It seems like only yesterday that I had a dumb cell phone. All it could do is what, well, cell phones were invented to do: make and receive phone calls.
Then I got a smart phone. It has email, internet, Facebook, Skype, games, books, magazines, music, video, GPS – and phone.
The smart phone has taught me to expect to get what I want right now. Why wait until I get to my office to check email or Skype someone on the other side of the world – I can do it from my smart phone. Stuck in the airport for two hours – punch up one of 50 books on my e-reader. Need information for a meeting in five minutes – Google it from anywhere.
A few days ago, Apple introduced a new iPhone. Owners of previous iPhones, having been trained to get what they want immediately, wanted the new phone – immediately. In my home, Chicago, people lined up overnight to be the first in the Apple store. Some of those in the front of the line turned down $1,000 offers to trade places in line with latecomers.
Clearly, these are people who can’t wait to get the newest gadget. They want it and they want it now.
Given the wonderful things my smart phone can do (two generations older than the new iPhone), I’m sure this new marvel can do marvelous things. And maybe people are afraid of a global shortage of new iPhones.
Frankly, I don’t think that will happen. There are smart folks running Apple, folks who have heard of the law of supply and demand. If there is demand for the new phone, they will keep making them. Wait a couple weeks and I bet you can stumble into a dozen places and get one.
As for me, I’m going to get in line for the next generation.
