Blogging for Understanding

Blogs are a useful tool when researching a new product. There is plenty of information available and everyone seems to have an opinion. New technology and innovations are popular topics amongst bloggers. One specific topic is the iPhone, recently released by Apple, Inc. The iPhone’s versatile functions lend itself as an email system, phone, Internet provider and multi-media player. Due to the anticipation and popularity of the iPhone, there are many reviews in the format of blogs based on the iPhone. I felt it was best to critique a few of these blogs and determine whether they are a credible source for information as I feel that the blogs are a useful piece of information.
Purchasing a new TV, a home appliance such as a refrigerator or washer & dryer, is significant and requires you to do some research. An iPhone is considered a significant purchase with a price tag of $400 plus monthly contract dues. Blogs are a very resourceful tool when doing research. Especially on a new product or technology. Opinions on blogs will vary and it is the reader’s responsibility to discern or interpret the true meaning. Some product reviews will be positive and some will be negative. After reviewing numerous blogs on the iPhone, and in my personal experience of maintaining a personal weblog, I believe blogs to be a valuable resource and excellent communication tool. In Doug Rushkoff’s post “The Internet is Not Killing Off Conversation but Actively Encouraging It,” Doug emphatically believes “content is king.” So in order to keep readers coming back, a blog needs to be honest, clear and factual.
SuperBrian.net recently reviewed the iPhone and had this to say, “when I was first considering buying an iPhone, I thought that $400 was quite a bit to lay down for a phone. It still is quite a bit to lay down for a phone, but the iPhone is more than just a phone.” Brian speaks from his perspective and we can assume he is just your average Joe by the tone of his review. Brian expresses his likes and dislikes of the iPhone. One can only appreciate such an honest response. After reviewing Brian’s blog, I am left comfortable with spending such a significant amount of money by his honesty and overall review of the iPhone. Honest posts such as Brian’s are what will bring me back to read blogs.
While researching blogs, it is difficult to sort through and not always read what you want to read. Subconsciously we are always going to do what we want to do. The path of least resistance is the path of choice. Searching through blogs is the same way. Choosing a review of the iPhone was an easy decision; however, choosing which blogs to browse is a time consuming process. When reviewing a new product, it is difficult not to let your initial opinion of that product affect your decision. Mike Shea posted “24 Hour iPhone Review” on Quillan Review and his opinion of the iPhone can be summed up in one sentence, “The iPhone is the future of computers.” Mike discusses his likes and dislikes and provides great detail of specific features of the iPhone. He declares himself a non-expert technology geek – something most of us can relate to. His perspective is that of a normal consumer, which is the appeal to the blog. I don’t want to read a fancy blog written with certain technology language that I cannot understand. Mike is able to express his opinion clearly and with ease so those of us reading his blog can make a decision ourselves.
Technology and review blogging requires the facts. Us consumers want the honest, factual truth. That is not to say that a good blog requires the facts, but in the technology arena, blogs do require the facts. “Apple iPhone: Finally a Tool for Business,” posted by Jan Visser on salesteamtools.com, details the new features the iPhone includes. Jan clearly states the facts: “Push email, push calendar and push contacts and access to your global address and distribution lists and a whole lot of features that make the iPhone easier to manage for Corporate IT Departments.” The facts are there and are one more reason blogs are a resourceful communication tool.
While blogging may be an informal form of communication, more and more people are turning to the internet/blogs for information. Technology is a great example. New innovations, new technology, product reviews – all are very exciting and blogs provide opinions from industry experts to those of a high school kid. A good blog requires the right content, honesty, clarity and the facts – when related. Therefore I will continue to review and research blogs before making a significant purchase such as an iPhone.