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Always On by Chen Brian
Even Steve Jobs didn't know what he had on his hands when he announced the original iPhone as a combination of a mere "three revolutionary products"--an iPod, a cell phone, and a keyboard-less handheld computer. Once Apple introduced the App Store and opened it up to outside developers, however, the iPhone became capable of serving a rapidly growing number of functions--now more than 200,000 and counting. But the iPhone has implications far beyond the phone or gadget market. In fact, it's opening the way to what Brian Chen calls the "always-on" future, where we are all constantly connected to a global Internet via flexible, incredibly capable gadgets that allow us to do anything, anytime, from anywhere. This has far-reaching implications--both positive and negative--throughout all areas of our lives, opening the door for incredible personal and societal advances while potentially sacrificing both privacy and creative freedom in the process. Always On is the first book to look at the surprising and expansive significance of Apple's incredibly powerful vertical business model, and the future it portends.
Hardcover
First published April 26, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 4, 2012
this book was about how the iPhone is a revolutionary device that has changed the world. the iPhone has allowed people to do things more easily such as book a table for lunch, or be able to read first aid advice at anytime. the book just explains how the iPhone has created a , as the author describes it "anything-anytime-anywhere future".
the book was very informative, but i gave it a two, mostly because to me it read like a documentary. it was all facts and statistics and just about how the iPhone has succeeded in more ways than it ever dreamed.and how apple is both pleased and disappointed with its results.
"our products will enable us to do more than they ever have before, as their capabilities will be expandable with the tap of a download button(Chen 06)". he makes it sound so simple, but as you read and he talks about the history of apple, especially when they almost went bankrupt , you see the dark side of the story, but you now see the obvious, that they control all of the market areas they enter.
this book also connects to how we discussed the way that apple was better choice, just like when we write college essays to persuade a college. apple did the same, they showed the wold they could be this mighty tech empire that use to be on the verge of bankruptcy and multiple lawsuits.
i would recommend this book to people who are very tech savvy, or apple savvy. i would also recommend this book to people who are very interested in apples revolutionary vertical style of economics and production, which has granted them success.
the book was very informative, but i gave it a two, mostly because to me it read like a documentary. it was all facts and statistics and just about how the iPhone has succeeded in more ways than it ever dreamed.and how apple is both pleased and disappointed with its results.
"our products will enable us to do more than they ever have before, as their capabilities will be expandable with the tap of a download button(Chen 06)". he makes it sound so simple, but as you read and he talks about the history of apple, especially when they almost went bankrupt , you see the dark side of the story, but you now see the obvious, that they control all of the market areas they enter.
this book also connects to how we discussed the way that apple was better choice, just like when we write college essays to persuade a college. apple did the same, they showed the wold they could be this mighty tech empire that use to be on the verge of bankruptcy and multiple lawsuits.
i would recommend this book to people who are very tech savvy, or apple savvy. i would also recommend this book to people who are very interested in apples revolutionary vertical style of economics and production, which has granted them success.
October 24, 2011
Overall, this analysis of the iPhone (and its followers) and its effect on our culture was interesting. I know mine has changed the way I used and retrieve information in a big way. I am old enough to remember a world without the internet, and having to walk to the library to find out who sang Brunnhilde in the Met's 1934 production of Die Walkure, f'rinstance. It's better now.
I found Chen's dogged insistence that the studies showing that the always on culture is not ideal are deeply flawed, while the opposite ones are perfectly accurate fairly strident. I understand he's got several dogs in this hunt, but I began to feel weary the 8th time he hit me over the head with one.
I found Chen's dogged insistence that the studies showing that the always on culture is not ideal are deeply flawed, while the opposite ones are perfectly accurate fairly strident. I understand he's got several dogs in this hunt, but I began to feel weary the 8th time he hit me over the head with one.
June 1, 2024
Should have gone with a better title for the book.
The title is vague.
The book is a history of iPhone and it's rivals and covers a very broad range of topics. It also has stories about people whose lives the iPhone impacted.
It's written by a journalist and it shows.
I personally felt it deserved 5 stars. I don't know why others are so critical.
There aren't many high quality books about smartphone history and this book fills the gap.
The title is vague.
The book is a history of iPhone and it's rivals and covers a very broad range of topics. It also has stories about people whose lives the iPhone impacted.
It's written by a journalist and it shows.
I personally felt it deserved 5 stars. I don't know why others are so critical.
There aren't many high quality books about smartphone history and this book fills the gap.
November 19, 2012
This is a fairly superficial book, and a very light read. But it does have some interesting nuggets.
Does the multitasking (or constant distraction, depending on how you see it) enabled by the iPhone bear any responsibility for degrading our ability to concentrate? It's a question worth asking, but the 3 or 4 studies of a handful of college kids cited here are not going to answer it. The light treatment and slightly defensive tone of this discussion is about what you'd expect from a guy who works for _Wired_. The experiment at Abilene Christian Univ. to throw out textbooks and class discussions and instead have students Google all their classroom study topics gives me hives. Don't get me wrong; I think Google's a great boon for researchers; I remember how much more arduous research used to be.
But college is where learning is supposed to be guided. It's supposed to give you the critical thinking skills to deal with being thrown into the deep end, later on. Sounds to me like a great big abdication of teacher responsibility. You may choose to believe that Facebook mirrors your real-world social life rather than replacing it; you may choose to believe that a rise in Facebook user's self-esteem is a result of real achievements rather than fooling oneself. But an author is usually expected to produce some evidence for such bald statements, not just a few dubious anecdotes. And, after poor Tyler Clementi's suicide, are we really asking if privacy matters?
I learned a few interesting tidbits: an iPhone app that helped save the life of a resourceful hurricane victim, a parental-controls app that spied on the kids it was supposed to be "protecting," and sent data about their online behavior to marketers. Oddly, Mr Chen tells both stories in the same breezy tone. He can't wholeheartedly defend the problematic technologies he's discussing, but he doesn't want to admit the things he loves are as problematic as they are. So he takes no firm stand at all.
Does the multitasking (or constant distraction, depending on how you see it) enabled by the iPhone bear any responsibility for degrading our ability to concentrate? It's a question worth asking, but the 3 or 4 studies of a handful of college kids cited here are not going to answer it. The light treatment and slightly defensive tone of this discussion is about what you'd expect from a guy who works for _Wired_. The experiment at Abilene Christian Univ. to throw out textbooks and class discussions and instead have students Google all their classroom study topics gives me hives. Don't get me wrong; I think Google's a great boon for researchers; I remember how much more arduous research used to be.
But college is where learning is supposed to be guided. It's supposed to give you the critical thinking skills to deal with being thrown into the deep end, later on. Sounds to me like a great big abdication of teacher responsibility. You may choose to believe that Facebook mirrors your real-world social life rather than replacing it; you may choose to believe that a rise in Facebook user's self-esteem is a result of real achievements rather than fooling oneself. But an author is usually expected to produce some evidence for such bald statements, not just a few dubious anecdotes. And, after poor Tyler Clementi's suicide, are we really asking if privacy matters?
I learned a few interesting tidbits: an iPhone app that helped save the life of a resourceful hurricane victim, a parental-controls app that spied on the kids it was supposed to be "protecting," and sent data about their online behavior to marketers. Oddly, Mr Chen tells both stories in the same breezy tone. He can't wholeheartedly defend the problematic technologies he's discussing, but he doesn't want to admit the things he loves are as problematic as they are. So he takes no firm stand at all.
September 8, 2011
I was expecting this book to be simply a list of the author's favorite iPhone apps and some cheerleading for Apple products, but it turned out to be much more than that.
Chen covers the iPhone beat for Wired magazine, so he knows the subject well. In this book, he gives a summary of the entire history of Apple and its development of the iPhone.
Then he tackles the question, "Are 'always on' digital devices that can answer any question on the spot good or bad for us individually and as a society?" Do smart phones and tablets make us smarter or dumber?
He cites lots of studies on the uses of iPhones in schools and brain plasticity.
I don't think I give anything away when I say he decides that, like any technology, the benefits depend on how it is used.
Chen covers the iPhone beat for Wired magazine, so he knows the subject well. In this book, he gives a summary of the entire history of Apple and its development of the iPhone.
Then he tackles the question, "Are 'always on' digital devices that can answer any question on the spot good or bad for us individually and as a society?" Do smart phones and tablets make us smarter or dumber?
He cites lots of studies on the uses of iPhones in schools and brain plasticity.
I don't think I give anything away when I say he decides that, like any technology, the benefits depend on how it is used.
October 17, 2016
Brian Chen does a good job of providing a very broad overview of the impact of being in an "always on" society. Of course to provide a broad view many of the topics he explores only scratches the surface. I was impressed that he did give more attention to the consequences and benefits of closed app environments versus open web than I was expecting.
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\nA decent easy to read, I recommend this book especially to those interested in the mobile space but who may at novice level of really understanding it (which I suspect may be more of then we would like to think).
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\nNOTE: If you do read this book please note the first two chapters could have been condensed down to about three or four pages. Skim them!
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\nA decent easy to read, I recommend this book especially to those interested in the mobile space but who may at novice level of really understanding it (which I suspect may be more of then we would like to think).
\n
\nNOTE: If you do read this book please note the first two chapters could have been condensed down to about three or four pages. Skim them!
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November 12, 2011
A disappointment. Chen is a former writer for Macworld, and, while I could tell the book was thin by picking it up at the library, nonetheless, with the dust cover promising to talk about vertical integration, issues I’ve called “infowars” on my blog, I still expected a more critical eye on Mac. I agree with Chen about Android’s open source kind of biting back Google, but Chen appears to worry not that much about Apple’s semi-dictatorial vertical control, only enough to slap it on the hands as if he was trying to appear not too biased. As far as psychological-type implications of people being “always on,” it wasn’t that deep that way, either.
November 15, 2013
I was waiting for this book to come out. I wanted to think about this topic and thought that reading the book would spark some thoughts on my own life and how I manage (or not) the "always connected" life. Having finished it, I think I can say that Mr. Chen is not sure if he loves or hates the always on life, which is interesting, since the book seems to try to look at both advantages and problems. What is less interesting, is that some arguments seemed to rely on little data, or anecdotal stories about a single person or event. All in all I don't regret reading it but it left me waiting for a real synthesis of the different aspects presented over the book.
July 28, 2016
Interesting to see how many of the predictions made in 2011 have come true here in 2016. Pokemon Go certainly supports Chen's predictions about augmented reality and its possibilities. On the other hand, the failure of Google Glass suggests that the march towards wearable tech might not be quite as straightforward as we'd like to think.
Overall, this book's biggest problem is its length. Its title promises to discuss how the iPhone (well, the smartphone, really, but the iPhone is the flagship example) unlocked everything while locking us in, but the brief arguments made to that point mostly seem to equate to "eh, maybe?"
Overall, this book's biggest problem is its length. Its title promises to discuss how the iPhone (well, the smartphone, really, but the iPhone is the flagship example) unlocked everything while locking us in, but the brief arguments made to that point mostly seem to equate to "eh, maybe?"
December 16, 2016
Great overview of how the electronic age has enhanced our daily lives. I liked how Brian did a study where he didn't use any digital media and how it was very difficult to work and interact. We have become addicted or smartphones and electronic devices are necessary to conduct business and to socially interact. It is so much easier to send a text or an email than to meet personally.
I was engaged from page one until the end where new devices will surface that is being done right now - augmented reality (AR).
I was engaged from page one until the end where new devices will surface that is being done right now - augmented reality (AR).
Read
May 14, 2017I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author manages to keep a delicate balance between the technological/business and social aspects of Apple's iPhone and how those aspects come into play in every one's life--whether you own an iPhone or not. He gives enough thought-provoking information with only subtle pushes for the pros and cons of the iPhone's impact and implications. But just as he has you leaning toward thinking one way, he will gently show you reasons why you may go the other direction. Brilliant topic, writing and author combination. -- Kassandra V-L
June 21, 2011
I have had an I phone since it first came out. I have been amazed with the speed of my adaption.
-Have a question about the Nile river google it.
-want to take a picture than send it in a email, post it on face book add it with notes for later reference.
It can all be done in your hand. And I have many times a day.
This book talked about where we are today. Where we might be tomorrow. And some of the challenges that come with it.
Absolutly fascinating.
-Have a question about the Nile river google it.
-want to take a picture than send it in a email, post it on face book add it with notes for later reference.
It can all be done in your hand. And I have many times a day.
This book talked about where we are today. Where we might be tomorrow. And some of the challenges that come with it.
Absolutly fascinating.
April 6, 2012
Read it because I flipped to the best part while I was at the library. Yes, phones are diverting us from other people, yet they are increasingly essential to our daily lives. Hearing the author try and fail to live without using texting or e-mailing was interesting, but the rest of the book is comprised of dull factoids about iPhones and Droids that don't amount to much. At least it's a quick read.
July 1, 2011
Well written and many interesting threads of thoughts, but felt incomplete and short lived. The examples are great, but there's little depth that hold this all together. This book is great to get one started in thinking about the way portable computers affect us. Coverage on relevant history is solid. Recommended for everyone that works with app phones.
July 5, 2011
I had to skip to the end it 3/4 of the way through to see if any of the information presented was going to go anywhere. It just felt like lots of interesting factoids strung together in a way that doesn't really go anywhere interesting... not as "big picture" as the jacket notes suggest it's going to be. Boo.
June 15, 2011
An interesting examination of how the iphone has fostered an always-connected lifestyle, and the implications of that change on individuals and society. I enjoyed it, but if you've been following tech thought-leaders and the best tech podcasts, you won't find too much new here.
November 17, 2011
I didn't read every word of this book, but I skimmed and read the best parts. It was really interesting... Especially the parts about privacy on the internet. It almost makes me want to shut down my Facebook account........ but I won't :P
December 5, 2011
I may not be the target audience for this, but I didn't learn anything from this book. The ideas are not wrong, but they're superficial and unoriginal — at least that's what it seems to me, but perhaps I follow the field too closely to be surprised ;-)
May 3, 2012
If you have heard the author interview then you already got most of the headlines for the book. Lots of sensationalism over how iPhone is changing the world... Really it is smart phones that are changing the world, the iPhone is only one of them.
Read
August 24, 2012Picked this up immediately after finishing Half-Empty on a Wednesday night, but woke up with a raging head cold Thursday morning. Tried to poke at it throughout the day, but it couldn't hold my interest. Given the number of books waiting for me, I just had to let this one go.
February 1, 2016
A good book on our connected society. Both the positives and negatives. Could not help but think there is a bigger book to be written - I think there are bigger societal issues that Mr. Chen failed to address, but in any case I did enjoy this book
June 28, 2011
A must-read for anyone using an iPhone or affected by today's technology. Oh, wait, isn't that everyone? Then everyone should read this book.
August 24, 2011
Starts off with an interesting premise and a lot of enthusiasm, but goes off blandly to the end.
Want to read
August 25, 2011time for a new phone. Trying to decide if I should get another iPhone, or possibly just downgrade back to a regular phone. Obviously I can survive without it, but do I want to?
November 6, 2011
This started off so promising, but I could not finish it....due to boredom!
September 29, 2011
Very interesting and informative, especially in light of my own recent iPad/iTunes debacle.
January 17, 2012
Splendid insight of how the revolutionary iPhone is shaping our modern lives in ways of which we aren't even conceivable.
Read
July 6, 2012meandering and jumps like a middle of the road 200 page blog post in the form of a book. obsessed with getting his always-on term on every page
September 25, 2012
Great technology book and I choose to read it as my summer reading book. I'm so glad I did too because it is the most informative, hilarious non-fiction book I could have possibly found! :)
November 4, 2012
Picked this book up in the new book section of our library. An interesting read with good hypothesis. It asked more questions than it answered but worth the time to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews