In most SF games set even in the near, let alone far future such as Transhuman space, one can assume people will have more and more electronic gear.

I was wondering WTF they're going to to call it when they get a device that combines virtually ALL functions into one device.

So, I tried to imagine the ultimate personal electronic device. It would combine damn near everything you can have today, with ghawd knows what else.

Imagine a device that is a cellphone, a music player, credit card, a netlink, a handheld PC, a game player, a video player, a GPS, flashlight, video camera, timepiece, compass, voice message recorder, plug drive and maybe even a health monitor that can check your glucose levels if you're a diabetic and even take your pulse and record it if you put your finger on a sensitive spot on it.

Then throw in whatever else someone might have in the future that can fit in a hand held unit.

Now, WTF do we call this thing?! I guess it could just use the generic term "phone" like modern ones do even if they have a dozen other functions, or cell as they're sometimes called, but then again someone might wnt to put a bigger, more impressive name on it for marketing purposes.

How about calling it a personal, since it is in many ways the ultimate personal device? Then again, I was thinking of having them called "Units" after an ad campaign plugged them with the slogan "Don't you want a powerful unit?"

So, how about either of the above, or another idea?

The Beast?

I think "a personal" sounds good.

Quote from: Dominus NoxNow, WTF do we call this thing?!

Tricorder?

Do you remember the pocket secretary from Shadowrun and how hi-tech it seemed in the 80's? The average mobile phone has pretty much the same facilities and it's mundane...

For a nearfuture game where Evil Coporations ruled with an iron fist, I'd probably call them Apples.  The Apple company made the first generation of them, you see.  There original advertising pitch they pushed it as "We've reached the ideal.  There's no longer a need for us to produce any other product."  The other corps were slow to catch up, so Apple has become the ubiquitous term.

The penis

ads declare "the penis, mightier than a sword."

Quote from: Nicephorusads declare "the penis, mightier than a sword."

I've got to ashk you about the Penish Mightier.

I've seen them called personal computers in several games. Shadowrun calls them Pocket Secretaries and/or Decks depending on what edition you're running.

Shadowrun 4e calls 'em commlinks.

PDA

Blackberry

LG Chocolate

Q

Motorazr V3i DG

Quote from: jrientsFor a nearfuture game where Evil Coporations ruled with an iron fist, I'd probably call them Apples.  The Apple company made the first generation of them, you see.  There original advertising pitch they pushed it as "We've reached the ideal.  There's no longer a need for us to produce any other product."  The other corps were slow to catch up, so Apple has become the ubiquitous term.

Hmmm, nah, thanks for the idea, but I consider IBM to be more of an evil corporation that apple.

Quote from: Hastur T. FannonTricorder?

Do you remember the pocket secretary from Shadowrun and how hi-tech it seemed in the 80's? The average mobile phone has pretty much the same facilities and it's mundane...

Never was into SR, just got some stuff for a friend who is.

Quote from: Dominus NoxHmmm, nah, thanks for the idea, but I consider IBM to be more of an evil corporation that apple.

*snerf* That's pretty funny.

Quote from: Dominus NoxHmmm, nah, thanks for the idea, but I consider IBM to be more of an evil corporation that apple.

That just shows that Apple's ad campaigns are working.  Soon you'll be in their cult, spouting slogans, and rushing out to buy whatever they make.

Quote from: NicephorusThat just shows that Apple's ad campaigns are working.  Soon you'll be in their cult, spouting slogans, and rushing out to buy whatever they make.

Young girls with iPods and MacBook's don't scare me half as much as middle-aged manages who still think in the terms of the Big Iron days.

You want cult? Picture hundreds of people in blue suits singing from the  IBM songbook.