Why do I need Quad-core in my phone?

Someone, give me a good argument as to why I need a quad-core processor in a cell phone. I've heard the "but, it makes it faster" argument, and I've heard the "I can play games more easily" argument. None of them really stack up for me.

This issue came to mind after listening to episode 7 of the Rumor Has It podcast, where the very same issue of multi-core processors in phones was brought up and hashed out. Here is my take in a nutshell:

• Yes, a quad-core processor will help Angry Birds load faster on your phone, but were you having a real issue with Angry Birds's load time when you had a dual-core phone?
• Yes, a quad-core processor will allow you to have smoother video streaming on your phone - if you're watching something that's really processor-heavy, like Spiderman. It won't change your YouTube experience too much. But then, why are you watching Spiderman on your phone, instead of on a computer screen, or better yet, on your TV?

I've said before that I don't play many games on my phone. Well, really, any at all. I had a short-lived obsession with Texas Hold 'Em. And then I found something better to do. I just can't into get games that require me to swipe (if I had a touchscreen) or repeatedly hit the buttons on my very small, qwerty keyboard. Give me a mouse, a portable gaming system, or a controller any day.

So, quad-core doesn't hold much sway for me in the gaming department. And, you will never catch me watching a full-length TV show or movie on my phone. I'd like to retain my eyesight into my old age, thanks.

My thinking is that the quad-core phone craze is really just something manufactured by the cell phone industry to sell you something you don't really need.

Why I don't think I can listen to Buzz Out Loud anymore

I find myself listening to the Buzz Out Loud podcasts less and less. I’m thinking of quitting it completely. Coming to this place has been a gradual journey, but here I am all the same.

I started listening to the CNET podcasts about a year ago, because I wanted an alternative to having NPR on all the time when I work. Music gets on my nerves after a while, but I can listen to news of some kind without it breaking my concentration too much. I decided the CNET podcasts would be great, since they talked about the stuff I was into - general tech news, video games, portable electronics, even tech for cars.

Buzz Out Loud was the first podcast I started listening to. Brian Tong and Molly Wood dished out not only great tech news content, but also a good deal of humor. As producer Steve Beacham got more involved in the podcasts, it seemed to only get better. Soon, I branched out into listening to other podcasts, like The 404 and Car Tech Live. I still miss CNET to the Rescue with Rafe Needleman.

But, a few months ago, I noticed an annoying trend in the Buzz Out Loud shows. There was a marked tone of cynicism that started cropping up more and more. Their Blackberry-knocking went from sarcastic comments about RIM's two-CEO organization to outright predicting the death of RIM. As a die-hard fan of the Blackberry, I found this to be distasteful at the least. It got to be where Molly and Brian seemed to go out of their way to find news stories about RIM missteps and Blackberry users supposedly jumping ship.

It was there that my lack of enthusiasm for listening to the Buzz Out Loud podcasts started.

Flaws in the argument that portable gaming should die

Jeff Bakalar’s recent post on killing portable consoles sparked off some tech anger. Now for my two cents.

And, let me say first that I like Jeff and respect his opinions in the tech and gaming worlds. Unlike with the Buzz Out Loud podcasts, I've never considered not listening to The 404 anymore because of any opinions expressed in a particular episode by Jeff, Justin, or Wilson. (My irritation with Buzz Out Loud is a subject for another post entirely.) However, I found several flaws in his argument.

"Current consumers are more concerned with brief sessions of stimulation than they are with playing a complex 25-hour RPG."

Portable consoles are obviously not for people who want 20 minutes of entertainment. Angry Birds and similar simplistic games that are available as apps are no different from those little Video Poker, Blackjack, and Sudoku games that were popular with commuters long before anyone ever heard of an iPhone. But, me? I still want the 25-hour RPG or survival horror title on my PSP, because I'm playing it at my desk or in bed or somewhere else when there's more than 20 minutes to kill. If I only have 20 minutes, I read the New York Times.

"[If] consumers are content with an iPhone for music, video, and games, there is absolutely no practical need to carry around another bulky piece of hardware [...]."

There is truth in the idea that many consumers want electronics that will be their phone, calendar, email and Web access, music player, and anything else they can cram into it, including a bagel toaster - if they can manage that, too. Except, I don't own an iPhone, and I don't want my phone to be my catchall device. I like having a separate MP3 player, separate laptop, etc.

"Though it's most likely due to a dearth of compelling titles and an audience not completely on-board with 3D on the go, Nintendo's 3DS has stumbled out of the gate."

I agree that these are two reasons that the 3DS has not caught on. Another is that we're in a recession that has hit even the most hardcore of gamers. Console manufacturers have to work harder for our money. And, when there is a wealth of critics saying that the 3DS isn't worth our cash, we're not going to look twice at the 3DS. We'll wait for the Vita.

"There's no denying its massive 5-inch touch screen and jaw-dropping graphics will make for the most powerful portable system ever, but its place in the American marketplace is quickly evaporating. "

I disagree that the marketplace is evaporating. Truncating, yes. But then, people who collect baseball cards have long been a dying breed, and yet, Topps still makes baseball cards. For who? Die-hard collectors. Buyers who still find value in a fresh pack of baseball cards, be those buyers 12 years old or 50 years old.

Like those die-hard card collectors, we hardcore gamers will always put cash on the counter and find room in our backpacks for a crazy-cool device. The Vita looks like it will be one of those devices. I say to the naysayers that portable consoles are not dead, it's just harder to come by a really good one.