Assignment 1-4

The Apple iPhone joined the wireless circuit on June 29, 2007, and it’s been the buzz of cellular and technology aware consumers even before its release. Consumers were all anxiously anticipating the arrival of this new fangled device that promised features and capabilities that were out of this world. But with every new technological fad, it has its pitfalls. The iPhone is only carried by one wireless company, AT&T. So if you have another carrier and were hoping to upgrade to the iPhone, you will be switching companies completely. Also, the data plan that’s required for your new iPhone is probably much more costly than the plan you currently have with your carrier. And, if you choose to disconnect your wireless plan, you lose those great features including the iPod.
Users have made it very clear that they are unsatisfied with some missing features that the cellular phones of old have as standards. The iPhone lacks features like using your own music as a ring tone. Also, you cannot send a photo as a text message. That seems to be everyone’s favorite feature if you have a cellular phone with a camera. And there is no option for internet based instant messaging. Another issue, if you lose battery life and need to replace the battery, you have to send your phone back to the manufacturer to have it replaced. Consumers are not happy about that. The question is, “what will I do without my cell phone?”
The iPhone has such wonderful features and overall consumers are happy with the device. And naturally Apple is aware that the iPhone is a work in progress and are working on upgrades and new software releases. It goes without saying that the consumers have spoken with a list of discrepancies and complaints but all the while are sporting their popular new gadget with grins of satisfaction.




Reference:
Snell, Jason (2007) Groundbreaking wireless communicator really lives up to the hype. Retrieved February 20, 2008, from BETA Macworld Web site: http://www.macworld.com/article/58733/2007/07/iphone_rev.html?t=215

Assignment 1-2

Popular Culture Blog

What is popular culture, and what does it mean to you?
I think popular culture is what some people may consider to be what's "happening" or the new trend in today's society. It means a variety of things to me. One thing, for instance, is trend setting. I observe people gravitating towards a fad or popular new thing that's hot that was seen on TV or perhaps advertised on the web. And another thing I think comes from that is debt. I feel that pop culture can put pressure on people to "keep up" and that may mean making poor decisions financially in making purchases to have what's considered to be "in" or "hot".

Why is an understanding of popular culture relevant to you in a business environment and in your present and future career?
An understanding of popular culture is relevant to me in my business environment because it’s what drives my company’s financial success both now and in the future. Therefore, if my company is successful, hopefully that means that I’ll stay employed. My company is in the business of meeting the telephony needs of the consumer. And society dictates what those needs are and it’s my company’s goal to meet those needs. And that won’t happen unless there’s a thorough understanding of “popular culture”.

What would you consider to be an example of a pop culture artifact? And why would you choose it?
I consider the Apple iPhone to be an example of a pop culture artifact. I chose the iPhone because I believe it’s the hottest wireless phone on the market at the moment. This device has many capabilities that the wireless phones prior to the iPhone’s release didn’t have. Therefore, it catered to the needs of the technology hungry and cultural thirsty.