Email: Smart Phones

“What is so incredible about the smartphone that causes this behavior? Do any of the readers know?”

Here is my take on it. Desktops and even laptops require more of an immediate investment and serious maintenance to operate, smart phones don’t.

A desktop takes minutes to be fully usable, requires authentication (logging in), understanding how to setup and maintain a network (wifi is too much for some people and emi from stuff like microwaves and bass speakers is an issue) and they integrate well with homes and roles but not life.

A smart phone removes nearly all of the barriers for computing if you’re literate. Just press power and you have near immediate access to content like an nes. Heck, these things are designed to always be on.

The interface is simplified and the menu buried features of the past are either more exposed now or are now used in a separate application. For many users It’s like moving from the standard being the Steel Battalion controller to a Wii controller. They get to handle the core of what they care about very easily now.

Smart phones are like computers made for the common man instead of terminals adapted to the common man. They fit in a pocket or purse, are responsive despite their age and require very little maintenance. Just buy a case. Combine that with heavy subsidies for phones in America and you can see why people love them. They’re getting $600-$1000 devices for about a quarter of their worth.

I’ve always viewed the computer as offering alternatives. Instead of doing spreadsheets by hand, I use computer. Instead of typewriting the novel, I use computer. Instead of mailing someone a letter, I use email. Instead of going over to play a game together, I use Internet. Instead of the stupid newspapers, I get news via Internet. Instead of terrible television, I use computer alternatives from video games to Netflix. I haven’t watched television with commercials since the prior century.

What you’re saying is that all those people using smartphones in public are illustrating they don’t care where they are at the moment or what they are doing? I can believe that.