When picking out a device at the store, I doubt your first thought is “which device is going to be my new best friend?” I doubt that because usually we think of a cellphone as a tool first and build a connection with your new technology afterward. However, we all have best friend syndrome with different devices and pieces of technology so I thought I’d take a moment to discuss the philosophy behind it.

Your best friend in terms of technology is probably the device or software you spend the most time with. It’s important to you to enjoy it when you can. You’ve seen these examples in your life of people who can’t stay away from their tv, laptop, computer, game console, phone, tablet, e-reader, or mp3 player. They love the world their machine creates and leaving it usually puts them off in a way.

Second, the best friend philosophy is tied in with another. Your “reconnecting” or returning to said item is always a welcome one after you’ve been away from it. And, for it to be this philosophy you must have both phases enjoyment and re-connection. A good example is your friend the refrigerator, it’s not a device you think about in this way unless maybe you’re a chef. But the fridge can still give you that feeling of re-connection to it on a hot day when you’re thirsty, it’s just not your best friend.

Because of the first two aspects of this philosophy the third can only be one thing. This gadget or device is rarely mundane for you and you’re actively searching for ways to increase how much enjoyment you an channel from it. If it’s your phone that might mean new apps or a game system might get new games. Discovering something new for the device is just as fun as owning it usually.

The best friend philosophy is interesting because usually it’s fairly obvious. I probably have the biggest connection to my laptop as of late. Writing this blog and keeping up with video game media are my hobbies as of late. What is your best friend device? Write it down here and let us know!