MovieChat Forums > eXistenZ (1999) Discussion > the first ipad

the first ipad

posted 11 years ago by particles
9 replies | jump to latest

i just re-watched this and noticed the asian guy at the end is using an ipad over 10 years before they came out

Not only that, nearly all of the characters seem to be completely focussed on their phones/tablets. Kind of eerie how spot on it was at predicting how we interact with portable devices. (And in social situations)

[–] kraphappy 8 years ago

They've been asked to fill out questionaires about their experience of the game. I think this is why the are focussed on the tablets, not because they are phubbing each other.

[–] bigal_a 9 years ago

Tablet computers showing video are also seen in 2001: A Space Odyssey, a long time before eXistenZ.

The restitution of life is no great feat. A variety of deaths may well enter into your punishment

[–] choihyesung 9 years ago

just saw this movie after like 15 years... holy crap not only the asian guy but willam defoe and ian holm both in the same shot are looking at tablets with cases with head phone jacks.

[–] PreachCaleb 8 years ago

Cronenberg was also prophetic in Videodrome.

Can't stop the signal.

[–] bigal_a 8 years ago

Yep. Who would have thought you could stick your heads into televisions in real life? Or is that just me after coming home from the pub?

The restitution of life is no great feat. A variety of deaths may well enter into your punishment

[–] mmw_rocket 8 years ago

Tablet computers existed in the early 2000's and the 1990's had "pocket PC's" and various note scribbling devices. People act like the iPad was the first ever tablet or handheld.

[–] sage2112 8 years ago

Yep. And as others have posted, the idea of a tablet computers, and that idea being conveyed in movies, goes back to at least the '60s.

[–] nammage 8 years ago

The first "pad" recognized by hand motion was patented in 1915. The first computing pad demonstrated to society was in 1956.

In fiction, it can be traced back to 1951 in the Asimov work "Foundation" where a calculator pad is used.

Apple started it's tablet introduction in 1987. Apple Newton, their smallest screen in 1993 (6 inch screen but weighed quite a bit) etc., PalmPilot released in 1996, WebPad in 1999.

The technology existed in reality and in fiction way before this movie came out.

This reminds me of when i was a child growing up in the 1980s and me and my friends thought we invented mixing sodas together. People need to learn their history on subjects. (not stating you did any of that, i am generalising based on the OP and some of its responses).

-Nam

I am on the road less traveled...