by Shaan Verma ’13

On September 12, the iPhone 5 was unveiled by the high and mighty tech giant Apple. This new device is said to be on the cutting edge of modern technology; however, it is obvious that the world’s most valuable company is only making a play for more profits. The iPhone 5 essentially has nothing to offer the world since its technology has already been around for the past five years. The iPhone 4S’ features are much the same as the newly released version other than a larger screen, a slightly faster processor, and a “new, sleek and slimmer design.”

Still, Apple will continue to use the same technology in different ways to try to make a profit out of it.

The company is riding on the hype that the late Steve Jobs created for it. Apple products are all the rage even as the company is running out of innovations and looking to recycle old technology to pass off as new. Not to mention that Apple is also suing companies left and right for “stealing” technology that it stole from inventors in the 1980s, such as Strong ARM’s WebPAD. Companies 30 years ago invented the touch screen as well as applications for mobile devices. Ironically, Apple’s repackaging of its own products comes at the same time that it is suing Samsung in an attempt to stifle the competition.

Apple’s current devices are satisfying customers, but hype only lasts for so long. The company believes that it can slap its name and logo on any product it chooses, new or recycled, and have people purchase them like there is no tomorrow. This is what has happened ever since Apple launched its first iPhone and has continued through the present model. However, the technology will begin to lose its innovative value if Apple continues to rush “new” products into the market. Consumers eventually will become bored and realize that Apple is not offering anything new.