The mobile phone is a handy instrument that we have with us most of the time. For many, it has become an extension of their personality. It is almost similar to what watches were (or still are) to many. This could perhaps be the reason for the existence of ‘fanboys'. There are iPhone and Android fanboys who seem to be perpetually at war with each other. While iPhone fanboys are united - they have their instruments manufactured by Apple - Android fanboys are a divided lot - a healthy division, though. Apps that are produced for one model are quickly ‘extracted' and ‘ported' to other devices in no time, as was the case with the Flipboard app.
Announcements by Apple, Google (Android) or any of the Android handset makers are analysed, and debated in various forums and Twitter. Some announcements create excitement (like the launch of iPhone 4S or Ice Cream Sandwich) but there are some announcements that create heartache. The heartache is to such an extent that the fanboys even decide to boycott the handset maker. One such announcement was Samsung's decision not to launch Google's latest ‘pure Android' mobile - Galaxy Nexus. Android fanboys who were expecting the (already-delayed) launch were disappointed. What made things worse was that Samsung's ‘decision' was revealed by the company on Twitter, that too as an answer to a query by an Android fan.The lackadaisical way in which it was announced too irritated fans.
Many of them ripped into Samsung on Twitter saying the decision by the company was to protect its other phones and several said they would stop buying Samsung products. Another guy dunked a Galaxy SII in water. There was a desperate tweet by him - he wanted another SII immediately.
Not any other phone. It could just be a mobile, but for many it is a part of their identity.