A few general tech questions for you!

[7412]

1) Do you care about your laptop having a webcam, or would you prefer one that ditches the webcam altogether in favour of a greater screen-to-body ratio and minimal bezels?

 

2) If there were an appropriately priced device similar in concept to the BlackBerry Priv, with 2019 specs, software and features, would you be interested in it or do you prefer typing on glass?

 

3) What is an important feature for you that you believe tech companies don't focus enough on?

 

4) On the contrary, can you name a futile feature that tech companies focus too much on at the detriment of more important matters?

[TempestCatto]

1) I like to think I'd ever use it, but honestly the last time I used a webcam was when Skype was the "go to" so I'm okay without one.

 

2) I prefer physical buttons. Then again, I don't like smart devices in general.

 

3) Either cooling, price to performance ratio, or longevity. It all depends on the device here.

 

4) Removing things like the headphone jack.

[Zando_]

1) never used the webcam other than like 5 minutes messing around in Photo Booth with filters, so no
 

2) For smartphones? Glass for sure, physical keys are too small and hard to press. For desktops, I like my K70 Lux RGB with Browns and the one with Speeds, but I haven't delved much into desktop keyboards (I know there's a massive custom keyboard community). For laptops, specifically the Unibody MacBook Pro keyboards. The older Magic Keyboards for iMacs and the wired keyboard are solid as well, and the first gen Retina keyboards are solid. 

3) Like Tempest said, depends on the device. In laptops it's usually cooling. 

4) a very specific aesthetic, pushing devices too thin, sacrificing ports and thermals. I think most people would be fine with a thicker device with better cooling and ports, the community that hardcore needs thin and lights is small compared to everyone else, there's no need to push every new laptop and such to be as thin as possible. 

[WereCatf]

Just now, 7412 said:

Do you care about your laptop having a webcam, or would you prefer one that ditches the webcam altogether in favour of a greater screen-to-body ratio and minimal bezels?

If the webcam was actually of usable quality and one could adjust its angle, then it might be useful. However, as they are currently, they're entirely fucking useless. That said, a built-in microphone is useful and many laptops that I have seen that don't have a webcam also skip the microphone -- if skipping the webcam means also skipping the microphone, then I'd rather have a useless webcam than neither.

 

3 minutes ago, 7412 said:

2) If there were an appropriately priced device similar in concept to the BlackBerry Priv, with 2019 specs, software and features, would you be interested in it or do you prefer typing on glass?

I have never gotten to try a BlackBerry Priv, so I don't know. Looks uncomfortable, though, simply due to how top-heavy that thing would be. My Nokia N900 has a landscape-mode keyboard instead, not placing as much weight at the top, and the keyboard-experience was actually reasonably serviceable.

 

4 minutes ago, 7412 said:

3) What is an important feature for you that you believe tech companies don't focus enough on?

Linux-/FOSS-support, I suppose. Can't really think of anything I'd feel particularly strongly about.

 

6 minutes ago, 7412 said:

4) On the contrary, can you name a futile feature that tech companies focus too much on at the detriment of more important matters?

"Gamer-looks." I mean, stuff like e.g. trying to make VRM-heatsinks look fancy and cool and shit by...limiting airflow and surface-area for the sakes of looks and then slapping an additional plastic cover on it which only serves to make it perform even worse *gives MSI the shifty eyes*

[Princess Luna]

1) Have not used a webcam on laptops/ultrabooks whatever in years and I very much would rather ditch it even if just to make the device a few bucks cheaper.

 

2) At this point I'm fine with touchscreen, I still like having the function keys physically like I have on my Nokia 8 but could live with a full glass front.

 

3) I dislike the "necessity" the major Desktop players have on always make everything the most power efficient ever, Intel, AMD, nVidia all three should offer their top tier, flagship product be like the old power houses, just stack as much as possible of power in there and leave cooling and PSU requirements for me to figure out, I want performance not save few bucks per year in electricity bills.

 

4) I don't really have an issue here, anything I don't like or need like RGB or VR does serve purpose to someone, I have felt HDR is pointless and it's implementations leave so much to be desired it's basically a toggle between max brightness and normal brightness on the majority of time.

[TheOnlyKirst]

On 10/17/2019 at 1:08 PM, Princess Luna said:

3) I dislike the "necessity" the major Desktop players have on always make everything the most power efficient ever, Intel, AMD, nVidia all three should offer their top tier, flagship product be like the old power houses, just stack as much as possible of power in there and leave cooling and PSU requirements for me to figure out, I want performance not save few bucks per year in electricity bills.

i don't think i get your point in this statement, given components are not only getting more power efficient, but also more powerful with each generation.

[TempestCatto]

13 minutes ago, SocksAndSandals-Kirst said:

i don't think i get your point in this statement, given components are not only getting more power efficient, but also more powerful with each generation.

She might mean things like "power saving mode" and the like. I hate them too, just want my stuff to run at max performance out of the box. I don't want to have to tinker with it. (note, im not talking overclocking)

[TheOnlyKirst]

4 minutes ago, TempestCatto said:

She might mean things like "power saving mode" and the like. I hate them too, just want my stuff to run at max performance out of the box. I don't want to have to tinker with it. (note, im not talking overclocking)

all right, I see, thanks for clearing that up

[kelvinhall05]

1. Don't care for a webcam, but if thin bezels means lower durability, then I'd rather have thicc bezels and no webcam.

2. If I got it for free, sure. Otherwise, no. Small keyboard with probably an ortholinear layout is a big no-no for me.

3. Battery life.

4. Thin bezels/small notches. I fucking hate this modern trend. Good on Google for shoving a bunch of cool and useful hardware into the forehead of the Pixel 4. I really fucking respect them for that. If I could get a flagship for free right now, I would pick it in a heartbeat.

[SenKa]

On 10/17/2019 at 11:47 AM, 7412 said:

1) Do you care about your laptop having a webcam, or would you prefer one that ditches the webcam altogether in favour of a greater screen-to-body ratio and minimal bezels?

 

2) If there were an appropriately priced device similar in concept to the BlackBerry Priv, with 2019 specs, software and features, would you be interested in it or do you prefer typing on glass?

 

3) What is an important feature for you that you believe tech companies don't focus enough on?

 

4) On the contrary, can you name a futile feature that tech companies focus too much on at the detriment of more important matters?

1) I have needed it from time to time, but I don't see it as a need of mine in the future. Honestly, anything I used a webcam for I could use my phone, I just found the webcam a little easier.

 

2) I actually had to google the priv to remind myself what it was, but I honestly don't think i'd ever use it. Anything smaller than a 10" netbook has keys far too small to make worth while.

 

3) Biggest one for me is the left handed market for mice, which is basically non existent. The only true left handed mouse I am aware of is the Deathadder 2013 lefty, which now goes for $150. $100 above retail.

 

4) I think the issue with tech companies is they all focus on besting the guy on top in their own game, innovation and marketing risks are basically dead in favor of glass slab phones and TG and RGB cases. Only recently are companies breaking these trends again.

[dizmo]

On 10/17/2019 at 9:47 AM, 7412 said:

1) Do you care about your laptop having a webcam, or would you prefer one that ditches the webcam altogether in favour of a greater screen-to-body ratio and minimal bezels?

 

2) If there were an appropriately priced device similar in concept to the BlackBerry Priv, with 2019 specs, software and features, would you be interested in it or do you prefer typing on glass?

 

3) What is an important feature for you that you believe tech companies don't focus enough on?

 

4) On the contrary, can you name a futile feature that tech companies focus too much on at the detriment of more important matters?

1. I'd prefer it didn't have a webcam.
2. No. The Priv was a horrible typing experience, the keyboard was too shallow. I'd consider an updated Key device.
3. See below, it's the inverse.
4. Lightness over better materials and battery capacity.

[Founders]

1) I'd prefer laptops with larger displays without the webcam that's typically of mediocre quality at best due to size constraints.  

 

2) I'm happy to type on glass in favor of those cheaply made, undersized keyboards.

 

3) I'd rather mention what tech companies are overly focused on, marketing. Some companies allocate more resources to their marketing department rather than their R&D. You can have the best marketing in the world but if your product falls short your gonna have a bad time. 

 

4) Rear glass, it's unnecessary and leaves the phone more delicate than it needs to be. To many companies are focusing more on form over function to the detriment of performance. 

[Gegger]

1. if the webcam is shit, i don't want it. if it's good, i'd take that over more screen

 

2. yes. there's nothing like the physical click of a button.

 

3. cooling. for fucks sake, i'd rather not get literal burns on my legs when i use a hot laptop

 

4. thin and light, higher screen to body ratio

[SpaceGhostC2C]

On 10/17/2019 at 12:47 PM, 7412 said:

1) Do you care about your laptop having a webcam, or would you prefer one that ditches the webcam altogether in favour of a greater screen-to-body ratio and minimal bezels?

No webcam, no buy. It's a must. If I can't video-call from anywhere in the house, then I might as well just not have a laptop to begin with. It's like a smartphone ditching the ability to make phone calls because weight / waterproofing / thinness / whatever.

 

On 10/17/2019 at 12:47 PM, 7412 said:

 

2) If there were an appropriately priced device similar in concept to the BlackBerry Priv, with 2019 specs, software and features, would you be interested in it or do you prefer typing on glass?

I'd hate typing in a mobile device either way.

 

On 10/17/2019 at 12:47 PM, 7412 said:

 

3) What is an important feature for you that you believe tech companies don't focus enough on?

User experience, user control, freedom, robustness & durability.

 

On 10/17/2019 at 12:47 PM, 7412 said:

4) On the contrary, can you name a futile feature that tech companies focus too much on at the detriment of more important matters?

Screen to body ratios, thinness, looks.

Also, "coolness marketing" (i.e., ads and general marketing along the lines "look at these people, aren't they cool, aren't they doing cool stuff? Buy my product." I think it's technically called aspirational marketing - buy stuff because you'd like to identify with the people in the ads, and you currently don't.)

[vanished]

1. I'd honestly ditch the webcam, I've used it literally once in my entire professional life.  If it became apparent that I needed it more often, I could buy an external one, or perhaps change my mind if it was good, but they never are so that's just another knock against it.  Just give me a nicer bezel.
2. That's a hard choice actually.  Typing on glass is ok but it would actually be nice to have a more "solid" screen that isn't constantly being interrupted by a popup keyboard. Getting it to come up, dismissing it, and dealing with content while this is happening can be a pain and alleviating that would be really nice.  However, I'm not sure I want to give up that much screen permanently.  In the end I think I'd have to say no, just give me a normal phone screen.  But, truly a hard choice as I said...
3. Oh, there are many things they miss that they need to focus more on:
   • "Taste", as Louis Rossman described it.  Maximizing certain specs at the complete cost of others isn't doing anyone any good.  Having an amazing performance to cost ratio is of absolutely no value to me if it means dealing with a terrible display or trackpad or keyboard.  Ensure there is balance.  Anything under 1080p is a complete joke and should be banned.  TN panels should also be banned unless there is actually a valid reason like it's high refresh rate (120+ Hz).
   • Value.  Far too many products these days are massively overpriced and it's just ruining the market.  Just stop
   • Headphone jacks in phones
   • Repairability and upgradability.  A battery should not be glued in.  Memory and SSDs should not be soldered to the motherboard.  This is not a disposable toy, it is a $1000+ device that I expect to use for several years.  This has never been acceptable and it never will be.
   • Don't artificially limit things.  Read my bio for more on how I feel about this.  Huge waste of potential.
   • Security and sensibility.  I don't want an easily hackable wiretap/spy bot in my house that I have to pay for.  It shouldn't even exist.  Focus on useful technology, not stupid gimmicks.  I guess this is starting to lead into the next point...
4. Anything they are doing that they shouldn't waste their time on?  Yes:
   • Like I said, stupid products.  "Smart" juicers and shoes and wallets and water bottles... please just stop.
   • Obsession with screen to body ratio to the point where they will cut a huge chonking bite out of the display just to get those extra few percent.  This is not acceptable.  No one wants this.  Just stop.  Do it right or don't do it at all.
   • Thinness.  It increases cost, reduces thermal (and thus absolute) performance, and for what?  Even normal laptops are pretty thin these days, it's not the issue it used to be.  Same goes for phones.
   • Useless bloat software that I just have to format off anyway because it provides no value and probably opens security holes while reducing performance.
   • Support for vertical video.  Again, this is not ok, no one wants this.  It's a mistake caused by stupid people.  They should be trying to solve it not encourage it.

[Tamesh16]

On 10/17/2019 at 11:57 AM, WereCatf said:

they're entirely fucking useless

the only reason i dont use one, however windows hello is pretty nice 

but thin bezels do look very nice i must admit 

[MrFixitBlankFace]

1. Didn’t ever use it, in fact I cover it with tape.
2. I’m fine with typing on glass.
3. Thinner bezels, but with a nice design.  So, phones eliminate bezels all together nowadays.  But, do they maintain a nice design?  Not really. Tiny round notches kind of suck.  Pop-up selfies are time consuming, especially if you want to catch the perfect moment.  And Apple still has a notch.  Overall, the best design was Samsung, despite how it still does distract the user.  So, nothing’s perfect yet.
4. Voice assistants.  I know they’re very helpful, but they encourage laziness somewhat.  Instead of looking for himself, a student can just ask Google or Siri, or Alexa whatever question he needs to know.  Also, voice assistants can get annoying.  Sometimes, you just don’t need them but they’ll still be there.  They limit human beings.

[Mooshi]

On 10/17/2019 at 8:47 AM, 7412 said:

1) Do you care about your laptop having a webcam, or would you prefer one that ditches the webcam altogether in favour of a greater screen-to-body ratio and minimal bezels?

 

2) If there were an appropriately priced device similar in concept to the BlackBerry Priv, with 2019 specs, software and features, would you be interested in it or do you prefer typing on glass?

 

3) What is an important feature for you that you believe tech companies don't focus enough on?

 

4) On the contrary, can you name a futile feature that tech companies focus too much on at the detriment of more important matters?

1) I don't work from home or have a long distance relationship. My webcam is pretty useless to me lol

 

2) Priv did it wrong. If a modern phone had the keyboard slide from the side like the old Cosmos 3, then it'd be ok.

 

3) Airflow. Glass front panels are the dumbest things.

 

4) Removing features to push wireless.

[NineEyeRon]

On 10/17/2019 at 4:47 PM, 7412 said:

1) Dont care, I just cover it with tape.

 

2) Apple Typing works perfectly for me so no.

 

3) The customer of course. We need the walls between tech companies to come down even further, consumer accessible proprietary stuff should be consigned to the past.

 

4) Cameras and photo taking, thankfully Apple are at least giving us a good choice to go pro or not.

 

[mr moose]

1) not really, you can tape over it, I would be more concerned about the mic which is harder to disable.  As far as bezels go, I would rather they had bigger stronger bezels and hinges.  These new laptops all twist like chubby checker when they are opened or closed.

 

2) not really, I would prefer a fold up phone with more screen space and less pocket size.

 

3) Longevity,  sturdy well designed and simple.  Not everyone wants flashy light weight crap that breaks when you pull it out of your pocket.

 

4) Their profit margins. but seriously,  integration of everything,  I don't want everything automatically integrating, I don't want my emails and calendar to talk to each other, I don't want everything to be GPS enabled, I know where I am and most of the time I don't want anyone else to know where I am. 

 

[Guest]

On 10/18/2019 at 4:47 AM, 7412 said:

1) Do you care about your laptop having a webcam, or would you prefer one that ditches the webcam altogether in favour of a greater screen-to-body ratio and minimal bezels?

 

I prefer a webcam. It’s a pretty normal function these days that I would expect.

On 10/18/2019 at 4:47 AM, 7412 said:

 

2) If there were an appropriately priced device similar in concept to the BlackBerry Priv, with 2019 specs, software and features, would you be interested in it or do you prefer typing on glass?

 

slide out landscape keyboards are much better. I’d prefer that yeah.

On 10/18/2019 at 4:47 AM, 7412 said:

 

3) What is an important feature for you that you believe tech companies don't focus enough on?

 

FaceID. It’s superior in every way than TouchID. 

On 10/18/2019 at 4:47 AM, 7412 said:

 

 

4) On the contrary, can you name a futile feature that tech companies focus too much on at the detriment of more important matters?

Newer technology, like 5G, rather than allowing better coverage of 4G, existing technologies etc. speed just isn’t an issue anymore.

[TheRandomness]

1) Webcams are nice and tbh they could be a lot better. I mean, surely putting a selfie camera from a phone into a laptop as the webcam can't be hard, right?

 

2) I prefer typing on glass because I can just imagine myself fat-fingering on every single keypress from how hard I'd press down.

 

3) Bigger battery please.

4) Why is 4G coverage still an issue in certain areas?

[TetraSky]

1- No, I don't. I don't even want a camera at all on my laptop. I'd take greater screen to body ratio any day.

 

2- Eeeeeh, I wouldn't know before using it, but honestly, it's just added bulk. I'd rather that other tech where the buttons seemingly come out of the screen.

 

 

3- Battery tech. They keep showing up these new battery tech every once in a while, promising hours and hours over current tech.... And yet they are no where to be seen. I would love for manufacturers to get down to start putting resources into increasing battery life in the same bulk.

 

4- I wish they'd stop developing their own God awful apps that are filled with spying shit and that they'd let us remove them ffs. There's always something suspicious when a simple apps needs every God damn permissions out there.

[Olaf6541]

1. Built-in webcams are too crappy to be useful, but bezels dont bother me anyway...

2. I dont have any problem typing on glass and you dont need the keyboard all the time so having it pop up on the glass is fine.

3. Compatibility. Theres (still) too much proprietary stuff around. (the transition to micro usb / usb c for phones was nice)

4. Rushing new tech to the market to be the first. Please put more thought in your prototypes...

[Giganthrax]

I already have a separate webcam + I can always use my phone for video calls. So yeah, an integrated webcam in a laptop is a waste.

 

As for futile features, I hate how everything seems to come with bloatware. I can remove the bloatware, sure, but I really wish I didn't have to.