@Jeremy – Technology, more than anything else, serves as the recurring perfect example of “Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it.” My current peeve: Cloud Computing = 3270 Terminal.

@Reigneer – Unfortunately, 3D only works by presenting slightly different images to each eye. If it could be done with a screen, it would have been done by now. Attempts to use bichromatic screens have met with limited success.

- funny stuff

Good timing on this post for me. I just had a covnersation with my wife about how 3D TV is coming back, and how it never worked the first time. We can probably count on its resurgence every 15 years or so, as new generations of geeks blossom and believe “the world is now ready for it”

@Scott – Having been a faithful tester of handwriting recognition since the Casio Zoomer launched in 1993, I’ve yet to see that technology work acceptably. Plus, writing is slower and more tiring that typing for most people. Also, capacitive touch devices (like the iPod and iPhone) do not work with a stylus, so it’s finger-based input only.

@Chuck – Niche devices will always have a place, and your use of a tablet sounds perfect for that application. I was thinking of more general adoption. And all those chess players.

I am a sound engineer for my church. I spec’d out the latest round of system improvements and worked with the contractor on installation. I’ve also trained the other people that engineer sound. (we’re on a 4 week rotation so that no one gets burned out)

Like many churches, mine made the mistake of putting the control booth in the back corner and enclosed it. You really can’t hear for squat in there and have no idea what it sounds like in the house.

We bought a Yamaha LS9-32 console which has servo controller faders and an ethernet port. I use connect it to a wifi router and have a tablet computer on the wifi as well. I run software from yamaha that allows me to control all of the functions of the console from the tablet.

I can go up on the stage during rehearsal and adjust the monitor mixes while I’m standing there listening to them, and I can sit in the house and hear what the audience is hearing as I mix for the house.

I’ve purchased a tablet for the church and one of my own laptops is also a tablet so that I can have a backup in case the churches tablet fails.

The tablet aspect is indispensable since you can move the cursor instantly to any control. A mouse or touchpad would not be so easy to use as the stylus.

I realize that this is a pretty specific application of the tablet technology, but it may not be the only one.

It’s also great for playing online chess

However, I am not convinced a tablet device would be unsuccessful, especially something like the Courier. Now it sounds like the ones announced are not up to the promise of the Courier, so I would certainly hold off on having one. But a stylus with good (written and voice) recognition software would allow me to replace the handwritten notes I take in meetings and conferences. (I find people typing, as silent as it may be, to be annoying, both due to the accumulation of sound when many are doing so and vibration on tables. So I choose to not type on a laptop, most of the time, when in such situations.)

I also don’t like trying to use a laptop on planes, but I find writing, manually, to be no problem. So I’d be willing to go for a tablet device.

But as someone who is somewhat a gadget guy, I am feeling a bit fatigued from the onslaught of plasma, LCD, LED, and now 3D TV technologies. I wonder if that fatigue (along with the economy) will cause folks to skip a generation of this technology. (maybe I’m getting old)

And whatever happened to Smell-o-vision anyway…they jus tjumped right over that life-changing technology. I want my Smell-o-vision so I can really enjoy Iron Chef. ; )