Walkman’s don’t compare to MP3 players except in the broadest sense. Yes they’re personal music players, but once you get past that nothing. My cheap MP3 player holds around 60 albums, with better sound quality than cassettes, and it’s about half the size of a cassette (the cassette, not the player, not even the case). MP3 players have changed the game a lot, they’ve been instrumental in the MP3 revolution that has completely rewritten the music distribution business (and the bootleg section of music distribution too).
Once again you’re running a comparison that just doesn’t work. The modern cellphone has features never imagined in the 80s and their smaller and lighter than the SPEAKER of your 80s cell.
Phone’s are where a lot of the change has come as they come closer and closer to being computers. Blackberry’s are the official cell for where I work and while there are plenty of interface issues with them the screen size is pretty good and plenty of people there do all of those things I mention.
Actually plenty of companies have figured out that people want a 6 to 8” screen with mobile phone capabilities. There’s netbooks and there’s pocket PCs with bluetooth functionality both of those fit that bill pretty well (netbooks are more dependent on the cloud for apps).
2001 would be in the last decade.
Just because some people can’t use Bluetooth doesn’t mean it’s bad. Some people still can’t program a VCR.
PSP’s can be plugged into a TV for $20, and the graphics hold up pretty good, a heck of a lot better than Genesis had.
I think it’s the speed. The rate at which these things are coming out, being adopted, and being replaced by the next generation makes everybody jaded. The most kick ass super awesome fill in the blank that just came out yesterday has an even better replacement/ competition due out next month. And these things are instantly a part of people’s lives because the digital generation has grown up expecting new things. When microwaves and VCRs and cable first hit it was a BIG DEAL when somebody you knew got one, and really cool when you did and changed your life perceptibly. Now new stuff comes out and people just get them and use them and don’t think about it. About the only time you notice if somebody gets a new gadget now is if you were thinking about getting it, then you ask them about it.
We’re in that part of the rubber band of technology where new and revolutionary has become typical and expected. We KNOW something new is going to come out in the next 12 months that rewrites everyday activity, and we don’t really care, we’ll probably buy one but we probably won’t stop and think about what it’s doing and how really cool that is. That’s why it’s good to step back once in a while and look at these things with fresh eyes. Even microwaves and VCRs are still pretty kick ass if you think about it.
I’m going to have to admit that MP3 is not something that would have ever appealed to me. I recognize that dates me or says something about me. I’m just not convinced my life has been more empty because I didn’t have 60 albums with me wherever I went. If I wanted music with me, I had it available. If I wanted other audio, I had it. I think you could make the case that books on tape make the MP3 player a much more appealing device for people like me. On those grounds you could probably get through to me. As for quality, I think that’s a fair argument. Once again, if you’re on the move in public you’re not hearing the music without a lot of background noise in most instances, so the quality issue isn’t quite as impressive as it would be otherwise. I realize my opinion is not going to match a lot of other people’s on this item. Still, I stared of by saying that “I” wasn’t impressed with the breakthroughs the gadget breakthroughs in the last decade.
I had the Microtak Elite Cell phone in the early 1990s. It wasn’t text capable, but in it’s cell function, it was a great phone. I was able to be contacted just about any time folks wanted to. I personally use Blue Tooth today partly because the phones have become small enough to be more bothersom than convenient. It is more of a convenience, but I could use the hands free function of my old phone. The Blue Tooth is nice, but it’s not really a necessity. It’s a nice perk, but not quite the breathtaking breakthrough it’s sold as.
Isn’t the Blackberry screen about 3.2 inches. It’s about the same size as mine. I use it. I like it. I still realize it’s inadequate. Look, these phones are slick. They do provide quite a bit of functionality. I’ve had my Cingulary 8525 for three or four years. I’ve been looking to replace it, but just about every phone out there has some drawback that causes me not to pull the trigger.
I’ve seen the PSP on television. It doesn’t bother me if you want to think it’s better. I had some pretty good games, I don’t hold the same opinion.
I think some of the reason for us kindof talking past each other, is that some of the advances you can point to, just aren’t like inventing the things in the first place.
Another words, yes these are more advanced, but I lived well with their predicessors and don’t see these in all instances, the necessity I thought their predicessors were.
It may be an age thing. Thanks for the responses.
Even microwaves and VCRs are still pretty kick ass if you think about it.
I agree. I am still amazed at appliances we take for granted like the humble washer and dryer. I'm not even talking about the state of the art washers like the Samsung WF448AAP with Steam Care and Silver Care that uses Silver Ions to sanitize laundry without bleach. Those have wow factor like no other. I am saying I am amazed at say a washer and dryer from the 70's even.
Also amazed at microwaves. Still amazed at the counter-top Kenmore Microwave oven (circa 1977) still working and while looking a bit dated, still in great shape for 32 years old.