Analysis Of Apple's Iphone X : Capitalism In Every Bite

Four years ago, the first iPhone was released and it still remains as a popular aspect of our technological culture today. Though it is in its fourth iteration with more to come, the iPhone continues to be one of the best selling smartphones. In a fast paced world with new technology constantly being released, the iPhone is still remarkable although some might argue that it is outdated and overhyped. This device is more than just a phone to consumers, but another way to connect with the world. There’s just something about this device that has Americans camping outside Apple stores and enduring long lines to get their hands on one. Although the iPhone may seem like just another smartphone, it is a cultural phenomenon because of the way it

However, too much of a good thing can kill you. On one hand, consumerism is political when the government regulates honest packaging and advertising, product guarantees, and improved safety standards. On the other hand, economics vows to plant the most dangerous thing: an idea. Economic geniuses implore that people need the next best thing and old products are not good anymore. Last year’s phone model was rendered useless as the next model appears. Heaven forbid if a person is seen with an old iPhone. Aldous Huxley perfectly encompasses this ideology in his novel A Brave New World. Huxley writes, “[World Creator] ’We haven’t any use for old things here.’ [John] ‘Even when they’re beautiful?’ [WC] ‘Especially when they’re beautiful. Beauty’s attractive, and we don’t want people to be attracted by old things. We want them to like the new ones’” (219). John the Savage knew about the atrocities

The product that I choose for my commodity chain project was the Apple IPhone that has been one of the most popular cell phone devices since its initial release in June of 2007. The idea around me picking the iPhone revolved around the fact that I have owned every generation Apple IPhone since the first generation IPhone release and am very familiar with its technology and background. In the initial part of this paper, I will discuss the rudimentary junctures in the iPhones commodity chain such as manufacturing and retail sale. In the latter half of my paper, I will then specifically investigate into the people who physically produce the iPhone and their living conditions, ways of life, and overall character. It is important to understand that even though Apple is a very profitable company that sells successful, unique products, they still use a contract manufacture known as Foxconn that is known for their harsh work environments and poor labor treatment.

When Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone at the Macworld convention in January of 2007, a tidal change in the way users communicate with one another was unleashed. The phone, which combined the already popular attributes of an iPod with the traditional cell phone, was an instant success, selling millions of units even at the initially haughty price of $599 each (Vogelstein, 2008). The theory behind the creation of the phone was deceptively simple: combine an MP3 player with a Blackberry, camera, and regular cell phone operating on a sleek touch-screen controlled software system. Consumers were finally freed from carrying separate devices to perform all they tasks they now wanted to away from home. In one simple hand-held device they could take pictures, listen to music, play games, communicate with friends and family, and even surf the Internet. This one device changed the way that people began sharing information, allowing them to instantly access information anywhere in the world while also transmitting it just as quickly. The iPhone is now universally recognized and has become a cultural artifact in our times.

The cell phone is a phenomenon of modern and high-tech technology that consumers all over the world desire and need. Innovatively, manufacturers design features that include calendars, Internet, GPS tracking, E-mail functions, and cameras. Interestingly, the popularity of these features differ throughout the world and among members of various cultures. Surprisingly, research has shown that the size, shape, and style of the phones are most important to American consumers. In comparison, the Russian culture values the durability and reliability of the phone. Understandably, these qualities are important due to the economy and lower income of the consumers. In recent years, the economy has begun to grow, so the increase in income places a higher

One day when I was eleven years old, I told my mom that I believe I should own a phone. I would tell her every day, “please get me a phone” and then listed a bunch of reasons on why I should own one. My mom would disagree with me and say, “no, it’s too expensive” or “no, your not responsible enough.” Despite this, I continued to try and convince her, it took several months of convincing and pleading, and then finally, on Christmas morning, I ripped open my present and there was the iPhone 6s lying in my hands. Now I was able to socialize and connect with friends and family. In the dystopian novel, 1984 by George Orwell, Winston Smith lives under the control of Oceania’s government called the Party. The citizens of Oceania are dehumanized

In September 2017, Jean M. Twenge articulates the development of generation “iGen” in the article “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?”. The emphasis Twenge provides in the article directs to post-Millennials and how they are generally safer and cleaner than past generations have been. Twenge provides various enlightening details about generational problems and how they need improvement. Generation “iGen” is dependent of technology and uses it often compared to past generations. This generation has become powered by their smartphones; it has changed the way several people live today and has brought many individuals to a point of mental illness.

Every so often… to correct that every day, hour or minute something new comes out. May it be the daily smartphone that aims to fill the already deep pockets of the big CEO’s sitting in their high-rise office, adding to the growing multibillion dollar electronics industry? Or the clothing line from the new designer that everyone hypes about? Consumerism is something that flues the fire, also known as the 21th century disease of materialism. Although an alarming issue everywhere today, I believe none is more precedent that of the United States, a society in its own right whose consumerism is as staggering as it is worrying. Why the United States? Because it is a symbol of the Western society, the consumerism capital. Further this is in conjunction with the generation of today, us the fore-runners of this blind quest for material dominance, within an ever expanding materialistic society. We buy more, receive more, and want more, yet we don’t seem to be any happier, a coloration to consumerism that finds it roots within the American society, the generation of today and its values.

When a new technology or an advancement is introduced into society, there is no doubt that it will in, some way, reconfigure social relations. In some ways the changes can be very beneficial, but not all changes are always intentional. Wiebe Bijker introduced the idea that “A machine is a Socio-Technical Ensemble” (Bijker,1993) which when broken down is a way of saying that all technology consists of social dynamics and practicable technology. An iPhone is a prime example of a socio-technical ensemble. The technical aspect of the iPhone lays within the engineers, how they designed it to be piece of technology which allows people to communicate, perform functions, and be a platform for applications. The social dynamics of the iPhone is created by people communicating using a device and utilizing the apps it offers. The engineers of the iPhone can be seen

The rise of brand culture has targeted and influenced the consumer’s thoughts and behavior while purchasing any kind of product in today’s market. There have been numerous studies that clarify how culture does influence the consumption of brands towards consumers. It’s evident that consumers who classify themselves as cultural are likely to be ‘ brand loyal’. By saying this the iPhone plays a strategic role in manipulating consumers into buying the brand. Consumers who love the company behind the iPhone ‘Apple’ have a strong bond with it as the phone itself offers Icloud, IOS, style, design and reliability that no other brand can provide them. That’s one significant reason why consumers purchase and stick to Apple’s products. Not only does it provide trust to its consumers but it also includes upgrading the phones to new versions over years. Once a customer sticks with Apple in general they tend to stay with them for a long time.

The rise of globalization and technology has unquestionably enhanced the lives of millions of individuals in the past three decades, if not longer. Apple and Samsung gadgets, wholesale and bulked dry goods, and trendy retail clothing have made Western lives more enjoyable and have made companies ever more competitive. Without a doubt, the spike in globalization and industrialization has effected every member of the world – either positively or negatively. While some may enjoy rushing through Black Friday sales, there are others on the opposite hemisphere tirelessly working to continue producing the goods that will instantly sell out. It all depends on where you were born, what class you fell into, and luck. However, the perpetuation of the bad luck by someone or some group of people has extended so far as to cause several deaths, as noted in the Joel Johnson’s article, “One Million Workers, 90 Million iPhones, 17 Suicides.” So, in a world of interconnected nations and globalization, who is the person or the group to blame for these deaths? Johnson admits partial responsibility by claiming that although minute, he intentionally hurt these slain workers in a manner as “inevitable and immeasurable as the fluttering silences of our sun. Just a little.” (Johnson, 8) Appealing to fellow iPhone consumers (almost all of the United States), he suggests that all consumers are equally responsible for their unfair treatment

This report will discuss the iPhone X applied to the consumer behaviour theory as well as the marketing mix analysis. The iPhone X is the latest iPhone created by Apple, which aims to ‘create an iPhone that is entirely screen. One so immersive the device itself disappears into the experience.’ (Apple 2017) The new device is set to become the future of technology with the screen being described as ‘the full experience’. (Apple 2017) Apple have created a new and exciting product for their fans with the new features including a larger screen with complete full use, higher specifications of cameras and facial recognition which has not been available prior to the release. The iPhone X was released on November 3rd, 2017 and it was reported a ‘19% rise in profits and record pre-sales of iPhone X, the day before its release.’ (The Telegraph 2017). Apple sell and distribute their products all over the world through online stores, retail stores and wholesalers. A consumer is ‘an individual who purchases, has the capacity to purchase, goods and services offered for sale by marketing institutions to satisfy personal or household needs, wants, or desires.’ (Walters, 1974:4) Consumers behaviour can be impacted on significantly by several key factors, but the company’s aim should be to attract and retain their customers through the careful consideration of their desires and needs. For a company like Apple, their marketing strategies should reflect this to keep their brand successful and

With Apple being so far ahead of their competition, the only problem one can foresee in Apple’s future is how long they can sustain such innovation before they plateau. Apple does a phenomenal job at releasing their innovative products before their competition, but if their innovation cannot hold steady, this may lead to changes in demand for their products considerably. This can be seen with their release of the iPhone, the first successful touch screen cellular phone. Although people swarmed to the iPhone when it was first released because of its advanced technology, as the years have passed, other similar designs, including those with android and windows based operating systems, have drawn a considerable portion of the market. A clear representation of Apple’s attempt to regain some of this market can be seen when the iPhone was released to Verizon Wireless’ customers in

Steve Jobs once said, “Every once in a while a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything. It's very fortunate if you can work on just one of these in your career.” On January 9th, 2007 Apple changed this society by introducing the iPhone, virtually putting the world in the palm of society’s hands. IPhones provide individuals with the latest technology, allowing one to do anything from chatting with friends to measuring ones heart rate. This innovation is excellent and makes society’s lives a lot easier by the simplicity and instant gratification. Although helpful to everyone, iPhones have become addictive. This current generation has become attached and less self-reliant, now relying on the technology of a phone. IPhones

With an elegant combination of a mobile phone, iPod and personal digital assistant (PDA), iPhone was launched at Apple and AT&T stores across the US on June 29, 2007(Place, 2007). iPhone is by no means a prodigious success by selling one million iPhones within 3 months (Wolverton, 2007). However, what coupled with its splendid success are numerous criticisms from the general society. This paper