Not As Acute As They Were

Rumors that Apple is working on a "watch like device" have not been confirmed by the notoriously close-mouthed company but do appear solid since they've been reported in both the NY Times and the Wall Street Journal.

The first image that came to mind for those of a certain age is that of Dick Tracy's two-way wrist TV. The comic detective's super-watch seemed like science fiction in the early Sixties, when televisions occupied large cabinets in the living room.

Surveys have shown that Apple is losing its shine with the younger crowd, while Apple's acceptance is growing among those over 35. Many boomers, including your humble observer, who once read comics in newspapers imagined Dick Tracy's watch on their own wrist. These customers may not be Apple's dream demographic, but their student loans have long been paid off and they're ready to buy.

Apple just has to make sure the characters are big enough to read, or that Siri speaks loud enough to be heard, by those whose senses are not as acute as they once were. © 2013 Stephen Yuen