Bigger Phone are Burring the Lines and Sales Between Tablets and Smartphones

I had to take a little hiatus on this Blog for a bit for work and studying purpose. As you may know writing is a rhythm you have to be in to do, similar to dancing…So I am back with a lot of topics for discussion for the techies and not-so-techies out there!

So lets get down to business here!!!

So as the Christmas shopping season is upon us, maybe you were deciding to get a really good Black Friday deal on a new iPad or Galaxy or go with something else like a new Galaxy Note 4 or the large iPhone6. It is not surprising that you are thinking this and you seem to be struggling on a decision on what to buy because your iPad2 (because everyone has an iPad2) is still performing very well, even with the new updates to the OS. Now if you are having this difficult decision, the big boys, Samsung and Apple, have an even larger problem to deal with. The reports state the tablet sales are dropping as large phones sales are increasing and Samsung's profits have dropped to the tune of 70% from last year and they simply claim that they ran out of people to sell a phone to. 

Part of the reason that you are having this question is the fact that the phones and tablets are becoming redundant technology to each other. "Redundant tech" is the meaning I use that I user will have multiple devices on them to be productive and plugged in. Now since phones now a days are a necessity and the lifeblood to humanity, this is also something that has equity because the fact that you can trade in and get comparable value even if it is 2 years old, as compared to a tablet which has little and depreciating equity and the value doesn't hold itself like a premium cell phone does. Because the larger screen on the cell phones, the functionality, use and entreatment  that you would get with the tablet (games and movies) are really blurred. Throw in the mix of smaller 6", 7" and 8" and the waters become more and more muddy! 

Now let's bring it back to basics here, and just stick with the main tablet and the phones. The Galaxy Note series offers a stylus for precision for a smaller screen and the iPhone is a couple years late with copying Android (let's be real, and stop acing like we don't know or deny the fact. We are all educated here) and the fact that tablets are heavily reliant on wifi to be enjoyable and also connecting the wifi to your cell account is going to cost you extra money for what? updating Facebook on a 10" screen instead of a 7" phone? Mostly tablets have been reduced to giving it to kids to watch a movie so they don't bother us and now the phones are large enough that they just watch Youtube movies on the phone. 

Just observe the discounts the big box stores (Target and Best Buy) are giving you if you buy a tablet this season, over $100 bucks off in gift cards as well as a minimal price drop from retail MSRP. But I believe the lines can be blurred both ways into the tablets favor. As the tablets are getting smaller and cheaper and still hold its processing value, with the big push the phone carriers are doing to get off the unlimited data plans, consumers will probably start going to tablets more and more because the price of data and overages are not worth what you pay for. I mean can we just update the selfies when we are on wifi? The larger phones mixed with the smaller tablets are basically the same things. except you not going to pay several hundreds of dollars to instantly update your instagram account. The mobility of the smaller tablets give portability of to tablets to fit in your pocket similar to the large phones and also the fact you don't really loose much screen real estate.  

In my opinion, I think users are going to come off the premium phone services and get the second tier services and get tablets with the savings of their monthly data charges. And if you think I'm crazy, just wait and read the fine print on these family sharing policies you see on TV, 2016 is going to suck for a lot of people(but not for you because you are smart and you read my blogs) because all the family sharing plans promotional data expires then, and then enjoy the 200+ phone bill, I mean is Facebook and Instagram that important to update? I rather Lease a Car instead!

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Thanks for Reading

Some source articles

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-iphone-6-is-killing-the-need-to-own-an-ipad-2014-11

Styles Make Fights.... How Yosemite and iOS8 give Apple a Fighting Chance Against Google and Andriod

Thanks for reading another blog posting and welcome!!!

If you just read my previous blog recently then you know how excited I am about the announcements at #WWDC last week (sarcastic of course). Well after reading posts and articles and seeing the event multiple times to examine what was announced and trying to digest the nuts and bolts of it.... There will some nice surprises in the works coming soon to users.

Lets not look at the surface of the announcements because we can all understand that iOS can relay to OSX... but what does that mean and why do I care???

Looking beneath one step further I am seeing that Apple is developing an entirely different #ecosystem for iOS.... maybe a true ecosystem for the user. Previously we all judged and considered Apple vs Google strictly on software and hardware and stock applications and the abilities of the applications to get you deeper and more personal information and data, knowing what you want before you knew it or knowing exactly what you searching like 2 people finishing up each other (sentences)<=== thats supposed to be blank BTW...

Apple has Numbers and Pages to compete with Excel and Word and that is failing while Google integrated a Docs and Pages program for free into their Cloud Drive application which is super convenient and also FREE!! Apple has push integrated new features in iOS that WOW'd iOS users and was heavily mocked by Android users who have been using similar features in previous builds....

Well enough with the obvious... As far as Innovation and ground breaking, few of us believe Apple is capable of this anymore... well until last weekend. Watch the WWDC carefully and notice not only the new features, but this is describing a totally new ecosystem that is not seen on specifications and pixels, but in userability and convenience to do things better.

In my opinion Apple has now taken the back seat in introducing innovation and is going off the beaten path of perfection, perfection of the user experience that people have been missing and don't know about. Apple has just redefined ecosystem and what you can do with it, you Macbook knows what your iPad/iPhone is doing and can finish emails, features are crossed integrated not only in applications and also in devices. Multiple devices have multiple uses before that have not been available before. You phone is now a "hotspot" for your Mac, automatically, your Mac is now your phone, you can start an email in iOS and finish it on your Mac.

To productivity people these are the things that are going to change and affect our lives and a daily basis. These are the features that are not easily found in specs and these are the things that can make 1 person as productive as two. Now Google and Android have dominated the phone market, activations, technology, camera phones and social networking.. but now at least Apple can something to get them back into the game and can begin to be a little exciting again..

Thanks for reading!

Podcast coming soon!!!

Know how to protect your pics - learn how to back up your phone

This is a too common issue I see on  my social media feed... Dude.. Where's my phone?? and "I hope the person who has my phone will return it?" followed by a =( ..

This to some people is a simple problem with a very simple solution, but to other they have no idea!!!

I don't know if the type of people who always loose their phones even read my blog, and the one who do, this may be common knowledge... or you may learn something new.

Now if you are running iOS (iPhone), then during the setup turn on the "Find iPhone GPS Locator" during the setup of the device. What the location services will do is allow the GPS to track your phone. Most people who own an iPhone probably also own an iPad, this is a very common combination (see my previous blog about tech combinations) of Apple iPhone owners. Install the "Find my iPhone App" which is created by Apple and is located in the apple App Store and it looks like a radar screen (see pic below). What this will do is show you, very accurately, where your phone currently is, thats if it is on and give you the ability to turn on a ringer and also remote lock your phone. If the user has turned off your phone then the service/app cannot locate your lost phone making this section of the article useless. In the event that you loose your phone, you have the ability to "Remote Wipe" (Erase) your phones data and content as soon as it is online. If your not going to get your phone back, might as well lock it up and Erase it so the phone is pretty much dead weight. IOS is loaded with new upgrade features that give the owner a lot of control so in the even of a lost phone the devices is pretty much useless and also discourages thefts of these items because of the tracking.

If you are running Android, then there is a web based service created by Google to help locate all your devices and can be located

 https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager, 

and using your gmail/google account to sign in, all your Android devices will show up on a map also
 utilizing the GPS feature on your phone. this is used for remote locking your phone and also, if used
correctly, stalk your significant other. 

The other issue that I keep seeing in my news feed on Social Media, especially Facebook, is that also with 

all the phones being lost is also the pictures with it. Now the first and easiest solution to this problem is 

to upload all your pictures to Facebook and put them into albums because, hey it FREE storage right!!!

Using the correct settings that is a tutorial itself you can organize all you pictures in albums and it will be there like a vault... also it what Myspace is still used for.. anyway... the less obvious way is to use iCloud if you are an iOS user, however with 5GB storage and 1,000+ pictures, this isn't going to be a lasting solution. 

My recommendation is to download and use Google+, 

even if you don't use this Social Network it is beneficial because of the fact that it will automatically backup all your photos to your Google account and with 15GB and better privacy setting its a better way to go, and best of all it is free. Also using Google+ will keep the pictures in a higher resolution and you can also download them, may take a while, but that is an option where Facebook is not.

So in conclusion.... what did we learn today??? if on iOS enable the GPS feature, if on Andriod remember the android device manager website and also if you want to mindlessly protect your pictures from being lost use Google+ and also Google Drive to automatically save your pictures. It sucks enough that you need to get a new phone, but it sucks more when you loose all your pictures too...

Thanks for reading... and more episodes of the Podcast coming soon... 

Try and resist the temptation of the early upgrade!!

As the sale of the iPhone 5S and 5C continue to be sold at discounts and on sale, it is reported by CNET - Apple Byte - that Apple is going to contact owners of earlier versions of the iPhone to offer them an early trade-in at various Apple Stores around the U.S.

To many this is a good deal right??? I can trade in my old phone that is getting worn down and has significant wear and tear and possibly not functioning at 100%. It is not!!!

This is a tricky promotion and depending on where you are on the techy scale of must haves vs. value purchases. For the techy must haves this is a no-brainer, do not go for this offer since we all know a WWDC announcement and also an anticipate release of the next iPhone should be around the September-October time frame right around the time to be the Holiday Christmas Time Hot Item.

Some of the things that are reportedly in the new iPhone - i should say is speculated to be in the new iPhone since Apple is really good at keeping secrets, is the fact that the new iPhone is expected to come in 2 sizes to compete in the "Phablet" market as well as still satisfying its current slimmer phone market. Also things like touch ID and integration of wearables and the anticipation of Beats Audio - Not confirmed but rumors - will likely make its way into the new iPhone.

Now to the other side of the argument, if I was a value minded person to get the best bang for your buck, than this is a good offer. Recently there were promotions from Bestbuy that will sell you/ upgrade your account if you wanted to purchase the new iPhone 5S for free, less the taxes. Soon you will see Apple offer the iPhone 5S for a very discounted rate and if you don't have to have the latest and greatest tech, this is an awesome buy for you and I would encourage you to pick one up when the opportunity arises.

Instead of being a disgruntled Apple owner that complains about the new strategy of how all their products are being discounted, be a smart buyer and recognize a good deal when you see one! or avoid a really bad one.....

Some of the things to expect in the new iPhone if you are considering upgrading is the fact that the new iPhone will be iPod touch thin, which is really thin. The new iPhone will give customers the option to choose from 4.7" and 5.5" models, how ever the speculation is the fact that the screen of the new iPhone may have a Sapphire screen, but this may only be on certain models and my guess is probably the upper end models such as the 64GB. Expect the iPhone 6 to be geared more into Health Apps instead of improving screens and cameras, Apple maybe in the works with putting sensors in headphones to monitor heart rates and with the speculation of Apple buying Beats By Dre, this may be very interesting.

Thanks for Reading

 

Do not do not do not do not upgrade to OS Maverick!!!!

With the latest release of the newest operating system, Apple has decided to release the newest version MAVERICKS to all the Apple users everywhere. This update is compatible with most macs however if you own a current machine that was built are 2008, lucky you as you dont have to be subjected to the horror of this First Release.

I have learned from the upgrade to Lion that to never download and install the newest operating system the first week of release, my rule of thumb is about 6 to 8 months....Why you ask???? Simply if you need your computer to work or you depend on it to do more than just browsing social media (or if social media is your job than your in for a doozie!!) don't expect your Mac to be very cooperative or useful at all.

With the latest installation of MAVERICKS some of the most common problems are iWork (which is free for new owners of a Mac) and translating from the newer program from the paid versions that older owners have. Also with some of the Apple stock programs being revised, the translation of lost libraries from iMovie and iPhoto have irritated millions of users and this particular one to...Problems with the Mail Application and dont even get me started on the web browsing experience.. its probably the slowest and worst ever.. and here is the kick, you cant check the updates because loading the App store takes over 15 min on a computer with 6 GB RAM installed, this is very irritating. So even if there was an update I couldn't download it due to the impatience and anger that boils while watching the pinwheel.

So the solution is simple right???? why dont you just use a time machine back up??? well with the new installation of OS Mavericks the computer times out randomly leaving unfinished download and restore sessions incomplete so you get in this reoccuring frustrated cycle...

Other than that making my computer completely useless and have restrained myself from Fire selling my machine for a Starbucks Latte... I'm just going to wait it out...

I have no other choice than to wait, and OS Mavericks is giving me a lot of practice at waiting (and watching)

Thanks for reading!!!

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Galaxy Gear got a little less very average...

Recently I wrote a blog post regarding Galaxy Gear, not to correct myself or say i told me so, there is new development in the accessory gear which essentially had the world anticipating the next wearable tech revolution. The smartwatch is for the people who have grown tired of pulling out their phone 50+ times a day to check status, email,or just plain bored. Now if your bored you at least now have less thing to check thru before you start surfing dub step cat videos.

Samsung has reported that not only does the Galaxy Note 3 have compatibility with the Galaxy Gear but also the Note 2, S4 and S3 will get the updates very very soon. This is a smart move since those 3 phones are the 3 most previously popular smartphones and are still very relevant in the pre-paid market and for people who are jumping from the sinking Apple ship.. and i said ship not S***...

Some things i think are good about the watch is...its somewhat stylish, somewhat leather (not real), screen to view pictures and call people and receive call from. Also this computer is not strapped to your face,so people will feel a little better about using it. The Facebook, email, and Twitter notifications are helpful and also the calendar which I like the best.

What I don't like about the watch is camera they put into the device, very low resolution and the only use is to make you feel like a spy from the movies, Poor Batter LIFE (your dreaming if you can make it an entire day without a charge), the charging cradle, and soon you will be an Optimus Prime of cables since you now have to charge a laptop, cell phone, computer, tablet, smartwatch and glass, thats kinda too much.

My whole opinion is this, while the watch is very new and its one of the better looking screens on the market and by far more beautiful than pebble my real beef and the reason I wont buy one  and keep it is the fact that most of the functionality works and is integrated with the Samsung apps in the Touchwiz OS. Those apps are good however I, and millions of people, prefer the google apps which a limited in compatibility and functionality. You would assume so because the rumored Google Smartwatch to be announced soon. And that can be the game changer we have been waiting for!

PS... I left this tidbit out.... never never never buy the first generation of anything.. unless its revolutionary and its google glass....

Thanks for reading!!!

Episode 1 of the Foodcourt Podcast to b released this week via sound cloud.... EXCITED!

If you enjoyed this article please take time to vote for infosystem solutions to be considered for a Mainstreet Grant to integrate technology with the school systems...doesnt take long and i would greatly appreciate it!!

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Is Android your Mistress???? Is Android for you?

Please take time and vote(see the bottom of the page) only take a sec!https://www.missionmainstreetgrants.com/business/detail/3046

I know the title is kinda strange and funny, but this is very true with consumers today. We have all bought into the iOS system and own some parts of iVoltron that work together, an iPad, iPod, iphone, or a Mac-something. We enjoy the fact that everything works together and syncs across the devices and that everything is updated and current, as well as having a stylish phone.

Just like any relationship with anything... do you ever feel you want more from your device?

If the answer is no.... thats fine... however if your answer is something else.... well....

Deep down we all have some type of loyalty, (even i do even though it may not seem) to a brand, team or band of some sort, and somehow with these loyalties, we identify ourselves with them and they mold our identity. This is true about NFL fans and people who like a county music, and the people who don't. Who and what you like speaks volumes about who you are and the phone you have also helps mold your identity. I went to Apple and Mac when Apple was marketing that creative people use macs, people who think out of the box use mac, so in a sense i identified with that (like millions of people) and started using mac. Now lets get into the nitty gritty....

With the new updates to the iOS7 operating system and OSX Mavericks being released for free at the Mac App Store, Apple improved its system as well as introduced a new design to its users. However this is the same thing that Apple has always done, refine, refine, refine, refine.. and introduce little. In my opinion, Apple has a line of products that they are not trying to screw up, being conservative and keeping it the same as much as possible it what it wants to do, disappointing users to the competitor is not what it wants to do, but what it is happening.

Do you want a bigger screen?
Do you want a different OS?
Do you want to customize your experience?
Do you hate Siri?
Do you like Google now?
DO you often search with google?
Do you want your phone to do more?

If your answer to these questions are yes.... then i would recommend going Android.

#charlieseanez #charlie #seanez #foodcourt #charliestechlist

If you enjoyed this article please take time to vote for infosystem solutions to be considered for a Mainstreet Grant to integrate technology with the school systems...doesnt take long and i would greatly appreciate it!!

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Apple in being Innovative.... in marketing and advertising

I apologize for yesterdays error as the blog post on this topic was publish but for some reason did't post, and there was many many errors in posting this...

Apple has always affiliated themselves with modern design, simplicity and innovation. All the Apple products are beautiful, designed to perform ahead of their time and last. Having Apple products means that the technology was far better than Android and the only reason you will upgrade your phone is because you need the newest features... So now lets talk about the present, I know I am very critical with my reviews of the iPhone 5C and the iPhone 5S, I would expect the releases and announcement of Samsung a couple months prior would give Apple a strategic comeback. However, expecting new and Innovative products or at least the introduction of new products, they're sticking to their existing products. The constant refreshing and refining of the iPad and the Mac line, Apple has made innovations with battery life, computing, processing, and size of the products and improvements to existing features.

It seems to be that Apple is all about refining the existing line as to create or participate in the new products such as the smart watch. I have yet to see an original product or anything close to innovation except the fact that they are now offering software updates for free, this make sense since the fact that they roll out iOS for free and they themselves state that people don't use desktops and laptops anymore.

So is Apple simply throwing us a bone???? Yes OSX Maverick is free, but the bulk of what we do revolves around a cell phone. With Apple only refining and giving away the iLife software and iWork software also to new customers who buy the new line of products. Is this the way Apple is staying competitive with Google??? Free software??? Apple i think your scraping the bottom of the barrel.

I didnt see the value of the iPhone 5C.. until i walked passed the Apple Store. Since the phones are now colorful, so are the displays. In the past Apple has been built on Modern Colors of black and white with grey unibodys for computers. With the new line of phones, Apple not only sells a less impressive phone for cheaper, but also a plastic phone for the price of the previous flagship product made of metal and "Beautiful and Remarkable" as they described it in the Keynote Speech.

So watch the advertisements, and look around, Apple now has products that catch your eye for a different reason than being the most desirable product, the introduction of Space Grey and Champagne is Apples new marketing strategy to get more customers and existing customers to reinvest. Instead of eye tracking Cameras, Air Motion, Wearable Tech and an assistant to actually use (Siri), Apple gives you Champagne, Red, Blue, Green, Yellow and Space Grey...

Thanks a lot!!!

#Geekosystem
#Geekosphere
#Charliestechlist

If you enjoyed this Blog, please take time and vote for a grant to help me place and innovate the school system by introducing 21st technology of learning to the 21st century classrooms..

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iOS7 - What a Drain.... on the battery!

With the new release of the iOS 7 operating system, Apple installed more Android-like features into the new iOS operating system. Apples new iOS has a lot of features that are based off of where your current location is. This is a great tool when exploring the world around you, but when you are out and about and go to the same Starbucks for the last 5 years, sometimes it just gets in the way.  As consumers habits the way it has become, we expect our phones to take a full work day like we do... and sometimes more.

Some wireless customers experienced a data jump on their billing cycle is this is most likely due to the upgrade of iOS7 into their new phones with all the settings turned on. Now going into settings and disabling these location settings is one way of getting a longer battery life. This feature would recommend apps whichever location you may be, this is constantly running the data on your phone to use the GPS and push you these recommendations, although a nice feature.. I would rather have longer battery life.

The new iOS has introduced automatic app updates, now this setting will automatically update all of your apps so you don't have to manually update all 1,000 apps that you hardly use on the phone. This is a good feature, however with using data and running an app update will not only eat your phones battery but it will effect the performance of the phone. Turning this off in the settings menu will solve this.

Multiapps running at the same time is now improved and enhanced for the new iOS. All the apps will run all the time in lieu of just freezing. With all the apps running in the background to give true multitasking, we dont need every facebook status update and tweet in real time.. so i recommend to close your apps, or just get off facebook altogether and jump to Google+.. =-p...

Being aware of these function will allow your phone to keep up with you because doing this is better than investing in mophie juicepacks to charge your phone on the go or constantly charging the phone which will kill the battery in under you phone-contract life. Hope these tips helped you out and thanks for reading!!!!!

Here is a video that will walk you through the steps....

http://cnettv.cnet.com/1606-19029_53-50156896.html

Breaking Bad - How to break out of the Apple Ecosystem

With the new version of iOS released and enough time has passed for people to give it a true assessment, the questions is this, Do I get the new iPhone or do i go to Android?

This is a simple questions that has does not have a simple answer, in fact this answer involves more than a simple "yes" or "no", it involves breaking out of what is comfortable and going into a new direction. In todays society our phones are more than a communication devices, it shows a lot about who you are and reflects your personality. When Apple was on top of the world, they were ahead, unique and innovative; these are the traits that we wanted to be associated with and that why, in my opinion, everyone wanted and owned an iPhone.

 However that was yesterday and this is today, your contract is up for renewal and you ask your self a simple question "iPhone or Android?" this is a massive debate and there is no lear winner because everyone uses the phone different. So this simply isn't a math problem, this is more an philisophical question, "do you want more?" If the answer is no, then there really isn't a debate and this is the end of the article. But if the answer is yes.... Well then let go ahead and open Pandoras Box!

 First Step: Come to the realization that everything doesn't have to match and be uniform. Go from a Monopoly (All Apple Devices) to "what have you done for me lately?" Understand the the majority of the applications and how you use the phone is available through the Play Store as well as the app store. 

Second Step: Be the Smart Consumer! With a lot of the phones available for selection, everyone is a little different and one size doesn't necessary fit all. With the rise in popularity with Android, this is more of a question of how comfortable you are with the size and features now that one company doesn't control your device. If you want size - Galaxy Note, if you want an all-around good phone - Galaxy S4, if you want to be on the cutting edge and be different - Moto X, if you are price conscious and want the big screen - LG Optimus, if you want nice and cheap - Galaxy S3. All of these phones run Android OS but have different features to make them unique and fit you.

 Third Step: Do not treat your Android like an iPhone! The reason you are even considering a switch and you are reading this is the fact that you want more, you want a customizable phone and you want something different. As log as you go into this with an open mind and you use an Android to be an Android and not an iPhone with a bigger screen, you will unlock a lot more. If you use it like an iPhone, then i recommend the Galaxy s4.

 Being a smart consumer i feel is better for the economy, with Android having more activations than Apple in the recent quarter tells me that if Apple wants it share of the US Market back, then it has to push it self and be more innovative than what is right now. America loves cheesy romance movies like the Notebook and whatnot, we want to stay with the company we started with but just like in Hollywood and life, once you let someone in the middle it is hard getting them back!!!!! Well Apple.. it looks like you have your work cut out for you and you have a couple years to make us reconsider! Thanks for reading!

Congrats Apple!!!! You are now the maker of the FREE Phone!!!

This is truly a BIG EVENT!!!! Not that this is news, however this is more of a realization than news. Maybe I have the perception of Apple wrong the whole time. I mean...I'm am not an employee, I dont know a lick of marketing, I am just an enthusiast when it comes to technology.

I was visiting my parents last week for breakfast, before going my uncle told me to input my information in his cellphone for some marketing projects. the first thing that he said was "I only have the cheap free phone". I am not saying that whoever owns that phone, that this is a reflection of them. However I think this is a reflection of the company that makes it.

I happily typed in my information into an iPhone 4 and passed it along. I think that is one GREAT phone, just in general, and now everyone can experience this, even the people in the free market! My first thought is... This is awesome! My second thought was.... when did Apple ever give out its hardware for free? or this cheap? I know people are going to say "Its not free, you still pay taxes!!" and "you still need a data plan and that costs money!" Those people are missing the point. Its not about the phone being free, its about the company who is providing the free phone.

There are three types of people: the people who was with Apple before the rise, the people who hopped on the wagon, and the people who are late to the party and are now on board. Apple, you have always been innovative and your followers always paid top dollar for an apple products, the perfect example is the iPod, because I can go all day on the Macbook Pros and the iMacs. if people wanted an mp3 player they could shell out 30 bucks and get a sony "whatever" at Best Buy, but people wanted an ipod and paid 10 times that amount to own it. People have always viewed Apple as not only a great product, but even a better value and we are willing to shell out cash to have it!
In my view, owning or being apart of the Mac world stated something about you, and their marketing team reinforced that earlier when developing the line of mac product. If you have a Mac then you were different and special than the "Windows" people, you stod out and their products stood out. And now it is sorry to say Apple... Now you are fallen into the same category of "free phone", and what is so special about that????