has shown one thing above all else: Apple doesn't care about what the rest of the industry is doing. Apple has always been known for its constant, unwavering bullheadedness when it comes to the iPhone. They do what they want, and while it may not mean that they're the best handset out there, that doesn't stop the other manufacturers out there from trying to match them in some capacity or another.
It was the way of life for the mobile industry. It's one of the reasons why the whole world seems to slow down and hold its breath during an Apple iPhone event. We expect to see that reality distortion field go up, and be wowed by whatever the Cupertino-based company unveils.
That didn't happen with the iPhone 5. The lack of that reality distortion field means that this is the iPhone that wasn't necessarily designed by Apple, at least not solely by Apple. No, this is the first iPhone that was almost completely designed by the industry.
The hardware design is all Apple. It's obvious they are tirelessly working to reach that Project Purple design, and they are getting closer to it with each new revision of the device. Yes, the iPhone 5 looks like an iPhone 4, just bigger, but that really isn't a bad thing. It still looks amazing.
The problem with the iPhone 5, for me, is that it is the product of Android. Peer pressure, if you will. Even the inclusion of LTE, which is something that Apple obviously needed to include, just makes the iPhone 5 feel more like a byproduct of the industry, rather than an innovation. The larger 4-inch display just seals that outlook for me.
I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that the new iPhone, even if it is called the iPhone 5 (oh, the horror!) will be a great success for Apple. Mainly because of the larger display and the inclusion of LTE, probably. As it stands right now, though, I'm not going to buy one. I just have absolutely no reason to.
And without the reality distortion field around to skew my idea of what I need, well, I just don't see myself spending money on the iPhone 5.
