I didn’t used to think MP3 players would be cool, but one boring vacation I decided to rip all my CDs, then I got an MP3 player just to see, got a cheap one just so if I hated it no big deal. Then I was hooked. I can keep an nice sampling of all the different kinds of music I listen to much more conveniently than CDs. And remember it’s not just headphones and background noise, it plugs into the car, it plugs into speakers, it plugs into the computer. and almost all of them can play video too, not sure why I’d want to watch a movie on a screen the size of a shot glass, but I could.
Blue Tooth isn’t a necessity, but then most gadgets aren’t. That’s the difference between a gadget and an appliance.
Yeah the Blackberry screen is pretty small. It’s got really good resolution and contrast though. I can actually read off of them over somebody’s shoulder without my glasses on. Not for long, but I can do it. I wouldn’t want to write the big report for work on one, even with my glasses, but I could if I had to.
I was just talking the graphics. For it’s time the Genesis was nice. But it’s max resolution was was 320x448 with 512 colors, the PSP’s does 480x272 with 16 million colors. Game taste is individual but on a technical level the PSP kills the Genesis.
We’re not talking about inventing. You said none of the gadgets of the last decade are any good. I pointed out a bunch of pretty amazing gadgets from the last decade. There’s a lot of really amazing stuff, most of it isn’t a necessity, but again we’re talking gadgets. Heck a lot of them I don’t even have, I’m not a phone kind of guy, almost never make phone calls, own no cellphone, have no desire to ever own a cellphone, but that doesn’t change the fact that the modern age of cellphones are some pretty amazing gadgets that can do just about anything short of mix you the perfect martini, and many of them can find you the perfect martini.
I’m a week from turning 40, I don’t think it’s an age thing. I think you’ve just fallen into the cycle. Gadgets come by too fast to amaze anymore, unless you stop and really look at them. Even the ones you don’t feel a need to own do neat stuff, as far as handheld technology goes we’re actually doing better than Star Trek, and that’s pretty freaking cool. Now if only we could get some warp bubbles and fake gravity going.
I think my wife would agree with you much more than I do. I’ve never been a huge music lover. I like a lot of stuff from the 60s through the 80s, but the music industry would curl up and die if they had to depend on folks like me to keep them going.
If you’re heavily into music, I’m sure the MP3s are a big deal to you. To me, they just aren’t. While I agree with your comment regarding Walkman vs the MP3, the Walkman suited my purposes very adequately.
I agree that Blue Tooth is nice. Look, I used wired ear buds for a long time. Is Blue Tooth better? Sure. Is it a something that will change your life? No.
I’m not trying to trash things you like here. I think it’s great you have the MP3s. I’m glad you enjoy them. As for the Blackberry, I think that’s nice too. Don’t get me wrong. While I like what I have too, I have been longing for something better for a long time, and it just hasn’t been forthcoming.
I’m hoping Apple’s black works 10” tablet that has been rumored for years, is about to be released. Of course it depends on which way they go with that too, so we’ll have to see about that too.
At the time we had a 26” Sony top of the line television. It was a great set. The Genesis filled the screen and the graphics were crystal clear. How that could be with 320x480 I’m not sure, but it was great. The games weren’t as complex as the ones today obviously, but we’re talking some pretty decent games.
I know the PSP does some wireless things, the internet and all. That’s pretty cool. I guess at 58 I’m a bit beyond the thrill of video games. I think that does impact some of the other things we’ve talked about, as far as appreciation goes. You don’t think it will make much difference, but at a certain point you just see some things differently.
Here’s what I initially said.
“I’m such a gadget freak, and it seems to me that there as been a dearth of creative gadgets over the last decade or so.
Cell phones have met a certain design limit, and need to be rethought IMO. It’s time for a breath of fresh air.
The iPhone is a good product, but there are even problems with that.”
You’ve pointed out that there have been some things coming down the pike that you thought were pretty cool. I think they are too. The problem for me is that much of them had an analog version that met my needs before the new ones came along. That doesn’t mean they aren’t super, but I’m just not that impressed. I don’t feel compelled to go out and make a purchase of these things.
I appreciate the responses. For you the things that have come out over the last decade have been top quality, and you have been impressed. That’s good. I’m sure there are plenty of people who agree with you.
Take care.