Why I Don't Use My Phone To Surf The Net
Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON
Let's start with a declaration that puts this into perspective. I am a bit of a tech-head. Not a nerd, just a tech-head. Is there a distinction? Yup. Big distinction. Nerds know everything. Tech-heads would like to know everything, but they are several steps behind the nerds when it comes to taking over the world.
I never rush out to buy geeky gear. The latest game consoles don't do a lot for me. BlackBerries leave me cold, although I have a former editor who is into them like fishermen are into bait. I don't give a stuff about routers and mother-boards. A few weeks ago, I went and had a look at a mobile phone - only because my service provider told me if I didn't upgrade the one I have, it would be better suited to Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble.
The sales assistant showed me all the Next-G phones, with their Internet capability and hidden gizmos and hi-tech cameras. "So," she asked efficiently, "what are you going to use this phone for?"
"Er, to make phone calls," I said, feeling a bit like Borat, the most famous 'citizen' of Kazakhstan.
The sales assistant seemed disappointed. "What about the inbuilt camera?"
I shrugged.
"The Internet? Email?" she asked.
I shrugged again.
"Aren't you going to record video or use it as a Walkman?"
Nope. Care factor zilch. Zero. Nada!
Maybe that's just me. I'll embrace the technology that I need, but I don't care two hoots about the other stuff.
To read the whole feature, go to Through The Lens Of A Tech Head.
