Showing that yet again I have no clue as to what will be a successful consumer product, tablet devices appear to be somehow making their way into the hands of the buying public at an alarming rate.
While I have to admit that these devices are probably a good thing for the mobile space, they are becoming a bit of a burden on life in general. Probably not for those that own them, who seem to not be able to take their fingers or eyes off of the devices, but more so for the rest of us who have to deal with these people.
The most recent example was at a ceremony I attended this past weekend where students were being welcomed into medical school. With all of the new students posed nicely on a set of bleachers for family members to take pictures, a few people in the mob whipped out their tablet devices in order to take the shot.
First of all, none of these devices have the capabilities to really get a picture at any distance and for that matter the ability to take a quality picture of such an important ceremony. Second, I quickly figured out that these people holding up their tablet devices seemed oblivious to the fact that they were in fact holding up large placards blocking the view for all of those trapped behind. Tablets used as a camera make even the most telescopic high-end cameras look like point-and-shoot devices.
It’s bad enough to see the hundreds of arms shooting up out of a crowd at a concert all holding their smartphones in an attempt to get a picture of the performers, but to now have people holding up their tablet devices to take just as crappy of a picture while at the same time blocking the view for those behind is incredible.
I feel that in addition to the usual announcements that people turn off their cellphone ringers while at an event, they should also be reminded to not try to take pictures with their tablet devices. It’s a sad state to think people need to be reminded of that, but if tablet ownership continues to increase and people continue to be clueless in their usage, this is a step that needs to be taken.
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