Matchstick Message #29: Like Prometheus, We Too Are Shackled

from Tara Raffi to Student Information Requests date Mon, Feb 14, 2011 at 12:15 AM subject Matchstick Message #29: Like Prometheus, We Too Are Shackled

Dear RIM,

Ok so this week I am taking a little deviation from tradition to talk about something I want MOST in my BlackBerry, or in any phone for that matter. This isn't a Matchstick because I'm not writing about a design flaw in the BlackBerry specifically--EVERYBODY has gotten this one wrong.

Remember when all phones had a cord that attached them to the cradle and another cord that was attached to the wall? Then we were given the luxury of wireless landline phones, where there was only an invisible wire that miraculously extended throughout your entire house and backyard. THEN we were given cell phones, which could go almost anywhere and were the ultimate symbol of freedom, and wirelessness, and joy.

But cell phones are not truly wireless. There are still multiple hours per day that each phone remains tied in the shackles of its ancestors. Charging time.

Most of us charge our phone once a day (some cell phone batteries last more than a day, or some, like my Tour, inexplicably last only 1/3 of a day--and no, its not just because I use it a lot), and if we time it well, it is while we are also asleep and immobile. BUT STILL, what about that time in between plugging it in and actually being unconscious when we still want to use our phone for last minute correspondences? Or what about in the middle of the night, when you want to check the BBM you just got but you don't want to unplug it or you'll never find the cord again, and you don't want to sprawl in that uncomfortable position over your night table to be able to read it? It is in these times we become like our prehistoric ancestor, like a tetherball pathetically swinging around that pole it is attached to.

Even worse however are those, like my friend Elan, who never remember to charge their phone at night, and unable to stay put in one location long enough are chronically without a cell phone or with a dead cell phone. This is all because of the charger cord.

Prometheus stole fire from the Gods and gave it to cavemen. What did we do?

What I suggest is this: each phone come with an imbedded one-minute battery, TWO rechargeable batteries, and an external battery charger. This way, you use up your battery while the second one is charging, and at the end of the day, instead of plugging your phone in and dithering about it like a fool, you just pop in the second battery that has been charging all day. And because there is a one-minute internal battery, your phone doesn't turn off and take FIVE minutes to restart!!!!! GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, you can put your phone wherever you please, and you can have a fully re-charged battery in seconds with no harm done to your ability to wirelessly and freely and joyously communicate at all times of day. This is particularly useful for business men: argument complete.

Sincerely,

Tara Raffi

Charging Enthusiast

(Perhaps the only enthusiast of charging because I already use this method except I wait 5 minutes each time I replace batteries but who cares because im WIRELESSSSS!!!!)

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