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Comment by dismal2 | Hacker News Reader

Ok, let's start at the beginning.

Electricity is an essential, safe, and cost effective means of lighting. Radio/TV is a great way of receiving information about the world around you. A computer is now an essential way to get things done in the modern world and to participate in the market economy. A smartphone is a portable computer, it lets you do (almost) all the things you can with a computer on the go. It is quickly becoming essential. People need these things.

An Apple watch is just a useless status symbol, like all watches this day in age.

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> A computer is now an essential way to get things done in the modern world and to participate in the market economy.

I would say Internet is the essential way, not computers. Take the Internet out and the equation changes completely and you can't do much without it. Take the computers out, it still remains a valid statement.

You can use any devices you want to get on the Internet; computers, smartphones, tablets, and so on. It is up to you and you do not "need" any specific device, you "want" the smartphone because it is the most convenient portable device you can use.

Do everyone need computers? No, do everyone need Internet? Most yes, it may be the only way to pay bills for some, it may be the only way to securely communicate in an oppressive country, and so on.

You can use libraries to get access to the Internet without owning any of the electronics. So, no, people don't need these devices but they may need the Internet and they want the devices to make their life easier.

> An Apple watch is just a useless status symbol, like all watches this day in age.

This argument gets thrown out a lot and there is certainly some truth to it. However it is also a very sucky symbol as it is mostly hidden in sleeve and even when it isn't, most people can't tell a difference between a cheap ~200$ watch and one worth 100 times more unless it is laden with jewels or golden.

Apple Watch is certainly not useless even if you don't have a use for it. It doesn't fit my life either, but I can easily imagine a life in which it would.

1. I know people who do not consider a smartphone essential. I may personally disagree (to a first approximation for those who can afford one) but not everyone wants to have one.

2. >like all watches this day in age

So, are you arguing that my $30 Timex is a useless status symbol? There sure seem to be plenty of watches of that sort still forsale.

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