MIDDLE EAST
12 OPINION
21 December 2008
iCaramba!
Let’s face it, the iPhone could just as easily have
been named the iPlod
would not recognise the SIM: it said it was
invalid. Rebooting and even re-syncing it
did nothing. Again, the iPhone had to be
restored all the way back to factory set-
tings, using its regular laptop, before the
SIM would work.
The iPhone’s problem is that it is not
really a true stand-alone mobile device.
Instead it is an iPod with phone func-
tionality. By its very nature, a pod tends
to be a smaller component that needs to
RONI HAD
attach to a larger body—the beanstalk,
the mothership—to charge itself up and
so on.
Likewise, the iPhone needs to con-
WHEN THE iPhone arrived, it inspired a stantly get its updates and new content
wonderful vision of being able to ditch from a computer via iTunes. Even if it’s
the laptop for short business trips and ‘jailbroken’ you still need a computer and
holidays. The entire internet would be in certain software to put stuff on it.
the palm of ones hand for just a few easy- This wouldn’t be such a big issue if one
to-carry ounces. Sadly, for me at least, could just take an iPhone into an internet
this dream was soon to die. cafe, or use someone else’s laptop. But
The first iDisaster I encountered was the iPhone doesn’t work like that: it is
a total freeze after trying to update an supposed to be synced with the same
iPhone app through the phone itself. computer. You can restore it at an Apple
Nothing could make the iPhone start up Store (if there’s one nearby—slightly
again: it had to be restored back to factory tricky for business trips to Syria or Outer
settings and have everything reinstalled. Azerbaijan) but you lose all your apps and it would represent minimal piracy risk, is not a 133g internet-enabled mobile
This lengthy process could only be done content. what with Apple’s DRM. But even if Apple device; it is a 133g phone/PC combo. That
by attaching it to a computer. So much for At the very least, Apple should be able blocked music and video from the USB, said, if you can overlook the ever-present
updates on-the-go. to create some kind of portable backup it could at least put the apps, data and risk of finding yourself thousands of miles
The second iDisaster was taking a system: where you could carry your photos on there. After all not everyone from the office with no phone, no data
legally unlocked iPhone overseas and iTunes account on a USB stick. Hard syncs via MobileMe. and no internet, the iPhone is a marvel-
trying to use another SIM card. The iPhone locked to the iPhone’s serial number, So until this is possible, the iPhone lously convenient device.
Hack school produces flacks
A generation of journalism students is turning to
the greener pastures of PR
all, the proliferation of information and A frightening thought. But there is
analysis is crucial to the proliferation of at least one bright spot—say what you
healthy democracies around the world. will about the kids, while they will most
On its face, this would seem to be an likely make life completely unbearable
altogether altruistic gesture, given the with their flackery and frivolous legal
astronomical price of such degrees and actions, at least they will be paid for
the total lack of jobs in the industry. doing it. According to a study by Lee
In truth, however, the j-school Becker, a University of Georgia profes-
recruitment numbers represent one sor who studies media job trends, the
of those odd paradoxes that have average starting salary for a j-school
come to define our ludicrous graduate is $30,000.
age. In truth, while young Consequently, one finds one-
Americans are enrolling self torn. On the one hand, it
JOE KEOHANE
in journalism school is deeply depressing that
in record numbers, the ranks of PR toads
they are simultane- are being swelled by
ously turning away from young people, who
LAST YEAR 200,000 kids in the US were newspapers in scary should, under normal
studying journalism and mass commu- droves. What’s happening circumstances, have
nications, up from 130,000 in 1995. Great here? to labour for at least
for the media industry, then, as the ranks According to a recent 10 years to lather up
of qualified, professional journalism story in the Times Union, the sort of crassness
continue to rise. out of New York, most stu- and cynicism required
Certainly, the optimist in every media dents are using journalism to excel at those jobs.
professional (that’s the tiny glimmer of programs to acquire the sort of On the other, it would be
light hovering just above that roiling lake media savvy that will give them an equally upsetting if an entire
of bile that passes for a soul) hopes that easy foothold into PR, advertising or generation didn’t see that spend-
these figures demonstrate that young law. That means, at this very moment, ing $150,000-plus to get a job that
people, grasping the crippling obsoles- there are more than 200,000 young people barely keeps beans on the table was a
cence of modern print media, have taken actively working toward becoming flacks sucker’s bet. They may be the ruin of us
it upon themselves to reform it in a way or shysters, under the pretence of start- all, but they do—at least—have a sense
that will ensure its future viability. After ing a career in journalism. of practicality.
www.mediaweekme.com
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