Out with the old (and hello iPhone 5S)

It finally happened. This week, my iPhone 5S was delivered...and the rest is history. I must confess, I was not eagerly anticipating this arrival in the same way that I await something like a Sephora delivery. I naively believed that I wouldn't even enjoy having an iPhone. "But I like having a full keyboard," I had said when my mother first propositioned a complete family-transfer to iPhone 5Ss. Which I must say, is still the main downside to my iPhone. It is true, after only ever having a Blackberry phone with a full QWERTY keyboard (I got a cellphone later than most and so went straight to the first Blackberry curve in red), I had become fully accustomed to such a luxury. However, I must say that I so so underestimated how much I would love this device. 

Some initial highlights include (but are not limited to):

• Aesthetics: The iPhone 5S, especially the gold and white model I waited so patiently for, is undoubtedly sexy. Its the Porsche of smartphones! (correction: RIM's new Blackberry Porsche  is probably the Porsche of smartphones, so the iPhone can be the Ferrari of smartphones).
• FaceTime: Yes, I know that virtual communication is not a true replacement for face-to-face contact, since the majority of communication is non-verbal (thanks, organizational behavior class). However, there are many important people in my life, such as my immediate family, who I do not have the opportunity of living in the same city with. Being able to have actual video conferences easily on a cellular device is so futuristic and cool like I don't understand how people aren't more amazed by this feature. The Jetsons lifestyle is slowly becoming our reality! (Obvious stipend: you can only FaceTime with other iPhone users, but fortunately my whole family has made the switch together).
• The music: Sometimes we forget that it was the iPod that started it all again for Apple, not phones or computers. After not having a functioning iPod for a while, I didn't realize how much I would appreciate having all my music on the go. Suddenly, I'm reverting back to my eighth-grade self, trying to collect all my music into iTunes, but oh how I miss the days of LimeWire. Also, is it just me or does shuffle finally play songs that I'm actually in the mood for? Like, it somehow got a much better intuition or something (though I could be imagining this, obviously).
• Network Effects: One of the first concepts I learnt in my business degree was that of Network Effects. In short, network effects describes the phenomenon wherein a good/service becomes increasingly valuable with each additional user that adopts it. In other words, the fact that most of my peers, friends and family have transitioned to iPhones makes mine even better because of all of the added applications available solely to iPhone users (FaceTime, Snap Chat, Instagram, etc.).
• The App Store: those network effects have a secondary function in that they encourage software developers to make applications compatible with the iOS platform. The amount of Apps (and especially free apps, which are the only ones I have tried thus far) in the App Store is astounding, and growing every day. I never realized how fun/useful/creative a lot of these apps could be, and just how varied their functions are. As such, I plan on doing a "my favourite apps" post in the future, once I've explored them a bit further.
• The microphone - text transposing feature: Instead of typing text, you can press a little icon that allows you to speak your text into the microphone, and then converts your speech into text on your phone. Obviously, this is not one hundred percent accurate, but I have found it shockingly more effective than I had anticipated.
• The thumbprint security feature: Again, not perfect, and definitely not necessary, but just so cool.
• Accessories: Given the network effects phenomenon, phone accessory makers are also increasingly motivated to make products compatible with the iPhones. Phone cases and accessories have become legit fashion statements, with several fashion designers now including iPhone cases in their collections (a girl can dream). However, Debs has insisted that the whole family wait until the new Otterbox Waterproof Preserver series become available (I'm on the email notification list, don't worry). This is understandable given that a couple of us have lost some phones to water damage, and I honestly don't care how bulky it may look, as long as it actually works. Until it becomes available, I opted for a clear screen protector and a vintage cassette style silicone case to prevent any scratching or damages (see gallery above).
• The new headphones: these are awesome, and a drastic improvement on the classic iPod headphones I have used in the past. The little silver speaker silver netting does not touch your ear, and the headphones are shaped to actually stay in your ears. The best part? There's a small attachment that controls your volume AND acts as a microphone so you can talk on the phone using your headphones, while the phone is in your pocket/purse.
• The camera: I remember the days when I five megapixel (MP) digital camera was difficult to fathom, yet here I am with 8MP, panoramic capabilities, autofocus, and many other fancy features better outlined here. I have never been one for taking lots of pictures, and every time I look back at old family photo albums, I wish that weren't the case. With the iPhone 5S, I have already found myself remembering to capture specific moments whose memories I want to preserve.
• Siri: Okay, so she's not perfect either. But we must admit, Siri is pretty unreal. The fact that there is realistically a little robot living within my iPhone who calls me "Your Majesty" (because I asked her to, duh) and answers all of my stupid questions (and yes, there are such a thing as stupid questions) is pretty f!*#king unreal.

The cons of the iPhone 5S? Easy, (1) the lack of keyboard and (2) the short battery life. As of now, that's really all I can complain about. As a sort of disclaimer, I realize how spoilt I am to have received this device for my birthday/Hanukkah present, but I am doing my best to make sure I use the most of her and keep her safe. Regardless of which phone/smartphone you may own, can we just take a moment to drop our jaws at modern technological advancements? Nowadays, with schools having every student use an iPad, we have all grown accustomed to having such advanced means of communication that we are unaffected by their sheer awesomeness. So whether you have an iPhone, another smartphone, a laptop, or any tablet, appreciate these crazy robots. And then go for a walk and experience a bit of nature, or have some actual human interaction (just sayin').