DIDSBURY - I've never been shy to jump onto new technologies and devices. Sometimes being an "early adopter" isn't the best idea. It can be darned expensive to get a first run iPhone or Playstation 4. Besides, the expensive early models often have bugs that take some time to fix. Other risks with being an early adopter is that perhaps the tech you are spending hundreds of hard-earned dollars on may not pan out. Does anyone remember Sega Saturn, laser disks or Betamax video recorders/players?
I've spoken before about video games. After many ups and downs, it's clear that video games have became mostly accepted as a legitimate form of entertainment. Virtual reality (VR) has often been touted as the "next step" in evolution for video games. Traditional video games have kind of hit the wall as far as graphic and processing goes-at least it seems that way. Virtual reality is a device that submerges the player fully into a "virtual" world.
I've only tried the small VR unit for the Samsung Galaxy phones. That was pretty cool. You have a 360-degree view and can wave your arms and jump. The demo was pretty limited but you could tell the potential. Bigger VR units such as the Oculus Rift and the Playstation 4 unit offer more submersive experiences but are also very pricey ($500 and up). Between the high price and the heavy goggles attached to your head, it doesn't seem likely VR will catch on in any big way.
Of course, smartphones have become without question one of the great inventions of the 21st century. With the near ubiquity of smartphones has come the proliferation of texting. Practically no one talks on the phone anymore, or in person. The art of conversation is slowly being lost. People are using a kind of shorthand to convey their feelings. Me: HRU (how are you?) Friend: Good. U? Me: OK. What u doing later (or wyd)? Friend: nm (not much, or is it never mind?)
Texting becomes difficult at times because it lacks the expressions and context of regular speech and body language. Me: I had a busy day watching TV and grocery shopping. What about u? What have u been up 2? Her: Nothing. Or the dreaded ëk'. What does that even mean? Me: I'm going to the dr this afternoon. Have these pains in my epiglottis. Her: k. See what I mean? It's the shortest, least effort that a person can put forth.
Unlike a conversation in person or on the phone, you can stop texting to do a task like wash dishes or whatever. Of course, the other person (or maybe just me) may be wondering: did they leave? Go to charge their phone? Are they mad at me? What did I say to upset them? Please don't ignore me.
- Lindsay is the Mountain View Gazette reporter
