One device to rule them all

BeccaPrice · 08-08-2012, 06:19 PM

it seems like The Industry is moving toward one multipurpose (or maybe two) device that will do everything, rather than have people carry a phone, an mp3 player, an ereader, a computer... it now seems to be smart phones and tablets, or maybe ultimately a 7" device with a camera and a phone for everything.

It may be more convenient, I suppose, to only have to carry one or two devices, but it seems like the battery life for the multipurpose devices just isn't there.

I get a week, sometimes more, between charges on my 5th Gen ipod, and a month or so on my Kindle 3. Yeah, I could use my K3 for audiobooks and music, but I don't like the controls for music or audiobooks, they're clunky and it doesn't have a sleep timer like my iPod does. I have an extended life battery on my Razr Droid, so if I don't use the phone for much at all, I get maybe 2 days between charges, and less than that if I use it for music or reading. Tablets, even the 7" ones, are too heavy for long-term reading, and they have what, about an 8-hour battery life? plus, I really prefer reading on eink for long sessions rather than back-lit devices.

So - how about you? do you think you'll go the One Device To Rule Them All route? or will you keep multiple devices for individual purposes?

carpetmojo · 08-08-2012, 06:44 PM

God, how boring would that be - it's bad enough with "suits" on trains/planes as it is with laptops and phones, think what it would be like if everyone had a complete office /entertainment/communication tool/game console/computer/video screen etc... with them.

Isee Device Rage becoming rife ...........

fjtorres · 08-08-2012, 06:50 PM

It's a matter of personal preference and usage profile.
Me, I prefer optimized devices rather than swiss army knives but I know there are many who dream of a true all-in-one device like the EARTH FINAL CONFLICT Global:
http://www.google.com/search?q=earth...w=1366&bih=715

The tech isn't there but is not impossible.

Still, I think there will always be room for optimized specialty devices that do one thing significantly better and cheaper than the mutifunction devices. Now, whether those specialty devices are actually produced is a whole different story.

Penforhire · 08-08-2012, 06:54 PM

I've cycled back and forth as an early adopter. First I had a PDA & phone & camera, then an early Palm-OS phone, then back to a PDA & phone (and Nintendo DS), and now just an iPhone if you don't count my e-reader.

I like "converged" devices when they don't give up too much functionality. The device I have 24/7 beats something I left at home every time.

pidgeon92 · 08-08-2012, 06:58 PM

I can't see how there would ever be one device that would suit all of my media. For me, eink is the best for reading, but even then I like my Kindle Touch for reading in bed, and my DX for reading at the table or outdoors. The iPad is great for magazines and games, but is too large to fit in my pocket, or even some of my purses, and it's relatively heavy. The iPhone is great for lots of things, but reading isn't one of them, and most games are too small for me to play comfortably. If I were to go on vacation, I'd take my iPad, iPhone and Kindle Touch.

Nahgem · 08-08-2012, 07:07 PM

My usage is similar to pidgeon92's. I use the Nook for reading, the Nook Color for comics and mobile web-browsing, and since I still have a dumbphone, I've got a separate mp3 player as well. I'd be happy to get a smartphone and drop the mp3 player, and if I had a smartphone, I might use it more for mobile browsing and leave the Color at home more. But really, that would just mean that if I'm carrying the Color less on a daily basis, I'd upgrade to a 10" tablet and make it my travel device rather than taking my laptop everywhere. So, I'd still have four devices: laptop, tablet, phone, and ereader. On a long enough vacation, I'd probably take all four, because the tablet isn't going to be able to run the sort of computer games I play.

Belfaborac · 08-08-2012, 07:33 PM

Tablet, smart phone and e-ink ereader. That's as much convergence as I need.

MissKittiness · 08-08-2012, 08:01 PM

iPad, iPod Classic, (very dumb WP7) smart phone, e-ink Kobo...

You know, I don't ever want to converge them. I have all four for a reason!

wyndslash · 08-08-2012, 08:07 PM

i do like my separate devices (kindle, kindle fire, ipod touch, dumbphone), but they can get so very heavy sometimes, so i'm thinking of getting a smartphone, but then, what could i do with my other devices? i don't plan on giving up my eink kindle, but the rest...

wodin · 08-08-2012, 08:26 PM

This entire thread bring to my mind three words; Samsung Galaxy Note! Does it all for me.

RainingLemur · 08-08-2012, 08:27 PM

I like having an all-in-one device for every day/on-the-go kinda stuff. But, I still have my dedicated things for gaming, reading, productivity, etc.

wyndslash · 08-08-2012, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

This entire thread bring to my mind three words; Samsung Galaxy Note! Does it all for me.

still waiting for Note 2 here

but i do know my sister's friend has a Note and he loves it

BeccaPrice · 08-08-2012, 09:10 PM

How does the Note compare with the Nexus 7? (I just got a job - part time, but still pays professional rates - and I'm thinking that my first present to myself will be something like that. I'm really leaning toward the 16 gig Nexus.)

tubemonkey · 08-08-2012, 10:08 PM

I like separate devices, because the feature sets, prices, portability, and battery life are usually much better than all-in-one devices. Since I don't require 24/7 net access, I have more flexibility in choosing my gadgets.

Phone: standard feature phone (calls, texting)
Home: Kindle 4 (reading) -- iPod touch 4 (audiobooks, music)
Traveling: Clip Zip (audiobooks, music) -- Galaxy Player 4 (GPS, internet)

The only thing missing is a 7" quad-core tablet w/ card slot. Primary use is for videos while on vacation (no wifi); after that, it's a toy.

HansTWN · 08-08-2012, 10:12 PM

One device to do everything has always been my goal. But 7" is both too small and too big. So I don't see it happening for me until several conditions are met:

1.)Foldable or rollable screens --- at least 10 inch when using the device and no more than 5" when carrying it, meaning it must still be pocketable.

2.)New screen technology to make reading easier on the eyes and to greatly extend battery life.

3.)Fully functional Windows 8 with Intel processor.

The question is if they even want to make such a device? My guess they rather sell us the usual assortment of phone/tablet/PC/ereader. Perhaps a 7" with a better screen is in the cards at some time in the future to replace phone and e-reader, it would also be usable as a "tablet light".

Or it could go the other way, with a Microsoft Surface replacing everything but the phone.

08-08-2012, 06:19 PM	#1
BeccaPrice Wizard Posts: 2,146 Karma: 11174187 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Sony 350, K3-3G, K4SO, KPW	One device to rule them all it seems like The Industry is moving toward one multipurpose (or maybe two) device that will do everything, rather than have people carry a phone, an mp3 player, an ereader, a computer... it now seems to be smart phones and tablets, or maybe ultimately a 7" device with a camera and a phone for everything. It may be more convenient, I suppose, to only have to carry one or two devices, but it seems like the battery life for the multipurpose devices just isn't there. I get a week, sometimes more, between charges on my 5th Gen ipod, and a month or so on my Kindle 3. Yeah, I could use my K3 for audiobooks and music, but I don't like the controls for music or audiobooks, they're clunky and it doesn't have a sleep timer like my iPod does. I have an extended life battery on my Razr Droid, so if I don't use the phone for much at all, I get maybe 2 days between charges, and less than that if I use it for music or reading. Tablets, even the 7" ones, are too heavy for long-term reading, and they have what, about an 8-hour battery life? plus, I really prefer reading on eink for long sessions rather than back-lit devices. So - how about you? do you think you'll go the One Device To Rule Them All route? or will you keep multiple devices for individual purposes?

08-08-2012, 10:08 PM	#14
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,746 Karma: 158575914 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	I like separate devices, because the feature sets, prices, portability, and battery life are usually much better than all-in-one devices. Since I don't require 24/7 net access, I have more flexibility in choosing my gadgets. Phone: standard feature phone (calls, texting) Home: Kindle 4 (reading) -- iPod touch 4 (audiobooks, music) Traveling: Clip Zip (audiobooks, music) -- Galaxy Player 4 (GPS, internet) The only thing missing is a 7" quad-core tablet w/ card slot. Primary use is for videos while on vacation (no wifi); after that, it's a toy.

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08-08-2012, 06:44 PM	#2
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 3,117 Karma: 9269999 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5	God, how boring would that be - it's bad enough with "suits" on trains/planes as it is with laptops and phones, think what it would be like if everyone had a complete office /entertainment/communication tool/game console/computer/video screen etc... with them. Isee Device Rage becoming rife ...........

08-08-2012, 06:50 PM	#3
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	It's a matter of personal preference and usage profile. Me, I prefer optimized devices rather than swiss army knives but I know there are many who dream of a true all-in-one device like the EARTH FINAL CONFLICT Global: http://www.google.com/search?q=earth...w=1366&bih=715 The tech isn't there but is not impossible. Still, I think there will always be room for optimized specialty devices that do one thing significantly better and cheaper than the mutifunction devices. Now, whether those specialty devices are actually produced is a whole different story.

08-08-2012, 06:54 PM	#4
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	I've cycled back and forth as an early adopter. First I had a PDA & phone & camera, then an early Palm-OS phone, then back to a PDA & phone (and Nintendo DS), and now just an iPhone if you don't count my e-reader. I like "converged" devices when they don't give up too much functionality. The device I have 24/7 beats something I left at home every time.

08-08-2012, 06:58 PM	#5
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	I can't see how there would ever be one device that would suit all of my media. For me, eink is the best for reading, but even then I like my Kindle Touch for reading in bed, and my DX for reading at the table or outdoors. The iPad is great for magazines and games, but is too large to fit in my pocket, or even some of my purses, and it's relatively heavy. The iPhone is great for lots of things, but reading isn't one of them, and most games are too small for me to play comfortably. If I were to go on vacation, I'd take my iPad, iPhone and Kindle Touch.

08-08-2012, 07:07 PM	#6
Nahgem Groupie Posts: 170 Karma: 1065326 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Nooks	My usage is similar to pidgeon92's. I use the Nook for reading, the Nook Color for comics and mobile web-browsing, and since I still have a dumbphone, I've got a separate mp3 player as well. I'd be happy to get a smartphone and drop the mp3 player, and if I had a smartphone, I might use it more for mobile browsing and leave the Color at home more. But really, that would just mean that if I'm carrying the Color less on a daily basis, I'd upgrade to a 10" tablet and make it my travel device rather than taking my laptop everywhere. So, I'd still have four devices: laptop, tablet, phone, and ereader. On a long enough vacation, I'd probably take all four, because the tablet isn't going to be able to run the sort of computer games I play.

08-08-2012, 07:33 PM	#7
Belfaborac Wizard Posts: 1,498 Karma: 5199835 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norway Device: Sony PRS-505, PRS-950	Tablet, smart phone and e-ink ereader. That's as much convergence as I need.

08-08-2012, 08:01 PM	#8
MissKittiness Achievement Unlocked! Posts: 60 Karma: 972056 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Aussie-land. Device: none	iPad, iPod Classic, (very dumb WP7) smart phone, e-ink Kobo... You know, I don't ever want to converge them. I have all four for a reason!

08-08-2012, 08:07 PM	#9
wyndslash Wizard Posts: 2,951 Karma: 3000001 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle 3 wifi, Kindle Fire	i do like my separate devices (kindle, kindle fire, ipod touch, dumbphone), but they can get so very heavy sometimes, so i'm thinking of getting a smartphone, but then, what could i do with my other devices? i don't plan on giving up my eink kindle, but the rest...

08-08-2012, 08:26 PM	#10
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	This entire thread bring to my mind three words; Samsung Galaxy Note! Does it all for me.

08-08-2012, 08:27 PM	#11
RainingLemur Spork Connoisseur Posts: 2,355 Karma: 16780603 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Nook Color	I like having an all-in-one device for every day/on-the-go kinda stuff. But, I still have my dedicated things for gaming, reading, productivity, etc.

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08-08-2012, 09:10 PM	#13
BeccaPrice Wizard Posts: 2,146 Karma: 11174187 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Sony 350, K3-3G, K4SO, KPW	How does the Note compare with the Nexus 7? (I just got a job - part time, but still pays professional rates - and I'm thinking that my first present to myself will be something like that. I'm really leaning toward the 16 gig Nexus.)

08-08-2012, 10:12 PM	#15
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	One device to do everything has always been my goal. But 7" is both too small and too big. So I don't see it happening for me until several conditions are met: 1.)Foldable or rollable screens --- at least 10 inch when using the device and no more than 5" when carrying it, meaning it must still be pocketable. 2.)New screen technology to make reading easier on the eyes and to greatly extend battery life. 3.)Fully functional Windows 8 with Intel processor. The question is if they even want to make such a device? My guess they rather sell us the usual assortment of phone/tablet/PC/ereader. Perhaps a 7" with a better screen is in the cards at some time in the future to replace phone and e-reader, it would also be usable as a "tablet light". Or it could go the other way, with a Microsoft Surface replacing everything but the phone.