When the iPhone hit shelves it was undoubtedly the thing to have, creating a much anticipated craze. The features of the phone are very compelling, but more interesting than the actual phone itself, is the iPhone section of the apple store website. I'm looking to analyze the phone, as represented on the website, and the ways in which apple caters to the perceived desires of the consumer. What is it about the iPhone that makes it popular?
The features of the phone would be my first topic to analyze. Currently there is a prevalent (perceived) dependence on cellphones. It is strange to think about living without them. Now we have the next step up from that. iPhone, as the prices drop could potentially create a greater dependence on our access to digital media than already exists, as it provides internet and email. Apple has also created this brilliant interconnection of their products, with iPhone acting as an iPod as well. Only now the speakers are built in, another attractive feature of the phone.
The website also has information available on how to use the phone with greater ease, what the most popular features people are adding are, and a "guided tour" of the phone. Apple wants to make the phone useful for the tech novices and the technologically savvy, to extend their market. They also (on the U.S. site) have television advertisements that suggest a lot about what they believe a consumer wants, and how American culture is changing and developing.
Without question there has been a change in the way in which we interact with each other, and the technologies we use to do so. Today people are incredibly well connected, but also divided. Technology can act as a barrier or defense between people in public who might otherwise interact with each other. The convenience of the iPhone, while very exciting, may be something people want but don't need.