Comments on: Are we headed into an era of “dumb tech?” http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/ Gadgets, gear and computer hardware. Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:09:58 -0500 hourly 1 By: Dumb, smarter, or just enough technology « EDITing in the Dark http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-997920 Dumb, smarter, or just enough technology « EDITing in the Dark Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:02:48 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-997920 [...] Gear posted, asking the question - “are we heading into an era of dumb tech”. At first I thought it [...] [...] Gear posted, asking the question – “are we heading into an era of dumb tech”. At first I thought it [...]

]]> By: The Great Geek Manual » Link Round-Up: March 24, 2009 http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-996132 The Great Geek Manual » Link Round-Up: March 24, 2009 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:01:24 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-996132 [...] Are we headed into an era of “dumb tech?” - After a decade of unparalleled one-upmanship - the gigahertz race, the megapixel race, the storage race - we are now hitting a wall. So where does that leave the CE industry? Well, it’s now a race to the bottom. Video cameras that once cost $500 will now cost about $200. [...] [...] Are we headed into an era of “dumb tech?” – After a decade of unparalleled one-upmanship – the gigahertz race, the megapixel race, the storage race – we are now hitting a wall. So where does that leave the CE industry? Well, it’s now a race to the bottom. Video cameras that once cost $500 will now cost about $200. [...]

]]> By: GreenField http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-995725 GreenField Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:43:05 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-995725 Dumb = Easy ...wow that was simple. Dumb = Easy

…wow that was simple.

]]> By: <fb:name linked="false" useyou="false" uid="503591404">Stephen M. Schaefer</fb:name> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-995437 Stephen M. Schaefer Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:51:23 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-995437 "Entering"? Hello? Apple? “Entering”? Hello? Apple?

]]> By: The News: Behold the Future… « The Dice News Blog http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-995321 The News: Behold the Future… « The Dice News Blog Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:00:33 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-995321 [...] Are we headed into an era of “dumb tech?” [CrunchGear] [...] [...] Are we headed into an era of “dumb tech?” [CrunchGear] [...]

]]> By: rob http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-995314 rob Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:32:21 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-995314 I'd go with "diverse tech." An example of one: I enjoy photography, will soon step up to a prosumer SLR and deal with all the upsides and downsides that go with it. I am intrigued by videos, don't want to tote an SLR around to shoot 'em, want to spend low to have a go at video, might step up to a better video camera if my interest in video gets near or beyond my interest in photography. The Flip and similar make a lot of sense for anyone curious about video who doesn't want to do it from what's primarily a still camera, and of course those who simply content w. Flip-level quality--ya know, the great unwashed masses who don't visit this site or similar sites. How can that be bad? I’d go with “diverse tech.” An example of one: I enjoy photography, will soon step up to a prosumer SLR and deal with all the upsides and downsides that go with it.

I am intrigued by videos, don’t want to tote an SLR around to shoot ‘em, want to spend low to have a go at video, might step up to a better video camera if my interest in video gets near or beyond my interest in photography.

The Flip and similar make a lot of sense for anyone curious about video who doesn’t want to do it from what’s primarily a still camera, and of course those who simply content w. Flip-level quality–ya know, the great unwashed masses who don’t visit this site or similar sites.

How can that be bad?

]]> By: Rob Tannen http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-995123 Rob Tannen Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:54:28 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-995123 This is not just a trend in consumer electronics, but in banking, automobiles, and services. Read about how some companies "keep it simple, stupid" - http://www.designingforhumans.com/idsa/2009/01/keep-it-simple-stupid.html This is not just a trend in consumer electronics, but in banking, automobiles, and services. Read about how some companies “keep it simple, stupid” -

http://www.designingforhumans.com/idsa/2009/01/keep-it-simple-stupid.html

]]> By: Life2(Beta) | Hopeful for the future: Tech finally trending to the non-technical. http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-995034 Life2(Beta) | Hopeful for the future: Tech finally trending to the non-technical. Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:52:19 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-995034 [...] first example is the acquisition of Flip Video by Cisco. The news set off a post from crunchgear that asked if we were moving into an era of “dumb” tech (bad choice of words [...] [...] first example is the acquisition of Flip Video by Cisco. The news set off a post from crunchgear that asked if we were moving into an era of “dumb” tech (bad choice of words [...]

]]> By: <fb:name linked="false" useyou="false" uid="589875557">Heather Cleary</fb:name> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-994783 Heather Cleary Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:53:54 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-994783 And here's a more recent tech example - the original Palm. It didn't do much, but what it did do, it did well. And here’s a more recent tech example – the original Palm. It didn’t do much, but what it did do, it did well.

]]> By: Janice http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-994718 Janice Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:23:49 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-994718 remember the "olden days" when we had access (for just a minute) to that grand old "E-Machine"? Does anybody remember that one? I never had one, or even saw one, but I think all the thing did was send & receive e-mail. That's it. Nothing fancy, morbidly simple. Something someone's grandma could clap for joy about. Why can't simplicity make a grand come-back? Why can't my grandma be able to just send email without all the other hardware/software hoopla? Simple is good, right? Whatever happened to that E-Machine, anyway? remember the “olden days” when we had access (for just a minute) to that grand old “E-Machine”? Does anybody remember that one? I never had one, or even saw one, but I think all the thing did was send & receive e-mail. That’s it. Nothing fancy, morbidly simple. Something someone’s grandma could clap for joy about. Why can’t simplicity make a grand come-back? Why can’t my grandma be able to just send email without all the other hardware/software hoopla? Simple is good, right? Whatever happened to that E-Machine, anyway?

]]> By: storage http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-994648 storage Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:21:48 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-994648 Ease of use trumps a bunch of funky options that 1% of users actually use. Ease of use trumps a bunch of funky options that 1% of users actually use.

]]> By: Core http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-994638 Core Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:22:52 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-994638 "For years we’ve been saddled with wonky hardware with 400-page manuals and smartphones that could open VNC connections with NASA but couldn’t save your pictures to Flickr." I got a good chuckle from that. Nice read.. I really do look forward to TV's (Monitors as well really) drop in price. “For years we’ve been saddled with wonky hardware with 400-page manuals and smartphones that could open VNC connections with NASA but couldn’t save your pictures to Flickr.”

I got a good chuckle from that.

Nice read.. I really do look forward to TV’s (Monitors as well really) drop in price.

]]> By: neil http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-994622 neil Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:08:09 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-994622 Tools that do one thing really well and are integrated into a set that accomplishes a task are the norm for us as a species. Swiss army knives and sporks are the exception, and usually found in situations where there are exceptional constraints. Most westerners still eat with a fork an spoon, and if you're a chef you've got at least a few specialized knives. I think the iPhone/gPhone are great examples of the Swiss Army Knife principle where the pocket is the constraint. Having traveled for several weeks with an iPhone as my only peephole to the 'net, I was delighted to get back to my laptop. The camera is fine for quick snaps, but I still love my G9 when I want to capture more meaningful images. Both work much better with Flickr or Shutterfly behind them. Tools that do one thing really well and are integrated into a set that accomplishes a task are the norm for us as a species. Swiss army knives and sporks are the exception, and usually found in situations where there are exceptional constraints. Most westerners still eat with a fork an spoon, and if you’re a chef you’ve got at least a few specialized knives.

I think the iPhone/gPhone are great examples of the Swiss Army Knife principle where the pocket is the constraint. Having traveled for several weeks with an iPhone as my only peephole to the ‘net, I was delighted to get back to my laptop. The camera is fine for quick snaps, but I still love my G9 when I want to capture more meaningful images. Both work much better with Flickr or Shutterfly behind them.

]]> By: LR http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-994621 LR Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:04:24 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-994621 Instead of DUMB TECH, why not CHEAP TECH. The components of most of these devices are now less then half of what they were three years ago. The NetBook is still a full fledge computer. The FLIP now has an HD SKU. And the smartphone is becoming as versatile as a notebook computer was not long ago. All these devices are now under $500. Instead of DUMB TECH, why not CHEAP TECH. The components of most of these devices are now less then half of what they were three years ago. The NetBook is still a full fledge computer. The FLIP now has an HD SKU. And the smartphone is becoming as versatile as a notebook computer was not long ago. All these devices are now under $500.

]]> By: jpg http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-994593 jpg Sat, 21 Mar 2009 08:51:36 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-994593 unfortunately, i agree with the fact that dumb tech is winning. it seems the consumer wants something that looks great, even if it can't deliver. honestly, i'm still not that impressed with the adamo (for the price it asks anyways). unfortunately, i agree with the fact that dumb tech is winning. it seems the consumer wants something that looks great, even if it can’t deliver. honestly, i’m still not that impressed with the adamo (for the price it asks anyways).

]]> By: KrK http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-994584 KrK Sat, 21 Mar 2009 08:06:10 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-994584 Where are those products? They are Patents, they are IP, they are now assets in the portfolio. Licensing, etc etc Make money by not making anything. Where are those products? They are Patents, they are IP, they are now assets in the portfolio. Licensing, etc etc

Make money by not making anything.

]]> By: nakata0705» ブログアーカイブ » 3/18 3/19 3/20 - とりあえず出張だ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-994554 nakata0705» ブログアーカイブ » 3/18 3/19 3/20 - とりあえず出張だ Sat, 21 Mar 2009 04:53:27 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-994554 [...] 無意味なテクノロジーの競い合いは終わり、次の時代が始まった…。という記事。もはやイノベーションのジレンマに期待する戦略は使えないのだ。 http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/ [...] [...] 無意味なテクノロジーの競い合いは終わり、次の時代が始まった…。という記事。もはやイノベーションのジレンマに期待する戦略は使えないのだ。 http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/ [...]

]]> By: Friday Evening Links - | remove the labels | Gadgets and Life http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-994548 Friday Evening Links - | remove the labels | Gadgets and Life Sat, 21 Mar 2009 04:34:21 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-994548 [...] Radio Plays On gigaom.com Apple, AT&T get sued for misleading 3G claims, again engadget.com Are we headed into an era of dumb tech? crunchgear.com How to enable tethering with iPhone 3.0 zdnet.com Microsoft promises IE [...] [...] Radio Plays On gigaom.com Apple, AT&T get sued for misleading 3G claims, again engadget.com Are we headed into an era of dumb tech? crunchgear.com How to enable tethering with iPhone 3.0 zdnet.com Microsoft promises IE [...]

]]> By: Tereno http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-994545 Tereno Sat, 21 Mar 2009 04:15:39 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-994545 Precisely. Precisely.

]]> By: Tereno http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/20/are-we-headed-into-an-era-of-dumb-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-994542 Tereno Sat, 21 Mar 2009 04:14:18 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=79825#comment-994542 I agree. If you'd like to mention dumb, it should be the people who design things that nobody wants. Packing your product with as many features as you can without rethinking about the usability issues is a big mistake. We've seen countless products that just seemed to have so many bells and whistles but ultimately fails to make the cut. At a time like this, its even more important to focus on what features you can leave out in order to lower the price. Consumers are in the stingy period. I agree. If you’d like to mention dumb, it should be the people who design things that nobody wants. Packing your product with as many features as you can without rethinking about the usability issues is a big mistake. We’ve seen countless products that just seemed to have so many bells and whistles but ultimately fails to make the cut. At a time like this, its even more important to focus on what features you can leave out in order to lower the price. Consumers are in the stingy period.

]]>