Towson University’s Outreach Blog

Dawn

I was driving in the car with my husband in the passenger seat about a month ago and my cell phone rang.  Not wanting to break the law because I didn’t have my Bluetooth in, I gave it to him to answer.  This was probably the most expensive call my cell phone has ever received.  You see, when he went to answer the call he realized my out-dated, simple, hinged cell phone was barely hanging on (see Two Things I Couldn’t Live Without).   He hung up from the call and immediately announced we were going to the Verizon store to buy me a new phone.  Since he knew I would look for any excuse not to spend the money, he drove us to the store that very day and purchased the iPhone 4, a phone I had wanted since getting my first Apple product, an iPod, this past Christmas.

Now you may be wondering why this close to the release of the iPhone 5 I didn’t just wait the few more months for Apple’s latest version. I mean I have been living with a nearly falling a part phone for about a year and half; it’s not like waiting the extra time would have actually been hard.  I had been doing some research about the differences and decided for someone like me the iPhone 5 was not a necessity.  Hey any phone would be a major upgrade from the one I had!

4 vs 5
According to Computer World, here are some of the features the new iPhone 5 will offer:

• Near Field Communications – devise can be used like a mobile payment card
• Support of video chat
• Dual radio chips and dual processor

None of this mattered to me. I know many people out there like to have the latest and greatest (i.e., my husband) and if that is your modus operandi then waiting for the iPhone 5 is probably better for you.  Computer World seconds my opinion.  Choosing an iPhone 4 or 5 really comes down to personal preference, whether you need or want the 5 and if you have the patience to wait for it.  There is also the potential for issues with the new release.  Your cell provider can also be a consideration factor; with Verizon currently receiving better reviews than AT&T.

A month after getting it, I know the iPhone4  was my best option and now that I have it I can honestly say I can’t believe I waited so long.  Yes I did download Angry Birds and am now engaged in several “Words with Friends” games (thanks to my sister) and being able to look up the directions to Ford’s Theater a few weeks ago, because I forgot to grab the Garmin was priceless.  Not too long after buying the phone, I got sick.  As I layed in bed (moaning in agony – okay watching a movie), I was able to keep up with email (both personal and professional).  One thing I hate is coming back into the office and having a pile of email, thanks to my iPhone I didn’t have to dread that.  I know there are many other smartphones out there that can do this, but I was just happy that the iPhone 4 was simple enough for me to set it up all by myself (we’ve talked about my technical abilities in earlier blogs).  I’m sure this fascination will wear off, but right now I am enjoying it (even if it isn’t the latest and greatest).   Oh yea and now my husband wants one too, but he’s waiting for the iPhone 5!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 31st, 2011 at 8:17 am and is filed under TU Faculty & Staff. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.