Simplicity

Success is simple.

And simplicity = success.

People don't want a gadget that requires a 340-page manual written, poorly, by someone closeted in Taiwan and unfamiliar with the English language;

We want:

• Something that does precisely what it promises;
• Something that defines itself simply;
• Something that, in practical use, is in itself intuitive;
  

I have two recent examples; one I have personally experienced and one of which I only read reviews and testimony.

First:

From Tivoli Audio, my Tivoli Audio PAL Radio:

I wanted a compact but professional radio that I could install into my wife's house whilst writing and investigating websites for potential posts on BZ.com. I like to listen to (imagine this) talk radio whilst writing posts.

I have a Bose Acoustic Wave player at home which has managed to replace a formerly-extensive stereo system to include a 500-watt amp, preamp, a set of massive JBL speakers and the like. The $1,100 dollar Wave is now a stand-alone system and it is all that I need. It picks up my FM stations just fine; AM stations cannot be found up here in the mountains. So I listen to many CDs and certain FM stations. The Bose is a great radio.

For my wife's house, I chose the Tivoli Audio PAL (Portable Audio Laboratory) radio. It is remarkably compact (6 1/4" high by 3 3/4" wide) and remarkably SIMPLE.

It offers only THREE dials. The first is a large tuner for both AM and FM stations. The lower left dial is a selector for AM, FM and Off. The lower right dial is for volume. Below these dials is a single speaker covered by round metal mesh.

Period.

The radio works off either rechargeable batteries or by an outlet plug, both provided.

It is also covered in a rubberized and colored exterior with extendable FM antenna and top side insets for easy grabbing.

You can plug headphones into this radio, or any MP3 player (via aux jack), and the radio carries a standard 1-year warranty.

Results? The speaker sounds clear, rich, deep, with excellent volume levels. Frankly, it has absolutely excellent sound.

$200 through Tivoli; $150 through Amazon.com.

Apple iPhone:

Again, many people make reference to this gadget's simplicity. Its reliability and functionality have yet to be ultimately proven but, at this juncture, it is receiving rave reviews.

For its SIMPLICITY.

Simplicity and, in my opinion, clarity is always best.

BZ