Hasty Briefsbeta

Everything from 1991 Radio Shack ad I now do with my phone

3 days ago
  • #Buffalo
  • #technology
  • #nostalgia
  • The author reflects on how a $3 investment in old Buffalo News front sections from 1991 reveals technological advancements.
  • A Radio Shack ad from 1991 showcased 15 electronic items, 13 of which are now functionalities found in an iPhone.
  • The total cost of the 1991 items ($3054.82) is equivalent to about $5100 in 2012 dollars, highlighting the iPhone's cost efficiency.
  • Only two items from the ad—a radar detector and a 3-way speaker—remain un-replaced by iPhone technology.
  • The article discusses the broader implications of technological obsolescence and the shift in consumer electronics.
  • Comments from readers debate the iPhone's ability to fully replace certain items like CB radios and radar detectors, mentioning apps like Waze as alternatives.
  • The decline of Radio Shack is attributed to the mainstreaming of niche electronic gadgets by companies like Apple.
  • The piece concludes with a nod to Buffalo's cultural history and the author's work in documenting it.