Wired had a pair of good articles about different tech gadgets that have been rendered obsolete by fast-moving cellphone industry:
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/11/five-gadget-whi.html?npu=1&mbid=yhp
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/11/seven-more-gadg.html
If you are lazy and don't want to click, here's the list:
1. PDA
2. Camera
3. Ultra Mobile PC
4. Landline telephones
5. MP3 player
6. Pager
7. Wristwatch
8. Pocket Calculator
9. Alarm clock
10. SatNav
11. book
12. Handheld Console
I disagree with the inclusion of the MP3 players, books, and handheld consoles. The rest of the list is pretty dead on though. I don't know anyone under the age of 40 that still has a landline. Pagers died a very swift death about 10 years ago. Wristwatches are used only as jewelry anymore. It's much easier to just take your phone out of your pocket or just look at the time on your computer. I still have an old digital alarm clock, but I always use the cellphone when I'm not at home.
It's looking more and more like that people will be completely useless without their cell phones in the future.
My phone doesn't have most of those things.
Also, camera? Cell phone cameras are so shitty they are worthless.
What is a "handheld console"?
When I was a kid, I only got a rock on a string.
Quote from: Payne on November 18, 2008, 09:26:28 PM
When I was a kid, I only got a rock on a string.
Damn you were spoiled, I got a rock.
Quote from: Kai on November 18, 2008, 09:24:14 PM
Quote from: Nigel on November 18, 2008, 09:11:55 PM
What is a "handheld console"?
Gameboy?
Oh, that would make sense.
Except that the ongoing insane popularity of Gameboys plus the crap games you can play on a phone would tend to argue that they are nowhere near being made obsolete by cell phones.
Quote from: Nigel on November 18, 2008, 09:46:16 PM
Quote from: Kai on November 18, 2008, 09:24:14 PM
Quote from: Nigel on November 18, 2008, 09:11:55 PM
What is a "handheld console"?
Gameboy?
Oh, that would make sense.
Except that the ongoing insane popularity of Gameboys plus the crap games you can play on a phone would tend to argue that they are nowhere near being made obsolete by cell phones.
*shrug* Thats true for most of the items on that list. A watch is still far easier and less annoying than a cellphone, MP3 players on their own are still far better than the capabilities of a iPhone, etc. You get a whole bunch of options on these newer cellphones but they are each of lower quality than the option would be on its own.
Or something.
I still wear a watch. A lot of the time at work I'm asked what time it is by people who bring their phones.
Also, my phone is a cheap fucking thing. But it makes calls and that's all I care about.
Quote from: Kai on November 18, 2008, 09:06:33 PM
My phone doesn't have most of those things.
Also, camera? Cell phone cameras are so shitty they are worthless.
My cell phone (LG env2) has a 2 megapixel camera built in. Yes, there is no flash and no way to zoom but it is portable and always ready.
Quote from: Nigel on November 18, 2008, 09:46:16 PM
Quote from: Kai on November 18, 2008, 09:24:14 PM
Quote from: Nigel on November 18, 2008, 09:11:55 PM
What is a "handheld console"?
Gameboy?
Oh, that would make sense.
Except that the ongoing insane popularity of Gameboys plus the crap games you can play on a phone would tend to argue that they are nowhere near being made obsolete by cell phones.
That's why I disagreed with their inclusion of handheld consoles on the list. Cell phones are good for playing shitty little puzzle games but are nowhere close to handling bigger, more complex games. That will probably change in the future though.
I think they're grasping at straws just to make the list long.
Also, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKiIroiCvZ0
Yeah, if you actually want a phone that can do all those things with a decent proficiency, specifically camera, book and gameboy, you have to increase the size of the phone somewhat, and I wouldn't want a kindle sized cell phone.
As for mp3 player, I got my cell phone 4 years ago, and I use it as an mp3 player, which it does an alright job, it's out dated now, but 4 Gig of music is alright for me.
the other day on the bus somebody was making a noise with their cellular phone, and i said, "Are you using your telephone to make that noise?" and he started to show me how he was using it to compose music. And then I said "Oh wow that's neat they found a way to make cellular phones even more annoying" and then he did not say anything else.
When I see cellular phones, I want to smash them. It's totally unreasonable.
Also I get mad when I see paved roads.
YES
I get mad when natural park areas are "improved" with pavement and electricity. What the fuck.
Paved roads suck, especially when you are running on them without shoes. Road kills.
Books? Who ever reads books on their mobile phone?
I´ve yet to own a phone with a camera or mp3 player of passable quality, or even a single game that could compare to a dedicted games machine. In fact, using the phone as an mp3 player always seemed a bit stupid to me, since it will mean that you're draining your phone's battery by listening to it.
In some sense the article has a point because the mobile phone is pretty much a computer these days, or getting there. But sooner or later the phone will just merge with wireless internet (it's already happening) and then calling it a "phone" will be pretty arbitrary. Is your computer a phone if you use skype a lot?
It's more like all these devices are merging into one package (the pocket computer) than the phone taking over. The computer taking over other tasks is hardly news.
Quote from: nurbldoff on November 19, 2008, 11:42:04 AMI´ve yet to own a phone with a camera or mp3 player of passable quality, or even a single game that could compare to a dedicted games machine. In fact, using the phone as an mp3 player always seemed a bit stupid to me, since it will mean that you're draining your phone's battery by listening to it.
it is handy if you're running. you want music, but you also want to have your phone (for emergencies etc), yet you want to carry as less stuff as possible.
Good articles, but I'd re - title them "10 gadgets cell phones COULD kill".
My cell phone came free with the minimal calling plan I'm on, and it has far more functions than I ever use. In theory, it could be phone / camera / mp3 player / web browser / instant messenger / text messenger / digital television, but these functions are cut off at the knees by the fact that I'd have to shell out more money for EACH LITTLE FUNCTION. All of them are unselected and inactive, for that fact that I don't want another line on a monthly bill.
Hypocritical, I'll admit. I won't pay $10 a month to add a function to a device I already own, eyeing the service proprietors with ire and suspicion, but I WILL shell out for a device that does so independently. Then again, with the separate devices, I can TURN THEM OFF. I don't want the whole world of technological possibility trying to cram into life through my single cellular orifice. Music, internets, etc. can be selectively ignored, powered down or left at home by the curmudgeonly whims which guide me. (The separate devices also have the edge of doing them BETTER, as most dedicated tools do.)
My cell phone could kill them all, if they ever deign to drop the price for equipment and service with iPhone clones.
Presently, if I want a multifunction device, I will duct tape the music player to the tiny Netbook PC, and if anyone questions me, I will go Ellen Ripely on their ass; leveling my cobbled contraption at their bloated cellular appendage screaming "GET AWAY FROM HER YOU BITCH!"
:lulz:
....
Wait, you two are joking right? Right?
Calculator? Really?
I've yet to see a cell phone that does derivatives or integrals, symbolically or otherwise.
It's for the sub - set of humanity that doesn't need scientific calculators, don't like doing tip calcualtion in their heads, and are too cheap to round up.
I use a scientific calculator for all mathematical purposes, even balancing my checkbook. A basic function calculator doesn't cut it for me anymore, and hasn't since high school.
Things I use my current phone for:
Receiving calls and text messages (I never send, because I never have any credit on it)
Phonebook of useful numbers
Alarm Clock/ Watch/ Calender
Flashlight
Jotting down little thoughts and reminders if I don't have pen and paper handy.
Previously, I had phones with cameras and fancy assed games, but this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_1100) phone does me just fine now.
Edit: Oh, and I also set the alarm on it and place it under the cat to go off when she's sleeping. Because it makes me laugh. I'm a bad bad man.
Two things, first what I read:
Quote from: Payne on November 19, 2008, 07:42:04 PM
Things I use my current phone for:
...
Fleshlight
Second, I wonder how well that would actually sell.
See, here we just call it a torch, regardless of it not being a burning brand. I was going to call it that but didn't because I've had people comment on it before. And now you've ruined it.
My superintendent has a beeper.
A BEEPER.
Anybody remember those crappy little things? You could get one from the "beeper huts" that you could find in malls during 1996 and 1997.
Only drug dealers carry beepers.
\
:mullet:
Quote from: Triple Zero on November 19, 2008, 01:09:16 PM
it is handy if you're running. you want music, but you also want to have your phone (for emergencies etc), yet you want to carry as less stuff as possible.
2nded, I barely have enough pockets as it is
Also my cell has trig functions in its calc, just in case *shrugs*
I won't buy a phone if it doesn't include a torch.
Also, using it as an alarm clock messes with my head. Sometimes I wake up to what I think is a text message, and in my morning headedness I misread the question on screen. "What the fuck is snozzle?"
Quote from: Iason Ouabache on November 19, 2008, 08:24:57 PM
Only drug dealers carry beepers.
\
:mullet:
That would include doctors, so I suppose it's an accurate enough statement.
Seriously, some places my mom has worked at required her to have THREE beepers and her cell phone on her person at all times when she was on call.
Quote from: Rumckle on November 20, 2008, 11:15:36 AM
Quote from: Triple Zero on November 19, 2008, 01:09:16 PM
it is handy if you're running. you want music, but you also want to have your phone (for emergencies etc), yet you want to carry as less stuff as possible.
2nded, I barely have enough pockets as it is
Also my cell has trig functions in its calc, just in case *shrugs*
mine's got a Python interpreter, so it can do all that and more :)
I use it only when i'm really really bored, though. But it's kinda funny to write code in T9 :) unfortunately some of the keys are starting to crap out a littlebit now.
one time i was playing with the text-message library in mobile-Python and I figured, well i could just send a test message to a friend, but that's not proof I wrote a program to do it for me, cause I could have just sent it, so I had it send him the value of Pi (in more digits than i can memorize) to him. i'm such a geek sometimes :)
Is social decency a gadget?
:mittens:
Quote3. Ultra Mobile PC[/quote>]
Didn't those become massively popular a year ago when they got renamed to netbooks?
I hate cellphones. I have a Tracfone for emergencies if I'm travelling long distances, but otherwise I don't like them.
Also, as far as them replacing landlines, it's a bit of a gamble. If the battery in your cellphone goes dead, you are screwed. If the power goes out in your home, you can still use your landline to get a call out. Also, unless it's changed with cellphones and digital phones, landlines still have an advantage when it comes to the 911 system. If you dial 911 and if it connects for even a second before the mugger cuts the connection, they can trace where the call came from and send help.
Sure these are things with low probability of occurrences, but when they DO occur, it is important to have the right tools at your disposal.
Quote from: Requiem on November 30, 2008, 05:53:08 PM
Quote3. Ultra Mobile PC
Didn't those become massively popular a year ago when they got renamed to netbooks?
Sort of. The original UMPC's were actually nearly fully spec'ed PC's, but crammed into a portable unit the size of a harcover book (Think a SEga Game Gear on steroids). Mostly touch screen, most had some combinations of function buttons or semi - full keyboards. They still MSRP'ed about $800 and up. For the price, they never quite had the ease of use or the battery life to be terribly popular, IMHO.
The "Netbooks" are more a class 10" or less wide, sub - standard spec'ed laptops, retailing for $300-$600.00. Where UMPC's were designed to really be simialrly capable to laptops, the netbooks are more devoted to internet, writing, and not much else. I use and very much like the Asus EEE, which was one of the first models. It's a good, cheap, mobile complement to a more capable home computer, though not QUITE a replacement.
Edit: Fixt
Quote from: Rev. What's-His-Name? on December 01, 2008, 06:23:08 PM
Also, as far as them replacing landlines, it's a bit of a gamble. If the battery in your cellphone goes dead, you are screwed. If the power goes out in your home, you can still use your landline to get a call out. Also, unless it's changed with cellphones and digital phones, landlines still have an advantage when it comes to the 911 system. If you dial 911 and if it connects for even a second before the mugger cuts the connection, they can trace where the call came from and send help.
Sure these are things with low probability of occurrences, but when they DO occur, it is important to have the right tools at your disposal.
Yeah, that is one of the things that bother me about not having a landline but I've never had an extended power outage in my area so I don't worry about it too much. I don't know if all cell phones are like this now but the last 2 phones I owned had a GPS feature that alerted 911 to your location.
If you have a phone line to your house, even one with no service, they are required by law to provide 911 for free, so you don't even have to have a phoneco account.
I still hate cellphones. Mostly because I don't like talking to people on the phone. Why the hell would I want to do it when I'm somewhere doing something I enjoy? I guess I just don't need to be that connected.
Quote from: Nigel on December 02, 2008, 04:12:12 AM
If you have a phone line to your house, even one with no service, they are required by law to provide 911 for free, so you don't even have to have a phoneco account.
A hard line sounds like a good idea for this reason, then. As handy as cell phones are, without towers to prop up the networks, they just plain don't work. Hence, they are always one wide - ranging power outage away from becoming useless pieces of plastic.
RWHN: I hear you. I loathe the phone for the fact that it KEEPS me connected. (Depressive buddies calling with problems while I'm out trying to enjoy myself, and the like.)
I compensate by seldom answering incoming calls.
I, too, hate talking on the phone, and I REALLY hate the expectation cell phones have created, of everyone being constantly available at all times. What happened to "making plans"?
I feel like cell phones have helped people become lazier and more demanding. I especially hate the "I just called because I was bored" phenomenon. You're bored? Guess what? I'm not! Go find something to do and leave me alone.
Like Richter, I just seldom answer incoming calls. I also seldom return calls, or even listen to voice mail, because 99% of the time it's something trivial.
I originally got a cell phone when my husband and I split, so I could be accessible if there was a situation with the kids. I have to admit that I do really like text-messaging, because it's a good way to convey information on the fly without the commitment of a phone call.
TITCM
I'm warming up to text message, despite the charge. :x
Edit: removed pointless bitching.
The easy solution to this is not having friends.
Text is ridiculously more convenient to deal with than voicemail as well.
YES.
Quote from: Rumckle on December 03, 2008, 12:32:14 AM
The easy solution to this is not having friends.
Bah. I like friends, I just don't like them constantly calling me.
i seem to like phones. i remember when the mobile phones got more ubiqitous, and i didn't have one (neophobia?) i was using public phones a lot because i wanted to stay in contact, and had to call people "on the go" a lot. finally i got one, and it was good :)
now i don't have a land line.
which may be stupid because of the emergency thing, even though mobile phones have special features to prioritize emergency calls as well. i heard something about, when it's new years eve, and all the networks are clogged, ringing the emergency number once, hanging up, would put you on a prioritized network and be able to call some one. not that i would do that, ever, of course (srsly).
Quote from: Requiem on December 03, 2008, 04:22:44 AM
Text is ridiculously more convenient to deal with than voicemail as well.
Unless you're in a car, then it sucks ass. You've just asked someone for directions, and they send you a motherfucking text. :kingmeh:
Until they come up with a bluetooth that allows you to HEAR the fucking text, meh.
Quote from: Jenne on December 08, 2008, 11:23:50 PM
Quote from: Requiem on December 03, 2008, 04:22:44 AM
Text is ridiculously more convenient to deal with than voicemail as well.
Unless you're in a car, then it sucks ass. You've just asked someone for directions, and they send you a motherfucking text. :kingmeh:
Until they come up with a bluetooth that allows you to HEAR the fucking text, meh.
No. Phone application. That should not be a feature of a bluetooth earpiece--the process is too complex to implement efficiently in a peripheral.
I just read the first page of this thread, and would like to say that a cell-phone (implementation) COULD do all-these-things-and-more, but
1. It would then be a "personal device": cellphone is a comms device. I'd enjoy portable processing with a desktop-class OS, but that wouldn't be a cellphone.
2. what part goes obsolete first?
3. who the fuck could concentrate the will to assemble such win at a decent price?
I usually pull over when I need to get directions. Of course, also my phone has GPS.
Quote from: yhnmzw on December 15, 2008, 12:32:34 AM
Quote from: Jenne on December 08, 2008, 11:23:50 PM
Quote from: Requiem on December 03, 2008, 04:22:44 AM
Text is ridiculously more convenient to deal with than voicemail as well.
Unless you're in a car, then it sucks ass. You've just asked someone for directions, and they send you a motherfucking text. :kingmeh:
Until they come up with a bluetooth that allows you to HEAR the fucking text, meh.
No. Phone application. That should not be a feature of a bluetooth earpiece--the process is too complex to implement efficiently in a peripheral.
You're right--I just hate texting instead of talking is all. If I wanted to text instead of receive a phone call back from someone I just called, then I would email. I say bluetooth also because we have laws here that prevent you from using a phone while driving unless you are doing so with your bluetooth or other headphone/speaker device thingie.
Quote from: Iason Ouabache on November 18, 2008, 08:19:20 PM
It's looking more and more like that people will be completely useless without their credit phones in the future.
I initially misread this -- now I'm thinking of patenting it....
-toa,
rfid'dle
The tricorder will kill the cellphone, eventually.
(http://www.barcodeoflife.org/barcode/batsbirds/images/PR%20-%20Barcoder%20Mockup%20-%20Jan%205%202007.jpg)
This is just a mock up from the Barcode of Life mission website, but the tech is there, it just needs to generated. We'll prolly have a tool like this within the next 10-20 years.
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb163/wompcabal/forum/INTERMITTENSNOMINATION.png)
yatto would like to reserve this topic for his :pax: issue of intermittens. to go alongside crazy prepared
Intel and Nokia band together
The world's largest chip maker has teamed up with the world's largest mobile phone maker
to create what they say will be a "new exciting industry".
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8114059.stm
Quote from: Iason Ouabache on November 18, 2008, 08:19:20 PM
Wired had a pair of good articles about different tech gadgets that have been rendered obsolete by fast-moving cellphone industry:
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/11/five-gadget-whi.html?npu=1&mbid=yhp
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/11/seven-more-gadg.html
If you are lazy and don't want to click, here's the list:
1. PDA
2. Camera
3. Ultra Mobile PC
4. Landline telephones
5. MP3 player
6. Pager
7. Wristwatch
8. Pocket Calculator
9. Alarm clock
10. SatNav
11. book
12. Handheld Console
I disagree with the inclusion of the MP3 players, books, and handheld consoles. The rest of the list is pretty dead on though. I don't know anyone under the age of 40 that still has a landline. Pagers died a very swift death about 10 years ago. Wristwatches are used only as jewelry anymore. It's much easier to just take your phone out of your pocket or just look at the time on your computer. I still have an old digital alarm clock, but I always use the cellphone when I'm not at home.
It's looking more and more like that people will be completely useless without their cell phones in the future.
It's only a matter of time as far as mp3 players are concerned. I am 31 and have a landline though.
Quote from: Rumwolf on November 19, 2008, 07:08:26 AM
Yeah, if you actually want a phone that can do all those things with a decent proficiency, specifically camera, book and gameboy, you have to increase the size of the phone somewhat, and I wouldn't want a kindle sized cell phone.
As for mp3 player, I got my cell phone 4 years ago, and I use it as an mp3 player, which it does an alright job, it's out dated now, but 4 Gig of music is alright for me.
you don't need a bigger phone, you need a phone with projection capacity, which they are now working on. They have prototypes that can project a screen roughly the size and resolution of a laptop monitor on any flat surface.
more from BBC
Intel will also acquire a licence from Nokia that is used in modem chips to connect to third generation cellular networks. Although Intel makes chips for Wi-Fi and WiMax networks, it has previously lacked the technology to provide a complete technology package for portable device makers.
In a conference call with reporters, neither company would not be drawn on what any future products would look like.
"We will talk about products when we are ready to talk about products," said Mr Chandraseckher
"With the convergence of the internet and mobility as the team's only barrier, I can only imagine the innovation that will come out of our unique relationship with Nokia. The possibilities are endless."
ABI Research says that last year a total of 1.2 billion mobile phones were sold globally.
Mr Oistamo was equally tight-lipped on the subject of future products, but he added: "We will explore new ideas in designs, materials and displays that will go far beyond devices and services on the market today.
"The future is truly exciting and there is a lot of room here to redefine what mobile is and what it can do as we create this brave new world."
Quote from: BabylonHoruv on June 23, 2009, 10:28:41 PM
It's only a matter of time as far as mp3 players are concerned. I am 31 and have a landline though.
Agreed. My current MP3 player is also a simple / backup Internet device, PDF reader, Calendar, etc.
Also, while I'm not OPPOSED to the idea of having a hybrid phone / mobile computer, I just really don't think of them as going together. The cell phone has always been something to me that's tethered to the contract, coverage, and whim of a company who I rent airtime from. The computer, even in mobile incarnations, I still look for more capability and visibility (aka screen size) than any thing practical for phone use would have.
My current dream device involves a paperback - sized touchscreen (7cm by 4cm or so), 2 USB ports, bluetooth, and not much else. (Maybe an adapted port for VGA out to a larger monitor) Preferably, this would be an Apple product since they've done the best touch driven OS I've seen. (Carry a bluetooth keyboard for serious typing.)
Quote from: BabylonHoruv on June 23, 2009, 10:30:34 PM
Quote from: Rumwolf on November 19, 2008, 07:08:26 AM
Yeah, if you actually want a phone that can do all those things with a decent proficiency, specifically camera, book and gameboy, you have to increase the size of the phone somewhat, and I wouldn't want a kindle sized cell phone.
As for mp3 player, I got my cell phone 4 years ago, and I use it as an mp3 player, which it does an alright job, it's out dated now, but 4 Gig of music is alright for me.
you don't need a bigger phone, you need a phone with projection capacity, which they are now working on. They have prototypes that can project a screen roughly the size and resolution of a laptop monitor on any flat surface.
Firstly, you need that flat surface to project on, which won't always be available, though I will admit that changing in various aspects of society buildings, transport, etc may make that available if it is needed/desired.
Secondly, even with projection stuff like consoles would still be awkward unless you get it a proper control size.
And, thirdly, a good camera needs a decent size lens, which would increase the size of the device.
Also, Richter, any device with monitor support would probably use HDMI these days.
Quote from: Rumwolf on June 24, 2009, 05:37:23 PM
Also, Richter, any device with monitor support would probably use HDMI these days.
Hence why I said something that could be adapted for a VGA output. For new monitors you are correct. For plugging this into an old monitor at home or at the office, you might not have something that works with HDMI lying around.