3 ms·
"phone" is a weird word to use for these devices. It's a computer in your pocket with instant access to the Internet that just haphazardly has a GSM module for
by laichzeit0 13y ago
"phone" is a weird word to use for these devices. It's a computer in your pocket with instant access to the Internet that just haphazardly has a GSM module for legacy reasons.
- themstheones 13y agoThey should call them communicators, like on Star Trek. Unfortunately that ship has sailed.
- officemonkey 13y agoI actually prefer the UK word "mobile" which takes away the phone connotation, and combines with "computer" as well as "phone."
- deleted 13y ago[deleted]
- untog 13y agoWords change in definition. Very few people have a 'traditional' phone now, so the word would become useless if we didn't repurpose it. What is wrong with calling them phones, exactly?
- ctdonath 13y agoThis is even more striking when my kids (3 & 5) ask for my phone: I'm watching a common word get completely changed for the next generation. Adults think "phone" as a verbal communication device, often having been overloaded with a stunning amount of alternate communications & computing power. Young kids see a "phone" as a visual toy and movie player, with data communications, and voice calls relegated to "yeah, you can do that too". "Phone" may very well largely replace "computer".
- rmrfrmrf 13y ago::whispers into your ear:: "PIN number..., ATM machine...*"