IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator...

[LeadHead]

Would you Buy/use it?

I was just watching an episode of TOS and remembering how prophetic it was about Flip Phones becoming a reality and wondering if people would actually buy a phone modeled after a Communicator.

Now the one in my mind is the TOS version, this debate can include the Commbadges of the TNG era as well.

Honestly, I'm geek enough to want a working one, I also like it's simplicity. Phones have gotten a little too varied in function. If there were a way to make calls not be broadcast to everyone, perhaps with the use of a bluetooth like device, I might get on the bandwagon.

What do you think?

 

[soot]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

I would love to have a TOS-style cellphone, but I don't know how they would go about incorporating all the features people expect these days into the design.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

Not sure there was any prophecy involved.

I chose my phone because it looked similar to the ENT communicators.

 

[RoJoHen]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

I would use it as long as it had a QWERTY keyboard.

 

[spoonunseptium]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

Well, when I become an engineer, I plan on making a real combadge.

I'll be sure to make it as inexpensive as possible


And no, it wouldn't be practical, but it sure would be fun.

 

[JNG]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

Would you Buy/use it?

Absolutely, as long as it was safe re: radiation and such.

 

[Biggshow]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

Would you Buy/use it?

I was just watching an episode of TOS and remembering how prophetic it was about Flip Phones becoming a reality and wondering if people would actually buy a phone modeled after a Communicator.

Now the one in my mind is the TOS version, this debate can include the Commbadges of the TNG era as well.

Honestly, I'm geek enough to want a working one, I also like it's simplicity. Phones have gotten a little too varied in function. If there were a way to make calls not be broadcast to everyone, perhaps with the use of a bluetooth like device, I might get on the bandwagon.

What do you think?

Rod Roddenberry was in talks with someone a few years ago but nothing apparently came of it. Yes, I get my cellphones based on how much they resemble TOS communicators. I just wish I could really flip them open without the fear of damaging them.

 

[Dale]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

A TOS cellphone seems a natural, but there have been at least two aborted attempts at creating and marketing one over the years.... and now that cell phones have become in fact multimedia devices that require texting and video abilities along with a lot of memory, it seems that the moment has passed. I guess we'll have to settle for the fact that the creator of the first cell phone was inspired by TOS's communicator.

Maybe we should let the TOS cellphone idea go and start pushing for a good tricorder instead!

 

[jamestyler]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

Well, when I become an engineer, I plan on making a real combadge.

I'll be sure to make it as inexpensive as possible

And no, it wouldn't be practical, but it sure would be fun.

Beaten to it

I had to google for that page - the article I read before had more information and much better pictures. Unfortunately I never thought to bookmark it.

 

[GodThingFormerly]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

Would you Buy/use it?

Unlikely/fuck no.

TGT

 

[Mistral]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

Maybe we should let the TOS cellphone idea go and start pushing for a good tricorder instead!

Way too late-its been done. The Tricorder Mark One was created/released years ago.

 

[Dar70]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

I wouldnt. It would be to big to put in my pocket. plus I think current cellphones look much better than the TOS communicator.

I DO think most features could be put into one. The number pad could be concealed behind a sliding faceplate that looks like the controls on the original communicator. The round screen with the Moir pattern is large enough to view anything on todays cell phones. The moir pattern iteself could be used as a screen saver. The communicator shell is large enough for todays cell phone innards as well as any ports neccessary for disc cards etc. So it is possible but it would be a pretty large cell phone by todays standards.

 

[2 of 10]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

I might but it would have to have the same sound effects as the original, you know that unmistakeable beep, beep, beep...Kirk Here, Beam me up Scotty ( I know that line was never used in TOS) It just sounds cool...

 

[Ryan]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

Real cellphones are practically there already. You can flip them open, dial someone by voice, and talk to them on speaker.

 

[T'Cal]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

That's what I like about Nextel's Direct Connect feature. You operate it essentially like a ST Communicator. Of course I have the beeping noise for incoming calls and the openning sound effect for incoming messages. I have also changed the wallpaper on my phone to have a black and white moire; I wish it was animated (a GIF that rotated). Any suggestions??

It amazes me that Paramount hasn't contracted with a cellphone maker and/or service provider to market a phone that looks and sounds exactly like a TOS communicator.

 

[spoonunseptium]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

Well, when I become an engineer, I plan on making a real combadge.

I'll be sure to make it as inexpensive as possible

And no, it wouldn't be practical, but it sure would be fun.

Beaten to it

I had to google for that page - the article I read before had more information and much better pictures. Unfortunately I never thought to bookmark it.

aw, but that's a piece of cellphone-y crap.

I want to make a tiny little triangle; one that you can slap and it will use voice recognittion to actually call people/open a channel on some local wireless network.

Mine will still be cellphone-y, but also ten times as cool and not look like you have a walkie-talkie pinned to your shirt.

That's also over 2 years old, by the time I have my hands on all the right materials, everything will be smaller.

 

[Kryton]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

I might but it would have to have the same sound effects as the original, you know that unmistakeable beep, beep, beep...Kirk Here, Beam me up Scotty ( I know that line was never used in TOS) It just sounds cool...

Heh...early on in "Boston Legal", Denny Crane's cell (a flip phone, natch) used the original communicator chirp effect!

 

[flightmech73]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

Too funny. I was looking at light sabers for a friend and used to go to to a place call park sabers. I haven't been on there in a wile but i found something i thought was freakin awesome. Then today I read this post. So here ya go. A blue tooth activated comunicator.

http://www.parksabers.com/startrekcommunicator.html


enjoy!

 

[Gotham Central]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

Actually, if people would ignore the need for it to look like EXACTLY like a TOS communicator on the inside, the idea could probably work. My art asylum communicator is about the size of my iphone. If you took the controls out of the communicator and replaced the interior surface with a touch screen it should be able to do everything other cellphones do. You could even make the Moire and buttons the default screen when you open the phone (sort of how the globe and pulsing bar come up on my iphone.

 

[Sci]

Re: IF there was a Cell Phone that looked like the Trek Communicator..

Would you Buy/use it?

I was just watching an episode of TOS and remembering how prophetic it was about Flip Phones becoming a reality and wondering if people would actually buy a phone modeled after a Communicator.

Now the one in my mind is the TOS version, this debate can include the Commbadges of the TNG era as well.

Honestly, I'm geek enough to want a working one, I also like it's simplicity. Phones have gotten a little too varied in function. If there were a way to make calls not be broadcast to everyone, perhaps with the use of a bluetooth like device, I might get on the bandwagon.

What do you think?

I want the fairer sex to be willing to speak to me, so no.