BLOG POST 2: The Misguided Archaeologist

I have come across a strange object today. One that to my knowledge has never been discovered before this moment in time. I had been looking through the attic of an American home and came across what appeared to be a small black device of some sort that contains keys with numbers as well as a screen. The device is incapable of turning on so I am unsure as to how it works or what it is used for.

I have included a picture for documentation purposes. This is the only way to make it easier for people to understand what I am trying to explain. The screen is not very large, about 2 inches lengthwise and 1.5 inches wide. There are number keys that would be used it appears to control the device. There is a clear on and off switch which are denoted by the green and red coloring of those particular keys. I noticed that the back of the device can be removed exposing the power supply and a small microchip-type device. I am assuming that this chip is a way to receive or store information of some sort. However, I believe that this device is used as some sort of visually aided remote control. Almost like a television remote and a television combined into one portable device. While this may not seem like the most useful of inventions, in Berkun's reading Ken Olson was quoted as saying, "There is no reason why anyone would want a computer in their home." Obviously, he was proven wrong and I feel as if this portable television would be something that many people would balk at in the beginning but soon after, everyone would want one because of its great convenience.

Following Roger's five factors of innovation:
1. Relative advantage: this miniature television has a relative advantage over the large televisions that we have in our homes because it offers the flexibility of being able to watch shows no matter where you are, and then be able to store it in your pocket when you are done using it.
2. Compatibility: this device appears to function the same way as a regular television and remote since there are all the same number keys as well as a screen to watch the show on. People would already be able to use the device without any further knowledge or time to learn how to use it.
3. Complexity: This goes along with what i just said about compatibility, this device would just take the same knowledge that people already have about television and they would apply it to this device making the transition smooth and easy for everyone to understand.
4. Trialability: I am unaware of the capabilities for people to try out this technology easily. I would assume that with the microchip in the back of the device that people could just store their information on that chip and view their shows from that.
5. Observability: This device, like the cell phone and the iPod would be just as observable to the public as people would be using them in public places rather than in their home since that is the nature of the device.