Written by on Thursday, March 27, 2008

Chumby Lovers Aren’t Chumps


I realize that what I’m about to say is rather controversial but, here goes: I love my Chumby. Love it!

We all know that the Chumby has not exactly been well received in the tech blog community. I think it’s been called “useless” among other things. However, there are a few of us out here who do enjoy (and are willing to defend) this bizarre consumer object and I’d like to tell you why I think it rocks.

The first thing that needs to be established is that the Chumby is a toy. What do you do with a toy? Play with it. Are toys supposed to be productivity tools? No. As a toy it totally fulfills its function, and in that capacity it has three major assets.

It’s the Anti-Apple Object: I have become a (reluctant) Apple user as of late; I have a Macbook, an iPod Nano, and yes, I have an iPhone. I’m totally into the Apple products that I use daily. However, I love that the Chumby is everything that Apple is not in two major ways. Form: it’s thick, it’s round, and it’s soft. Open access: from the getgo, this toy’s functionality has been based on, and largely composed of, user-generated flash programs.

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danc
Mar 27, 2008

Great first post!!! Nice to see you on JAMM.

I couldn’t help but notice that for a reluctant Apple-user you sure to have a lot of Apple device… :) (sorry- couldn’t resist)

Glad you are enjoying your Ch-ugly. It really is an interesting device concept and I too will be curious to see how it develops as aditional apps are created.


pomoster
Mar 27, 2008

Hey Dan,
Yeah yeah yeah — and I didn’t even mention that I use a Mac Pro at work. Somehow that reluctance has been met with a buying frenzy. :)
Ch-ugly. I have to agree with you but only in reference to the “latte” variety — the white/brown one. That Chumby is Ch-ugly for sure.
Anyway, you’ll hear more about it –whether you like it or not!
jamie


Aczon
Mar 27, 2008

What the heck is a Chumby! Sounds like Chewebaka’s baby or something…

And of course something that I might like…

Great post. :)


Peter
Mar 28, 2008

Very Brave, coming out of the closet like that :D


pomoster
Mar 28, 2008

@Aczon — That’s a brilliant connection! Chewbaka… totally. I think they share a lot, actually. :)
Thanks for the kind words on my first post for JAMM.

@Peter — I think so! This was a challenge– facing a world resistant to my lifestyle choices and taking the plunge! I very much appreciate your recognition of my courage! :)

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