cellphone savvy
Around my house, we're usually slow to pick up on the latest technology or popular trends. In the last 10 years, I'd have to say that the only things that my wife and I have been quick to adopt have been Tivo and Netflix (They're both the bomb. Trust me.)
Other than that, we (probably mostly me) have a tendency to decide that we don't need any of that silly equipment. We get along just fine without it, thank you very much.
Then, once the market has been thoroughly saturated, we take the plunge and decide how great X is, spending the next few months telling everybody we know how amazing our new device is or this new program that we just "got onto." Regardless of the fact that most of the civilized world has already acquired said device or knows more about the show than we.
This has been the case with everything from portable phones, to Internet access, to satellite television, to high-speed Internet access as well as television programs like "The Sopranos" and "Desperate Housewives." (If you don't already, watch them)
Anyway, we just recently got dual cellphones and we are beside ourselves over being able to talk to each other at any time for free. Did you know about this cool technology? I'm sure you did.
Coincidentally, while we've been basking in our new found technological liberation, the New York Times has been of two minds on the subject. On the one hand, Tom Friedman wrote yesterday about the dire state of American wi-fi and cellular services as compared to that of other developed nations. In it, Friedman is upset that the Japanese are able to receive service while riding on their underground bullet trains while Americans struggle with cellphone signals in many open air areas. Personally, given the choice, I'd take having underground bullet trains over having cellphone service on under ground bullet trains any day of the week, but that's not Friedman's point.
Then today, in the Technology section, Matt Richtel and Ken Belson wrote about the growing prevalence of these products in some of the most unlikely of places. Although I'm impressed with the notion of a widening of access to this very helpful technology, I can't help but be reminded of "Cash 'n' Go" style business practices with regard to the way these cellphones are being marketed and sold.
btw, reading NY Times articles on-line requires a one-time, free registration. Regardless of whether or not you want to read the articles I've linked to, I highly recommend that you register for your own reading pleasure.
Other than that, we (probably mostly me) have a tendency to decide that we don't need any of that silly equipment. We get along just fine without it, thank you very much.
Then, once the market has been thoroughly saturated, we take the plunge and decide how great X is, spending the next few months telling everybody we know how amazing our new device is or this new program that we just "got onto." Regardless of the fact that most of the civilized world has already acquired said device or knows more about the show than we.
This has been the case with everything from portable phones, to Internet access, to satellite television, to high-speed Internet access as well as television programs like "The Sopranos" and "Desperate Housewives." (If you don't already, watch them)
Anyway, we just recently got dual cellphones and we are beside ourselves over being able to talk to each other at any time for free. Did you know about this cool technology? I'm sure you did.
Coincidentally, while we've been basking in our new found technological liberation, the New York Times has been of two minds on the subject. On the one hand, Tom Friedman wrote yesterday about the dire state of American wi-fi and cellular services as compared to that of other developed nations. In it, Friedman is upset that the Japanese are able to receive service while riding on their underground bullet trains while Americans struggle with cellphone signals in many open air areas. Personally, given the choice, I'd take having underground bullet trains over having cellphone service on under ground bullet trains any day of the week, but that's not Friedman's point.
Then today, in the Technology section, Matt Richtel and Ken Belson wrote about the growing prevalence of these products in some of the most unlikely of places. Although I'm impressed with the notion of a widening of access to this very helpful technology, I can't help but be reminded of "Cash 'n' Go" style business practices with regard to the way these cellphones are being marketed and sold.
btw, reading NY Times articles on-line requires a one-time, free registration. Regardless of whether or not you want to read the articles I've linked to, I highly recommend that you register for your own reading pleasure.
posted by ediehl at 8:05 AM
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