I couldn't agree more, Rob. It also continues to amaze me, even at the end of 2011, that so much intuitive, cool technology fits into something so small and thin. I can't wait to see what features are showcased on the iPhone 5!
From the design engineering standpoint, I think many people underestimate the packaging and assembly challenges inherent in such a tightly constrained design. This certainly applies to the Android phones and Blackberrys as well (though with the latter, not as much as here and with Android). Add to this the requirement for robustness, and you have a tough set of engineering requirements across the board.
Looking at the amazing technology jammed into such a small space, it is almost an oversight that it is still a phone. It has come a long way from the brick phones of the '80's.
NPR recently did an article about phones. The actual article was not very significant, but the host's (Robert Siegel, I think) lead-in comment was. He said the phone he was discussing had all the features you'd come to expect: a large touch screen, mult-megapixel camera, GPS. There was nothing about it being a good phone!
You're right TJ. The fact smartphones are even called phones is like a habit. The device is really pocket computer that is well connected. The phone service is almost incidental, especially for young users. My 15-year-old daughter rarely uses her Android to make a voice call. She uses it constantly for text and Internet connectivity.
I completely agree with you. My kids are pros with these phones, and use them for numerous applications. When needed, I ask them to help me in selecting proper applications, as they clearly know this stuff better.
Yes, like you, sensor pro, my kids are way ahead of me on the brilliance of smartphones. I was commenting to my daughter that I was surprised that some of the apps (I was thinking automation apps) were so inexpensive, like $5. She said, "Dad, $5 is a lot for an app. Most of the apps I use are either free or 99 cents."
Another function that is often getting used more than voice is the camera, both still and video. My daughter uses the camera far more often than she uses voice. Her most recent phone has a front facing camera, so soon she will be skyping with her friends.
And the generations change quickly. My 15-year-old is way ahead of the 23-year-old on phone technolgy.
Yes yes yes, I feel that you are talking about my family. I recently made one big mistake. I purchased same phone for myself and my two sons. Sometimes in a rush I get to work and get bombarded by tens SMSs from all the college or HS friends. Depends on whos phone I took.
This gives me a rare opportunity to look into their social life. !!!!!!!!
Scary.
FYI: left message for you to review gizmos at your convenience.
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