The Problem with Iphones

A few days ago, I bought the third $30 case for my Iphone.  Why?  Because it was showing signs of wear and tear.  And because my husband had remarked that it was pretty slick, referring to a problem I've had with these magical devices slipping out of my jeans and plunking into the toilet.  Sad to say, I'm a repeat offender.

I'm a big fan of Apple, and I am obsessed with my Iphone, but buying these cases always makes me mad.  As I thumb through the racks of Iphone cases in the Apple store, there is never one that is, as we say, "compatible with my lifestyle," to quote an old friend. They're either too cheesy, too geeky, or too precious.

Really, why do I have to go through this, after I've spent $500 (not really, but for the sake of argument) on the basic phone?  One would think that, being the design geniuses that they are, Apple could find a way to make Iphones waterproof and batter resistant -- like a $100 camera, for Pete's sake. 

And if I were an Iphone designer, I would shudder to see this elegant, delicate piece of technology disguised and degraded in rubber bumpers and belt clips, stamped with college insignias, trivialized with Chanel-like quilting and wrist straps.  When I remove even my usually minimal cases from the Iphone, I'm always struck by how truly beautiful it is.

Impracticality is a big flaw, Apple.  We've made our phones indispensable for everyday life-- but they're not tough enough for the real world.  No wonder I'm steamed.

I always thought design meant form + function.  Why can't the Iphone just be?

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