Word for an Internet-enabled computing device

[Dan Goncharoff]

Why do you need computing capacity. Wouldn't any internet-enabled device be
sufficient?
DanG


On Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 5:21 PM, Benjamin Barrett <gogaku at ix.netcom.com>wrote:

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> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Benjamin Barrett <gogaku at IX.NETCOM.COM>
> Subject:      Word for an Internet-enabled computing device
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> At Diva Espresso, there is a notice that if you register your coffee card
> online, you get five dollars. It says that the wizard will guide your
> "computer or phone" through the process. Not reading the notice with much
> attention, it took a second take to figure out that by "phone" they meant
> "smart phone," but on further reflection, feature phones might be able to
> handle something like this as well.
>
> Clearly, the phrase "computer or phone" is trying to describe an
> Internet-enabled device with computing capacity, which clearly includes
> tablet computers and perhaps feature phones. Even though a "tablet computer"
> is a computer by definition, I have trouble with idea that an iPad is a
> computer. I've only touched an iPad once or twice, but my understanding is
> that they are more like a large-screen smart phone.
>
> Perhaps "computing device" is the wise choice for being inclusive.
>
> Benjamin Barrett
> Seattle, WA
>
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