Only when you look back do you realize how far we have come. Sounds like a cheesy re-tweeted quote, but it’s a simple fact. I was talking with my business partner Ashli and we were laughing about the things that are just flat out old news, how soooo high tech they sounded when were in the late 1990′s and early 2000′s. If you still use these things, say these things – take the gentle nudge as a hint to let it go. These are definitely in no order just as they occurred to us:

#1  – “Can I just call you collect?”

Ok, so if you’ve heard this one recently, I’m assuming bail money soon followed. Do you remember all the crazy competition and commercials featuring Carrot Top. If you don’t remember them, check the video.

#2 – “Dude…you’re getting a Dell”

I mean really, if your grandma still uses this oh so cool year late 1999 – 2000 line, it’s definitely time to find her a new replacement joke. Even the guy who was the star of the commercial (Ben Curtis) has moved on with an off-broadway show titled, “Dude Your Going to Hell”

#3 – “You’ve got mail”

That’s right, that righteous reminder of you getting your important spam email. Don’t you miss your favorite email reminder and AOL’s disc with free minutes at the front of every retail kiosk, well for old time sake – here you go.

#4 – THE Windows TADA

THE Window’s TADA sound for Windows 95 you can never forget -  Apple fan, Windows fan, whatever…you heard this and it’s just so classic.

Now, if you still hear this on someone’s computer, stop what you are doing and give them your computer, it’s an emergency.

#5 – Download Accelerators

God knows I only had 56k for a minute and of course I tried to download every piece of media (we will leave media at that) , so the only solution for this was the infamous “Download Accelerator” that did absolutely nothing to help, but you could at least pause your downloads this way. LOL…Oh the memories. Believe it or not, they still have these – check it out for yourself!

#6 – Beanie Babies (circa 1998)

Yes, Beanie Babies! Remember all of the riots in stores that carried them and the rushes to get one. People were desperate to just get something stuffed with beans in it. Even McDonald’s gave them away at a time. Go look in your closet or the attic, you know you still have them,  just waiting for the day for them to appreciate in value! HA!

#7 – The Window’s 98 Intro Music

When I found this online, I wanted to tear this brought back so many memories, don’t think you know what music I’m talking about…Ok, here’s a reminder!

#8 – Visit AOL Keyword…

The only keywords used now are in search engines, but remember when you watched a commercial by your favorite retailer and they wanted you to visit their “website” by typing in their KEYWORD, not a bad idea, but could you imagine the fight over keywords today. WOW!

#9 – Ohhhh…This has Anti-Skip Protection

You were sooo tech savvy and up to date when you had a CD player, especially a Sony Discman with “ANTI-SKIP” protection. I mean come on when you ride on the bus with your CD player, do you really want your CD to skip, that’s only for the non-cool cats. Oh, the things the iPod killed, lol.

#10 – “Pass the TV Guide”

Ya, we had a printed book with the TV show listings in there. Not saying these don’t still exist, but when was the time you used a printed TV Guide!

So I’ve shared  some of our favorites, what are the old things you just haven’t seen or heard in decades? I want to hear some funny ones.

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There is no question that Apple has made a push into the gaming world with the iPhone and iPod Touch. The power of the devices coupled with the solid AppStore platform brought the gaming world to iPhone owners everywhere. This got me thinking that an Apple video game console would be an excellent fit into their lineup.

A goldmine is resting in the living rooms of consumers around the world for Apple. An AppleTV like device that not only gives you access to music, movies and streaming video via the iTunes store but also a game-focused AppStore where consumers can purchase, download and play games right on their sofa could be the must have device(if priced right) for any kid, teen, tween, or adult out there.

This could  also open the doors for developers to reach an even wider audience who haven’t yet jumped on the smartphone bandwagon, but enjoy playing games from time to time, as well as the hardcore gamers who live and die by their Xbox, Wii, or PS3 game consoles.

From a business standpoint, Apple would have the opportunity to not only compete with Microsoft on another front(against their Xbox), but also with Amazon and Netflix with their streaming services…all from one device. With big names like EA and Sega already developing iPhone games,  support from game developers already exists  on the Mac platform possibly even attracting more big name developers.

With the economy stabalizing, the current game console generation going flat in about a year or so, and the hype behind everything iPhone, I really think Apple has a golden opportunity to make a giant footprint in yet another industry.

I’m not the type to wait in line for a product, but something like this may have me camped out at a Best Buy.

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