4 ms·

The vendors have thrived for a decade just by improving specs. We went from NTSC to 1080p to 4K and TV sizes from 27 inches to 55 inches. But now peoples eyes a

by fipple 8y ago

The vendors have thrived for a decade just by improving specs. We went from NTSC to 1080p to 4K and TV sizes from 27 inches to 55 inches. But now peoples eyes aren’t good enough and their houses aren’t big enough to need anymore. Same thing with phones. It used to be that an old phone felt slow compared to a new one. But now they’re fine for most uses. If companies want to sell devices they need new shit to sell. VR, AR is one possible avenue. Smart Home is another. But don’t expect me to just volunteer $1K for a slightly better version of what I already have.

hliyan 8y ago
In the 90's phone manufacturers tried doubling down on one of the main selling features: size. I saw phones almost as small as a Zippo lighter on the market before the industry regained its sanity. Today we're similarly going to the extremes of screen size + thinness. I believe once the industry once again regains its sanity, we might see a new form factor: 1. Smaller, egg-shaped 'pods' that fit more comfortably in your palm and pocket, something along the lines of: http://www.yankodesign.com/2008/05/05/mobile-phone-shaped-like-and-egg-sorta/ http://www.yankodesign.com/2008/05/05/mobile-phone-shaped-li... 2. Thicker, but less dense and more durable (think Nokia 3310) 3. Some form of innovative physical scroll/click control on the edges of the device to alleviate thumb-scrolling (perhaps a pressure sensor with no moving parts) 4. Perhaps even a control on the rear side of the device, that can be activated with the index finger (for single handed operation)
- eitland 8y ago
  Agree. I'm considering a 3310 class device plus a high end pad with a pen (one in the same price range as a reasonable phone) for when my current phone breaks. (Currently I'm on a Nokia 6.1 AndroidOne and except the camera it is really good and costed literally a fraction of other new phones. Considering the fact that my job pays my phone and it tells something about what I think about current flagship phones and prices.)
- ClassyJacket 8y ago
  2, 3, and 4 all exist. Motorola Droid Turbo. Digital Crown on the Apple Watch. Oppo N1.

by fipple 8y ago

hliyan 8y ago

In the 90's phone manufacturers tried doubling down on one of the main selling features: size. I saw phones almost as small as a Zippo lighter on the market before the industry regained its sanity. Today we're similarly going to the extremes of screen size + thinness. I believe once the industry once again regains its sanity, we might see a new form factor: 1. Smaller, egg-shaped 'pods' that fit more comfortably in your palm and pocket, something along the lines of: http://www.yankodesign.com/2008/05/05/mobile-phone-shaped-like-and-egg-sorta/ http://www.yankodesign.com/2008/05/05/mobile-phone-shaped-li... 2. Thicker, but less dense and more durable (think Nokia 3310) 3. Some form of innovative physical scroll/click control on the edges of the device to alleviate thumb-scrolling (perhaps a pressure sensor with no moving parts) 4. Perhaps even a control on the rear side of the device, that can be activated with the index finger (for single handed operation)

eitland 8y ago
Agree. I'm considering a 3310 class device plus a high end pad with a pen (one in the same price range as a reasonable phone) for when my current phone breaks. (Currently I'm on a Nokia 6.1 AndroidOne and except the camera it is really good and costed literally a fraction of other new phones. Considering the fact that my job pays my phone and it tells something about what I think about current flagship phones and prices.)
ClassyJacket 8y ago
2, 3, and 4 all exist. Motorola Droid Turbo. Digital Crown on the Apple Watch. Oppo N1.