PJ Trader

The tech blogsphere is all abuzz about the long-rumored but short-on-fact expected announcement that Apple is going to produce a tablet computer.  The expectation is that we’ll have a slate sized device, suitable for all those mobile computing needs that the iPhone can’t handle.

I can’t get too excited about the prospect of an Apple tablet computer for a couple of reasons.  While I know IF they build one,  Apple will create a darned sexy product that will be completely drool-worthy, but they’re business model is one that bears a bit of caution.

First, most likely, any Tablet they create will be overpriced.  Second, it will be constrained from being modified and hackable, and only be able to run Apple software.  Like it or not, some of us prefer Windows.

Let’s say an Apple tablet computer is released someday.  Maybe even in 2010.  The thrill is that APPLE is making the product, yet Microsoft established the slate PC market years ago with the XP Tablet PC edition.  While there are devoted Tablet PC fans, many say the product line (sans keyboard) isn’t particularly viable and Bill Gate’s dream of Tablet PCs taking over the world were never realized. 

What will make it possible for Apple to succeed where Microsoft failed?  Touchscreens.  Consumers are now trained in touchscreens (thanks to the ubiquitous iPhone) and we now expect them in our gadgets and technology.  Even though Windows 7 is touchscreen capable, we’re still waiting for the notebook sized screens to take advantage of the technology.   I predict Apple will be the breakthrough for the the laptop touchscreen computer.

But they won’t be first on the market with the idea of a Tablet PC.  Don’t forget that, Apple fanboys.  I won’t.

Recently I’ve gotten a lot of mail marked “Urgent” or “Important Information About Your Account” on the envelope.

So I open the letter, expecting to find out that the interest rates have been jacked up on a credit card or my electricity is about to be turned off.

And the “important” information I desperately need to read right now is nothing more than a sales flyer.

Did you hear about a Congresswoman who’s sponsoring a bill to make it so TV commercials can’t be broadcast at a higher volume level than the TV show you’re watching?  I want her to sponsor another bill that prevents companies from marking my mail URGENT!  Important Information About Your Account when all they’re trying to do is sell me more services! 

And really, why don’t those companies just be honest about it?  Why don’t they put “REALLY GREAT OFFER ENCLOSED” on the outside of the envelope.  Then I can decide whether I want to open it and see what the really great offer is all about.

I’d respect a company who did that, rather than annoy me with those URGENT messages, wouldn’t you?

I couldn’t say it any better, so I’ll let Luann express the post-holiday conundrum.

An article in the paper yesterday caught my eye and I thought some of you may be interested too.  You can read it here.  A small women’s college in Columbia, Missouri started a program to give their students a break from the digital age.  For one hour they were asked to leave their cell phones and iPods behind and simply sit quietly to contemplate.

About 75 students (less than 1% of the student population) participated, somewhat nervous and annoyed to be disconnected that long, I’m sure.  While one or two quotes from the article indicated there were students who understood the need to get away from the instant and always-on telecommunications of today, it’s becoming clear that the younger generations (and some of my own) no longer have the ability to ignore their Facebook, Twitter, chats, and texts for any period of time.

Since I sit in front of two, excuse me, three computer monitors all day at work, and often plug in during the evenings, read e-books on my iPhone, and watch movies and TV from Hulu.com on my computer, I understand how today’s Internet has made access to information so much faster than ever before. 

But I also get tired of it.  So for an hour or so a day, usually when I get home from work, I unplug.  No TV, no computers, no iPhones.  Just me and a old-fashioned paper book, the dogs, and maybe the radio if I feel the need for noise.  Even when I feel the urge to jump up and Google a search for something, I resist.  Amazingly enough the urge often passes without having to know that one thing RIGHT NOW. 

What about you?  Do you think we’re too attached to our electronics?  Do you think the digital age is changing our ability to relax?