TECH
iPhone 5s
is a phone, and I for
one hope it stays a
phone size!
So, I managed to get my sweaty
little apple-fan fingers on an
iPhone 5S for a test drive.
By Chris Jones
It’s about blinkin’ time too!
Like a lot of people, my time is
nearly here for an upgrade of
my handset, the new ones are
out and I couldn't wait. My
trusty 4S is on its last legs,
scratched and battle scarred
from a life of Facebook,
Twitter and blog updates. It
needs and deserves a rest.
However, and this is a first for
me, I was a little let down. I
skipped the 5, thinking that as I
was tied to a contract, I’d wait
and see what was available when
my contract finally ended.
I think, having read reviews,
headlines, seen the ads, lapped
up the keynote speeches, I was
expecting something radical but
didn't get what I wanted.
In terms of design, it isn't a major
departure of what’s gone before which isn't a bad thing, but it
seems that the minor changes in
design are changes for changes
sake? The split into 5S and 5C
doesn't make much sense for me.
The garish colours of the 5C don't
appeal, and the 5S seems a
smidge ’80’s. I have to admit to
being a little unsure of the size, it
feels like it’s going down the
route of others in trying to
increase screen size at the sake of
portability? It isn't an iPad, mini
or otherwise, so please Apple,
don't make the 6 any bigger. This
68
The 5S I got to try
out was the white
screen one, perfect
for my stilettos on
a Saturday night. It’s
nice enough but, and here’s my
big issue, the major update from
Apple was the iOS, with its
overhaul, new fresh looks, new
icons, new features - and all these
are available on my old handset.
THE POSITIVE
THE NEGATIVE
It’s Sleek
It’s Shiny
It’s Apple
Noting New
New charging
pin
Too big for
phone case
I have these, I can play with them
- and don't need to fork out for a
handset that offers nothing else.
I really don't care about
fingerprint technology - I’ve seen
the Man From Uncle (as your
dad) and don't really care that
much! If my phone is stolen or
lost, I can track, wipe and lock it
from my iPad or MacBook.
If I’m honest, there simply isn't
anything radical enough here to
make me want to upgrade at a
cost. Give me a free handset and
I’ll upgrade tomorrow - who
wouldn't.
I wonder when we’ll get to the
point where there isn't anything
new they can do with phones?
We hear stories about intelligent
glass phones, simple screens
without cases as the tech is inside
the screen. We have Google
glasses, so why not glasses that
act as a phone as well? We have
watches that link to phones, so
why not a simple watch that does
it alone? Who knows where we’ll
end up - maybe by then I’ll be a
true grumpy old man and have
given up trying to keep up and
want a phone that does
something radical, like make
phone calls?
Maybe I’m just too used to Apple
breaking rules, creating ground
breaking designs, products that
change your life - and lately they
haven’t done this.
Now, they may be consolidating
their business, building on what’s
gone before and ensuring that Mr
Jobs legacy continues with a
strong business base, solid
products, and worldwide appeal.
However, this former garage
start-up seems to be more about
big business and tying you into
its products than innovation and
interest. They make more and
more upgrades, and make more
and more of their older items
obsolete in the process and this
worries me. £500 for a handset
that may be out of date in a year
or two - not just in terms of style,
but in terms of support for the
iOS, makes you think ∎
Our Rating: ★★★
Price: Available on Vodaphone
Red 4G Ready for £47 Per month
Specifications:
iPhone 5S
Colours: gold, silver and space
grey
Size: 16, 32 or 64 GB