observing the everyday
- Jan 28, 2021
- 2 min read
My sister and I were sitting on the sofa watching tv after dinner, a daily occurrence in these times where activity is so restricted. Existing in this lockdown at home, means the possibilities of entertainment are somewhat confined. Despite being in our twenties, I’ll occasionally entertain myself by stealing and hiding my sister’s phone. It’s hilarious and gives me momentary sweet satisfaction, but it also means that when she misplaces her phone; the suspect is always me.
“What have you done with my phone?” she asked.
Before I could even finish saying “I bet it’s under your laptop.” She had whipped her wrist up to tap the ‘Find’ icon on her Apple Watch. A moment later her phone was making a noise in response to her watch, and shockingly enough – it was on her lap under her laptop. This was also hilarious, because I was right and because it was ridiculous for her to have ‘lost’ her phone on her lap.
The smart phone is essentially a miniaturised computer for the pocket, enhancing the lives of millions around the world with endless capabilities at finger tips. However, in 2015 the first Apple Watch was released. A hand-held computer was seemingly not practical enough, an even smaller computer now strapped to one’s arm is apparently necessary. The watch is capable of fitness tracking, Wi-Fi connection, communication and so much more. Including this bizarre feature used to find your phone. In modern day people are relying on technology more and more, as this desire and connection to technology progresses, so does the proximity of tech-to-skin.
This has been even further tantalised with the idea of technology implantation. In 2001 a concept for an audio tooth implant “was conceived as a project to explore the potential and ramifications of in-body technology (implants).” (Auger, 2007). Its unsurprising how intrusive technology can feel as it can feasibly become conceptualised into such futuristic models of this part human, part computer idea.
Will this kind of technology ever really be necessary? Perhaps 50 years ago the concept of a computer disguised as a watch would have been far-fetched and alien. It still presents some uncertainty for myself, especially this Find Phone function. Is my sister really too lazy to look for her phone? Or is this function a revolutionary relief for saving her time and stress?
“The minute you present a proposal, people think you must be offering a grand vision for a better future.” (Wright 1992, 272-273). Perhaps devices who can look after each other are a better future. However, this does suggest some threat to human reliability and valuing our possessions. Then again, a watch who can tell you where your phone could present some exciting forms of entertainment such as hide and seek, or maybe the activity of using that function and the reward of finding your phone is exciting enough. The function can be utilised, but whether it is actually necessary is questionable. For busy people like my sister, it may take the edge off – however I’m not sure it enhances her common sense.
References
Hertzian Tales: Electronic Products, Aesthetic Experience, and Critical Design
By Anthony Dunne 2005
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