Handheld devices: fashion over functionality?

It is becoming increasingly obvious with the ever growing number of products on the market, that fashion is a more prominent outlet for the younger generation than functionality. With growing consciousness of society and what is expected of the iGeneration to maintain social norms.

CNET's Kara Tsuboi visits the University of Berkeley to discuss with students the range of devices and gadgets they want to get their hands on.

The experts clearly point out the functionality of both hardware and software, whereas the almost-naive students will go for the fashion conscious devices. One students points out, "Apple things, those are the fads".

The exception to the fashion and functionality is the iPhone, not the iPod Touch. Understandably, some find better use of their money to be in "all-in-one" devices, such as the iPhone or the BlackBerry range of devices; the latter having a far better camera than that of the iPhone. This may well be a cost-cutting method for the more strapped student, although some decide on having dedicated devices for specific purposes.

Fashion seems to reach only the most prominent of technologies within our lives; computers and phones. Some weeks ago, I was given a Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte to play with, but it was Nokia's undoing in the end.

Disclosure I try not to promote products on this blog, as a shameless plugger for corporations and businesses who think they can get the better of me by "slipping me something under the table". If you have a product which suits students specifically or directly, always get in touch, otherwise stick it where the sun don't shine because I couldn't care less. You can view my industry affiliations at any time.

The 8800 is not only £1,079 ($1,600), but it's an abomination of a device. You would expect something to cost this much to boast a killer feature, instead this phone is made with titanium and carbon fibre; two of the strongest commercially available items on the market. With an appalling OLED screen and dull display appearance, the only credible feature it has is a "double screen-tap" feature which displays the clock on the phone, when you violently tap the screen.

Why anybody would want a feature which, in turn, hurts your finger when you use it, not only terrifies me when I use it for reasons being it costs so much to replace, but feature wise, they practically do not exist.

While manufacturers appeal to fashion conscious consumers, productivity and functionality will surely reign over other factors.

Would you buy a fashion phone over a functional phone? Which is most important to you? Leave a comment and share you thoughts.