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the_dengle on 02 September 2013
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Soundwave said:
the_dengle said:
Soundwave said:
the_dengle said:

No. You think the fact that tablets have a big touch screen on them is what makes them a social device?

There are a few things that go into making something a social device, but I'll keep it simple. If it doesn't have 3G or an equivalent feature -- something that provides the user with access to the internet at all times -- it's not a social device.

So unless Nintendo's next handheld is capable of holding a constant internet connection, it's not a social device, no matter how big or touchable its screen is.

So the 3G model of the Vita is a social device, whereas the non-3G version is not. LOL, ok. You can't get much more arbitrary than that.

A social device is more than a constant internet connection, but if your device does NOT have a constant internet connection, it cannot be a social device.

That said, I am hard pressed to think of something you can do with an iPad that you cannot also do with a Vita.

There's nothing arbitrary about needing a constant internet connection. Why do you think so many people sign up for 3G service for their phones and tablets? Many of the functions of these devices only work with an internet connection. Sure, you can take pictures and play some games without a connection, and when you're at home or a wifi hotspot, you can go on Facebook or whatever. But you can also do all of these things on a DSi or an iPod touch.

Social devices are built around sharing. I just sat down to eat at this restaurant, let me take a picture of my food and upload it to instagram. This is even how they are marketed.

There are also a lot of games on the app store that require an internet connection to run. I can't think of any 3DS or Vita games that do this. I think you will have fun explaining to Gung Ho that the constant internet connection required to play their game Puzzle & Dragons is "arbitrary."