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When it comes to the smartphone, Newt Gingrich isn't so smart...

Former House Speaker and future star of the TV show I Wanna Be a Bachelor - Newt Gingrich - doesn't seem to be very up-to-date with the latest technology. When recently talking about an iPhone via YouTube, Gingrich said:

"We're really puzzled. We've spent weeks trying to figure out what to call this. If it's taking pictures, it's not a cell phone. if you can get Wikipedia or go to Google, that's not a cell phone. If you can watch YouTube, that's not a cell phone. This device is something new and different. I've been calling it a handheld computer. What would you call this, so that we can explain it to people?"

That would be a smartphone, Newt. The iPhone has been around for about 6 years. I wonder if it regularly takes Newt about 6 years to finally tune in to new technology. I imagine he said the following when he checked out the Playstation 3 last year - 6 years after it first became available:

"We're really puzzled. We've spent weeks trying to figure out what to call this. What is it? If it plays movies, it's not a Nintendo. It's not a Nintendo? Oh, Playstation? Well, that's by Nintendo, right? The Nintendo Playstation? It's not? Whatever. Anyway, as I was saying, if it plays movies, it's not a Nintendo Playstation. If it plays music, it's not a Nintendo Playstation. It's almost like a computer, but not really, with controllers that aren't plugged in. What's that called? Did I hear someone say wireless? Well, that makes sense. So, what would you call this, so that we can explain it to people?"

I have a feeling Newt shouldn't go around explaining new technology to people or even think about doing so. On the other hand, I suppose it could be good for some laughter. No matter what a person told him to call it, he'd likely believe it, and this could lead to some rather humorous soundbites. What is that strange computer-but-not-really-with-controllers-that-aren't-plugged-in device? It's called a Solid Black Load 3. You're welcome, Newt. Best of luck on your lecture tour.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/11/newt-gingrich-phone_n_3260853.html

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