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Hi, guys, this is Mike here with another video review. Today we're looking at the new 2013
model of the Baby. Many of you have been writing and asking why I'm so late to give my impressions
of the Baby, considering people have been getting these things since, like forever,
but as with all products, it's always a gamble of whether you should jump in now or wait
for the next upgrade. I've had my hands on the Baby for about 6 months now and have gotten
a really good feel of what's it like to own it.
The first thing you notice right out of the gate is the high quality, unibody build on
the Baby. It's not aluminum as is all the rage these days, but the design is very sleek
and efficient, without being cold and industrial. When you first unbox it, it does feel very
fragile, and I do advise caution when learning your way around the Baby, but I'm finding
out more and more that it's sturdier than it lets on at first. Honestly, I've dunked
mine in water dozens of times and it's still perfectly functional, which I can't say about
other devices I've owned. I haven't tried a drop test, and the manufacturer strongly
recommends against it.
That brings us to caring for the Baby. Frankly, this is a topic of discussion you've most
likely engaged in at some point, because it seems people today are practically attached
to these things and obsess over their upkeep. Know that the Baby is not a green product
by any means, in case that's important to you. They produce a lot of waste and emissions.
Not only will you spend much of your time cleaning it up and wiping it down, but there
are definitely times when I feel guilty about the environmental impact of owning
one.
To top it off, battery life is atrocious. When I first got it, it would power down after
an hour or two, if that. This is a serious issue, and I'd probably have found the Baby
impossible if I hadn't delegated all charging responsibilities to my review partner, Christine.
What's more is that if it's not immediately charged, or if it gets bogged down in emissions,
the Baby sets off an ear-piercing alarm that interrupts whatever you're doing, and at night
makes you question the choices you've made in life. Fortunately, a couple of months ago
there was an update to the operating system that seems to have improved up time, increased
charging efficiency, and lowered the volume and urgency of the alarm.
Because of the popularity of the Baby, there is a whole industry of accessory makers and
retailers offering a plethora of accompanying products. If you're looking for a travel case,
you'll find they range from big and bulky to very slender, even ones designed as a throwback
to the way previous versions of the Baby were lugged around. Many of the mid-range ones
also come with a matching car dock so your Baby doesn't bounce around the car, leading
to distractions.
You can also customize your Baby in all kinds of colors and patterns, but really at some
point it becomes about owners trying to outdo one another in some kind of underground status
war. It's easy to get caught up and blow a bunch of money on accessories you likely won't
use more than once.
In the end, how useful is the new Baby? Not much. I can't say that the Baby has made any
aspect of my life easier or increased productivity. In fact the opposite is usually true. And
in an age of increasingly more intelligent tech, the Baby is not a smart device. It's
not for everyone, as it's clearly a beta-type product the makers have not thought out very
well at all. Cost of ownership is extremely high, putting
it firmly in the luxury item category. Why would potential owners consider one, even
scrounging up money and running up debt for it? Looking into the Baby's eyes and smile
of course makes you feel as one with the universe, simultaneously gaining purpose in existence
and an unspeakable appreciation of the preciousness of life, but as to whether that's worth the
sticker price will vary by buyer.
I'm Mike and that's my quick review of the latest version of the Baby. Thanks for watching,
and stay tuned for impressions of future OS upgrades, leading up to the unveiling of the
anticipated 2014 model. See you next time.