By Preet Amol Singh:
I was much unaware of the invincibility that the word ‘apple’ carries until my dad gifted me an iPhone a few months ago. According to him, he has found a permanent solution for my long-awaited complaint of my phone hanging, and certainly, I thank him for his courtesy. I haven’t advanced too much in technology. All I do over the phone is check my e-mails, text on Whats App, manage my profiles on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Over the years, I have found two kinds of Apple users, the first category is of self-proclaimed intellectuals based on the knowledge of handling every application of the iPhone and misses no chance to criticise me for not exploring iPhone applications. I usually put an end to their arguments by saying that it’s not meant for everybody but for intellectuals.
The second category use iPhones as a mark of status symbol and never misses the opportunity to flaunt their iPhones. I have categorically observed a new world of Apple users in the real existing world. Their conversations and trolls have become totally virtual. What makes me uncomfortable is when someone asks me about the features like gigabytes, RAM, megapixels of the camera etc. of my phone of which I have no clue. Will the society accept me? That remains an unanswered question.
You shall see creative trolls on social media regarding the iPhone 7. Apart from the kidney trolls post the launch of iPhone 7, I came across a funny yet morphed viral video on social media projecting Nana Patekar, who is seen with a gun in his hand, yelling at the supporters of iPhone 7 and questioning their contribution to the newly launched phone. The video was sufficient to make my day. Apple has reigned over society for years and has also proved to be one of the most powerful sources of inspiration.
On reading about the naming of the company, the founder, Steve Jobs, said that he was “on a fruitarian diet” and had just come back from an apple farm, and thought the name sounded “fun, spirited and not intimidating.” Hadn’t Sir Newton seen an apple fall in the late summer of 1666, I am sure it would have caused him to speculate upon the nature of gravitation a bit late.
Whether it’s an Apple fruit or a phone, to some Indians, it still remains as the constant status symbol. It is one of the few fruits that are exchanged during auspicious moments, managing its place on the table of rich.
Almost every time my grandmother offers me freshly cut slices of apples, I look at the slices very keenly for the obvious reason of keeping the doctor away and at the same time, I curse myself for not drawing any kind of inspiration from the fruit unlike Sir Newton and Steve Jobs.