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I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?

By | September 9, 2009, 2:27pm PDT

Summary: Common wisdom says we’re hurtling toward a world where a single portable device will be all you need to handle a wide variety of consumerish tasks. But the further we approach that end goal, the less I want to end up there. Today’s Apple music announcements reminded me of that fact.

Common wisdom says we’re hurtling toward a world where a single portable device will be all you need to handle a wide variety of consumerish tasks.

But the further we approach that end goal, the less I want to end up there. Today’s Apple music announcements reminded me of that fact.

I am not an iPod/iPhone/iMac user. I have a Sony Walkman MP3 player, an LG (non Windows Mobile) phone and a Windows PC. I also have an Amazon Kindle and a Panasonic camera. I carry a big bag which usually contains at least two or three of these devices at any given time.

I’m willing to cart all this stuff around because I want my phone to be a good phone. I don’t care if it can browse the Web or hold hundreds of pictures that I can flick through at a moment’s notice. If it’s not good at making and receiving calls, it’s not worth having. I want my camera to be a decent camera. I don’t care about capturing video clips on it. I want my ebook reader to allow me to purchase and read books. Even though it has built-in wireless and a browser, I have used it to check the Web once in four months or so.

I thought I might be in the minority in my views about device convergence — until I asked folks on Twitter if they were fans of the single device ideal. Most who replied were not. Some cited battery-life issues as the reason they weren’t keen on the single-device-does-all idea. Others said they weren’t interested in devices that were OK at lots of tasks but great at none of them. I don’t need a camera that posts to Twitter, one of my Tweet-buddies quipped.

I’ve been playing lately with the Zune subscription service. (Hey, I never claimed to be an early adopter; in fact, I’m typically a “wait for at least the third version” one.) With the Zune Pass, for $15 a month, you can download a lot of music and keep 10 tracks a month. The Zune Pass service works nicely with my Sony player — not surprising given Microsoft’s growing emphasis on Zune as software and a service and deemphasis of it as a standalone MP3 player. Yes, there are new and much improved Zune players coming on September 15, but I’m far more interested in the non-hardware-specific components than the Zune HDs themselves, especially given my Sony MP3 player is still working well two years after I bought it.

Maybe those of us who would feel more affinity with a portable rotary phone (thanks for the link, Jake) than an all-in-one multi-touch phone/videocam/ebook reader/gaming/photo display/browsing  pedometer/voice-recording device should stop focusing so much on the next cool gadget and pay more attention to the software/services that make them tick.

(Update: As one reader noted, an all-in-one MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device also could be called a PC. In fact, Apple almost seemed to be repositioning the iPod Touch as a rival to a full-fledged PC as part of its September 9 announcements.)

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Topics

Phone, MP3 Player, Microsoft Zune, MP3, Camera, Media Players, Digital Music, Digital Media, Telecom & Utilities, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Mary Jo Foley

Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 25 years for a variety of publications and Web sites, and is a frequent guest on radio, TV and podcasts, speaking about all things Microsoft-related. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008).

Disclosure

Mary-Jo Foley

Freelance journalist/blogger Mary Jo Foley has nothing to disclose. WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). I do not own Microsoft stock or stock in any of its partners or competitors. I have no business ventures that are sponsored by/funded by Microsoft or any of its partners or competitors.

Biography

Mary-Jo Foley

Mary Jo Foley has covered the tech industry for 25 years for a variety of publications, including ZDNet, eWeek and Baseline. She has kept close tabs on Microsoft strategy, products and technologies for the past 10 years. In the late 1990s, she penned the award-winning "At The Evil Empire" column for ZDNet, and more recently the Microsoft Watch blog for Ziff Davis.

Got a tip? Send her an email with your rants, rumors, tips and tattles. Confidentiality guaranteed.

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RE: I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?
dfwekrwe65-24353628853029996579203855746389 Updated - 11th Nov
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Disagree with your update
NonZealot 9th Sep 2009
In fact, Apple almost seemed to be repositioning the iPod Touch as a rival to a full-fledged PC

Nope, Apple is repositioning the iPod Touch as a rival to the 8 year old HP iPAQ running PocketPC.

Apps? Check.
Browser? Check.
Exchange support? Check.
Multi-media support? Check.
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another planet
bannedfromzdnetagain 9th Sep 2009
you really live in your own solar system.
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Noted
NonZealot 9th Sep 2009
Your inability to answer intelligently has been noted. happy
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I'm surprised...
914four 18th Sep 2009
...that you didn't compare it to the HP 95LX, which ran DOS, had apps, a terminal (early browser?) app, and the ability to get email (assuming you got your email from an HP3000 running HP Mail), and this way back in the early 90ies. The iPaq was really just a bigger, clunkier version of the older HP handhelds. I still have my Journada 820 (1998) and HP never made anything comparable until the recent 1000s. But then, based on your analogy, we can say that Windows 7 is really just Microsoft competing with the Apple Lisa, couldn't we? Or the Xerox Alto.
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RE: I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?
The DataRat 9th Sep 2009
Touch screens for devices with larger screens than seven
inches are stupid ! And, I'll keep my camera, phone,
television, and Web browser separate thank you. All-in-
one devices ruin ALL of the devices !
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So you're the ones ...
ChipWinter 9th Sep 2009
I missed my flight recently because the woman ahead of me was slow in
getting through security with all those things.
Convergence can't come soon enough.
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No, just you.
Colie3 14th Sep 2009
Did you ever consider just turning up earlier for your flight?
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I couldn't agree more
TheRackow 9th Sep 2009
I couldn't agree more... I am a current ipod touch user and soon to be a ZuneHD user. I have a great camera... why would I trade that in for a crappy one? I have a laptop for ACTUAL desktop class Apps not crappy stripped down ones. I want an MP3 player that is REALLY good at all things music. From what I hear the Zune line has a much better audio processor than anything Apple has made.

So please give me my MP3 player and leave other functions to the devices in which they were designed for!
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Me too!
rjohn05 9th Sep 2009
I too am a current iPod Touch owner and soon to be ZuneHD owner.

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Me 3! ZuneHD looks amazing
NonZealot 9th Sep 2009
iWhat? happy
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RE: I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?
dlwhite66 9th Sep 2009
And yet everyone ones a PC and can hardly imagine life without one. Sure it's a compromise and problematic, but it delivers lots of functionality in one device. No one has ever said "don't add high quality audio to the PC, or video, or web browsing, etc" It may take a while to get right. Ultimately it's a personal choice between between the high-quantity, near-perfect dedicated devices and single, good-enough multi-purpose devices. Good-enough gets better and better. Camera phones were nearly worthless, now there are more iPhone snaps on Flickr than anything else. Long live the pocket fisherman.
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RE: I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?
rshol 9th Sep 2009
If you want things that way, I want you to have them that way.

I, on the other hand, want those things in one device that fits easily in my pocket. Fortunately for me, iPhone does all that (including answering phone calls well) plus it holds my notes, my calendar, its a video camera, it lets me read both ebooks and kindle books. Guys look pretty lame carrying a purse, so I find it comes in handy.

Different strokes for different folks.
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And some people like convenience
UGottaBKidding 9th Sep 2009
When I'm taking photos on the sideline of my kid's
football game I use my DSLR and long lens. But, when
my sister (who lives overseas) sends me an email
asking about my son's new braces and how they look it
sure is nice to be able to take the device I used to
receive and read that email, point it at my son's
mouth, take a photo and effortlessly attach it to an
email so that 30 secs after I receive her email she
knows exactly how his braces look.
The fact that the same device keeps my kid amused on
long drives, lets me show my friends a video I made
of my last vacation, and allows me to stay in touch
by email and phone when I'm traveling on business to
Japan...well...that's convenience and it's valuable
to me.
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Dedicated devices have their place..
oncall Updated - 9th Sep 2009
Just like all-in-one devices do. Stop thinking of it as "I must have one or the other" you can have both. For instance, I have great digital cameras and a video camera as well as a Kindle and laptop. These all are excellent for their intended purposes when I am into things like taking pictures and such. I would not trade any of them over the corresponding function in my iPhone. But it is very nice to have that all-in-one for those spontaneous shots or quick web surfing or some light reading while at the airport and I always carry my cell phone anyway. Even better with the all-in-one as I have very limited pocket room to put multiple devices (I understand a manbag would help but I am not going there).

As I commented in a discussion some months ago, the device that is going to get used the most is...the one you are already carrying. I take the most (and best) pictures with my Nikon D90 but I have captured some special moments with my iPhone that would have been missed if I went looking for the better gear. Quality is going to take a back seat to sheer convenience. But there will always be quality, dedicated devices for people who want/need to do quality work.
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You're arguing against a bit of strawman here...
TheWerewolf 9th Sep 2009
Deep in your argument are a number of assumptions that I really can't see as being inherently true.

(a) A multifunction device must inherently do many things poorly while a single function device must inherently do that one thing well.

Both halves of that premise are faulty. While it can be argued that the claim that the iPhone 'changed the nature of cellphones' is overblown (I certainly don't buy it), the fact remains that the basic phone functions on all smartphones are roughly the same. But I would argue that because of the attention to UI detail, it's easier on the iPhone simply because it's better thought out.

But adding a keyboard (Palm Pre, for example), fixes even this possible setback.

Conversely - ever use a Nokia simplephone? Good lord that's horrible.

(b) The "I don't need" argument. That argument only really holds up when a feature that is perceived as unnecessary (I say perceived because historically, the perception is actually driven by the lack of the feature - it's common that once the feature becomes available, people find uses for it) also impacts functionality in other areas. If adding a camera significantly increases the cost or reduces or impairs other more necessary functions - then yes, it's a problem.

But if the function is isolated or elegantly integrated, then its presence is irrelevent. A difference which makes no difference is no difference. Except - as I note, once you include a function that a user may have not considered useful - often they will actually find a use for it.

A camera on a cellphone seems useless - but I can't count how often it's turned out to be insanely useful *in very specific instances* where using a full on camera wouldn't have been possible.

(c) The Big Bag Theory. I used to carry a 4.5lb laptop, a camera, an iPhone, a pocket drive, all sorts of accessories and so on. Kind of defeats the purpose of portable no?

Now I have a 3 lb touchbook and with a little judicious planning, I've eliminated almost all the extra stuff (the camera stays because it has a very different use pattern and alas, no one has figured out how to stick a good optical zoom into a small embeddable camera - but if they could - the camera would go too).

A nice Tucano sleeve shoulder bag for a touch of style and it's all I need.

Right now - we're in a strange saddle point between old and new tech - and some of the details haven't been worked out. But Win7 on tablets/netbooks and the new OSes for phone are smoothing out the kinks.
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Hold on a second...
wolf_z 10th Sep 2009
I disagree that those asumptions are false. Not that they are *necessarily* true, but given the state of the world, they *ARE* true.

As *phones* I would put my humble $99 Samsung up against any phone on the market. Standby time/talk time, battery lifetime, sound clarity, signal coverage, you know, things a phone needs to do well.

Smart/super phones like the iPhone aren't as good by defintion. Use an iPhone for surfing/music? You kill your standby/talk time. Not to mention your battery life. Oh, and you have to have your phone serviced if you need a new battery...

How's the sound? (I never talked on one). Is it as good as an honest-to-god landline? Mine is, how about yours?

How does that glass covering stand up to being in pocket? Can you comfortably carry your phone in your pocket without provoking crude jokes? Does carrying it in a pocket accidentally press buttons?

Is it as cheap as mine? Can you take it to other carriers? These are things a phone is supposed to do. Can it?

So no, the superphones may be neat but they're best reserved for people who want a pocket web browser/MP3 player/camera/nanocomputer that happens to make phone calls too.

Me, I want a phone that is a *great* phone, doesn't cost too much, and can easily put up with daily knocks and still last for years. One that can change carriers when *I* do.

Superphones can't do all that. Granted, they do a lot *more* but as a phone they are at best average. And much more expensive.

Don't get me wrong. Sometimes you want generalization, a computer is the ur-example.

But sometimes you just need a phone.
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I totally agree
kcredden2 9th Sep 2009
I have an Asus Eee HA (Running Ubuntu 9, so no MS taxs), which is my computer on the go. An AT&T gophone,($100 a year gives me all the time I need) and a good 4mpx camera. All of these are cheap, and I don't have to be tied to some company with some overpriced service contracts. I was one who long opposed subscriptions, and contracts because they cost me money. Now I'm considered a visonary happy.

As for an e-book reader. Until they come as free as my Asus, (IE: no DRM, no restrictions on my books I buy, not "rent" as they think you do.) then I won't have one, and from what I read lately, a lot feel the same. Paperbacks are cheap and light enough.

Besides the Asus can function as a reader. Just get the right software.

- Kc

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Huh?
oncall 9th Sep 2009
So as a owner extolling the virtues of multiple small, cheap, multipurpose, devices you are agreeing with her that small, cheap, multipurpose devices are not the way to go?
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Hahaha whatever, seen that done that
spinit 9th Sep 2009
Software as a service like what? Like this subscription service that CNet talks about back in 2002??? http://news.cnet.com/2100-1023-948669.html

10 years later and you're shoveling the same old shite.

Why don't you tell us what happened to play-for-sure and all those subscription services that were build on MS DRM?
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Yes I want the convergence.
BubbaJones_ 9th Sep 2009
The following fits all iPhone type devices; Palm Pre,
Windows Mobile and the like. iPhone is what I own:

For me not any longer do I feel as though I'm Batman
wearing a utility belt of devices. Don't have to carry a man
purse nor lug around my laptop where it should not be
carried.

P&S digital pocket cameras are terrific but, one cannot take
a picture then immediately e-mail it. Depending on ones
job that ability is many times desirable.

My photos are in my iPhone synced from iPhoto. Often I'm
asked to send requisite photos for a presentation or
discussion. It is so easy to e-mail them from the iPhone
rather than waiting until I can get to the laptop.

The application integration in one small device is for me a
joy. The ability to receive a e-mail with a link, click the
link, to then see the page then be able to forward that to
others is time saving. Many times I'm not in a location that
you'd want to lug a laptop so the iPhone is a blessing.
Also, I use my iPhone as a GPS. iPod section has files but,
not what you think they're anuran calls we're tracking. As a
reference they are played back.

Are these integrated devices best of breed, no way.
However, the convergence, integration, of these small
devices sure is a major convenience for me. It is so nice
having one small device fitting my pocket accomplishing
multiple tasks. Dick Tracy was way ahead of his time.

None of the above may be for you but, it sure does work
from me.
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Thanks for the chuckle
NonZealot 9th Sep 2009
It is so nice
having one small device fitting my pocket
accomplishing
multiple tasks.

Hehe, you just called the iPhone "small". LOL!
Guess you've never seen an HTC Touch Diamond which
is better than the iPhone in every way imaginable
and is significantly more portable. happy
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What's with the childish, "Hehe,..."?
BubbaJones_ 10th Sep 2009
Compared to a laptop or Netbook yes the iPhone is small.
For me, the iPhone screen is large enough without being too
small as are the screens on other like phones.

You like the HTC Touch Diamond, it works for you I'm happy
you enjoy it. That choice for you is a good one but, not for
me. We both have our tools of choice neither of us is wrong,
both of us are correct for our needs and desires.
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Ermm, no
LeeC 10th Sep 2009
It's got a smaller screen than the iPhone and it is only the same resolution.

It has less internal memory than the iPhone.

You said it is better in "every way imaginable", does that exclude factual ways that it isn't better?

And what, a dimensional difference of 13mm x 10mm x 1mm makes it "significantly more portable"? Sounds like you have a skewed viewpoint on what measurements are considered "significant"... makes ya think really, that one.
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Stay on topic...
BubbaJones_ 10th Sep 2009
the author desires ones thoughts about convergent devices vs.
individual devices. Don't sully her article with your childish rants that
have nothing to do with the topic.
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It's a guy thing
Yagotta B. Kidding 9th Sep 2009
You have a purse to carry all those things.

Try leaving it at home and doing with only pockets and maybe a belt clip, and the story changes.
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age related opinion?
cabdriverjim 9th Sep 2009
Many of my older friends say the same thing. Mostly because they just don't understand technology very well. Granted, I wouldn't want to read a book on a phone but that's about it. It would be nice if I could, though. The ability has come in very handy at times, though.

I want, dare I say must have, one device that can do anything to carry with me. Maybe its not my preferred device for some tasks. Maybe its mediocre at everything it does. But its with me at all times and connected to all of my information in the world. I still watch videos on a big TV from a comfy spot. I listen to music on a home theater attached to the computer. I read on my netbook. I do my job on a big workstation with multiple massive monitors. The devices should be mostly irrelevant so long as they function well enough. Its the task that matters.

Your reasoning is rooted in the old world. The world where the media and book producers are trapped. You can't see past what you were born into. Its a problem all of us face. Some of us see brief glimpses into the future but that's all. To paraphrase something Douglas Englebart said over 40 years ago, "We can't possibly understand how to use the technology our generation created. But our children will be born into it and use it in ways we can't even imagine to create the technology that their children will know how to use. Each generation building on the past." He called it an epiphany. Progress is evolutionary rather than instantaneous. He surmised that after 3 or 4 generations augmented human intellect would reach a tipping point. And, honestly, I think he nailed it. We are 1 or 2 generations from something wonderful.
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They aren't made for you in the first place.
Bazwel1962 Updated - 9th Sep 2009
Who cares what you want in digital devices Mary-Jo? No
really - do you think Jobs will be losing any sleep over
what you do - or don't want? Rest assured, there are
plenty of people who want to buy convergence devices that
work properly like say - oh an ipod. Obviously that's not so
much the case with a Zune. For the life of me though, I
can't see why you are even bothering to write about Apple
products when you proudly say that you don't use them.
It's a bit like a movie reviewer reviewing a movie that they
haven't bothered seeing. But then your track record on
Apple isn't entirely unbiased.
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I totally agree
nessrapp 10th Sep 2009
Jack of all trade master of none. I would like a phone with a decent camera but only for times when i see something interesting that i want to capture, but for my real camera, i have a panasonic camera that does the job very well.

I totally agree with the post.. I prefer to have separate gadgets that do what they were supposed to do very well!
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RE: I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?
rocketman67 10th Sep 2009
Totally agree with not going the way of the "One Device Does It All" crowd.Isn't the thing that got most companies into trouble in the first place....specifically MS.
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A woman thing?
PFFXV 10th Sep 2009
This must be a woman thing. I don't understand it. Several
women have slammed my iPhone because they don't want
want everything in one device. Is it that I don't want to carry
a "big bag." Slugging around an mp3 player, phone, GPS and
netbook just doesn't appeal to me.
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not so much
TheRackow 10th Sep 2009
I can honestly say that I would carry my mp3 player, camera, keys, wallet, and phone in my pockets. Its not a big hassle. As for a GPS, I keep that in my car... cause really, where else will i use that?

Also, I don't find it necessary to be connected 24/7. I have a laptop and when I know I need it, I bring it places in a nice laptop case. This case actually can then fit ALL of my devices. Its not a burden for me because I know i'm using the best tool for the job needed. the iPhone GPS is crap, the iPhone camera is crap, the iPhone browser is crap, the screen is too small, and the keyboard has no tactile feel to it. (I don't mean to pick on the iPhone in particular but since we are using Apple as an example...)
My cannon P&S it great, my tomtom GPS is great, my laptops browser is great... I dont compromise functionality for form, style, and "cool points"
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(NT)
BubbaJones_ Updated - 10th Sep 2009
.
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RE: I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?
rmark@... 10th Sep 2009
I want an all in one device, but only if it has the horse power to handle it. My BlackBerry Storm gets overwhelmed and needs to be restarted too often. There should never be an hourglass trying to make a call, but often there is.

Once the hardware catches up and the software evolves, the all in one device will basically be minature netbook with a camera and microphone.
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For me, current multifunctional devices still lack functions: I need WALLET
Mantvis 10th Sep 2009
For me,

I want a decent device, but ONE device, which can do everything I need.

And still, there's no such a device yet.

I love that now I have: phone, address book, browser, music player, camera, video player, calendar, reminders, etc. in one.

But I still lack one major function: wallet.

I want to get rid of all the plastic cards: visa, amex, etc. I want to pay with my device. I know that in Japan DoCoMo has it by waving a device nearby a special reader in a shop.

And I want that. Then, I will not need to carry my waller, and just my device.
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RE: I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?
Super D 10th Sep 2009
Agreed 100%. Something that does "everything" probably gives up features of a standalone device.
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RE: I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?
kayakman79 10th Sep 2009
I felt the same way for a long time. But when devices like the iPhone began to emerge and did most things decently, I evolved with the technology as well.
While it is true, the iPhone's camera is not great by any means, or that the browser is a mobile browser and not a full fledged browser, but...something that small that lives in my pocket that provides me access to these features is truly a benefit. I don't want to carry my DSLR, Laptop, Phone, MP3 Player, PSP with my EVERYWHERE I go. It is such a hassle, even if I had a manpurse (not an option). The more things you have with you, the more you have to keep track of.

I selectivly bring the other devices when I intend to actually use them, like vacations, or special moments with family/friends.

I will gladly sacrifice a little quality for convenience. The iPhone does a great job considering it's size and it offers a lot of functionality that is adequate. You just have to keep your expectations realistic. Don't expect a Canon 5D quality picture from the phone...
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RE: I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?
riverab@... 10th Sep 2009
I agree with you 100%. I want my devices to what they are supposed to do well. I remember Dennis Leary doing a stand up routine. He said he walked in to a gas station to get coffee and the person asked him what flavor he wanted. He said "I want coffee flavored coffee". I LOL'd out loud.
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RE: I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?
T M 10th Sep 2009
I think, too.
I think that it is convenient when these digital function can be separatable.
However, I think that these digital function can be conbinable link LEGO blocks.
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RE: I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?
JMCarrigan 10th Sep 2009
Do I? Not no but hell no!
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RE: I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?
technogran 10th Sep 2009
Who makes the decisions on what we consumers 'must' have? Does anyone ever conduct any Market research these days? I want my mobile to make phone calls and let me text (includig sending SMS and MMS. I can't afford to surf the web on it, and why should I pay through the nose to surf the web on a mobile when I can do it through my ISP at home?
If I want to take a picture, I use a camera. Does anyone ever bother asking us USERS what we want any more?
I don't think so. They just come up with these ideas for themselves 'Ooh, that'll be cool' and then try to foist it all on the general public who either don't want it, can't afford it or can't learn to use it all.
TG
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RE: I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?
calumg 11th Sep 2009
You're missing the opportunity that comes from combining technology.

Camera + email = real-time feed. Camera + GPS = geotagging. Internet + music player = streaming music. Phone + internet = Skype. Video + phone = videocalling. Video + internet = videoconference. Editor + internet = microblogging on the go. Audio + ebook = audiobook. Book + internet = dictionary. Ebook + editor = annotations. Video + GPS = in-car navitainment system. Camera + GPS + internet to identify landmarks. Camera + viewer = photoframe. Viewer + internet = web browser. TV + internet = webtv.

Do you get it now?

Dedicated devices can do none of this! Furthermore, portable devices ARE computers, and will be regarded more and more as such. Why would you take a general-purpose device and disable its functionality to make it uni-purpose?

The only remaining question is where is Microsoft in this revolution?
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Opportunities from a combined-function device
ScatterbotsNY Updated - 21st Sep 2009
calmug notes:

You're missing the opportunity that comes from combining technology.

Camera + email = real-time feed. Camera + GPS = geotagging. Internet + music player = streaming music. Phone + internet = Skype. Video + phone = videocalling. Video + internet = videoconference. Editor + internet = microblogging on the go. Audio + ebook = audiobook. Book + internet = dictionary. Ebook + editor = annotations. Video + GPS = in-car navitainment system. Camera + GPS + internet to identify landmarks. Camera + viewer = photoframe. Viewer + internet = web browser. TV + internet = webtv.

I think this is significant. If you have a camera, why would you not want the ability to easily email pictures to friends, or to facebook? Not all of your photos, of course, but if you come across some scene that you know a friend of yours will love to see, then snap it and email it.

In my case, the biggest block there is that I don't want to spend $absurd per month for cell-phone service. But if I was willing to pay for that, then I'd want an iPhone with GPS, camera, etc. The more the merrier.
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pic n mix
akritchie 11th Sep 2009
Battery life is probably my most important consideration in this equation, but a close second is the ability to choose what gadgets (and their quality) I get to carry along. Currently I have a Nokia S60-based phone with business applications and the MobiPocket book reader, a Creative Zen mp3 player (the phone is an older model and doesn't play in stereo, plus I like to preserve battery life), and a Nintendo DSi for games. The phone could do everything, but I hate ending up like my friends who always have dead batteries at the end of long flights. Plus, the DSi (despite having its own battery life problems) has a better game selection.

Generally, I want the ability to choose my own favorite toys and tools, without having to settle. Multiple devices give me that ability.
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RE: I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?
Grey Ash 11th Sep 2009
No, No I don't. Why? I know the "Lowest common denomenator" is in vouge, Horrible pictures, horrible music and music quality, mind numbingly stupid behavior of the techno-symbiotic relationships with cell phones and iPod and Mobile on demand crap while people blunder oblivious under the guise of "multitasking" wiping out pedestrians, walking into light posts. the funny thing: we have all come to see this behavior as normal, The Blind leading The Blind, very few people guffaw out loud at someone who runs head first into a lamppost whilst yakking on a cell phone and paging through their playlists..even the Winos are looking at the Apps/iPod people like they're nuts...and Bluetooth...Power to the Winos..They are the only ones who are seeing clearly it seems.
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Yes. I want a converged device. Have one in fact.
ComputerGeneralist 15th Sep 2009
But then, I don't have a big bag to carry all the dedicated devices and their various chargers and battery types around in either. I also tend to be an early adopter: When they issue the first tricorder, I'll probably get one....
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Three wishes
Earthling2 Updated - 18th Sep 2009
Mary, I would've said that you were in denial after having too much of Apple if I didn't share your view. happy

I just don't understand why I need to lug a keyboard that I can't type on or a shiny precious magpie magnet with a huge brittle piece of glass on one side and slippery polished metal on another, and too small of a screen to read anything useful anyway.

This is what I'd like to have:

1. A dirt cheap phone with a 1.3 MP camera, one that I can put in a poket along with the car keys. If it has a radio and a WMP player, so much the better. If it is waterproof - excellent!

2. 12-inch, 1/2 inch thick 1 lb multi-touch + pen tablet with no keyboard. Think of an issue of National Geographic.

It must produce text and images of the same quality as in National Geographic. Text must be highly readable in both portrait and landscape mode. Must be easily seen by at least three people in a single line without change in contrast or color with the angle, both in portrait and landscape.

Must have no shiny surfaces. Ideally, a rubbery-feel plastic or brushed metal or several options of those. Mutlicolor (at least purple and navy :-D). No funny squeaks or cracking sounds of a cheap plastic toy.

Must have two headphone jacks, bluetooh and wi-fi. Speakers are not required. For phone broadband, item number 1 should be used as a modem, and this setup should work with any phone network provider. Reasonable video camera for p2p is good, but may be optional. Inertial sensors, GPS - optional.

Safe connectors (magnetic or something similar) to power supply and other attachments.

Must store enough movies and power juice for the duration of an intercontinental flight.

Storage must be encryptable to keep data safe.

This second device will be used for reading books, documents with graphics, e-mailing with short replies, taking small notes, drawing diagrams and doodles, internet browsing, HD movie watching, light gaming. When connected to a projector or a larger monitor, the main screen might function as a temporary keyboard. When connected (somehow) to a larger computer, it should work as an extended desktop monitor and a disk.

Ideally, should cost less than $900 after a year of production. Components, including the battery, should be replaceable with a screwdriver and the thing should have at least 3-year warranty.

One more thing: must be capable of running multiple operating systems; the hardware sales should not subsidize one particular operating system that may not be otherwise run on hardware from other companies. Information about the hardware design must be made available to every software developers willing to tinker with it.

Optionally, a big magnet for securing it to the fridge. :-D

3. A stationary computer with a huge monitor and everything else. No all-in-one design, because I want the parts to be replaceable/upgradable. The unit #2 should work as a second monitor when connected; the unit #2 storage - available as a disk. In addition, #1 and #2 should function as two computers in a network if they are not connected in the above mode.

Have fun (and imagination).
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Give me one device (excluding cellphone)
sthatcher 21st Sep 2009
given that the title never mentioned a phone (you can throw out the cell phone paragraph), I can disagree wholeheartedly with you. What a pain it is to haul around a bunch of stuff. I go out in the field a lot to work. Having a Samsung tablet Windows PC is a life saver. I use it during the day to run analysis programs; at night to watch a movie, browse the web, get my email, play games, listen to music, and read books with Sony eBook. I would rather not have to take a large power strip so I can charge all my separate devices at night when I am on the road. If I want to take pictures (even though the tablet has a webcam), I take a Nikon D90. I use a regular cell phone for calls.
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It depends on the quality and cost
ScatterbotsNY Updated - 21st Sep 2009
Let's say the first portable toy I want is a good music player. So, I start with some portable music device.

Now what if the maker of that device adds a "good enough" camera, for free, like Apple just did with the iPod nano. Do I refuse it, and go out and buy close-out specials of the previous model just because I don't want someone forcing a lower-quality camera on me? What if they also add an FM radio, and I want FM radio for something?

The article assumes that a device that does many things must do a mediocre job at all of those things. It also assumes that if I have a device that does many things, then I am forbidden from also buying a more specialized device for the things I care the most about.

In my case, I did just buy a new iPod touch, and I do really wish it also had a camera and GPS (I don't care about FM radio, not at all). I realize that isn't practical in a technical sense right now, but I'd really like to have those features in the nice thin iPod touch form factor.

However, earlier this summer I also bought a very very nice Canon digital camera. When I really care about high-quality photos, I'll bring that camera. But when I don't, it'd be nice to have a "good enough" camera in addition to my music player.

I do like the ability to read books on my iPod touch, but I'm also tempted to buy a Kindle for when I know I'll spend a lot of time reading. Let's see, the Kindle2 (which is very nice) is $299. Or I can get the Kindle app for the iPhone, which is free. Hmm. Free. It's really easy to afford "free". I can get that Kindle app, and still have the same amount of money left over to buy a full Kindle when I want to.

Also consider that I walk to work every day. In my case, that's over a mile of walking. Now I could carry around a kindle, a nice canon camera, an ipod touch, a Garmin GPS, and a PSP. Or maybe I would buy two of everything, so I have one at work and one at home and don't have to carry them back-and-forth.

Or I could get one all-in-one device, which does one thing very well (music, in my case), but also has the other features in "good enough" quality. And if that one device is cheaper than a backpack full of devices, then that's all the better.
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Pretty much.
Spiritusindomit@... 23rd Sep 2009
I have a phone, a laptop, and a desktop. I don't waste my time listening to music outside the house; if I'm not home, it's because I'm making money. All the features you describe are for people with excessive amounts of free (read: wasted) time, and usually an equivalent amount of debt to go with it.
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RE: I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?
Greg Martin 24th Sep 2009
I was going to say I would only want this all-in-one if
it could be implanted. Now, in light of your update, I
have to say I do own one of those - a PC. No, I don't.
It doesn't have a camera. Yes, I think I'll hold out for
the implant. Can't wait for the first traffic accident
caused by a game-playing implant owner. Everyone will be
longing for the good old days of the texting bus drivers.
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RE: I don't want an MP3 player/camera/ebook reader/gaming device. Do you?
dfwekrwe65-24353628853029996579203855746389 Updated - 11th Nov
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