The Glen Bard
Entertainment November 2012 - Page 5
Apple stumbles with iPhone 5 supply, app problems
By Andrew Roberts ’14 Staff Writer
Since Apple’s comeback in 2001, there has been little doubt that Steve Jobs’ legacy has been anything short of miraculous. Success has touched every corner of the corporation, and Apple shows little sign of slowing down. Despite these appraisals, however, Apple has recently experienced some setbacks that have tested its versatility and prominence. Although Apple has few problems with regard to consumer demand, the recent release of the iPhone 5 has raised questions concerning supply efficientcy. Customers are unable to simply reserve an iPhone 5 for next-day pickup at a local Apple store as they
have been able to in the past. Apple stock has experienced drastic drops in a matter of weeks, falling a staggering 10%. This drop, although most likely the result of a multitude of problems, has been largely attributed to the scarcity of the iPhone 5. To make matters worse, this supply issue is not just confined to domestic markets. Apple has only been able to reach thirtyone out of the one hundred countries it hopes to reach by the year’s end. Many overseas stores continue to have difficulties keeping iPhones on the shelves. Although a supply problem is easily preferable to a demand one, Apple’s sluggish attempts to make the new iPhone freely available to a large, global community
US Center for Disease Control offers advice for ‘zombie apocalypse’ prep By Nora James ’15 Staff Writer
the importance of having an emergency kit in the house, with water food, a medical kit, and other necessities. They also Every good nerd knows that you have suggested having an emergency plan, into be prepared for the imminent zombie cluding a meeting place for your family. apocalypse, preferably with some nonBoth of these suggestions would be helpperishables, an aluminum baseball bat for ful on the occasion of any kind of disaster, knocking off heads, and a zombie fall-out including an oncoming horde of undead. shelter. However, most people who do not These suggestions also appealed to consider thema broader selves nerds or mass of geeks, will find people than such preparathe usual tions unnecesbulletins. sary, and even According just silly. to Dave R e c e n t l y, Daigle, the governan offiment has been cial CDC fighting back! spokesperIn the past son, this is year, the gova “tongue ernment has isin cheek sued two statecampaign. ments on the People are importance of so tuned being prepared into zomfor the posbies. We’re sible case of a reaching an zombie apoca- If you go to the CDC’s website, cdc.gov, you can download zombie prep posters, a u d i e n c e lypse. The first survival manuals, and even classroom lessons. Photo courtesy of cdc.gov. we’d never announcement appeared on the official reach with typical messages.” blog of the Center for Disease Control’s It turns out that the CDC was on to website, a governmental office. This Sepsomething. After just two days, their blog tember, the Department of Homeland Sepost became the most popular entry on the curity warned citizens with a similar mesentire CDC website. Fans of the undead sage. Although this may seem completely delighted with the scientific analysis of unbelievable, there is a theory behind the the condition, which the CDC described announcements. The government reasons as “Ataxic Neurodegenerative Satiety that if you’re ready for a zombie apocaDeficiency Syndrome,” and many people lypse, then you’ll be ready for another checked the site just to see if it was true. type of natural disaster, such as a hurriSo if you’re preparing for the zombie cane or flood. Both statements stressed apocalypse, you’ll be ready for anything.
are beginning to take their toll. As of October 9th, the Apple online store displays a shipping delay for the iPhone 5 of three to four weeks. This large delay in shipping has the
Apples’ new iPhone 5. By CarlosHDD, Wikimedia
potential of inducing sale setbacks and profit losses. Although not an immediate threat, this problem, if not promptly dealt with, could be damaging to the Apple Corporation. A second stumbling block has been the criticism of the iPhone 5. Although the many see the new iPhone as innovative, there are some who are dissatisfied with a few select features of the phone. Numerous iPhone purchasers have reported that the new iPhone is either scratched or chipped right out of the box. Although Apple responded by calling this “normal,” they immediately stiffened quality standards at their manufacturing facilities. Other than phone
durability, there has been one other specific complaint pertaining to the iPhone 5. Customers are unhappy with the iOS Maps quality. Apple, having previously used Google’s software to power its Maps app, designed its own app for the iPhone 5, completely powered by Apple technology. Unfortunately, this technology did not meet the usual Apple standards. The developers of the navigation system have faced an onslaught of complaints, including claims that the app has various bugs, faulty satellite connection, and poor street-level directions. Apple is by no means anywhere near serious financial danger, however, the iPhone 5 has had a rough start.
Hollywood lacks creativity in sequels
By Jack Crowe ’14
listen to Batman grunting? The last
really appreciate the art of film. Re-
Staff Writer
original movie that was memorable is
boots or recuts will not cut it in the
Christopher Nolan’s Inception which
long run for moviegoers. Hopefully,
was written by Nolan and his brother.
a new wave of creative writers will
on the silver screen have lacked in
The lack of originality in Holly-
reshape the way movies are made
originality. When’s the last time you
wood is a big concern for those who
and contribute to the hunt for original
In the past few years, the movies
saw a commercial for something that
work.
didn’t include “Part 2” or “adapted from”? The biggest blockbusters these days are mostly sequels or adaptations from earlier pieces of literature or movies themselves. It seems like Hollywood is dead. In 2011 alone, all top 10 box office
The Dark Knight Rises is one of many sequels, rather than original films, that have earned top spots at the box office during 2012.
movies were either franchise sequels or reboots. Why might you ask? Past issues such as writers’ strikes and economic problems have really taken a hit on the material directors and studios are given to work with. Also, producers are worried too much about their profit to take a gamble on original screenplays so they stick to brands or series that are well-known and infamous for raking in the bank. It’s cheap, it doesn’t cost as much, and producers have more leeway to tweak it in order to fit their budget. The biggest surge of adaptations now are that of the comic book industry, With heavy hitters such as Marvel’s The Avengers and DC’s The Dark Knight Rises taking the top spots of the summer box office. This doesn’t necessarily make them bad movies, but how many times can you watch Iron Man fly in the sky or
Did you know... Gerald Ford was the only person to serve as both President and Vice President without being elected to either office?