Head-desk

It's pretty obvious to anyone that knows me that I'm a huge technophile. I love gadgets. If it's shiny and has buttons and flashing lights, I want it.

However, sometimes I see something that's just technology for technology's sake…and even I have to step back for a moment and say, "Really, guys? Really?"

For example, I've written more than a few posts about e-book readers, and how I think they're the most pointless technology on the planet. I just don't see the point. They're about the same size and shape as a paperback…but are also expensive, fragile and need batteries to be of any use. There's also absolutely no need to carry an entire library around with you.

Now, this is where people point out Amazon's 'Kindle'… but I'll point out the only thing that makes the Kindle worth buying is the free cellular internet and access to Wikipedia that comes with it.

For those keeping score, that means the main reason to buy a Kindle is for something other than reading books.

Anyway, earlier today I visited the iTunes app store and discovered the most ridiculous 'technology for technology's sake' thing ever.

Ok, so we've all heard about the iPad right? If you haven't, it's an oversized ipod touch. As an aside, I think that the iPad itself is another totally pointless device. It's basically a cross between a laptop and a netbook with all the drawbacks but none of the advantages of either. No physical keyboard, so you can't really work on it and no flash support in the web browser which all but cripples it.

Well, anyway, I was browsing the iTunes App store when I came across what I thought was a free scrabble game. Then, the more I read, the more I felt like banging my head on the desk.

Ok, so here's the thing. If you have an iPad, you can buy a scrabble game for it. The iPod Touch scrabble app is just a letter tray that you use in conjunction with the scrabble game on the iPad.

So, I want you all to picture something here:

Imagine a family of four people sitting around a $500 iPad with scrabble running on it. Then, all four people have an iPod Touch each which cost around $250 each.

Can anyone else think of any possible reason that you'd want to spend $1500 to play scrabble rather than just go get the board game off the shelf for less than twenty bucks?