Quote:
Originally Posted by radleyp
The debate, however, raises an interesting question: how important is the appearance of a device?
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In theory, I would say good looks are just a bonus. That said, it would also depend on how I intend to use it, and in what way the device was ugly. If my dream PDA was released cheap, but the case was covered with lit-up cute and fuzzy bunnies on a Barbie-pink background, I think I would patiently wait until a nice cover became available before I purchased one for the office.
That may sound like a silly example (and okay, perhaps the bunnies are over the top), but there is a grain of truth. My cousin is deaf and uses a Sidekick (known as the Hiptop outside the US), which according to him is pretty much standard issue for the deaf community (it's a good solid messenger phone with great visual and tactile notifications, and T-Mobile has some nice pricing plans for those that can't use the voice features). He notes, however, that the devices are also popular with the trendy set, and T-Mobile regularly releases overly-decorated models targeted at the trend followers. Many of my cousin's friends complain that it can be difficult to find the "non-bling" models appropriate for use in a professional setting.
So, there is ugly, and then there is... well, you get the idea.
Jack