Let the hive mind of Engadget get that for you.
"I finally got a new laptop with a lone USB 3.0 port. I'm now looking at getting a USB 3.0 hub with a power adapter so I can use both of my USB 3.0 hard drives at faster speeds. I've read lots of horror stories where some hubs either don't come with power adapters -- and as a consequence the portable drives don't work with them properly -- or they are designed poorly which results in USB 2.0 speeds. Or, the hard drives keep getting disconnected. Do your readers have any suggestions or experience using USB 3.0 hubs? Thanks!"
In defense of Dr. Cooper, although I cannot prove it (I was not at the conference) I am convinced he is being misquoted. He may well be referring to the fact most phones are too fiddly for the elderly and/or those with poor eye sight. And he is right. And he has already done something about it. Google 'Jitterbug'.
a) Every device uses a different operating paradigm to others (consider Android - every phone has it's own UI!), so the minute you switch devices, you have to learn all over. And if we can leave being rude to them aside, people in their prime of life find it harder to re-learn any process. Consider your own relatives.
b) Performing even basic functions on most phones requires several steps and the only reason young people manage is because they learn the process out of pure desperate need to communicate. (Sending a text message from a Samsung used to be a multistep nightmare! It's taken them years to simplify the process.) Wait until you're 40+ and you'll find learning hard - your brain will be occupied with all the 'baggage' of life, just as one collects more physical stuff with age. But you'll be wiser. :)
c) The VCR is an example of how complex tech put people off. The VCR did not succeed because it allowed us to record TV programs, it succeeded because of the rental market. 1. Insert cassette. 2. Hit PLAY. 3. Watch! On the other hand, could you change the clock from a flashing 12:00 in order to use the machine to record a program? If so, you were in the minority. And the DVR was born.
d) Now, with regards to all in one devices, with the exception of the Pre, Dr. Cooper is correct here too. They do not yet tightly integrate the experience or offer the instantaneous ease of use of separate devices. Phone camera shutter releases are often tiny little buttons with little tactile feedback, and then, the shutter release is 3 or 4 times slower to activate than a stand alone camera. This makes 'Kodak' moments difficult to capture - such as Grand kids looking cute. Music players and radios are often burried in a layer of icons or folders. (The Sony Ericsson K800i - best phone ever made? - has a PLAY button hidden on the top left - something few probably notice, but it is very useful for starting the radio or music player. Only downside is the button is a bit small, but it makes a difference. These little things count!) Apple dealt nicely with this issue on the iPhone/iPod Touch by upgrading the OS such that double clicking the (only) button brings up a mini playback control. BACK - PLAY/PAUSE - NEXT. Next issue for them to tackle is the camera.
The idea that old people have a hard time learning is a fallacy. They either don't have as much experience with the technology, or they've gotten used to telling young people to fix it for them.
While many of your points are valid, the truth is that most people will either give up in 30 seconds or pay loads of money to have problems fixed. That's how apple makes a lot of their money, hence the "debuttonization" and "de-menu-ization" of their products.