[calebhicks]

>Apple didn’t release something out of style to which mindless sheep are flocking because it’s new. Apple released something in-style to which millions are flocking because it’s attractive.

I'm sure there are plenty in each camp. There are people flocking towards it because it's now. And there are people buying it because it's attractive.

Sometimes new is attractive. I know at least 3 people on my own Family Plan are getting silver or gold because they are 'tired of black'. No big deal.

I think a lot of people get too worked up over other people's personal opinions. And in the end, I'm not sure that anyone will really care about the color (gold, black, or whatever) in 2 weeks.

[jkhowland]

I think that there is a 'self definition' (whether right or wrong) that takes place with a device decision. When people choose an iPhone or Android phone, they start to identify with that brand. The same can be said of color.

Back in 2007 I remember listening to a student and his father shopping for a Mac. He refused to buy the lower cost white one because it was girly. He had to get the top of the MacBooks black model.

I think the self definition aspect of the purchase lasts much longer than a couple weeks.

[calebhicks]

That's a fair point. I remember buying 'up' on a road bike for the color I preferred. So you're right there.

Maybe I think it lasts a shorter time because I was almost entirely apathetic towards which color I got this time around. I ended up with black (space grey) because that's what the store had when I got there.

[Arkson]

Just like my bright white Sony Ericsson that I purchased 6-7 years ago, I'm looking to buy the gold iPhone mostly because it is highly visible in low-light situations.

Waking up, going to sleep, stumbling around in the dark, the gold phone will be a lot easier to locate than my current black one.