Didn't we ask Apple for this?

Ok, so I wasn't able to vocalize my thoughts on this today during class so I figure I'll just let it out here. We are all getting so angry (maybe not angry, but disturbed and not sure how to handle it) with Apple and "apps" and all of these programs that are essentially what makes our Ipads and Iphones so accessible, simple, and easy to handle for everyone. Isn't that how Apple gained its popularity and fame? Everyone was way too confused by the other computer operating systems and wanted something simple, small, and easier to manipulate for the average person: this is where their market was. Now, they have just taken that idea and ran with it penetrating every technology available.

If consumers wanted Apple to be simple in the first place, why are we as consumers so disturbed when they dumb it down in apps and pretty aesthetics? Shouldn't we just praise them for being simple? If we wanted a more complicated system, or wanted to know and interact with all the ins and outs of installing and uninstalling on the computer we should just go back to our old Windows. This is what draws me to Apple products and apps: they make it easy for me. I don't have to do anything that is too challenging with my computer. If something happens, they will take it and fix it for free. Better yet, I can't fuck my computer up more by trying to fix it myself, they have to do it unless we have the ambition to jailbreak our Ipads or penetrate the computers more deeply.

I don't know, I just feel like we are an extremely small sample of people that are actually disturbed and worried about how simple the app is and how it is trying to simulate everyday actions (like Guru Meditation) that should be more complicated. Consumers wanted simplicity so that they could move into the Digital Native section of society and not be left behind and Apple gave them that. Essentially, Apple rid itself all of this complicated computer nonsense and made themselves extremely attractive to a Digital Immigrant. Am I wrong in this?

Is this necessary?

My one big problem with the Ipad and other e-readers is that I really do not understand the necessity of it. For one thing, what's so hard about getting a book or heading to a library to check out one? Can we buy any book from an e-reader, like a kindle or an Ipad? I'm not sure the answer to that but I'm sure you guys could help me out, cause that seems like the best reason to having one of these. The biggest perk to having one of these would be the availability of multiple texts at once to download at leisure.

On the other hand though I do understand the "cool" factor of all the new technology. I've even bought into the wide spread advances in technology over they years but I keep reverting back. Two years ago I upgraded to a phone with internet on it. I realized what is the necessity of this when I can just get on the internet at home? I know there is a convenience factor but we can live without. All the ads looking to sell these products to us make it seem so necessary, but we just need to think back three or four years and we were all getting along just fine without internet on our phones, if not better.

Just last year I bought an Ipod touch for the cool touch screen and the games and applications that made the idea of an ipod with music on it just a second hand feature. I bought the touch for the unnecessary perks and not for the music capabilities and memory. Now, I'm trying to sell my touch so I can actually fit all my music onto my ipod.

With that said, I do get why people want these new products. They are amazing in terms of technology, but in terms of necessity? We don't need them. Not now. Who knows how far they will come along in a few years, but for now I still think we can live without, I know I can. I actually prefer it. I know these first versions of e-readers are great starter products, but they are unnecessary. I'm not sure what types of perks will come out in a few years with the ipad and kindle to make it necessary for my life, but until them I'm not extremely interested in them other than I'd like to be involved in the new revolution of technology. This "digital" human era that is arising is crazy and we are lucky to be a part of it. Stuff we do not even need is ready to become household necessities. 2nd graders and 3rd graders with cell phones, why does that even seem ok?

This stuff is cool, and the assimilation of them into our society is inevitable, but do we need them? Definitely not.