When you connect a new device to a ‘smart’ tv, you must pay homage to the manufacturer with a ritualistic dance. Plugging and unplugging the device. Turning them on and off in the correct sequence like entering a konami code.
Every time you want to switch devices, the tv must scan for them. And god forbid you lose power, or unplug something. You are granted the delight experience of doing it all over again.
I have fond memories of the days of just plugging something in, and pressing the input button. Instant gratification. It was a simpler time.
What is some other tech that used to be better?
ICQ and IRC were older and more popular just before AIM. I first got online in 96 or 97 and then it was all mIRC and ICQ (Hell I still remember my ICQ number off the top of my head, 18982172) then I’d say around 99/00 it transitioned primarily to AIM with a bit of ICQ and other random chatrooms that were “cooler” than IRC like “The Palace” which was essentially irc but with avatars.
But then with Trillium or like Pigeon it all transitioned to that and in a weird way message boards circled back around and replaced chat rooms. Things just gradually got more and more isolated. Then Myspace and eventually Facebook replaced all of that and eventually discord just replaced everything.
I don’t use Discord, I can’t stand it. I miss the days of IRC and ICQ.