I haven’t owned a functional television since 1984 or 1985 (a friend gave me one in ’86, saying it needed some minor repair to get it working, but I had gotten used to not having one by then and never got around to getting it repaired–donated it to a thrift store later).
I still remember how the on button worked, but with the new ones? meh.
One of my neighbours has a remote garage door opener…
He just keeps pressing the horn button until it comes running out of the house to open the door for him.
One single TV unit, containing all the things you need.
One unit containing everything that could possibly go wrong in one package.
One unit that can’t be changed, upgraded, amended or adapted.
Can’t see that working, and even if Apple managed to throw their massive marketing weight behind it and made it really pretty, they’d still find a weird anti-competitive way to screw other manufacturers over.
People have been trying to market the “one box to rule them all” for decades, and it never works.
Plus there are malcontents like me who will not buy anything with the Apple logo on it. And to think we used to panic about Microsoft taking over . . . . . . .
Totally grok Yehuda’s problem; we have a TV remote, “smart” TV remote, VCR/DVD player remote, and a so-called “universal” remote — all of which have to be used depending on venue and signal source.
The other day my wife had a group of friends over to watch some foreign film on Netflix. We’d lost signal for some reason and it took a half hour with four different tech reps in three different companies (ATT, Netflix, and LG) to figure out how to get signal back. But, you know, technology makes our life so much simpler.
TV? Gave it up forty years ago. I do see it sometimes, when I go to friends’ or relatives’ houses. Some of them literally have TVs running during all waking hours. So I note with horror that just when you thought TV couldn’t get any worse…it has. We download movies once in a while; that’s it.
I am bemused by the rage for texting too. (Which I have little choice but to indulge in, given my circle of friends). Tens of billions of investment in complex electronic systems…so we can thumb-type in baby talk!
I took the computer off my bike long ago. Couldn’t tell you how fast I go, but I sure know I enjoy the world as I’m passing through it.
I do love email though, and much of the Web–anything that can get Americans writing & reading has gotta be worthwhile!
Well, some us sort of like to be in touch with reality.
At some time in the past, I’m sure someone once said proudly that they’d given up those newfangled books because it interferred with their plowing and grubbing.
The remote that came with my AT&T U-verse system controls the receiver/DVR, VCR, DVD player/recorder, and TV. When I used to have a Playstation 2 hooked up, it controlled that too.
I suppose I am sad – After my heart-attack left me with no memories, all I could do was watch TV.
My OCD kicked up a notch so I started recording ‘series’. McGyver etc. I got the whole set before I recovered my memories…
I once used to repair TVs and other electronic stuff but have difficulty remembering how these days!
By my chair downstairs I have: Denon amplifier remote for sound source and volume (recebtly stopped working), Panasonic remote for the TV, Panasonic remote for the DVD Recorder/burner, TiVo remote for the (new) 1Tb TiVo box, Old Sky HD remote (for Sky Atlantic as we are addicted to ‘Game of Thrones’!
The latter will be pensioned off, along with the expense, as soon as the program is available on the TiVo (Virgin TV)
I once tried a programmable remote but found them too complicated to program and use.
We find the TV a good way to relax after a day’s work…
And I keep wanting to mount an AIM 9P Sidewinder Missile to my bike… Until then I have to settle for a measly LAWS rocket.
http://flic.kr/p/4fnfiB
You may not be able to launch them, but you can make someone think that they have been targeted.
http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/missile-balloons-for-your-car
Corrected to add — maybe you *CAN* launch them!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpDT8677Z_U
“If I try and use them I end up launching some missile in North Korea.”
With today’s smartphones, there is undoubtedly an app for that….
I haven’t owned a functional television since 1984 or 1985 (a friend gave me one in ’86, saying it needed some minor repair to get it working, but I had gotten used to not having one by then and never got around to getting it repaired–donated it to a thrift store later).
I still remember how the on button worked, but with the new ones? meh.
Who keeps openinig my garage door???
One of my neighbours has a remote garage door opener…
He just keeps pressing the horn button until it comes running out of the house to open the door for him.
Wouldn’t you like to see this next time he pulls that off at 2am in the morning…
http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/missile-balloons-for-your-car
I have to use 4 remotes to watch a DVD: Cable Box, Stereo, TV, and DVD Player. Universal Remote is an oxymoron.
And this is why, Apple is going to ship a single TV unit that is going to take over the entire market. They are going to end this complex mess.
Steve Jobs last big project.
One single TV unit, containing all the things you need.
One unit containing everything that could possibly go wrong in one package.
One unit that can’t be changed, upgraded, amended or adapted.
Can’t see that working, and even if Apple managed to throw their massive marketing weight behind it and made it really pretty, they’d still find a weird anti-competitive way to screw other manufacturers over.
People have been trying to market the “one box to rule them all” for decades, and it never works.
Plus there are malcontents like me who will not buy anything with the Apple logo on it. And to think we used to panic about Microsoft taking over . . . . . . .
Wow! Was there really something worth watching?
Totally grok Yehuda’s problem; we have a TV remote, “smart” TV remote, VCR/DVD player remote, and a so-called “universal” remote — all of which have to be used depending on venue and signal source.
The other day my wife had a group of friends over to watch some foreign film on Netflix. We’d lost signal for some reason and it took a half hour with four different tech reps in three different companies (ATT, Netflix, and LG) to figure out how to get signal back. But, you know, technology makes our life so much simpler.
TV? Gave it up forty years ago. I do see it sometimes, when I go to friends’ or relatives’ houses. Some of them literally have TVs running during all waking hours. So I note with horror that just when you thought TV couldn’t get any worse…it has. We download movies once in a while; that’s it.
I am bemused by the rage for texting too. (Which I have little choice but to indulge in, given my circle of friends). Tens of billions of investment in complex electronic systems…so we can thumb-type in baby talk!
I took the computer off my bike long ago. Couldn’t tell you how fast I go, but I sure know I enjoy the world as I’m passing through it.
I do love email though, and much of the Web–anything that can get Americans writing & reading has gotta be worthwhile!
Well, some us sort of like to be in touch with reality.
At some time in the past, I’m sure someone once said proudly that they’d given up those newfangled books because it interferred with their plowing and grubbing.
The remote that came with my AT&T U-verse system controls the receiver/DVR, VCR, DVD player/recorder, and TV. When I used to have a Playstation 2 hooked up, it controlled that too.
After riding 10,000+ miles a year and doing the required bike maintenance, I don’t have any time left for TV.
I suppose I am sad – After my heart-attack left me with no memories, all I could do was watch TV.
My OCD kicked up a notch so I started recording ‘series’. McGyver etc. I got the whole set before I recovered my memories…
I once used to repair TVs and other electronic stuff but have difficulty remembering how these days!
By my chair downstairs I have: Denon amplifier remote for sound source and volume (recebtly stopped working), Panasonic remote for the TV, Panasonic remote for the DVD Recorder/burner, TiVo remote for the (new) 1Tb TiVo box, Old Sky HD remote (for Sky Atlantic as we are addicted to ‘Game of Thrones’!
The latter will be pensioned off, along with the expense, as soon as the program is available on the TiVo (Virgin TV)
I once tried a programmable remote but found them too complicated to program and use.
We find the TV a good way to relax after a day’s work…