One of the developments on the technology front I'm personally very interested in are 'TV Phones' set to hit our shores by the end of this year. If one combines that with a HD-PDA, then I'll finally have a truly convergent device! Apparently, these TV-phones will probably use Wi-Fi instead of traditional transmitter signals. Anyhow, much better than those clunky, fuzzy portable TVs (which actually seemed a distinctly 90s fad).

Here's one of many articles on the topic...

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/dec2004/tc2004121_1328_tc119.htm

Just wanted to know your thoughts on TV Phones? Is the prospect something that excites you? I'll certainly have one at the top of my Christmas wishlist...

they are really big in japan

Eh, I'm not really interested. How could you read fine print?  :o

Haven't these been around for a while already?

It's ridiculous, it's just a toy.

Why would you want a TV on your phone?  ???

In the 80's, you could get TV's with built-in phones

It's ridiculous, it's just a toy.


That's what they said about TV's and mobile phones when they first came out...

That's what they said about TV's and mobile phones when they first came out...


Erm, TV phones? Who wants to sit around and watch TV on a teensy-weeny screen when you can go home and do so? A TV has a practical use...so does a mobile phone...I thought you were the one who was against loading a mobile device with meaningless features...

I at first thought you meant those video phones  ;D . Those would never work, half the time I don't want people to see me on the phone...

Erm, TV phones? Who wants to sit around and watch TV on a teensy-weeny screen when you can go home and do so? A TV has a practical use...so does a mobile phone...I thought you were the one who was against loading a mobile device with meaningless features...

I at first thought you meant those video phones  ;D . Those would never work, half the time I don't want people to see me on the phone...


I am. But TV is not a meaningless feature. And if you've ever been caught in a traffic jam, or late or something, when there's a TV show you REALLY want to watch is on (and there's nobody at home to tape it), you wouldn't mind watching it on a 3" screen. But I guess it's not for everyone.

I am. But TV is not a meaningless feature. And if you've ever been caught in a traffic jam, or late or something, when there's a TV show you REALLY want to watch is on (and there's nobody at home to tape it), you wouldn't mind watching it on a 3" screen. But I guess it's not for everyone.


Yeah, TVs and mobile phones are more of a "for everyone" sort of thing. This is sort of a specialty thing, and it is admittedly sort of a toy. Like people would get sick of it after awhile, and so would their eyes, honestly.

Yeah, TVs and mobile phones are more of a "for everyone" sort of thing. This is sort of a specialty thing, and it is admittedly sort of a toy. Like people would get sick of it after awhile, and so would their eyes, honestly.


Of course, few would choose to watch it over a proper TV, and with time-shifting it may well not be as revolutionary as predicted, but for what it is, it's something that gets my tongue wagging.

But what I think would be more useful was putting more TV Tuners into laptops/portable media centres. Portable DVD players, apart from their CD/MP3-CD playing feature, are possibly the most useless gadget out there. Put a TV-tuner in there and I'll buy one straight away. We need people will their heads screwed on right in the tech industry.

gosh, when are they gonna quit...it's just getting ridiculous nowadays with the useless technological advances.....what's it gonna be next....a phone with a portable oven/stove so that you can cook a little something up while you are on the road ::)  Give me the 80's and all of it's "retroness" ANYDAY!

gosh, when are they gonna quit...it's just getting ridiculous nowadays with the useless technological advances.....what's it gonna be next....a phone with a portable oven/stove so that you can cook a little something up while you are on the road ::)  Give me the 80's and all of it's "retroness" ANYDAY!


Then you wouldn't have the internet...or message boards, or inthe00s...

Then you wouldn't have the internet...or message boards, or inthe00s...



that's fine with me, really it is.  I would love to go back to a simpler time...anyday.

I was watching some show, where they were doing a parody of these new fangled cellphones.  This old guy was working his cellphone.  He was like "My new cellphone has wireless internet, it has a radio, it has a TV, and you can even play video games.  It also has mp3 capabilities, and you can even use it as a remote control for your TV.  With all of these features, I have just one question?  How do I make a call?"

;D

gosh, when are they gonna quit...it's just getting ridiculous nowadays with the useless technological advances.....what's it gonna be next....a phone with a portable oven/stove so that you can cook a little something up while you are on the road ::)  Give me the 80's and all of it's "retroness" ANYDAY!


AMEN! More energy-wasting moneymaking schemes for corporate America anyday...

AMEN! More energy-wasting moneymaking schemes for corporate America anyday...


Many such developments are actually being driven in the Far East, and a lesser extent Europe, both of which are now are the fore-front of technology, rather than America.

[quote author=wһіѕ

Many such developments are actually being driven in the Far East, and a lesser extent Europe, both of which are now are the fore-front of technology, rather than America.


Si, si.

Si, si.


But it must be credited, the Yanks did lay the ground-work for the technology. The Japanese are the best at taking someones idea, capitlizing on it and marketing it.

One small issue is the monthly fee for the service, which will probably be in the $20 US range. But there's even talks about deals with cable companies! Now THAT's exciting, since we don't have cable at home...