This article captured my problems with all those fancy advances in cell phone technology:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/biztech/05/29/cellphone.usability.ap/index.html
Actually, it’s really not the advances in technology that cause me problems. It’s the marketing losers who figure that the application of the technology needs to be packaged to consumers in the form of a cell phone with a built-in camera, internet interface, chat mechanisms, mp3 player and keyboard. Memo to cell phone marketers: the phone is not a personal computer, so stop trying to replicate how people use computers on a cell phone.
If I could go back and meet anyone in the annals of human history, it would absolutely be to meet Alexander Bell prior to his voice transmission breakthrough. I would want to explain to him the terrible truths about industrial engineering and human ergonomics. In terms of human performance, holding up a receiver cradle to the side of one’s head is one of the most obnoxious things I’ve had to deal with since birth (the other being payroll taxes). What was he thinking? The human species would have been better off if Bell had actually given proper thought to the design aspects of the bi-directional phone, and included bluetooth technology for a wireless headset before rushing to patent.
Alas, the phone companies are still muddling with my experience today. I do not understand why there are phones embedded in a device that I use primarily to talk to other people. Because I like using the full extent of written language to express my thoughts to others, I do not appreciate having to use a miniature keyboard to send ugly, truncated syntax. Viewing the internet over a tiny screen is lame. Having to charge my phone every night achieves a high level of lameness. Trying to review and make changes to MS Office docs over a 2″ screen is exceedingly lame.
Actually, I think I understand why marketers have modeled the fusion of voice communication and entertainment. The functionality appeals to teenagers. Did you know that teenagers don’t use their voice mail? I found this out from my teenage cousins who told me that using voice mail is an unknown practice. Teenagers call each other and then resort to texting if there is no pickup. Teenagers are the most destructive force on the planet and we should not bow to their demands.
Voice communication as a desirable, primary function seems to be on the demise. Here’s what I might like:
-A phone that is basically a headset device. Nothing else. No hands are involved in the operation. -A headset device that is voice activated. -Phone numbers and contacts stored inside the headset. -Powered by a combination of solar thermal energy and internal battery. -It’s used just to talk to other people around the world.