Erika Garcia | Opinion Co-Editor

The iPhone has not been around for more than a decade and yet this apple product has managed to take over the market. In early stages of its first appearance in 2007, the number of iPhone owners was limited to certain cell phone companies that deprived those who didn’t live in major cities. I remember wanting the multi-purpose music playing, entertainment app capable cell phone, but because I had a contract with Verizon and not AT&T, my dreams were crushed. Almost four years later, the apple company managed an agreement with other major cell phone company providers, and just like that, the iPhones were available virtually everywhere.

Here I sit writing, iPhone-less, looking at my almost two year old Android cell phone, wondering why all the cute new cell phone covers made by favorite brands and companies were being made for the one and only iPhone. All the full on glitter, Hello Kitty, and Vera Bradley phone covers are exclusively for the iPhones. Not only are the iPhones fashionably clothed, but the number of helpful accessories, add-ons, and on-the-go gadgets are also specifically being manufactured.

Each time I log into Pinterest, there are iPhone accessories being pinned. Each time I step into the local Walgreens, next to last minute items in the checkout lane, the brightly colored iPhone chargers (for the wall and car) stare at the customers. They may not be of the apple brand named product, but if the knock offs are adapting to iPhones, it must be saying something. Until I find a holographic keyboard for my Android, in my opinion, the market is unequal.

Not only is the iPhone taking over the accessory industry, it is also the most accessible and tailored to cell phone in other aspects. This past summer, I had the chance to travel to a major city for an internship, and while there, I also noticed the iPhone takeover. Their gym equipment, including the treadmills and elliptical machines, all had charging connection docks for iPhones, while I had to search for the nearest wall outlet to charge my cell phone.

I love the Android cell phone family, but they are not getting any love from the accessories section. Even as I take a look across campus, the iPhone family dominates. I want the “cool stuff” the iPhone has to offer for its phones, but I still want to be part of the Motorola Android family. Is it time to convert?

Graphic by Keyla Sosa