iPhone 4S - from the Apple generation

The release of the iPhone 4S and the death of Steve Jobs has brought an untimely and nostalgic end to 2011 for Apple.

 

It has been a week since the iPhone 4S was announced and I know that I am not the only one who was incredibly disappointed that this was not the iPhone 5 Apple’s generation had set their sights on. The main reason for me being that I have never had an iPhone before. Nor do I own a smartphone or any other high-tech handset, I have been happily stuck with my brick-like Nokia for far too long to remember. And so, when my contract ran out in June I decidedly I would rather wait a month for the arrival of the iPhone 5, than remain a model (or make) behind like usual. I was going to be ahead of the crowd, aka my friends.

Except July came, the usual Summer month when Apple decides to reveal its brand new iPhone and there was still no news. The hushed rumours continued until September, when I was so close to walking into the nearest o2 store and opting for the iPhone 4, but somehow my increasingly lacking patience held strong. 

Fast-forward to the 4^th October 2011 and I’m beginning to wish I hadn’t bothered. In fact, I one hundred percent wish I hadn’t been such an iGeek and upgraded as soon as I could have done. The thing is keeping up with the latest technology for my generation is like keeping up with Alexander McQueen’s latest Spring/Summer 2012 collection. Well maybe that’s just my Sex and the City friendship group, but still, you get my drift.

There are no remarkable differences to the latest edition to iPhone in comparison to its predecessor. The only reason that warrants its additional ‘S’ is the controversial Twitter ideology, 4S = 4Steve. Even the ‘new 8MP camera’ doesn’t sell it to me. Or my old flatmate who is just as distraught (and obsessive) as me about the inadequate iPhone 4S. If not more so, as she’s been holding out since April and doesn’t look like giving in yet, “I’m gonna wait still,” clearly adamant the 4S is not good enough for her.

Somewhat surprisingly it appears she could be the only one. According to internet sales, over a million handsets were sold in the first day and therefore proving the Apple effect that still has such a strong hold over other rival smartphones. After the initial element of dissatisfaction that filled many households last Tuesday, the iPhone 4S is selling faster than any other Apple product before. Probing the question why a phone that was met with such unsatisfactory comments is still so popular? 

Has Steve Jobs’ death got something to do with the public’s continued interest in Apple’s newest edition to the iPhone family. Probably, The Huffington Post reported, “marketing experts say products designed by widely admired figures like Jobs usually see an upsurge in sales after their death.” 

So the iPhone 4S really is 4Steve. And whilst I’ll definitely be buying my iPhone with the great Steve Jobs in mind and the creative genius he brought to technology, I just won’t specify what model it is just yet. 

image via google

out of the ordinary festival 2011

Classing myself as a bit of a ‘fake hippy’, it is somewhat surprising that I haven’t made it to the Out of the Ordinary Festival before – especially as it is literally a five minute drive from my house. Fortunately, 2011 was my year. Though after pulling into Knockhatch’s incredibly long drive, it appeared that every other person with a faintly bohemian calling had also decided to venture to the three-day festival, held in between Eastbourne and Brighton for the last five years.

Healing tree.

Saturday was the epitome of a glorious summer’s day, proving that the rain dances must have paid off and appear to be lasting well into the following week – with temperatures of 27 degrees undoubtedly making up for our long lost Summer. Karma man.

Centre of the peace circle.

Walking through the entrance was like walking into a bizarre scene from Alice in Wonderland. After being given the nod by a couple of comparatively out-of-place and over-dressed bouncers, you were met with a vibrant haze of laughter, flowers and wind chimes. Combinations of colourful umbrellas were hanging from the trees, and giant, purple letters spelled out the word LOVE – each decorated by an equally fluorescent individual standing on top of them, further blurring the boundaries between nature and manmade.

Extraordinary LOVE.

Each stall is manned by a friendly face and there is an overwhelming sense of ‘oneness’ that you cannot shrug off once you enter this mini-Glasto. Reggae music fills the air and the opportunity to take part in a yoga class or even a self-healing tent suddenly doesn’t seem so, out of the ordinary. Neither does suddenly deciding to pack it all in and join this circus. Since what could be more tempting than a world connected by music, nature and love, where the people seem so laid back they might fall over – and regularly do. Remembering to ‘don’t worry, be happy’ as they pick themselves up.

Buddhafield Cafe complete with cider and herbal tea.

Now, I understand this might not be everyone’s cup of herbal tea, but the OOTO Festival not only gives the residents of East Sussex a chance to host a fantastic family event but also the opportunity to share the countryside with those who respect it the most. There is nothing like a field covered with blankets, flags and peace stones. Stalls selling everything from flower-pot hats to shisha pipes, traditional afghan pants and not forgetting the homemade cider.

A hippy congregation on peace street.

As the light falls, it is not just the cider that takes priority but also the music. The children have been put to bed and the accordions are cast to one side, in order to allow the music tents to fill with fancily-dressed people. As the sound of guitars escape into the atmosphere, they are met by a combination of fairy lights, candles and dream catchers. It really does emulate a fairytale – with the greatest stars of the night being Dark Designs, producing a captivating performance that further demonstrates the spirit of this far from ordinary festival.

Onelovex