Expecting revolutionary new mobile phone innovations

Ok seriously guys its time to take it down a notch. Everyone getting on Apple's case about not innovating, and I miss Steve Jobs. All those jumping down Google, Motorola, Samsung, and HTC's throats about Android phones not being faster, sleeker and generally just totally revolutionary. Even those scoffing at Microsoft and Nokia for not making Windows Phone an amazing third option and pushing the boundaries. Really, its time to stop.

Am I the only one that remembers when the transition from Desktops to Laptops happened? There was a time when you had to choose between power and portability. People used to wait with anticipation for Intel and AMD to launch new products. Somewhere along the way the sacrifice between power and portability diminished and ushered in the era of laptops. Desktops and servers were quickly relegated to those who either wanted home gaming systems, Do it yourselfers, and data centers.

Do you remember the last time you saw someone actually having a desktop as the primary computer at their desk? In my experience if there was a desktop present, chances are the user either had a laptop quietly stowed away in case they needed to go mobile. Do you remember the last great innovation of laptops? It was when Apple introduce the MacBook Air. You know the introduction of the "Ultrabook". That was in 2010. Do you remember the last time a desktop introduction was revolutionary? Me neither, but it was probably around the time Gateway was shipping out PCs in Cow patterned boxes.

So why is it we expect our phones to get more and more awesome and change our lives in more dramatic ways EVERY 6 MONTHS TO A YEAR, and yet laptops and desktops get a pass? Look here is the reality, we have reached peak phone. I mean seriously what more can you really do with a 6 cubic inch device? These things have more power than the computers we used to send men to the moon. Allow me to repeat that. NASA sent men to the fucking moon with less computing power than you are currently taking pictures of your dinner and cat with. Don't even get me started on the media and games you carry with you AT ALL TIMES!

So am I saying to give Apple, Microsoft, Google and the various Android manufacturers a pass? Absolutely not. They will make iterative improvements that in a few years will make the phones in our pockets look quaint. You've lived through an amazing time. You got to witness the birth and rapid evolution of a brand new era in human/machine interaction, but now it's time to lower our expectations a little. When one of these companies sends out an announcement for their new flagship device temper your enthusiasm a little. Don't expect anything earth changing, because as far as the mobile phone goes, it's probably not happening again.

Clearly people forget Apple's history...

I want to preface this by saying that I am in no way an Apple fanboy. I do own an iPad, and a MacBook Pro (which does have Linux, Windows 7 and Windows 8 on it!), but quite frankly the reason I own them is because I feel that they are the best devices for me at the moment (although I am considering swapping that iPad for one of the new Nexus 7s). To further punctuate the previous assertion, I HAD an iPhone but it only lasted my 8 months before I went back to an Android handset. In addition my Apple TV has lost its spot in my home theatre to a ChromeCast. My point is, that I write this post not from a fanboys point of view but from that of a Tech Geek.

I couldn't help but notice Sharif Sakr's article on Forbes.com today titled: "iPhone Obsessed Apple Leaves Living Room Wide Open for Sony and Microsoft".  To which my immediate thought was "huh?". For one thing, this release was an iPhone event. Allow me to repeat that, THIS WAS A FUCKING IPHONE EVENT. It wasn't like Apple is giving an update on their entire line! They didn't title the event "Hey let us show you something new!" No it was billed as an I phone event and thats what it was, it has nothing to do with Apples plan for the living room.

Second last time I checked Apple does actually have the Apple TV, you know that thing with Airplay? That thing that allows you to pretty much toss anything on your iPhone up onto that big ass screen in your living room? Including any Apps, Games, Browser, Movies, Pictures etc? The thing that also is HUNDREDS of dollars cheaper that one of the Sony or Microsoft GAMING consoles? I mean the PS Vita box STILL REQUIRES A GAMING DEVICE. Its not like Apple is totally neglecting the living room, their strategy is just different. What if you don't play Video Games (I know, what a fucking crazy notion!)? Why would you ever buy one of those things? What is Microsoft and Sony's strategy then?

Speaking of Microsoft and Sony brings up a third point. Google's ChromeCast was kind of just tossed in there as a non gaming option, and that because of its price point it's the go to option. Um, news flash, Apple devices have never been the cheapest. If thats your best argument clearly you don't understand how Apple rolls.

Which brings me to my last point. Remember when cell phones were just phones? You know when Nokia and Blackberry ruled the mobile world? Remember how in 2007 Apple bulldozed the market with their vision of what phones could be? Remember when in 2010 Apple release a "magical" new device called the iPad? You know when no one else could figure out how the hell to sell tablets? So to say that Apple is leaving the battle for the living room wide open is kind of like saying leaving your computer on (and locked) is just asking for it to get hacked. Sure its possible, but first your competition really has to no what its doing.