When you connect a new device to a ‘smart’ tv, you must pay homage to the manufacturer with a ritualistic dance. Plugging and unplugging the device. Turning them on and off in the correct sequence like entering a konami code.

Every time you want to switch devices, the tv must scan for them. And god forbid you lose power, or unplug something. You are granted the delight experience of doing it all over again.

I have fond memories of the days of just plugging something in, and pressing the input button. Instant gratification. It was a simpler time.

What is some other tech that used to be better?

  • SuiXi3D@fedia.io
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    4 months ago

    Buttons.

    Everything used to have buttons and switches for things. You knew when you activated something because you could feel the button getting pressed.

    • Schlemmy@lemmy.ml
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      4 months ago

      That’s the main reason I stick with OnePlus. The notification slider is a feature the I need on every phone.

      • Bytemeister@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        Switched to OP after LG dropped out. I’m basically pro “anything but apple and Samsung” but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by my Pro 9. Hands down the best phone I’ve ever used. My only real complaint is that after 3 years, the battery doesn’t make it all day every day, but its easy enough to carry a battery bank, or just pop it on the charger for 10 minutes and get 40% of the battery back.

    • Zahille7@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      Retrofuturism, fuck yeah. I have a major soft spot for stuff like that because of movies like Aliens and Star Wars.

      • SuiXi3D@fedia.io
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        4 months ago

        Not even that, I just want a fucking keyboard on my phone again, and for actual buttons in my car so I can feel when I change the song on the radio or whatever.

      • sunbeam60@lemmy.one
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        4 months ago

        It’s not just a “soft spot” thing though - the tactile confirmation of a button press is life and death if you’re driving a car.

          • sunbeam60@lemmy.one
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            4 months ago

            I mean looking down at a touch screen that offers no tactile feedback is dangerous. And feeling a button click that your muscle memory can intuitively find is not.

      • MindTraveller@lemmy.ca
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        4 months ago

        In Star Trek Voyager, pilot Tom Paris creates a custom shuttlecraft called the Delta Flyer. Tom’s a history geek who spends his holodeck time repairing antique muscle cars from the 20th century. So naturally, he designs the Delta Flyer with lots of analogue switches and dials instead of the usual Starfleet Okudagram touch screens. He thinks they’re much better.

    • los_chill@programming.dev
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      4 months ago

      Whoever thought a touchscreen is the optimal way to interact with a wearable fitness device while running and drenched in sweat is really dumb. Just give a couple buttons, I can’t fucking swipe while moving like that.