Phone As Companion

When PSFK was in Tokyo recently, we noticed how commonly people turned to the phone for entertainment, information and social connection. Above we have the photo of the typical subway ride: commuters looking at their phones to watch TV shows, read books and send email.

One of the more curious sights was people sat at noodle bars with their phones cracked open as they ate. We noticed how lone eaters would monitor in realtime the baseball game or their friends social updates. Clamshell design is still the norm in japan so the format lends itself towards this behavior : a titling screen can face you as you sit solo and in some ways be your constant friend in the lonely metropolis.

As mobile internet speeds increase and we stay forever online through our phone, how long will it be until this is common place in places like New York?