Yeah, I'll post my thoughts too. They won't be as nice as holymadness's, but yeah...
I need to get my brain working as I gotta go type up some iPad case reviews I promised a client after this.
People seem to be really overwhelmed with tech news right now (or at least I am!). You have people that are angry over the Motorola X being mid-ranged, you have the guys who are upset over Nokia being bought out by Microsoft and never getting to see an Android in a Lumia shell, and then you have the guys being so judgmental over a gold iPhone and how it cheapens the brand.
And they also seem to forget that Apple is a computer company. They don't focus on just computers anymore, but they still primarily profit from both the software and hardware that they've been known for since the 80's. The day they stop being good at both of those things, is the day they go bankrupt.
They don't have 50 models of toasters, refrigerators, washing machines, and dish washers like Samsung and LG do. They both could completely exit the mobile industry without much of a hit. Which is why they can price their phones at different price points to satisfy customer demand.
Apple can't do that. They do that, and then there goes the Genius Bar, there goes iTunes U, and then the iTunes Festival. And if you don't think they are budgeting their money, then where the heck did iDisk go considering it had been around since 2000.
And I'll say it again, even though people won't like it... Having a smartphone is a privilege. They have always come with the extra price tag, and they are meant for people who want to do more than just talk and text. When the first ones came out, and then eventually the first iPhone, they were good for jotting down notes, keeping a calendar, using Google, and recording memos. They were never meant for the general public to scrap up and use Facebook 24/7 and play Candy Crush Saga.
The general public cheapened the smartphone. When feature phones started coming out with instant messaging and Facebook, the public just turned a blind eye and said they didn't want it anymore. Now people are so upset because the monthly rates for their bills are either still the same or going higher. I have a neighbor who gave all thee of her kids (10-13 years olds) iPhones and she complains about not being able to pay for their AT&T bill every month.
And now people are complaining about the 5C being too expensive... Look, you either pay the price for having a nice smartphone, or you don't get one at all. They're not cheating you out on anything. It's a iPhone 5 in a new shell, with a few newer specs, and you can get it on a $99 contract. If you don't want it, then you have the choice of not buying it to begin with.
The new 5S is nice though. I have shaky hands, so I'll benefit from the multiple shots. Right now I have all my passwords in my notes app, so not having to copy and paste them everytime I need my Apple ID password among others, are going to be beneficial with the Touch ID. I never did have a problem with my Dell Latitude XT when it had one. The only issue was that there was not enough light coming from the screen to the sensor, so it wasn't usable in the dark.
The extra processing power is going to be beneficial in iMovie. One reason I don't use it enough IS because when it came out for the iPhone 4, it took ages for it to render a 10 minute video out. The little things here and there that this makes better are going to be great.
I'm getting the 64GB in gold on contract in October and buying some of the covers. I cannot wait. Maybe get some AppleCare+ this time around too.
Will keep my 520 as a backup for Xbox Live stuff, and just because it's the only Nokia phone I've ever had and will be one of their last branded devices most likely.