9 Devices That Might Be a Waste of Your Money
As deal hunters, it typically pays to buy slightly older devices in favor of tempting deals on newly released tech. But, of the aged and dated items we've spent money on, there are some electronics that are now approaching outright extinction and would make for silly purchases. Some consumers may need the complete functionality of a point-and-shoot camera, for example, but for the majority of us, a smartphone already accomplishes everything we need.
So before you consider buying any of these items below, think long and hard about whether such a device is actually a redundant purchase and, thus, a big waste of your money.
GPS
When Google released Google Maps Navigation for Android it knocked 20% off the value of big turn-by-turn navigation players TomTom and Garmin in a single day. Since then, Google Maps has spread to other mobile platforms like iOS, and its accuracy and usability has improved.
So we ask, why would someone pay hundreds of dollars for something we all can get for free? Sure, there are weaknesses with Google Maps, such as the need for cellular service, but it is now possible to load up a map and directions before a journey. Standalone GPS devices simply don't offer enough extras to make them a worthwhile buy anymore.
Blu-rays Discs, DVDs, and Their Players
Where did you last see your VHS player? The garage? Or at a garage sale? Really, who wants to clutter their house up with more junk that will end up in the garage in a few years? Instead, with a media player, a decent Internet connection, and a subscription to some streaming movie and TV show services like Netflix, you can dispense with the need for a DVD or Blu-ray library. Collections are nice, but how many of your DVDs or Blu-rays do you honestly watch more than once?
Point-and-Shoot Cameras
The point-and-shoot compact camera industry is another victim of the smartphone revolution. As a separate device, you've got to remember to bring your compact camera along if you want to use it. Moreover, most cameras require users to plug into a computer to upload and access photos, although there are a few wireless options now. And above all, basic compact cameras no longer offer better specs over smartphone cameras: the Nokia Lumia 1020 32GB Windows Smartphone ($149.99 with free shipping, a low by $49; 2-year contract required) boasts a 41-megapixel camera, and it's easy to share photos because it's connected to the Internet.
Flash Drives
The cloud is here to stay and there's an impressive wealth of free cloud storage out there. Set up multiple accounts and you can store everything you need on remote servers that you can access from anywhere. And while a flash drive might seem like an easy solution for transmitting files to friends, many services offer such a utility without having even having to hand out your password.
MP3 Players
Most of us have already left a physical music collection behind (see VHS player). We traded our CDs and tape decks for MP3 players, but these too will be redundant soon. It's so easy now to maintain a digital collection online; all we need is a device that can access it whether it be a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or speaker system.
Handheld Gaming Consoles
Generally speaking, sales of the latest handheld gaming consoles are pitiful. The dedicated portable gaming industry has tanked, perhaps because handheld consoles and the accompanying games are expensive and their battery life is poor. And beyond employing better graphics, there simply isn't enough innovation or creativity in the industry: most people are content to play casual games and ports of old classics on their phones and tablets. Free-to-play games have made gaming on-the-go cheap and accessible for the masses; while the PC and console game industries cater to the more serious gamer.
Desktop Computers
People have been buying overpowered computers for years. For every power user who genuinely needs a cutting edge PC, there are 10 people who will just surf the web, check email, and occasionally play a casual game. For the majority of people, a tablet offers a much better user experience, takes up a lot less space, and is far more intuitive to use.
Handheld Camcorders
Video camera manufacturers have tried in vain to keep up with the digital revolution. For the everyday user, there's very little incentive to buy an expensive video camera. The mass market for home videos is well-served already: many smartphones and tablets have HD recording capabilities, and b built-in software makes video easy to edit and share.
Alarm Clocks
That's right, even the humble alarm clock isn't safe. Why buy a standalone device that tells the time and plays the radio, when you already own one? You can set your smartphone to operate as an alarm clock and more! No more random wake-up calls from that radio song that gets stuck in your head all day; instead, you can set a tune to wake up to from your own library. Even most TVs have alarm functions now. These days, the only reason to buy an alarm clock is for the gimmick or décor factor.
Keep in mind that, despite our griping, there will still be reasons to purchase some of these items. But for the average tech Joe, avoiding them might be easier than you think — resulting in some extra cash in your bank account to spend elsewhere.
As for desktop computers, a tablet works fine for information consumption, but heavy email use requires more oomph. At a minimum, a keyboard is required, but the email interfaces on tablets tend to be ill-suited to heavy use.
The average person should avoid all these old technologies. People just don't like change and realizing they spent hundreds or thousands on obsolete devices.
I haven't yet read the whole article because I was stopped by one comment, the one about blurays vs streaming services. Blurays and even dvd's are always the better deal......if you care about the sound and the extras that disks offer.If you check netflix, you will see that most titles, the majority are only offered in 720p. Also, the majority are only in stereo, right and left. If you want 5.1 or better sound, go else where. If you want to see 1080p high def, the only current way is to go bluray and 1080p is the major reason why I have a hi-def flatscreen in the first place.
Other streaming services will more than likely have similar deficiencies so I don't think that I will get the full 1920x1080, Dolby or Dts experience with any of them.
For me "might be" is not until they are equal in quality.
I have used my phone with and without Google maps. (Sprint Network) It sucks. 90% of the time I miss exits because the phone is either lagging because of waiting for signal or similar issue. Not dependable. Lesson learned. GPS (True GPS) is a real pleasure to use. no nonsense. just GPS. get from point A to point B. no waiting around to load maps that will only become useless the first turn you miss or any improvising do to loss of signal etc.. Its obvious you have not used your phone as a GPS when in a hurry, if you have all the time in the world than by all means use the phone and you may get there. but if you are like me, I don't need the adds, and lag for missing map info that may or may not get there.
as to the flash drive vs cloud. The Cloud is great for backup. but the day you depend on it fully is the day you will loose everything. Automated Cloud backup is a great tool. that being said, how many times in your life have you been in a storm that disables Internet connections, or in a place with little or no signal? much to many to depend on any cloud service. and even if connection to the cloud is 100%, Do I really want all my files on the cloud? what happens if I miss a payment because I got in an accident. My data goes away (as it should if I don't pay for the service) hence the ridiculous idea that the cloud will replace HDDs or flash drives is preposterous. Childish actually. No even on a perfect world would that happen.
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The real rub is that I can't bring my cell phone to work and it just sits in my car or left at home for 10 hours or more a day. That's why I reverted to a plain old cell phone. No text service, no data plan, no camera, no gps or other apps. It just makes calls when I need to.
I enjoy using a "REAL" camera, I prefer watching my videos on something bigger than a 4" screen and I have never found the need to 'surf the web', IM, or do email while not at home or at work where I can get to a computer.
You can go ahead and put all your technology eggs in one basket and be out of touch when it fails. Remember that you are a prisoner of your service contract and will need to buy a new device every other year.
How much do you truly pay for smartphone services? $30/month - almost $400/year (with taxes and surcharges)? Do some cost analysis, compare the real benefits of these "low tech" devices, and you might just find out how much of a sucker you really are. Paying more for less is counter to Dealnews.com, is it not?
Point and shoot cameras have evolved massively over the years. They can take photos far better than any phone can. If your sole purpose for photography is to send them to another phone, then no, you don't need a camera.
Camcorders: See Point&Shoot
Alarm clocks: When I wake up in the middle of the night, I want to turn over and see some glowing digits on the night stand and not have to remember where I left my phone.
Even for people who don't power-PC, accessing the web on a phone can be very frustrating, and you can't appreciate a high-resolution photo. Unless that photo was taken with a phone.
Blu-ray/DVD players - if you're just a casual movie watcher, Netflix is all you need. But many people like the extras that come on a disc.
Essentially, if you're satisfied with watered down versions of *everything*, then yes, you are the type who can do it all on a phone.
I think the fact these specialty markets are fading is a symptom of greater ill of society in general. We are addicted to mediocrity - in all things - particularly technology where if it does a half-way decent job at a task? We're happy. Excellence in all things - from relationships to food - is going the way of the dinosaur. At least for the mass market where the money is to be made.
Now I do use my cell phone camera more often then my point and click, just for convince, but I still get out my point and click to take more important photos.
Now $20 throw away point and click have stunk for years, but I am saying a decent point and click still takes better photos, and depending on the model video then any cell phone.
As far as internet service, the editor is not talking about 100% of the population. He's talking about 80% of the population who have good cellular coverage.
If your car has bluetooth, which most cars comes standard since about 5 years now, you can talk and drive while still have the navigation display ON.
USB stick vs Cloud stoarge, I give u that.
It is true that smartphones and tablets can make our lives easier now, i would not go too far as saying that desktop computers are no longer needed, they are still the place where my kids make their homework.
GPS .. come live in my area. When you preload the directions on a phone and a road is closed your screwed because service is lacking. Also I cross into canada and I can't use the phone unless I like being broke.
Point and shoot camera, Yea my cell phone is not water proof, My cell phone does not sport as much storage, an optical zoom lense, or many other aspects. I also have an SLR for higher photo aspects.
Zip Drives, are still very useful as sometimes you just have to walk next-door, and transferring 1 gig to my flash drive is faster than cloud storage in many ways.
Mp3 PLayers. I have argued this one for a few years. The people whom do the sports I do agree. Cellphones do not last as long, they are also exponentially more expensive to replace. As Cycling, Rock Climbing, Skydiving, we break many.
Desktop computer is subjective. some of use need them. Pc gamers too.
Last is alarm clock .. Yea nothing beats my alarmclock its louder than my cellphone could ever be
I'm actually going back to my regular digital cameras from my smartphone for control.
And my desktops are NEVER going away if I can help it. I carry my laptop for convenience but when I want to really get down and dirty, I go to the big iron! They'll pry that from my cold, dead hands!
It's all relative I suppose.
I don't have a Blu-ray player. I still use my DVD player to play DVDs from Netflix, but the only DVDs we buy are for my 7 year old daughter.
I paid $400 for my 5.1 MP point-and-shoot camera many years ago. Now, my phone has 13 MP and lots more options & features.
I haven't used many of the other items mentioned in a long time either! lol And the alarm clock? My Android phone has much better options. I especially like being able to set multiple alarms for certain days of the week. Don't have to remember to turn off my work alarm on the weekends!
If you travel a lot and often go into no-coverage area you may need map built in stand alone GPS. But most of us, navigation on smart phone will do sufficent job. The author says same thing, I don't find anything's wrong.
Also the author is tech journalist with game development experince. He spends his tiem to share article with others so please put some respect while replying.
Good job Mr. Simon and keep good work!
As we mention in the intro, some people will need the full utility of some of these product categories. We're trying to point out to the average consumer that if all you want is basic functionality, there might be a cheaper option or you might already have something in your possession that accomplishes that.
GPS- Google maps just does not compare with most GPS maps/directions, plus I might be using my phone for say phone calls...
Flash drives- load movies onto them and into the TV it goes, EASY !!!
P&S Cameras- Quality of photos FAR exceed those of cell phones...REALLY?
Desktop computers- You have a point...BUT desktop computers outlive laptops and tablets by far...
Alarm clock- beats the dead cellphone 10 to one...
Now for the single doc or spreadsheet I fully agree, not to mention just using google docs.
o the battery dies
o my cell phone reboots
o I get a call, etc
A standalone GPS is subject to none of those distraction AND I'm less inclined to do other dangerous things (like text) when I not relying on my phone for directions.
All in all, I can pick apart this article, except for the desktop computer thing :-).