The grass is always greener on the other side of the tech fence….
When I lived in America, I always looked abroad at the latest and niftiest phones and thought “well that’s not fair. How come Europe gets such cool stuff to play with?” There’s a bit in that Danny Boyle movie “Millions” with video calling on mobile phones. I remember, even at 18, being annoyed by this. Even though the tech didn’t specifically catch on, it was there. Europe seemed to be the place for cutting edge mobile technology.
And then I moved here but something had shifted. I looked back at America and saw all the pretty Droids on Verizon and well, even the iPhone on AT&T and thought “well, damn.”
I don’t think it’s just my perception—mobile technology, even though it is all made in Taiwan, has flourished in America lately. It’s cool, even though I can’t benefit anymore. (grr.)
A few things have happened. Firstly, the iPhone. I’m a total Android fanboy, but that being said the iPhone seems to be a major catalyst in this particular movement. It shifted “cutting edge” focus on tech back to America. The one industry that is booming in America right now is the mobile technology market—app developers are in short supply (thus sayeth NPR’s All Things Considered.)
I also think exclusivity arrangements within America bizarrely (in this case) furthered competition. Similarly to O2 but for significantly longer, AT&T had an exclusive contract on the iPhone. Verizon, still the leading mobile phone company, clamoured for iPhone surrogates (as did every other provider other than AT&T)—the Androids flourished. Now, in America, Android even has a greater market share than its iOS counterpart and HTC moved its design offices last year to the US West Coast. America is once again a hub of innovation—at least in one sector.
Now, America is getting 4G phone service rolled out long before the UK will. All I can do now is look homeward and sigh. And stare at the internet to find out when new spiffy things will come out here. I want an HTC Sensation, darn it! But even in America…they’re getting a 4G version….
This one wasn’t particularly funny… but…well… why do I have to be. :P
on a side note— I feel like I need a good sign off catchphrase. Like Charlie Brooker’s “Now go away.” Anybody have any ideas?
