Video of Apple’s Vision for the Tablet Resurfaces for iPhone 4S Launch
This video is one of the reasons you should be reading TechCrunch too, so you can discover nifty, awe-inspiring videos like this piece from Apple. It’s the epitome of forward thinking.
UPDATED: Steve Jobs, you were a legend. Your ideas and the products your companies produced have defined my generation’s lifestyle choices. May you rest in peace.
Upon reading a friend’s witty status update, it seems natural to click the ‘like’ button to notify them that you feel the same way about something or find their comment amusing.
This reaction is logical because it’s classier (and quicker) to click the like button, than to write a comment with an emoticon at the end and pretend to be simultaneously winking and sticking out your tongue. You can see for yourself how ridiculous this looks in real life the next time you’re standing in front of the bathroom mirror (possibly with a digital camera in hand, if that’s something you like to do with your friends before uploading said pictures to Facebook).
With the proliferation of SMS-inspired abbreviations and acronyms, shorthand language is becoming increasingly appealing. So instead of saying “That’s funny” or “I agree”, now all it takes is the click of a button to alert your friend that you share similar interests. As Facebook continues taking over the Internet, our use of technology continues changes as well.
Instead of texting or calling someone to say that you empathize with them, you can simply say you “like” their comment (or link etc.). Friends disagree with each other too, which is precisely why people join groups advocating for Facebook to introduce a ‘dislike’ button. Facebook won’t do this anytime soon though because it would lead to too much negative feedback for their invaluable advertisers. Thanks to the ‘like’ button, people who haven’t seen each other in months can maintain a bond they established months ago, without needing to organize the necessary logistics involved in making plans.
As virtual forms of communication become more popular, fewer people need to co-ordinate which friend’s house to go to, where they’d inevitably spend time deciding what to do together. Smartphone apps designed to locate the nearest coffee shop are only useful for someone who actually meets their friend there (or who goes on their own and rudely carries on a phone conversation while placing an order). Secondly, online communication becomes even more enticing, once Internet users recognize the convenience of video chatting on Skype, while wearing pyjamas during a blizzard. As much as Facebook helps us stay in touch with acquaintances and classmates, it is also cultivating a culture of laziness.
No longer is there the same motivation to sit in a friend’s living room and flip through a photo album of vacation snapshots, as this can all be done online now. Sure, there are cords available to connect computers and cameras to big screen TVs, but are people really inclined to do this during family reunions? With Picasa and other web albums, friends and family can view photos at their own pace, read any captions the photographer (or Web 2.0 savvy curator) includes, and comment as often as they like, regardless of geographical distance.
Clicking the like button is an easy way to be friendly, without the social awkwardness of tapping someone on the shoulder and randomly saying hello, so it’s clear why people like it.
As depicted in The Social Network, the Facebook team brainstorms many nifty tools during their late night sessions and I’m curious to see what they release next.
Charlie Harper from Two and a Half Men would make some highly entertaining contributions to MIT tutorials!
Alan: Check it out! Rose’s engagement announcement is in the paper.
Charlie: Nah, I still don’t buy it.
Alan: What do you mean? It’s right here in the paper. *points to online edition on his laptop*
Charlie: Oh, grow up. Do you know how many times I’ve had that paper print my obituary?
— Episode 8.07
School’s back in session, but this blogger’s computer is still in repair!
Here’s what happened in the last few weeks: I turned nineteen, moved back to London, and then downloaded Facebook Mobile, something I said I’d never do. But as someone majoring in media studies and enrolled in a course called ‘The Brief History of Social Networking’, downloading it seemed like the natural thing to do, considering the circumstances. It’ll be the first thing to delete off my phone once I pick up my laptop next week.
Nevertheless, I am still determined to never watch Gossip Girl, no matter how often I overhear my roommate following the lives of Blair and Serena. I’ll admit that I enjoyed reading the series’ prequel, but that’s where I drew the line. I just hope Blake Lively doesn’t lose sight of the genuinely friendly, down-to-earth girl she was when I met her at a movie premiere six years ago.
Despite weekly updates from Rescue Time (which tracks your online habits), my lack of computer access has also emphasized how much time we waste casually browsing the Internet. One minute you’re checking your e-mail, and then suddenly you come across an interesting news article or click a link in someone’s tweet, without acknowledging how time consuming this process becomes. Outside of keeping up with current events courtesy of The Globe and Mail’s mobile app, I’ve also had time to read two fantastic books: plus size model Crystal Renn’s autobiography, Hungry, and The Secret Life of Bees.
I’ve also been listening to new music releases on MuchMusic and MTV and adding to my list of albums and singles to download. You can be sure Brandon Flowers’ Crossfire album is on that list, in addition to Kings of Leon and Goo Goo Dolls. Hopefully they won’t be as disappointing as Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream record. Her latest two singles may be catchy, but the rest of the album was a letdown and not what I was expecting from her follow up to One of the Boys.
Remember the 90’s, i.e. that time before Facebook took over? One of my most memorable bookmarked pages is a list of funny answering machine messages. Over ten years later, I listen to them almost every night. Last week I was greeted by “Machine? Yes. Human? No. Message please” and someone else admitted that they “sold out to technology” by investing in a voicemail service. How long ago do you suppose they recorded that message? It’s rather outdated for 2010.
For a telemarketer like myself, I’ll admit that it’s refreshing when people try to be creative. Tonight’s pick belongs to “It rings. It beeps. You talk.” – short and snappy, the way it should be.
Meanwhile, another fellah who reminded me of Mr. Rogers belted out a cheery tune about being unable to pick up. I can only imagine what American Idol auditions would be like if they didn’t set an age limit. I wonder if CTV considered that as a last straw before pulling the plug on the Canadian version last year: Canadian Idol goes Over the Hill.
Also, to all the parents who think their youngster is absolutely adorable and should be the household’s spokesperson, send a postcard or a holiday newsletter. Better yet, go green and make it an e-card with a cute photo.
Hallmark also offers a voice greeting feature in many of their cards now. So sing your loved one a happy birthday, but please hold off on bursting into song every time you can’t make it to the phone.
As for availability, when you’re taking a bath, please don’t feel obligated to pick up. This would be an excellent time to make use of an automated greeting.
Speaking clearly into a microphone can take practice. On that note, I wish all the best to everyone at Centauri delivering Inspiration Challenges this summer!