Make Tech?

I saw Transformers-3 in 3D on wednesday nite. The way Shiril put it, its abt cars that turn to robots that turn to cars that turn to robots that turn to cars with more n more beating up. That's a pretty cynical view (and extreme too) of the effort Micheal Bay, one of the few Hollywood guys who understand the "action" genre. Story, plot, acting, are incidental when what you are giving your audience is the moments that pump up the T juice.
According to the Transformers gospel, many of our 21st century mech, tech and electronic devices have been reverse engineered from the alien robots. The fastest revolution in the last decade has been the telecom sector. From mid-80s to now, we have seen such fantastic growth and we can undoubtedly say that the last decade BELONGED to the mobile phones.
For the past month or so, i want to a new phone and have been doing some bit of reading up. Folks, the mobile phone market has gone crazy! We are making faster, efficient phones than ever before. Companies are working day and night to make faster processors, intelligent user friendly interface, giving better telephonic experience, people friendly apps - the works. There are phones to suit every need, every desire, every budget. There are success stories, marketing theories, and many businesses that are driven by the mobile and mobile related industry. I would like to believe that the mobile penetration has improved with the multi-utility phones getting more affordable. With the internet catching on and 3G coming up, its going to get only better!!
As i discovered, buying a mobile phone is NOT an easy task. When they launch, they are super expensive and in less than 6 months the prices crash, making you feel terrible. Yes, its human to feel bad / cheated. Then there are instances of phones, s/w and technology getting redundant. Also, usually when a phone is launched, it has some teething issues - it hangs, the s/w acts funny, your contacts disappear, etc. And, frankly we get bored of the phone and what it offers, faster than the shirt you picked up this summer.
To those who have undergone the heartburn from any of the above and are still looking to buy a new mobile phone, let me tell you before hand - i am no expert. Just like you i am impressed with the advertising, peer pressure and opinions of tech-savvy friends. The three phones that came on top for me were Nokia E7, Blackberry Torch and Samsung Galaxy S2.
Before you even walk in the store, you MUST note down what you "need" in the phone; next, what do you "want" in the phone; and what will really be an exciting add on to have, but not a critical thing.
For example:
I type a lot - smses as well as mails = i need a physical keyboard.
I am active online = i need decent anti virus and a big screen.
I connect my mobile device to my computer = it has to have usb, bluetooth, etc.
I often use the phone to skype and fring international calls = i want compatibility.
I dont play games on the phone = i dont necessarily need the fastest processor available.
My phone has many short cuts n customisations = i want a device thats user oriented.
There isnt any critical data on my phone = i need flexibility to take back up once in a while.
I never do online transactions = i dont need any heavy duty anti virus that will slow down the phone.
I like to watch videos / listen to music when i have nothing to do = a good screen n audio will be nice.

You get the drift, right? It is very easy to be impressed by clever advertising. Thats the job of advertising. And when you walk in the store, its very easy to get swayed. The dealer will throw gizmo gyaan, stuff abt some series of microchips, crazy applications etc. and tempt you with some phone thats priced 20-25% more than the figure you have in mind.
Buying a phone also is a function of many other things. Like Shiril has all her friends on Blackberry and her smsing happens thru BBM service.
Buying a phone, also tells you what kind of person you are. When you are not doing anything between meetings or when waiting for something or someone, do you sit quietly or do you have this desperate need to whip out your phone and call someone or surf or text or see something? A little introspection on your communication pattern before you chose a communication device?
I am one of those who have their phone ready for action the moment the screen says, "Intermission". And i want to change that abt myself. Guess the person i am watching the movie with deserves my attention too. Well, its time for me to do some "Transformer" magic on myself.