80 Inch Tvs

Once upon a time there was a cell phone that only made and received telephone calls, then Apple and other manufacturers began mass-producing smartphones. While once a luxury because of their price, smartphone costs quickly came down, creating an influx of smartphone users. The smartphone craze is indicative of a larger, more substantial trend that is effecting consumer peripherals. Televisions can access the Internet, cell phones can start cars, and computers can launch spaceships. When exactly did multifunction devices start replacing single-purpose peripherals? In short, in 2007 when Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone.

Smartphones

Prior to the iPhone, there were mainly clunky Windows Mobile handsets and crippled BlackBerry messaging phones, neither of which provide a satisfying user experience. The iPhone was the first device to satiate the delicate palettes of consumers by packaging tons of features in a simplistic interface. Sure, Windows Mobile users could surf the net on their phones for years – but the process was far from intuitive. Furthermore, users of those devices were seen as being “geeky” or were businesspersons whom needed access to their Microsoft Exchange accounts on the go.

Televisions

Aside from smartphones doing everything from watching Netflix movies to finding your car in the parking lot, televisions are increasingly multifunctional. For example, most flat screen HDTVs connect as a computer monitor and access the Internet to download weather, social networking, and multimedia data. High-end televisions allow users to access Netflix, Pandora, Flickr, Facebook, and other platforms without leaving the couch. Peripherals such as Google TV and Apple TV continue to add to the all-in-one mentality that floods consumer electronics. Imagine going on Facebook on 80 inch tvs.

Printers

Perhaps printers set the precedent in multifunction devices, as all-in-one printer, scanner, copier, and fax machines have been around for nearly a decade. Chances are, most people you know have an all-in-one machine rather than a dedicated scanner or fax machine. Besides business users, the built-in functionality of the printer is more than adequate for home and home office users. Furthermore, an increasing number of multifunction laser printers are emerging into the consumer sector.

Everything Else

The multiuse mentality is widespread amongst every room in your house, including the living room and kitchen. There are toaster ovens that make eggs, waffle makers that make sandwiches, and ovens that can be used as microwaves. In the living room, ottomans can store items, lounge chairs have beverage coolers, and couches turn into beds. Where do we, as a society, draw the line on multifunction devices? Quite simply, it is when the combination of devices becomes overkill and absolutely unnecessary. Combining printers and scanners makes technological sense, whereas a lounger with an ice chest simply contributes to the laziness and decline of humankind.

-Joseph