You don't need the new iPhone

[ideasuniversity]

I stole this article from a minimalist site. He has given everyone to steal his posts and use it anywhere at anytime and without giving credit to him.His name is Leo Babauta. So enjoy.
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Many of you have seen the video and reviews of the new iPhone 4S, and yes, it looks great.

Don’t rush out to order it. Here’s why: you don’t need it.

True, it is sleek and sexy and full of great features like a great camera and personal assistant and a better screen, etc. But you don’t need it today any more than you needed it yesterday, or 5 years ago.

Yesterday, without the new iPhone, your life was good. Some of you were happy and content and were actually able to do your work and get on with your life without the new iPhone.

Today, Apple announces its newest device, and the press and tech bloggers swoon. We all have to get the latest device, or we’ll no longer be hip, we’ll no longer be part of the “in” crowd.

And yet, is it really that essential? I’ve wanted an iPhone for almost 5 years now, but haven’t bought one because I know I don’t need it. Will it make my life a bit more fun? Sure, possibly — but so will a walk in the park with my kids, or a hike with a friend, or a free book at the library. I don’t need to spend $199 plus thousands of dollars on a 2-year contract to make my life a bit more fun.

Five years ago, the iPhone didn’t exist. It wasn’t a need in your life. You were able to live perfectly without it. And now that it does exist, all of that is true.

It’s Apple’s marketing that has worked on us, and we’re fools for it.

The same, of course, is true of all other technology and sleek consumerist products. It’s just that Apple is better at it than most.

Don’t give in. Fight the marketing, by noticing and letting go of the urges that marketing creates in us. Find contentment without products. You’re better than that.

[Mal Tindle]

Hi Yinka,

Thanks for sharing the article and I must say that I fully agree with him, if you 'must' have something and it improves the quality of your personal or business life then buy it.

I have a very reliable NOKIA mobile which does what I need it to do and I can get on the internet with it (but seldom do) and I haven't even convinced myself yet that I need a smart phone never mind the 4S.

In the words of our friends across the pond ' if it ain't broke, don't fix it' or something like that

just my thoughts,

Mal.

[ideasuniversity]

I am 110% in agreement with him. A friend was in my house yesterday asking me why the Software maker Adobe had to release another CS6 of their products when we have not fully utilized the good CS3 we are still using. I told me I will stick with CS3 because I am using it to design good website and enjoying the Photoshop part of it. I told him they need to keep on doing new version so as to make more money and keep their investors happy otherwise they don't need to develop new version

[David Hurley]

Hi Yinka,

I finally traded in my mobile phone last autumn, for another free model (not an iPhone). I was a little sad to say goodbye to the old one because I'd had it since 2005 and dropped it almost every day but it just kept going.

As I mentioned a few months back, I got an Android tablet along with my phone, so I'm not really innocent of the urge to upgrade my technology!

[GT Bulmer]

Thanks for the info, Yinka, and for the discussion about cell phones, everybody.

Well, my spouse and I have a cell now - a Blackberry . . . but ONLY because it was given to us by one of our daughters and we don't pay anything to use it.

We've had it for about three or four months now and if memory serves me, I believe I have used it twice, both times to phone my spouse at her job when I was out in the parking lot. I think she has used it a few more times than that, but only to call the daughter who gave it to us (because even though we live in different provinces, it is considered a "local" call and we don't pay long distance charges to talk to her).

So, as it turns out, I STILL do not need (or want) a cell phone.

GT

[Bizking]

Reality bites, gone are the days when kids are playing outside running around... today they are just either infront of their computers or playing with their smart phones or other game consoles. It is not wise to waste your money over technology that gets a newer version every 10 months, but never the less you can't discount the fact that it has helped a lot of people. It comes in handy whenever you need it, it actually increased the quality of life in many aspects most people don't see because we've grown so much used to it. Imagine going on a hike then you are suddenly lost or went to another path away from your friends, you can simply call them to get to you or call the emergency hotline when you need to. Imagine riding the tube and suddenly remembered that you need some urgent information, would you skip the tube to go to library or the newstand? or will you stay and continue to where you are headed to and use your smart phone to get the info you need? If you are at home and thought of preparing a new recipe for your family will you go out and look for a recipe book? or will you just perhaps use your smart phone to look for a good recipe?....

Embracing new technology is not that bad nor does it hinder the quality of life.... but for what its worth.... some companies continues to upgrade their gadgets for the sake of "striking while the iron is still hot" then it makes us realize the marketing power they have, some people are contented with what they currently have while others swoon just to get the "latest"... The article is right, well if you go to this extent... you should realize that you can certainly do better than that....

[David Hurley]

Imagine going on a hike then you are suddenly lost or went to another path away from your friends, you can simply call them to get to you or call the emergency hotline when you need to.

Actually, that is a a dangerous misconception that a lot of people have... until they hike into areas that are not covered by their phone company and the fog descends. No matter how good your mobile phone is in populated areas, take a map and a compass when you go hiking.

http://www.visitrainier.com/pg/10_hikin ... -of-Hiking

[MichelleJ]

You make a good point there David. Cell phones or smart phones all have a place in the life we lead today but I still feel that there is no need to use them to excess. The younger generation (teenagers) seem to be joined to their smartphones by their thumbs. They no longer hold conversations verbally but "talk" to one another via Blackberry Messenger or any other instant messenger service that is available and that I find really scary as they are missing out on so much as far as connecting to other humans is concerned.

MichelleJ

[Jason Fonceca]

Need it, don't need it... etc

To me it's simple -- life isn't about necessity. Life's about EXPRESSION.

Brands aren't about what's 'needed', brands are about experience.

The iPhone offers a certain experience, and people know they're going to get it, and that's always sell-able.


To me the more interesting thing was Leo Babauta, Time Magazine's 'super-blogger', encourages people to steal his content.

How awesome is that?

[Jason Fonceca]

You make a good point there David. Cell phones or smart phones all have a place in the life we lead today but I still feel that there is no need to use them to excess. The younger generation (teenagers) seem to be joined to their smartphones by their thumbs. They no longer hold conversations verbally but "talk" to one another via Blackberry Messenger or any other instant messenger service that is available and that I find really scary as they are missing out on so much as far as connecting to other humans is concerned.

MichelleJ

This is interesting, Michelle.

Now, I'm not attached to my phone, I love nature, parks, and rock-climbing. I meditate more than most people, etc.

But it's interesting to me because I've heard similar things said by other generations about mp3 players (eg: vinyl record-enthusiasts said they didn't have the same "warmth" and fidelity, and that the younger generation are missing out -- really?), and I'm pretty sure there was a time when oral sex was considered one of the most horrible ways to go and that the younger generation didn't know anything.

Food for thought...

[nicktoff]

I understand that an iPhone can bring you access to business on your go, however I would hardly need this. Also the free phones I can get from Verizon are dropped, stepped on, and can get wet and still work. I would love to see an iPhone survive some of the falls my phones have taken!

[jeffalex]

Just read this... I guess there's always a "new iPhone", even if this message was posted few months ago.
btw, I still have my 'old' Samsung

[David Hurley]

To me the more interesting thing was Leo Babauta, Time Magazine's 'super-blogger', encourages people to steal his content.

How awesome is that?

That is pretty cool. I just checked out his zenhabits blog and he says:

You don’t need permission to reprint any article on Zen Habits — this entire blog and all my work is uncopyrighted.

http://zenhabits.net/about/

He gives everything away... and is one of the most successful bloggers on the net. Nice.