Smartphones
I own a Smartphone like so many other people. For those who do not have Smartphones, here are some of the things they can do for you that a standard phone can not.
I use mine to text periodically (not a big fan of texting). I also use it in place of a separate digital camera. It is convenient and there when I need it.
**Note – Using a Smartphone as a camera will deplete the battery pretty quickly.
I never watch videos or use it as an MP3 player like some do. I prefer the convenience of a larger screen over that of my Smartphone. I also actually tune my guitars with an App versus using a battery operated guitar tuner. I have found it to be more accurate.
How Do You Use Yours?
I’d like to take a little survey here – How many of you…
- Watch movies on them?
- Use them instead of a separate digital camera to take pictures?
- Use your phone for the time and alarms instead of a watch or a clock?
- Call or text someone in the same house as you?
- Use specific apps that you could not live without on your phone? Which ones?
I can not get over how some people utilize them as an extension of their own arm. They frequently check for updates even when nothing is happening. My own adult kids sleep with them under their pillows, take them into the bathroom with them and would not go camping or on vacation unless there was cellular service and they could stay connected.
Most people shy away from Smartphones as they do not want to pay the extra monthly fee for a data plan. I lucked out and my phone bill is only $50 a month. If cost is what is keeping you from taking the plunge, you might want to consider a Wi-fi only device. They are relatively inexpensive versus the cost of a full-fledged Smartphone. An iPod Touch, for example, can be used for keeping a calendar, shopping list, to-do list, eMail, web browser, MP3 player, etc.
Will computers become obsolete one day? Will everyone just have Smartphones?
—
Watch movies on them? Yup, need my Spy Hard movie. 🙂
Use them instead of a separate digital camera to take pictures? Yes, all pictures taken with it.
Use your phone for the time and alarms instead of a watch or a clock? Yup, totally.
Call or text someone in the same house as you? When I had service, my mother would call me, instead of yelling from downstairs.
Use specific apps that you could not live without on your phone? Which ones? Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and music apps.
Watch movies on them? – NO
Use them instead of a separate digital camera to take pictures? – YES
Use your phone for the time and alarms instead of a watch or a clock? – YES
Call or text someone in the same house as you? – YES
Use specific apps that you could not live without on your phone? Which ones? – NO
Most people shy away from Smartphones as they do not want to pay the extra monthly fee for a data plan. – No longer true. No one wants to be seen with a dumbphone. I use about 750 MB of my 1 GB company paid data plan. My wife uses 100 MB out of her 500 MB personal plan.
Will computers become obsolete one day? Will everyone just have Smartphones? – Not yet. I’m young enough to learn to use a Smartphone, but old enough to prefer a computer screen for the things that matter most.
Use it for navigation – Google maps, Listen to audiobooks both from audible.com and iTunes. store my supermarket cards, Use Gas Buddy to find the cheapest fuel nearby or on a trip, check deposits so I don’t have to drive to the bank or mail them
Hi Sherri
The Wife own’s the smartphone and I still use my flip phone, so I guess that makes her the smartest. LOL!!!
nah my husband only recently inherited my old smartphone. I respect people that have no use for them and still use flip phones. High fiving you.
Hi Sherri, greetings from The City of Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada
Watch movies on them? Never on my Google PIXEL. I have an Apple iOS mini Pad for that.
Use them instead of a separate digital camera to take pictures? Yes, my PIXEL Camera is awesome.
Use your phone for the time and alarms instead of a watch or a clock? Yes. I make full use of alarms, time, calendar and reminders on my PIXEL.
Call or text someone in the same house as you? No not in the same house. I still like to have the human connection.
Use specific apps that you could not live without on your phone? Which ones?
I have the Google Chromecast & ROKU on my TV & the Smartphone App controls my YouTube, Netflix & CraveTV features. Facebook & Messenger are used often for communication of my Music & Computer pages on Facebook for business.
I’m in Canada and use Rogers voice/data plan at 1GB per month & Canada Wide Unlimited Calling. Canadian voice/data plans are amongst the most expensive in North America. Check out this recent article – http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/unlimited-wireless-data-plan-cellphone-u-s-1.4008552
Thanks George for sharing that with everyone. I am an Ohio Native and my parents owned a cottage in Orrilia Canada for years. I love Canada. Glad you dropped into DCT and hope to hear more from you.
Speaking out as one who does NOT own a cell phone (dumb or smart), I find living without one is fine (okay). IMHO, it’s just a fad, Mindblower!
Mindblower, yes life was so much simpler before them. As a child our parents voices could be heard loud and clear “Come home!” or people called each other on landlines. It is not a fad though just my opinion.
I don’t have one either Mindblower, I have a tiny ‘relic’ $20.00 mobile ‘phone to take with me for emergencies when away from home, otherwise an easy to hold real telephone when at home.
‘Smart phones, actually mini computers with a telephone which are difficult to comfortably hold when speaking to someone, and as a camera, difficult to hold and operate with minimum functions, unlike my Sony compact and full-sized Nikon real cameras.
Smart ‘phones, obnoxiously expensive, for the same money I can purchase a new lap-top with a sensible sized screen and a new $20.00 mobile on a prepaid monthly minor fee.
Many people feel exactly like you,. I have one as I am a small business owner. I use it for everythign I stated in my article. As we speak it is not on me but somewhere in the house. I do not use it as an extension of my arm like some folks. My husbnand is on the plan where he puts money on the phone nad uses it that way.
I use my smart phone for all of the above. It’s truly a complete computer in your pocket. I couldn’t even imagine such a thing when I was playing with my Sinclair computer when I was 10 years old. If you want a computer in your pocket get a smart phone. If not, get a flip phone. Plain and simple.
the whole idea of calling it a smartphone kinda irks me. I have seniors that I teach weekly computer lessons to and they say if we use a flip phone, does that mean we are dumb? Trust me they do not make you smarter.
Movies: No
Use as camera: well I do take pics with my smartphone, but I take more pics with cameras (yes plural). A friend commented that she an’t believe how many pictures that I take.
Clock or alarm: yes as clock, I do not wear a watch. Alarm, yes sometimes. But I still use an alarm clock
Text someone in the same house: No
Call someone in the same house: well I did it once
Specific apps: Yes, but some also available on PC. Reebee & Flipp for flyers. Nimbus Note to share notes between devices (inc PC). and probably others.