Symbolic Consumption: The iPhone
In this era of emerging economies and growing globalisation, the demand for symbolic goods continues to expand, and at a fast rate. With recent advances in technologies such as personal digital assistants (PDA’s), satellite/tracking devices, mobile phones and many others springing up almost every day, it is not surprising that consumers would be willing to part with large amounts of cash for these products. One of such technological advancement is the iPhone, a fascinating instance of adaptation, which is fast becoming a most sought after brand. The issue however is whether this new technological advancement of the iPhone is going to be a continuous trend or will just fizzle out in the nearer future.
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Its wonderful features, such as its advanced touch screen, huge memory and great design, have been widely recognised (Magaudda 2010). Constant access to the internet, searches, and email, coupled with the ability to navigate unfamiliar areas with GPS adds value (Bodker et al 2009). However, what is probably the most relevant element in the iPhone's success lies in its new operating system and the possibility for users of buying applications from the Applications Store, an online store from where a huge number of applications can be downloaded (in September 2010, more than 250,000 apps were available) (Magaudda 2010). AT&T launched a 3G network and became the exclusive retailer for the Apple iPhone, which had sold approximately 85 million units by 2010 since its release (Sander and Slater 2010). According to Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, the iPhone is recognised as being a revolutionary and magical product that is literally five years ahead of any other mobile phone (Apple 2007).
Nevertheless, the iPhone experiences are not only limited to the consumption of functionalities. The device has also been domesticated and appropriated within its user’s cultural domains, consciousness, everyday languages and identity (Walker et al. 2008). As Blokdijk (2008) contends, most people view their iPhone as more than just an ordinary phone, as an expression of the self. To them, the
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
Technology has become a huge part of everyday life, and people seem to have one great debate and are fighting over which is the best phone, iPhone or Android. The Apple iPhone is a cellular smartphone that was created and is maintained by Apple Inc. Android is another type of smartphone that is accessible to consumers, but the operating system is powered by Google and many different companies produce Android devices. The different operating systems and interfaces have created a long and carried out debate to which was superior. iPhone is the better phone and there are many reasons as to why it is superior to its rival, Android. The iPhone’s sleek and beautiful design has users’ hands fondling the device and never putting it down. The
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 launch of the iPhone in 2007 transformed the humble mobile phone from a one-trick tool for communication into a catch-all platform whose functionality is constantly evolving. The smartphone … is now a pocket-size PC,” the editors wrote. “It facilitates instantaneous personal connections that make phone
Thoroughly understanding the online habits of any potential client base is important these days — particularly individuals in the 50 to 80 age group. Learning about their daily habits can both help you determine the best way to reach out to them regarding preneed issues and can ultimately establish your business as a leading authority in funeral planning. Becoming familiar with their online activity will also give you a chance to help them discover the many benefits that advanced funeral planning can offer them.
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.
Figure 3: Lush label states "Fresh Handmade Cosmetics" and "Bring back 5 Pots and Get a Fresh Face Mask Free"
I moved through the process of selecting the right gym to join quite quickly as I was very motivated to get started. I took into consideration that this purchase posed physical and social problems and considered those when making my decision.
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
Apple’s biggest success stories are not difficult to find. When Apple creates a product that succeeds, they do it in a big way. Take, for example, the iPhone. Not only does the iPhone have a die-hard following of loyal aficionados that continue to buy upgrades to their iPhones on a regular basis, but the iPhone changed the way the entire world looked at cell phones. Beating the first Android phone to the market by a more than a year (Parrish, May 3, 2012), the iPhone took us from phones that looked and functioned strictly like phones, to multi-touch devices that combined phones, cameras, games and MP3s into one device.
The purpose of this report is to analyse and discuss how 2 consumer behaviour theories are applied in the Chinese chocolate market as well as how it differs from the Australian market. This paper discuss the chocolate industry of the most populous country of the world based on Market Segmentation and Maslow’s Theory, moreover presents how the Asian country is a potential market for Australian exporters.
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
All around the world, you see business professionals making important calls, closing in on company deals and occasionally talking to their spouses about what they will have for dinner. However, these sophisticated workers are not the only people you will see with an iPhone in their hand. Apple Corporation has keenly targeted buyers of all ages with the iPhone’s broad array of capabilities. Starting with elementary aged children, who are lured in by the gaming
The process of consumer decision making has 3 stages: input stage, process stage and output stage.