The wait is over. No more counting down, reading rumors and wondering if they’re true. The announcement of the iPhone 5 is (most likely) coming Wednesday.
And that has some students wondering whether or not the upgrade is worth it.
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Connor Rock, a CSU sophomore, is weighing the decision to spend $200 and use a phone upgrade on the new Apple product.
“If it is as substantial a change as people say it will be, I will get it,” Rock said.
Keeping with Apple’s style, the details, design and added features for the phone have all been kept secret. But rumors of updated hard and software are dominating popular tech websites such as gizmodo.com and macrumors.com, which also speculate that news on an updated iPad, possible mini iPad and new generation of iTouches may be announced as well.
As far as rumors go for the new iPhone, some say it will feature a bigger screen, faster processor and a different design than the 4S, Rock said.
While the updates and upgrades to the device may be the news, the brand’s appeal goes beyond the product’s functionality.
Apple’s marketing techniques — which include keeping details secretive until a product’s formal announcement — are different from almost any other company’s, according to marketing instructor Nancy Boykin.
“They do that to get the buzz going, to create more excitement,” she said. “There will always be people who will line up to get the product.”
But Eric Clute, a junior anthropology major, believes the pricing of Apple products is often too high for the average student.
“Apple markets toward students effectively, but they charge significantly more than their competitors, which puts their products out of reach for many students,” Clute said.
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Whether it be an Apple, Android or Windows brand, Rock believes a smartphone is becoming necessary for the average student at CSU, citing that it no longer takes professors one or more days to write back to a student’s email. They can respond on their smartphone.
“It’s great for connecting with teachers in more ways,” Rock said.
Clute, though, hasn’t seen any proof of that yet.
“I think the adoption of more technologies like the smartphone will affect how professors use and distribute coursework,” Clute said. “But I have yet to see that applied in any of my classes.”
Collegian Writer Corrie Sahling can be reached at news@collegian.com
