What would YOU like to change about Technology?

[bsfins]

I have an AT&T Tilt2,I've tweaked,Twisted,torn apart the original rom,I may have even flashed another one to get more use out of it....Just to get it to what I need it for...Lately I've noticed a bit of a flicker in the screen,and Thought Ahh Damn ....It's probably time to buy a new cellphone smartphone.....

So it lead me to start this topic.....

I hate shopping for cellphones...It sucks....I want to by a cell phone smartphone like I buy a computer.You want to claim it's a smaller version of my computer in my hand,so let me buy it that way....

Today It starts with what carrier your on,then what operating system,then what features you want ...Here 's your Phone,But I don't like that phone....Tough....(YES I do know that different carriers have different technology,and they don't play well with each other,Blah,Blah,Blah)

I wanna buy it like I buy a computer....something like this...
1.) You can go to a big box store and get one right off the shelf,this is for those non tech people.You'll get a cookie cutter,does just what it's supposed too not much more,LOADED with Bloatware..Pretty much the way it is today....

2.) Sell me just a newer rom,(operating system),to put on my older phone...I like my old phone,I don't want to have to buy a new car charger/case,skin to protect it etc.etc. I get to keep my phone,and avoid all the bloatware applied from the carrier/manufacturer

3.) Let me choose the hardware and rom,that works for me...Let me be able to upgrade different parts of it...

I understand, the manufacturers/and phone carriers,aren't gonna do this...Break their cash cow? nahhh...

So what would you like to change about technology?

The way it's sold/packaged/used/something you'd like tweaked?

[Brian Fein]

The issue with your example is that for cell phones, hardware is matched to the software.  Better stated, the phone's software is, behind the scenes, written to make appropriate use of the hardware.  Its not as simple as dropping Windows onto a PC.  With antennas and matching circuits and different feature-sets based on carrier businesses, splash screens, etc, the software is basically customized for every model/carrier combination.

Even though all Android phones, for instance, may look the same on the surface, every Android-based platform product has targeted and specific software for that model which likely won't work on another model.

[bsfins]

^^^ that's what make them suck.....And also the reason I'll probably buy an older phone and knock it in the head,pretty much the way I did with this one....

[Dave Gray]

I would change the pricing structure.  I like that technology is getting better, but monthly usage keeps going up and up and up.

I look at what I spend on: Satellite Radio, XBOX Live, Cell Phone + Data Plan, Cable Television + HDTV + Tivo, Internet.  It's crazy.

I can do without some of that stuff (Satellite Radio, for example), but things like cable and HD service are kind of a necessity (not literally, but you know what I mean.)   I have an HDTV, so I am pretty much "stuck" with cable and HD rates.  It's not like I'm going to use rabbit ears on a big-screen.

It's the same with my phone.  I need the data plan to take advantage of the stuff on the phone.  ...same with the radio.

All told, I'm paying a couple of hundred bucks a months to do advanced version of things we did for free 10 years ago. 

[Brian Fein]

You're going to see more service-related technology in the future.  the gift that keeps on giving.  Not only do people pay for the hardware, but they get all their customers to continue paying a required monthly fee to enable them to keep using that which they already bought. 

Its shitty situation for the consumers but its smart business.

[bsfins]

Dave I use rabbit ears to get my local channels,with the federal mandate whatever to switch to a digital signal,I get all of my locals for free in HD.....I actually have 3 PBS channels  .....

But I understand what you're saying...