I've been wondering why some fictional communication devices became realities and some didn't.

[Ptah]

Or is Bluetooth the new 2-Way Wrist Radio (upgraded to a 2-Way Wrist TV in 1964).


:shrug:

[Fire Walk With Me]

1. Star Trek's communicators and badges have always had low-fidelity sound.

This is creative license so that the viewer can differentiate between the people onscreen and offscreen, but as a sound guy that has always bothered me. And the TNG badges didn't appear to have a shut-off, such as closing the classic communicator lid. Always made me think of that Taxi episode where the lady star has a long drive with a man she ends up getting on with very, very well, to the point where they discuss, upon arrival, whether to kiss or not. The dispatcher's voice then comes over the radio saying that they should kiss. No one ever had any fun with the communicator badges? Feh! :)

[Orrex]

4. Ah, yes--Elaine and Tom Selleck

"You're better off with the hundred," opines Louie. Great episode!


In my mid-teen frenzy to justify science fiction gaffes like the never-off communicator, I simply decided that the communicator had some kind of low-grade intelligent programming enabling it shut itself off when the relevant conversation had ended, in much the same way that people can tell when you've stopped talking to them.

Of course, that doesn't explain why you need to tap the communicator to get its attention...

[Ptah]

5. It's like the 'Do What I'm Thinking" button.

If it could do what I'm thinking, it wouldn't need a button.

[Orrex]

6. And another thing...

When they say "Enterprise, five to beam up," how the heck does the transporter operator know which five, especially if they're in a crowd and some of them aren't carrying communicators?

[Generic Brad]

10. Their badges have a GPS locator

That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.

[Fire Walk With Me]

7. Exactly.

And a Baron Munchausen sig quote...very nice.

[Orrex]

8. Good for you--you're the first one to identify it

At least, you're the first one to post about it.

I salute you!

[Kali]

2. kirk is texting!

[Ptah]

3. At least he's not on the bridge!

close call

[csziggy]

11. No, he's got to be tweeting with Palin for new material.

[KG]

9. i've always wished my flip phone made that squeaking noise when i opened it, like a ST communicator