This week, with many schools back in session and folks done with vacations, trains have definitely gotten fuller. With the fuller trains, I've also noticed a new trend. There are now more people using digital devices (laptops, ipods, treos, blackberries, iphones..etc.) to pass time on BART than reading paper-based books, newspaper and magazines.
The new dominance of digital devices on BART is consistent in every train car I've sat in. I'd even say it's now about a 60-40 split...60% using digital devices to preoccupy themselves during the ride. I've even personally contributed to this new trend. I used to bring in a magazine to read daily but now, with my new iPhone, I've got more than enough to read right in my palm. It's so easy!
Perhaps this will mean that we'll see less unwanted newspapers and magazine subscription postcards being left as trash all around the train!
7 comments:
Of the digital devices, are any of them Kindles?
Yes!! A couple Kindles inboard too! Thanks for the reminder.
Yeah I use my laptop now from N. Concord to Lake Merritt. But I usually close it up departing Orinda because of the BHT and then the transfer at MacArthur. It does pass the time.
Btw, I just got an iPhone too, and if I were traveling by myself on a train, I'm pretty sure I'd be on it the whole way. :-)
I prefer the newspaper. They don't make obnoxious sounds and no one screams into them. I can read them anywhere, they don't need a wireless connection to work, and they don't need batteries. If I drop it, it only costs another quareter to replace it.
...and much easier to leave behind as trash on the train. Maybe not you pe say, but this happens all too often.
I prefer a mix--iPod with newspaper or book. Although I understand why people prefer digital devices, there's nothing like a paper newspaper. Internet newspaper sites aren't the same.
I've never really noticed papers on the train except on the weekends. Boston's T is MUCH worse in terms of papers left behind since they have a free Boston Metro.
Post a Comment