Cell Phones Have Become The Modern Tamagotchi
A researcher at Kansas State University found that mobile phones tend to primarily act as passive entertainment devices rather than serve the purpose of a anytime-anywhere communication device.
The focus group of the research was rather limited with the population of the university campus being adults between the ages of 19 and 24.
Esther Sweeney's research determined that mobile phones are very personal products and the individual ownership is "a big deal" for their owners. Phones are not shared and have become key entertainment devices, which is not very surprising. However, Sweeney also said that her survey suggests that, while phones have become a part of us, we do not use them to express ourselves - which indicates that phones could be seen as passive entertainment devices (at least at the campus of Kansas State University).
She went a bit further and compared cellphones to be the "adult version of electronic Tamagotchi pets" many students cared for when they were children: "People don't turn them off, are constantly playing with them, and want to show off the neat things the phone can do."
- 7-Inch HP Tablet Arriving in August; $50 Rebate
- Report: LulzSec Used SQL Injection, XSS and RFI
- 'Nexus Prime' to Be Ice Cream Sandwich Phone?
- Sony Sued for Negligence Over PS3 Hack
- Office 365 Launches Microsoft Against Google
- Groupon Leaks Indian User Database to the Web
- Hands-on with COD Black Ops Annihilation DLC
- Facebook Valued at $70 Billion
- Google: No Content Data Requests From China
- This 8-inch PMP Offers Glasses-Free 3D for $179
- Solar Powered 3D Printer Uses Sand to Print
- Prof. Advises Counterstrikes Against Cyberattacks
- Tag Heuer Makes $6,700 Smartphone
- Puma Goes Green With Biodegradable Bags
- See The Greatest Rube Goldberg Machine Ever
- Researchers to Create Dolphin Translator
- Futuristic Trike Tackles Roughest Terrains
- Report: RIM Ditches New PlayBook for New 'Superphone'
- Mozilla, You Must Love Your Business Users
How's this true when most of the means people entertain themselves on a smartphone involve social media that connects with other people?
I don't have to clean up poo on my phone like i did my tomagotchi which is nice.
Can I get a tomagotchi on my phone? Is there an app for that?
probably dek, my phone has been in pocket switched off for last 2 days
it broke at start of the week (dropped in a bowl of water)
strangely it isnt water damaged but damaged phicially so some buttens dont work
can call out on it but thats it and it like pressing buttens when i try to do anything on it
Smart Phones are the primary tool to social communication and only works if you have it with you and its on. So yeah, those that want to stay in touch will tend to have their cell phones. As for entertainment that is up to the consumer to decide to purchase a smartphone and must be willing to pay more for it thus will tend to take better care of it.
cool story Shanky
Personally, I don't have a smartphone, and will continue to not have a smartphone. I hate a regular cell phone as is, and would do without that if it wasn't handy for roadside emergencies or other times when you can't get to a landline and need to. I really don't need a source of entertainment constantly at my fingers...
Honestly, my smartphone makes a better gaming device than it does as a cellphone.
What is disturbing to me is that the call quality still stinks on many of these devices and they still drop calls. But as long as it is pretty and plays games who cares right? The primary function of the device is to make or take calls but most can't even do that right.
I'm really worried about the fact of parents giving phones at younger and younger ages. The reason is sexting.
Speaking of which, someone should port that game to iOS/Android/WP7!
"Personally, I don't have a smartphone, and will continue to not have a smartphone. I hate a regular"~~
I was with you on that... "All I need, is JUST a phone"... with a good alarm.... with a good audio recorder... with a good camera... with internet abilities...
When waiting for the kid, I can check up on sites like this one and read articles like this... anywhere. When out with the kid, I took a picture of us at the museum and sent it to mom. If it didn't drain the battery so quickly, I'd use its MP3 music player function more... like at the GYM, so instead I have a little $30 CLIP MP3 player that lasts about 20+ hours of music playback between charges.
Someday... you will have a smart phone, because (A) the manufacturing of dumb phones are coming to an end. (B) Costs of a smart phone is $0~50, same as a typical entry dumb phone.
Go for a WindowsPhone7 type... the interface is very basic, and shows me only the things I need. But I don't have a WP7 Phone, I run an emulation launcher on my Android...
What in the hell is a Tamagotchi LMAO
I think these days everyone is bored as hell. The only exciting things are sex, drugs, and rock and roll and it all leads to AIDS. So what else is there to do?
isn't it time to change the name of the devices? cell phone -> Portable/Personal Communication and Entertainment Device (P.C.E.D.)