The Depository of Geek: Ipad Madness!!!!

An Ipad hat.  The perfect accessory for Spring!

So as many of you are aware, the latest Ipad went on sale today across the country and across the world yesterday (depending on the country of course).  People lined up for blocks, overnight, to get their hands on the latest Ipad from Apple.  Most, if not all, emerged victorious, Ipad in hand. 

Every time Apple unleashes their latest creation, be it a new iteration of the Ipad or Iphone, I always find myself perplexed at the way people rush out to get it right away.  How they wait all night in line to have the right to get [insert Apple product here] first.  Although, in truth they are not really getting it first.  Especially here in the United States, because many overseas countries have theirs already.  But that doesn't stop people from emerging from the store with their arms in the air as if they won a championship or achieved some great accomplishment.  It is hilarious. 

Here is the thing:  What is the point really?  For example, I went into my local Best Buy store this afternoon to pick up Game of Thrones on DVD.  On a lark, I decided to go over by the Apple display and see if they a) had a crowd around the new Ipads on display and b) see if they had any Ipads left.  Well to my surprise, there was one older gentleman and a mother and her daughter looking a the Ipads, that's it.  I asked one of the salesman nearby if they had any of the new Ipads left.  His answer was yes, they had plenty. 

So all these people wait in line at Apple stores all around the world and across the country to get the Ipad first.  I walk into a Best Buy a mere 12 hours after the new Ipad went on sale and can get one no problem.  Again I ask: what is the point in waiting in line to get the Ipad "first"?


 

The next question is:  why make the upgrade if you have an Ipad 2?  Granted the Retina display is a pretty major upgrade from the previous screens on the Ipad 2 in terms of image resolution, sharpness and clarity.  And the dual core processor SHOULD make the new Ipad perform faster, especially with multiple tasks running at once.  But besides those two items, this new Ipad is virtually the same as the Ipad 2.

 Now I know that some of the people who lined up to get a new Ipad today are first time owners or have the 1st Ipad and wanted to finally upgrade.  But you can't say that there weren't people in line who had a relatively new Ipad 2 at home.  It is just funny to me how quickly some people become bored with something and have to have the latest, the NEW!  I understand that it is a status thing and is more about bragging rights than it is about the object itself.  But still, why spend $500 for something when you have virtually the same thing already at home?

Yes, I understand that these same Ipad 2 owners who are buying the new Ipad will most likely sell their Ipad 2's on Ebay or privately and make some money back.  But again it is the idea of just having to have the latest thing from Apple that is kinda odd to me.  It is an obsession, plain and simple, and one I will never understand. 

Truth be told, I am a tech-head.  I am always reading up on the latest in the technological fields, especially when it comes to televisions, computers, and cell phones.  I was through the roof as far as excitement goes when the Iphone was first announced.  But even I didn't have the desire to run out and buy the Iphone when it was released.  Nor have had any desire to rush out to get any of the iterations of the Ipad when they too have come out, one after the other. 

The thing is, Apple is slowly becoming the next evil empire.  Gasp!  Blasphemy!  All of these faithful followers of Apple have no idea that the company's former CEO, Steve Jobs, did not believe in philanthropy.  He did not give any of his own personal fortune or that of his company to worthy causes.  Consider that last year Apple had more money, in terms of profits and resources, as the United States Government.  Again, Apple had more money than our government.  Yet they did not, to my knowledge, invest any of those profits into worthy causes and avenues. 

One area which they could start is this country's crumbling broadband network.  Apple wants to have us all stream movies to our brilliant Retina display Ipads and Iphones at the highest resolution possible.  But the current infrastructure cannot support this sort of thing.  Apple should take some of their massive resources and money and offer to help upgrade our infrastructure so we can support their vision.  As a liberal, I am by and large against any private corporation paying for things that are public.  But this is an exception to me as Apple is the one who wants to make ultra high resolution video streaming effective and convenient.  I say why not have them invest alittle in getting this country to the point when it can do so.

So all you Ipad nuts since it is your money and incessant need to just hand it over to Apple, you should demand they give some of it back.  I will never understand the fervor over the latest Apple this or that, but I will feel better about if I know that Apple is using their vast resources for causes that make real positive change, both here and abroad. 

If Apple can change their outlook and philosophy, then I am more than willing to declare- Long live the Ipad!