Is consumerism about to get another shot in the arm?

Apple products are for the mass consumer and are a complete ripoff - what a master Steve Jobs was to give him credit.

Apple now have more money than the USA banking system.

Amazing master of the sleightof hand mr Job job!!!

Good looking products with restricted functionality to ensure the user doesnt bugger it up therefore learning nothing about the technology they use.

Harrumph

Mind you I would still love an I-phone!

In answer to the question not a shot in the arm more of a spear in the pocket!

It's good to see a business doing well in this climate. I'm a big Apple fan, I love the iPad but I am very aware that the iPhone4 reception isn't as good as my wife's iPhone3GS. I'm an early adopter but if the iPhone5 is launched I think I'll give it a couple of months for any bugs to be shaken out.

I'm not a technophobe Parchester in anyway shape or form, but I just can't afford to keep updating and renewing these gadgets..

I still own an old virtually steam driven mobile phone which is the size of a brick and ONLY makes phone calls.

The bonus there for me though is at least I can still see the numbers and my fingers comfortably cover the keys.

I have always said that the 'want' factor will destroy mankind one day .. whether it be that dream house, car or the very latest mobile phone bristling with innovation and mouth watering goodies.

I met an 81 year old retired vicar a couple of years ago ( came to discuss my late wife's funeral ) and he was bristling with his Blackberry and rattled off information both from it and to it. When I commented that he was well in the 21st century for his age, he simply replied 'Well, you have to be, don't you?'.

The younger generation have an obvious thirst for this kind of think and I guess it's simply the ultimate handbag accessory or leather jacket inside pocket jobby. It seems that people are adrift from the need to interact with each other and share kindness and consideration nowadays. I have to say that I adore my iPod Touch but I don't make love to it, nor do I yearn to upgrade it for the 'next generation model'.

Innovation and technoloving sells and people will pay, often through the nose. My son has his latest dual processor smartphone on contract but is £500 a year a fair price to pay for this supposed creature comfort? I think not.

In the grand scheme of things, tackling terrorism, famine, health issues, employment and simply communicating as humans again is far more important than something slim and shiny in your pocket .....

Not a global impact, Parchester, but apparently masses of people in the UK dashed out to rent or buy their first TV in 1953 when the Coronation was televised!

I'm with Snoops on this...there are far more important things to be concerned about in today's world than having the latest piece of technology which will be 'out of date' in a few months time.