Students react to the iOS7 and Apple’s Latest Products

Contributing Writer: Erica Giannelli

As Wednesday, September 18, rolled around, I noticed a pattern in Facebook status updates as well as Twitter news. Apple’s new software update, iOS7, was released at about 1 p.m. in the afternoon on this specific day and, what seemed like the entire world could not stop talking about it.

I was the exception. As my roommates and friends counted down the minutes to this new software release, I sat back watching them, completely confident that I would not be a fan of this software, nor would I want it in the first place. I had already seen previews of Apple’s iOS7 and was not supportive of the new design. Although Apple seemed to be aiming for simplicity, my thoughts screamed “it’s ugly!” I even voiced my emotions to a few friends claiming that I disliked how the new text boxes appeared and was not content with the weather app.

One o’clock eventually came, on that Wednesday, and almost everyone I knew with an iPhone was clicking the software update button. Not me. I even laughed as I told one of my roommates, “I bet Apple’s server crashes while the entire world tries to update their phones all at once.” Well my statement was not far from the truth of what actually happened. Apple did experience technical difficulties during this time, which only caused people to complain more about how the software update now takes three hours.

Once you could get past the three hours though, it must have been worth it. My friends continuously told me how awesome it was and how I was missing out by not downloading it. My excuse was that there was not even enough space on my phone anyways and that I did not want to be stuck with software that I hated. As of Wednesday night, I had survived the day without falling into the trap of iOS7.

Before I knew it, it was Thursday, at about 11 a.m., and I had hooked up my phone to my computer, awaiting my new update. Yes, I had fallen into the mold of society and decided to give iOS7 a chance. Really, the only thing that caught my eye was the new and improved camera functions. You can now edit your pictures right after you take them and, for some reason, that sold me.

Anxiously, I sat near my phone, only to find that it took as little as 25 minutes for my update to be applied! I nervously swept the new unlock screen to the right and typed in my four-digit password. My eyes searched back and forth across the artsy, simplistic design of iOS7.

Five minutes later, I was hooked. I could not stop texting, or doing basically anything that required me to use my “new” iPhone; iOS7 gave me the feel of something different and fun to use. I have realized that a change of pace can be nice every once in a while and iOS7 is definitely a change that I have come to love. Even after all of my harsh criticism on the product, I am glad that iOS7 now gives my iPhone 4 a new, sleek look.

Opinion Editor: Elissa Sanci

The world nearly came to a standstill Wednesday as every iPhone user turned away from the world and towards their phones, anxious to download iOS7, Apple’s latest operating system. Within minutes of the release of the update, social media exploded with a myriad of complaints.

This newest update from Apple generated a lot a feedback, and in a short amount of time. Complaints started rolling in minutes after the update was available for download. Tweets were sent out, lamenting about having to delete all apps and pictures to make room for the upgrade, and Facebook statuses were made, complaining about the excess amount of time taking for the download.

You would think people would be happy once the software was installed, but no—still no one was satisfied. Complaints about the look, the new features, and the lagging ensued, proving once and for all that our generation truly is not happy with anything.

iOS7 was announced in June, and none of the new features that became available to an iPhone, iTouch or iPad users were kept secretive. All features were carefully explained through a keynote video posted to the Apple home page, and many news outlets covered the story in detail. This means that everyone complaining about the look of iOS7 with a tone of surprise is three months behind and clearly has not been paying attention.

Apple has given us many new features with this upgrade—a bubbly new layout, along with bright colors and softer tones, which give the iPhone a simple, sophisticated look. The phone itself now has tons of new features, most of them small and simple, but make using the phone much easier.

Along with this new software came two new models of the iPhone—the iPhone 5c, available in five different colors, and the iPhone 5s, now available in silver, black or gold.

While these new models of the iPhone are nicer, my initial reaction is…why? Why do we need two new models? What was wrong with the iPhone 5, which was only released not even a year ago?

We live in a fast paced society where no one is ever completely happy with what they have, and this theory shines true with the unveiling of the two new iPhones. Those who just got the iPhone 5—which is technically everyone, considering how new it is—are already in line for the new models, and have already deemed their phones outdated. What happened to being grateful for having a phone at all? Five years ago, I was lucky enough to have a phone at all, let alone the newest and most up-to-date model. The words ungrateful and impatient pop into my mind.

Apple knows this though—they have to know. They use this fault of human kind to their advantage; they play us right into their hands, and we gladly oblige, wallets open and hands full of cash outstretched.

Congrats, Steve Jobs. You did last year with the iPhone 5, and, once again, you’ve managed to drive the world crazy; we hope you’re having a good laugh up there in heaven.