Taking a Bite out of Apple
No one, even the non-tech savvy among us, has been able to escape Apple’s recent monopolization of the news regarding their newly released products, the iPad and iPhone 4. Apple as a brand has grown rapidly over the past ten years, and the advent of the iPad has driven the Apple name further into the public consciousness.
Apple has a prestigious image, retaining a sense of exclusivity despite its widespread popularity. To some Apple products are a combination of aesthetic beauty and precise engineering, some see them as cool must-have gadgets, others will simply dismiss them as boys toys. Steve Jobs is regarded as somewhat of a messiah to the ‘Technorati’, the launch of his companies products are followed and reported tenaciously, rapidly becoming national news stories.
It is something of a surprise then, to find fault with something as highly regarded as an Apple product. Recent news stories have circulated about the iPhone 4’s loss of signal when held in a certain way. Reaction to the iPad has been largely positive but there is always a nagging sense that some wish to criticize Apple at every available opportunity. The truth is that Apple is so successful because of the quality of its products, but they are not without their niggles.
One criticism of the iPhone is its poor battery life, this can prove particularly troubling when out and about and in need of a juice boost. So much so in fact I sometimes think it would be quicker to attach a message to my treasured RC Helicopter and fly it out to my friends, homing pidgeon style than to go home and charge my phone!
Many companies have jumped on the back of this issue, producing in-car chargers and flashy docks. Perhaps most ground-breaking however is a portable charger, while these make great gifts for any iPhone owner, they are no gimmick.
Simply charge from a PC or Mac as you would your iPhone, then carry with you as a back-up battery pack with a full five hours of calls or 20 hours of music playback to hand. This is a godsend for anyone who carries their phone for long periods without access to a mains socket. While the iPhone may not be infallible this is just one quick fix which will no doubt contribute to Apple’s impending world-domination!