Converting

In an otherwise-normal world, changing your mobile phone would be a very personal event, somewhat exciting, and generally not worthy of a debate. Not so, in the world that we live in.

Brands (and associated schools of thought) have become status symbols, and the polarisation has become extreme. They have become cultish, and cultists of the opposing cult are often addressed by disparaging honorifics. And it is not just about phones, the phenomenon extends to cameras, game consoles, and other similar items of time-consumption. It is the time when tools take over. The to have is taking over the to use.

Brands (rather, brand managers) are keenly observing this phenomenon, and punctiliously feeding the frenzy. Features are incremental, but their promotion is monumental, so is the asking price. Card-carrying members more often than not, will pay the price, and perpetuate the cult’s cultishness. It is possible that you may be able to afford an expensive item, but the real question is would you want to afford it?

After a little over four years of using the iPhone, I’ve switched to an Android phone.

• Android
• Brands
• Cult
• iPhone