Spoilers Starfleet Academy General Discussion Thread

[eschaton]

It’s obviously a minor thing, but I think it’s a little odd how in many of the preview scenes they are all running around with those fat iPads all the time. Couldn’t they have come up with something a little more sleek and futuristic? With those rounded edges they look like some kids toy.

I dunno, man. I feel like DIS went too far with the 'holograms for everything." I feel like no matter how far in the future we go, tactile design with some level of bulk is going to hold psychological appeal.

 

[Michael]

New TrekCore interviews with Gina Yashere and Sandro Rosta. The Gina Yashere one contains a new preview clip.

And it looks like her full name is Lura Thok, daughter of Ashmerekt from the Klingon house of DaH’ataQ and the Jem’hadar lineage of Ka’batch (the spelling of those names are only guesses). No idea if Ashmerekt is her Klingon mother or father.

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I dunno, man. I feel like DIS went too far with the 'holograms for everything." I feel like no matter how far in the future we go, tactile design with some level of bulk is going to hold psychological appeal.

It’s not the fact that they are running around with physical PADDs as opposed to holograms, it’s just the design I don’t like. They look a bit goofy is all. Like very obviously they created shells to slide regular tablets into, which makes them look a little cumbersome. All that edge space around the screen makes it look like a first Generation iPad. Heck, IMHO, even the PADDs on Enterprise looked more futuristic, and they only had printed graphics that were backlit on them!

But as I said, really not a big deal. Just not my favorite prop.

 

[Campe]

I mean, it’s kind of like Jurati’s earbuds in Picard. Once you reach a form factor that works, why change it? I admit,I wouldn’t have an issue seeing something similar to a modern iPad. I mean, my iPad that I’m typing this on now has more computing power than the laptop I bought in 2012. We don’t know the power those things (or Jurati’s headphones) have in them. But they probably wanted to future it up. That likely requires a little bulk.

 

[TRON JA307020]

I mean, it’s kind of like Jurati’s earbuds in Picard. Once you reach a form factor that works, why change it? I admit,I wouldn’t have an issue seeing something similar to a modern iPad. I mean, my iPad that I’m typing this on now has more computing power than the laptop I bought in 2012. We don’t know the power those things (or Jurati’s headphones) have in them. But they probably wanted to future it up. That likely requires a little bulk.

A thousand years advancement they should be at least paper thin. If humankind continues for another 1100 years and is successful there is no way the iPad or tablets wouldn't advance. We are talking 11 centuries here.

 

[eschaton]

A thousand years advancement they should be at least paper thin. If humankind continues for another 1100 years and is successful there is no way the iPad or tablets wouldn't advance. We are talking 11 centuries here.

I'm not sure we'd really want paper-thin tablets, even presuming they were durable. Seems like they'd get lost all the time, blow away in a stiff wind, etc.

 

[TRON JA307020]

I'm not sure we'd really want paper-thin tablets, even presuming they were durable. Seems like they'd get lost all the time, blow away in a stiff wind, etc.

Paper thin durable plastic. Double or triple paper if you want. But to have clunky tablets 1100 years from now im not buying it. The show caprica pulled it off quite well. Their tablets were actually paper.

 

[Set Harth]

I'm not sure we'd really want paper-thin tablets, even presuming they were durable. Seems like they'd get lost all the time, blow away in a stiff wind, etc.

This sounds like a job for Weather Control.

 

[Campe]

Yeah, again this is also about form factor. It has to be usable.

Honestly, more than likely, we have no idea what their devices would look like. The tricommbadge is probably not too far off. But more than likely an implant where everything is done in your brain. But as has been said MANY times, this is a 2026 show for. 2026 audience. The audience is not all like us where we expect that sort of thing. They need to be able to relate to it. Not just say, “yep, that’s what I believe the future should look like.” It’s more like, “yup, that’s guy’s reading on his tablet. Cool.”

 

[Tuskin38]

It’s obviously a minor thing, but I think it’s a little odd how in many of the preview scenes they are all running around with those fat iPads all the time. Couldn’t they have come up with something a little more sleek and futuristic? With those rounded edges they look like some kids toy.

Guessing they're using real tablets so they can display things without doing a VFX replacement all the time.

Saves money.

 

[TRON JA307020]

Yeah, again this is also about form factor. It has to be usable.

Honestly, more than likely, we have no idea what their devices would look like. The tricommbadge is probably not too far off. But more than likely an implant where everything is done in your brain. But as has been said MANY times, this is a 2026 show for. 2026 audience. The audience is not all like us where we expect that sort of thing. They need to be able to relate to it. Not just say, “yep, that’s what I believe the future should look like.” It’s more like, “yup, that’s guy’s reading on his tablet. Cool.”

Thats like saying having a regular car in the future that looks like a 21st century so people can relate to it. I think very paper yhin tablet people would be fine with. People are smart enough to get it.

 

[Campe]

Thats like saying having a regular car in the future that looks like a 21st century so people can relate to it. I think very paper yhin tablet people would be fine with. People are smart enough to get it.

As @Tuskin38 pointed out above, also likely has to do with cost. Compositing costs money. Putting graphics on a piece of paper ain’t cheap.

 

[Michael]

For me it’s not really a question of how believable it is as a 32nd century portable computer and display device. I’m just looking at it in terms of how well designed it is as a prop for a TV show from the 2020s. The rim thickness and the roundness uncomfortably remind me of some knockoff pseudo iPads that were popping up everywhere 10–15 years ago.



I think just reducing the rim makes it look a million times sleeker and more futuristic. Would still just be an iPad in a fancy case, but I would definitely mind it less. But again, it’s not a big deal for me at all.



By the way, there seem to be at least two variants of the PADD. Here’s the other one …

Guessing they're using real tablets so they can display things without doing a VFX replacement all the time.

Saves money.

Yes, that’s what I think as well. And there is something to be said for a practical prop with an actual screen as well. Your actors know what to look at and the graphics integrate more naturally in your environment.

Funnily enough, in that Gina Yashere clip upthread she actually seems to be using her badge as a Tricom badge as they did on Discovery, displaying information about Jay-Dan as a floating hologram in front of her. People were wondering if they still have the Tricoms, and it sure looks like they do.

 

[Farscape One]

Maybe the tricombadges are reserved for actual officers and the cadets aren't going to get them until they graduate.

 

[NCC-73515]

The coolest new tech feature is snapping from disheveled in rags to groomed in uniform with a flash - I need that every morning!

 

[eschaton]

For me it’s not really a question of how believable it is as a 32nd century portable computer and display device. I’m just looking at it in terms of how well designed it is as a prop for a TV show from the 2020s. The rim thickness and the roundness uncomfortably remind me of some knockoff pseudo iPads that were popping up everywhere 10–15 years ago.

View attachment 51223

I think just reducing the rim makes it look a million times sleeker and more futuristic. Would still just be an iPad in a fancy case, but I would definitely mind it less. But again, it’s not a big deal for me at all.

Oh, I didn't know you meant the thickness of the rim around the screen. I thought you thickness in the sense of top to bottom.

I understand it looks chunky. But I think having a rim like that is arguably better when it comes to avoiding accidental use of the touchscreen. And I presume they're really partially composed of programmable matter and easily modded if necessary.

 

[fireproof78]

Maybe the tricombadges are reserved for actual officers and the cadets aren't going to get them until they graduate.

Would be reasonable. Cadets need to learn the basics of STARFLEET tech first, and not have the easy way.

 

[Campe]

Would be reasonable. Cadets need to learn the basics of STARFLEET tech first, and not have the easy way.

True. You’ve got to be able to work with what you have and programmable matter, snapping clothes and tricomms, while all very cool, aren’t always going to be available.

Stone knives and bearskins anyone?

 

[Set Harth]

Stone knives and bearskins anyone?

Spoiler

 

[TRON JA307020]

Maybe the tricombadges are reserved for actual officers and the cadets aren't going to get them until they graduate.

Possibly. One cadet swallowed her comm badge. But man those padds look ancient. I have a hard time believing tablet technology hasnt advanced much in 11 centuries
Maybe they are holograms. Lol

 

[Michael]

I think it wouldn’t be so noticeable, too, if they hadn’t given one of these to every damn character. I know, it makes sense in a setting like the Academy to have such a device with you at all times, but still, I find it a bit of a funny look.

And I presume they're really partially composed of programmable matter and easily modded if necessary.

Now seeing something like this would be super cool!