We're still waiting on the video calls on the wrist, Apple.
I've answered calls on my Apple Watch occasionally, but it's more useful as a remote control for the iPhone. My call experience wasn't as bad as yours, though.
I was trying to drive at the time so it was a mess (I don't even know how I answered it that way, it was an accident). I like my watch to tell me when someone is calling though.
Indeed. It is a sobering reminder that a lot of things we consider to be the norm haven't really been the norm all that long (and are still not the norm in large parts of the world). And how quickly things might backslide unless we are vigilant.
Technology stripped me from one of my favourite jokes:
CeBiT, Hannover, early 90s. Three business men around a table, an American, a Japanese and a German, bragging about their latest technological developments.
As they talk, the pen of the American rings. He twists the cap and answers the call.
When done, he explains:
"We've managed to shrink the electronics of a mobile phone into an ordinary fountain pen. Next big thing."
A few minutes later, the left hand of the Japanese starts to vibrate. He spreads the thumb and small finger, holds the hand on his ear and answers the call.
After the call, he explains:
"Our scientists were able to implement the electronics of a phone into living tissue. No more lost phones."
As they continue their conversation, the German suddenly jumps onto the table and is frantically pulling down his trousers. Upon the quizzed looks, he explains...
Everything is made to extract wealth, which means it doesn't matter if it causes harm as long as the profits are good. Rich fucks realized they could profit off of rage and disinformation the most so they prioritized that over anything else. Now we're here
If kept it just for calls and email maybe it would have been ok. The moment we added the capability of using a browser and watch video it was game over.
I went to the New York World's Fair with my parents and younger brother in August 1965. At the AT&T pavilion we saw a video phone. My mother, just under thirty years-old at the time, said that she 'wasn't going to get made-up to make or take phone calls.' That stands out in memory. 😉
Apparently, as a woman, I’m using my pocket phone all wrong: “…can be used as a loudspeaking phone if the housewife happens to be busy preparing a meal…” That 1963 sentence sounds like a Project 2025 talking point.
I remember getting my first "work cellphone" in the 90s. First time the boss called me on the way home to tell me to come back to the office I knew it was all a huge mistake. Kids today deserve the joy of being unreachable.
Yeah. Bell labs invented preliminary mobile phone long time ago. Russ Ackoff tells about that in his old lectures. When they started to use idealized design to invent totally new ways to connect. (Like keystroke phone)
I remember many years ago seeing a guy walking around and talking on a phone (it required a briefcase full of hardware). He was so pleased with himself.
If you want to see how far the communication and geolocation tech has advanced, watch a few episodes of "Connections" with James Burke.
Yep! Schools now have classes to help kids deal with the anxiety of making phone calls… yep! 100% serious. This is where we r at now. Remember how we all thought they would super technologically advanced too? Nope! Not unless it can b done on a cell phone! Yay us!
Comments
I've answered calls on my Apple Watch occasionally, but it's more useful as a remote control for the iPhone. My call experience wasn't as bad as yours, though.
I know it's fashionable to ride the "social media has ruined us" train, but that's an intensely one-sided take.
If you use it right - its safe.
CeBiT, Hannover, early 90s. Three business men around a table, an American, a Japanese and a German, bragging about their latest technological developments.
As they talk, the pen of the American rings. He twists the cap and answers the call.
"We've managed to shrink the electronics of a mobile phone into an ordinary fountain pen. Next big thing."
A few minutes later, the left hand of the Japanese starts to vibrate. He spreads the thumb and small finger, holds the hand on his ear and answers the call.
"Our scientists were able to implement the electronics of a phone into living tissue. No more lost phones."
As they continue their conversation, the German suddenly jumps onto the table and is frantically pulling down his trousers. Upon the quizzed looks, he explains...
"Unnnghh...I'm receiving a fax..."
Everything is made to extract wealth, which means it doesn't matter if it causes harm as long as the profits are good. Rich fucks realized they could profit off of rage and disinformation the most so they prioritized that over anything else. Now we're here
#6'Elon
"Scotty beam me up."
"NOW would be a good time"
If you want to see how far the communication and geolocation tech has advanced, watch a few episodes of "Connections" with James Burke.
https://www.massbio.org/news/recent-news/reading-this-on-your-smartphone-thank-hedy-lamarr/#:~:text=However%2C%20Hedy's%20greatest%20contribution%20was,be%20possible%20without%20this%20technology.