AllThingsD's John Paczkowski has "confirmed" that the iPhone 5S will come in gold along with the standard black/slate and white/silver. And Mark Gurman at 9to5Mac reports that although the 5S is indeed likely to include a fingerprint sensor, the home button will not be "noticeably convex" contrary to some previous rumors. Gurman's sources also indicate that "the sensor won’t be suitable for handling payments (at launch.)"
So we're looking at a new iPhone that is almost undistinguishable from the last one save for a new color. Why gold? Gold, of course, is the international color of bling, the Midas touch, gilded and auriferous. It is the color most likely to appeal to people who want to make sure you know they have the latest iPhone! So this is, in fact, a difference with a distinction. I predict the gold and white toned iPhone will start showing up in rap verses and videos any day now and will be prominently featured in the year ahead by costume stylists trying to telegraph tech-savviness on the big and small screens.
It is likely that the fingerprint sensor, if included, will have only limited functionality. It is a feature with profound possibilities in terms of user experience and commerce, but it will require extensive, real-world battle-testing before consumers will entrust their security and actual lucre to their iPhone's home button. Without a killer feature, the next iPhone will require some signal of being the latest and greatest. It would be somewhat disappointing if the color of the case turns out to be that signal, but that seems to be (in fact) the case.
Luis Brunel's 1972 surrealist film classic, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, parodied materialist strivers who were neither discreet nor charming.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
To keep up with Quantum of Content, please subscribe to my updates on Facebook, follow me on Twitter and App.net or add me on Google+.
