Annoyances of Electronics Devices Almost Always Being Black

Electronic devices are a big part of our lives in this modern world.  Mobile phones, laptops, stereos, TV’s, flash drives, cameras, and so many other loveable objects with circuit boards for brains tend to come in one color and one color only.  That color (or absence of color) is black.  The accessories and chargers and cables that go with them also tend to be black. And that’s great in many respects.  Black looks good, is slimming (even for laptops) and it complements almost any other color.  Sure it attracts lint and can get smudges but that’s manageable.

What I find annoying is how when you put something black and small in a bag, you can’t see it.  You think you packed your cell phone charger because even when it’s there, you can’t see it, but sometimes it’s actually not there.  It makes it easier to lose things like Bluetooth earpieces.  If you drop something that’s black, you are less likely to notice you dropped it, especially in the dark.  And even if you know you dropped it, shadows under sofas and car seats hide black objects quite well.

Another aspect of too many products being black is that you don’t know which charger or adapter or cord goes with which product.  If they labeled them to indicate which one matches with the product it wouldn't be so much of an issue.  When you have an entertainment stand with lots of devices and spaghetti wiring in back, you can’t tell which cable goes to which device.  Brighter or differently colored cables would help.

Apple and some other companies have bucked the trend.  They make devices in white or silver.  I bought an orange compact flash drive and I haven’t lost it yet.  Bright colors help.  But I see black being the predominant color for electronics products for a long time.  When we all need only one device (possibly an implant) and everything becomes wireless, then this issue will go away. Until then, just accept that when it comes to electronics, black is the old black, the new black, and the future black.

+ Atul

Comments

[Hala Charara]

I would have to agree with the fact that most electronics are black! However, I think companies are getting better with it as time goes on. For example, blackberry now comes in purple, white, black,red, and it used to come in orange. The iphone now comes in white. Computers also come in many colors, I have a pink Dell. I think the best way to go is with a black elecronic because the accessories come colored. You can buy a case for any electronic in many colors.

[Nick Corbeil]

Personally, I don't mind electronic devices being black. I agree a little color would be nice, but the fact that I'm so use to cords and things being black that it doesn't bother me. Plus many phones now-a-days come in different colors and there are cover for laptops and phones that come in a variety of colors. Black looks more professional to me and just makes me feel comfortable with the technology. The only negative aspect, which is what you stated, is the dust and lint that is noticeable. This annoys me, but I feel like these things can show up on other colors, too.

[Emma M]

While it is true that many electonics come in black, many also come in different colors. Cell phones, iPods, handheld videogames systems, and other electronics commonly come in a variety of colors. And as for the "spaghetti wiring" on the backs of T.V.'s I think it would be fairly easy to label things with paper enclosed in tape wrapped around the wires.

[Amanda Davidson]

Many electronics do come in black and also come with the option to get a cover for them that comes in an aray of other colors to best suit the customers desires. It also allows you to change the colors as you see fit instead of being stuck with just one.

[Nicole Podsiadlik]

I think that this is a very interesting point to make about most electronic devices being black. Since is it so common, one might overlook them on a daily basis and not realize that everything they own-from their cell phone, to their laptop, to their GPS even (with all cables and charges) are all black! I think that all these things being black is sometimes a tricky thing, however new cell phone and laptop cases try to fight this by being brightly colored and patterned. There are also newer products that are offered in a variety of colors as to almost steer away from this all black business. However, this article was very interesting and intriguing to read, since it is not something that I personally think about all the time.

[SCollins]

Sure, I agree that black electronics we use very often can be hard to see in different situations but I do not see that as too big of an issue. I mean, I have a blue phone cover on my phone but the original color of my cell phone is black and dark blue. Say if my phone was bright pink for example and I was walking outside in the dark and dropped it. It being a brighter color is cool and all, but that does not guarantee me the ability to find it any easier than if I dropped something black. I think when it comes to colors, it is more of a creative matter and likeness. When I buy a phone, if it only comes in black and I like it, I will get it, but I look at the other colors offered and see if I prefer that better. So to me, I see other colors as being more of an interest than it causing an issue of not being able to see it. When it comes down to it, it is about being organized as well.

[Andrea English]

Most electronics do not provide a variety of color options and usually do only include black. My TV remote is black and I lose it very often. I used to have a black laptop with all black cords and often confused them in bunches. Now, I have mainly all apple products and my laptop is white as well as the few cords required for it. I never confuse or lose the cords, however, the laptop does tend to display spots and smudges easier.

[Deanna Lyght]

I would agree that most things do come in black. My camera charger is black, along with my cell phone charger, my actual camera and my phone. A helpful way to distinguish between everything, I found, is by using different cases. I have a different colored case for everything, because I like staying organized. That way, when I pack it away to go somewhere, I know what I have and what I am still missing. The black phone dilemma has been solved by a bright-colored phone cover. When shopping now, I always try to find something in a fun color that I like. This helps a lot and is also stylish.

[Angela P.]

Everything that you stated is the complete truth. Black is so common and somewhat annoying. It’s fun for people, especially girls to be able to have a choice of what color they want a device in. I liked the way you brought up the point that everything is so easy to lose. Such as a cell phone, or TV remote. When it is black, it is so easy to overlook when it falls underneath the couch, or under the seat of a car. It can be difficult and frustrating when you finally found it and have been looking in the same spot. I definitely think that if devices were made in brighter colors, that most of these issues could be avoided much more of the time.

[Thom Markey]

I'd have to agree that having mostly black electronics can be an irritation at times but unless you're out looking for something flashy I think black is the best way to go. It pretty much fits in with everything and I think it's a pretty classy look. I do think it would be helpful to have devices clearly marked however, just to save a little hassle.

[UH2L]

Thanks for the great comments everybody. I agree with many of the comments and you re3minded me of something I hadn’t really thought about, that I can buy colored cases for some of my devices to make them stand out in give some personality. But they cost money and they are marked up like crazy! I’m currently looking for a cover for my iPhone by the way but more to protect it. I hadn’t even considered the remote control. That is probably the second most crucial device we use after our mobile phone. Black does look professional but so does a tasteful silver/aluminum look. What if cars only came in one color? We wouldn’t stand for it. Of course, some paint colors do cost extra but at least every car sold has color choice. That’s not true of most electronic devices. In the end, this is not a big deal in life, but that’s what I specialize in, noticing things that others do not think about. :-)

[Maryrose M]

After reading this post I started looking around at different electronics and noticed almost all of it really is black! It would be nice if more things such as phone chargers, flash drives, and cables came in better colors. There is nothing wrong with adding a little color to technology! The only electronics I have noticed that come in bright, exciting colors are some iPods and Dell computers. Personally, I wouldn’t even mind paying a little extra for a little color rather than adding yet another black or white charger or TV remote to my collection.

[Alex Lopez]

I really hadn't noticed that till you pointed it out. But I actually like that most of my electronics are black. It gives it a sort of modern finish. However, that trend is changing. I'm considering the new iPhone in white, a break from all the black. Or you could look for black electronics with a spot of bright color as to not lose them. I have a black flashdrive with a bright red spot and I've only forgotten it once (but that's just because I'm forgetful, not because it's hard to see).

[rEBECCA]

I would love to have more electronics in color, but I think that most are produced in Black simply because it is easier and faster to produce. Color would be more expensive and time consuming, thus rising the cost to us, the customers.