Macworld 2007: Through the Eyes of a Technophobe
January 13, 2007 by Dianne QueSETTING THE STAGE
I’ve suffered from technophobia for a while now and have a stubborn tendency to hold on to technological relics of the past. For example, In this world of digital photography, I arm myself with a 35mm FILM SLR. My cellphone has no camera, no sim card, and only subpar text messaging capabilities; video games run a distant second to my 1000 piece puzzles, board games, and books; I just recently closeted my 13″ TV/VCR combo to make room for a new DVD player; and had I not bought a Macbook last summer that came with a free nano, I would still be carrying around a portable CD player.
MACWORLD 2007: GEEK CENTRAL
That said, entering the doors of the much-anticipated Macworld Conference & Expo at the Moscone Center in San Francisco was like stepping into a whole new universe – a geek’s Disneyland. As a proud new Macbook owner, I admit I was excited to take a closer look at whatever brand spankin’ new gadgets Apple had to offer in the upcoming year; but, nothing would prepare me for what Apple co-founder and CEO, Steve Jobs, and his team of genii would unleash upon the unsuspecting telecommunications market.
One of the highlights of Macworld is “the keynote” of Steve Jobs, during which he announces the company’s new line of products for the year. Those of you techies who would have killed to get into this secret society-esque address would throttle me, as I pretty much stumbled onto free passes to this thing. A 2-hour speech on digital devices and user statistics would put any normal person to sleep, but heads EXPLODED in this tech savvy crowd as the Apple mogul revealed the new iPhone, a contraption that combines three products: a widescreen iPod with touch controls, a revolutionary mobile phone, and an internet communications device. With no keys and no stylus, an iPhone user needs only his/her finger and the device’s touch screen to scroll through iTunes playlists, watch videos, browse the Web in Safari, google-map any location, email an associate, or snap a photo.
Later, in the gargantuan exhibit hall, one not only zig-zagged through a labyrinth of iPod and notebook cases, bags, and other accessories, but could also take a look at the new iPhone up close and personal. What I saw was actually rather humorous. Suspended in a clear, cylindrical container atop a 4-foot pedestal, the Apple device was surrounded by a crowd of onlookers at least seven people deep all gawking at the sleek and sexy new gadget as if it were some super-advanced breakthrough in the telecommunications industry that was just recently unleashed in a mind blowing keynote address by Steve Jobs…or something.
The world is moving fast. Uber fast. I mean, a phone with no buttons, c’mon. Who would have thought? A PHONE WITH NO BUTTONS. I thought such things were only imaginable on the Jetsons (Again, another historical artifact I hold on to, dearly). Those in the ringtone and wallpaper industries, network carriers other than Cingular (the lucky winner of an exclusive partnership with Apple to sell the iPhone), and smart phone makers are surely shitting their pants in the advent of this new era. Say goodbye to the QWERTY keyboard, or the flip, slide, twist, and/or rotate features of today’s mobile phones. As for me, I’ll try my hardest to get with the new technology, but if you ever ask me to give up my 90’s hip hop and R&B for Akon or Emo, I’m gonna have to kick your ass. Hard.
January 13, 2007 at 12:03 pm |
i have used my iPhone to travel back from the future. my plan to destroy the space-time-continuum is coming along swimmingly. muahahaha…
…hahaha…
…hahamuahaha…
ha.
nice work.
January 15, 2007 at 2:12 pm |
hahahaha so true, i might just get a mac mini myself =P but times are moving UBER fast
January 15, 2007 at 4:51 pm |
I wish to protest technology. Maybe I should grow my fingernails out like Taj from SWV. However, my fingernails might then be used as a stylus. Or, Apple might suggest I use my toes. I know, I will cut off all digits. Pretty soon, I will not exist. Pluto, Buttons, The Mars Bar–It’s a conspiracy.
January 17, 2007 at 2:13 pm |
On January 13, 2007 at 12:03 pm, Jaymar said
well, aren’t you quite sinister? thanks for the comment, dr. geekazoid. that’s your new villain name. lots of villains have “dr.” names…dr. claw, dr. doom, dr. jekyll (or was he the good half?)…
January 17, 2007 at 2:28 pm |
On January 15, 2007 at 4:51 pm, jason said
all concerns should now be addressed to our new friend, dr. geekazoid. apparently, he is responsible for this, what you call, “conspiracy.” perhaps he’s also behind the mysterious disappearance of judy winslow in family matters. perish the thought.
January 17, 2007 at 9:53 pm |
Shoot I love this phone so much, I’m gonna buy one and name it iCHLOE.
January 22, 2007 at 10:21 pm |
Well somebody had to make it eventually. I say It’s about time!
January 27, 2007 at 1:18 pm |
On January 17, 2007 at 2:28 pm, Dianne said
I heard he’s also responsible for aging little Richie 3 years in one season…
February 27, 2008 at 12:39 am |
hey DQ! fear not on the FILM SLR thing… honestly… i think – no – i know film still produces superior images… better color balance, contrast, and dangit.. its just better… i know i caved to the Digi-SLR world – mostly out of necessity – but still love film shooters – its just hard to keep up with the priceee-ness… anyhoot.. i just thought i would drop a line! hope you are well!!
great job Touchblue by the way!
daniel galang… original cast member and co-set supplier for the touchblue video ‘gone’ –
…