Apple-Self or Community?

Technology has been a major conributor to the transition of focus from community to the self, and Apple is an excellent example of this. With every new product that they have come out with, from the mac, to the ipod and iphone, to the ipad, Apple has revolutionized the concept of being self-sufficient and independent.

The mac was a personal computer that was user friendly and allowed the user to think creatively. The ipod could hold 1000 songs in your pocket, an idea that allowed people to put in their headphones and not worry about what was going on around them. Ads for the ipod typically displayed a person rocking out to music from their headphones with their eyes closed. The iphone put together a phone, ipod, and internet all in one. Another way for a person to be self-sufficient on whatever they needed. Anything they needed to know was on the internet or a phone call away. The ipad is the ultimate depiction of the self because it is so personalized. There is a big difference between an ipad that is not personalized, such as the ones used by public libraries, and a person having their own. The individual can put on whatever apps, music, pictures etc on the ipad, and find entertainment for hours. The ipad provides a domain to make yourself feel good through entertainment and fun.




While Apple's products have been very influential in the self, you can also see a sense of community when discussing this brand. There is a such thing as the Apple cult, where people who are so obsessed with the awesomeness that is Apple that they stick together, forming a sort of community. ?

But how has Apple been changing as the world/economy changes? Have they been sticking out, or conforming?

I think the answer is both. Steve Jobs has a very good thought process for determining when it is time to do something different, and when it is time to accept the fact that they have to be similar, but I dont think he chooses the latter very often. I think many people would agree with saying that Apple has been a major contributor to changing the world, in regards to technology. It would be interesting to discuss where technology would be today if it wasnt for Apple and Steve Jobs.

The only time I have come across Jobs believing that it is time to go with the times is in regards to the logo. The first logo that was well known was the colorful apple with a bite missing. When Jobs returned to Apple in the late 1990s when the company was failing, he knew he had a lot of work to do. When creating the "new" Apple, Jobs focused on making things simple, look great, and easy to use. But he immediately realized that their colorful apple logo would be an eyesore on the new sleek looking machines. So he went with how the world was changing. The "modern" look was in, and he went accepted that that was the direction Apple had to go with its logo. So his design team came up with the modern looking Apple logo that is seen on most Apple products. To see a more detailed history of the Apple logo, click here!