Thank you to those who helped me out with ideas for my brother`s gift. I`ve almost settled on an iPod but am also considering a cellphone.
That was when observant me noticed a phenomenon... A hint of laziness, and copycat wannabe designers are lurking in the cellphone industry.
Not that I have anything against the fantastic (note: this is sarcasm at its best) pink Motorola Razr, but it seems the Razr`s influence is far-reaching.
Samsung has cottoned on to the "flat fad" and has released the Z540, which claims to be "the slimmest 3G clam in the world", at a reported 14.9mm thick.
This remains to be proven since the Razr claims to be 12.7mm thick, or thin, depending on your allegiance.
If emerging technology is moving so fast that even Sony can only manage a six-week head start, then why aren`t things getting smaller?
Bhavna Singh, junior journalist, ITWeb
I have yet to wield a ruler to try to verify the measurements, and if I were blindfolded, I wouldn`t be able to tell the difference anyway.
There`s even an LG that`s trying its luck in this category: the LG P7200 also steals the flat as a pancake look.
There is also little separating the Samsung D600 from the LG S5200 with the exception of perhaps the brand name.
Where`s the variety?
Don`t get me wrong; I don`t expect phones to look vastly different or anything. If car logic is to be followed, it will sort of have four corners and lights but where`s the distinctive status if they all look like black, silver and, heaven forbid, pink clones!
LG did a departure from the cellphone norm, although the LG KG800 Chocolate phone "borrows" its looks from the much-adored iPod. Urgh! So much for imagination.
On a completely different rant... I`d love to invest in a smart phone but I`m starting to think this is just one more thing geared to our male counterparts` advantage in this industry.
Thing is, the Jasjars and K-Jams of this world are not smart enough to fit in any skinny jean`s pocket.
My Nokia N70 just about makes it, but not before sliding apart to take an ominous shot of my posterior from my pocket`s perspective.
These are what I call "handbag phones", along with the Nokia 9300 and any number of stylus-dependent devices.
If emerging technology is moving so fast that even Sony can only manage a six-week head start, then why aren`t things getting smaller?
I watched the second instalment of Spy Kids this weekend and they had nifty watches that did everything but tell the time. I wouldn`t mind one of those, especially if it sported a GPRS "you are here" function.
* Bhavna Singh was able to record a snippet of the Black Eyed Peas Super Bowl concert on her N70. She now believes in carrying a teeny handbag, Paris Hilton style.
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