Do you like smart phones?

[jett]

Iphone, Android, Blackberry, whatever..

[btgc]

Ask different way - do you like devices spying on you ?

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by btgc

Ask different way - do you like devices spying on you ?

+1

I reckon "smart" really is a term used to describe much more than the ability to have a pocketable computer with you at all times. Guess who is NOT smart, for not even knowing they had this capability? What else is lurking out there?

[rbsinto]

I just need my phone to be "smart" enough to let me call out, and have people call in.
No more than that.
I don't need, want or have apps or schmapps or games or music or texting or any of that other stuff.

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by rbsinto

I just need my phone to be "smart" enough to let me call out, and have people call in.
No more than that.
I don't need, want or have apps or schmapps or games or music or texting or any of that other stuff.

+1 ......

[Corto]

If you dont like smart phones, youre just too cool for school

[Derwent]

Never thought I would, then I got an iPhone and I love it.

[LeicaFan]

Yes. Having a smart phone is great. They allow you to connect to the rest of the world, regardless of your location. They are a great source of entertainment and help people be more productive.

[LeicaFan]

Originally Posted by btgc

Ask different way - do you like devices spying on you ?

Were you wearing your tinfoil hat as you typed that?

[btgc]

Originally Posted by LeicaFan

Were you wearing your tinfoil hat as you typed that?

Tinfoil hat isn't going to help you anymore - they have made mesh smoother than you can see and stronger than you can break.

[Nikon Bob]

If you feel the need to be connected 24/7/365 no matter where you are or need to feel productive they may be good. Being retired I don't feel the need for either. I guess ambivalent to them might be the answer in my case.

Bob

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by jonmanjiro

27% of all US photos taken with smartphones

http://www.electronista.com/articles...#ixzz1hhzQAPeC

And 99% are probably junk photos? From what I see on Facebook from my kids and their friends, I shiver.

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by Nikon Bob

If you feel the need to be connected 24/7/365 no matter where you are or need to feel productive they may be good. Being retired I don't feel the need for either. I guess ambivalent to them might be the answer in my case.

Bob

Bob, I am sort of the same way...but what is a "smart phone" going to do for me? Make money? No. Make me more productive? Productive at what? Games? Gag. Facebook? Shoot me. Youtube? Showing photos to clients? Texting? Taking Photos? Email? Staying connected?...NONE of these are interest to me.

I am interested in an iPad for presentations to clients. Smart Phones? I have no need for them. I try hard every day to stay dis-connected. I don't want everyone to know when I am away from the house, on vacation, what I spend my money on, the places I go, how many times I farted today because of eating at Micky D, or who my friends are.

We try to be somewhat hard to find else we become baby-sitters, dog-sitters, financiers, and a hundred other roles. We leave that connectivity thing only to a small cell phone in case something important arises and we need to know or need to contact someone. Emails work fine for delayed communications.

My desk computer is fine for research and work. In fact, it is quite useful for forums such as RFF. I do not want to be on RFF when my wife and I are out and about... I cherish a pain-free evening out.

Oh, wait a minute, I think my son is having connectivity problems...he can't find us! Hope he doesn't have a stroke and instead just gets in the car and visits us at home for a change as we only live a mile away.

[dave lackey]

For some of us, another voting option... Hell, no! would be a good one.

[ebolton]

I didn't think I would like a smartphone till I got one (Android, Droid X). Being able to call up a map of the surrounding area instantly no matter where I am has been immensely helpful. Keeping up with emails both from work account and home accounts to whatever extent I want is great. I've downloaded books into the reader, and read more than I have in years. I'm a convert.

[chris000]

I'm driving thorough town in my large heavy Land Rover (not a good choice to be run over by), kid steps into road head down staring at the phone in his hands, I miss him by inches, he does not even look up.

I'm left wondering at the irony of whoever decided to call them 'smart' phones.

[nighstar]

thank god for smart phones.

and no, that wasn't sarcasm.

[Jockos]

GPS is often useful.
The public transport app saved my ass quite a few times.
Note taking app doesn't replace pen and paper, but is unlike the latter always available in my pocket.
Browsing and email on the go is not a daily task, but certainly has it's uses. When I found out that the bed store had closed down, I could easily google for another one in the vicinity.
The darkroom timer app is great for film developing.
Spotify app (Music) keeps my sanity every day on the tram.
The calendar makes sure I never miss an appointment or laundry time, and the alarm clock gets me up in the morning.
Built in flashlight guides my way through the darkness of the world, and on top of that it's waterproof.

Oh yeah, I can call my friends with it to!

[Guaranteed]

Yup, and I love them. Just made the switch to Android about a month ago from my iPhone and couldn't be happier. I hardly ever use it as a phone, maybe twenty five people have been given this number. I shop with it, pay bills with it, order out lunch/dinner. I use it everyday at work to listen to music to keep me somewhat sane and drown out the incessant blathering from my coworkers. Mainly though I peruse the classifieds on a few forums throughout the day to get my grubby little mitts on more bits of gear.

[Chris101]

I think they're cool and all. My favorite app is the magnetometer: We use it all the time to tell if motors and switches are working.

But no, I don't have one, and don't want one. I don't even have a cell phone. If you want to talk to me, you will need to call my home or my office, where an answering machine will take your message and I will call you back. Or if I hear you call, I will answer.

And no, my answering machines do not use tape cassettes. I'm not a luddite, but I hate being interrupted!

[3rdtrick]

I do not like smart phones. I need my phone to be a phone and make good phone calls. I have even got good at texting the old fashioned way. I did get an Android tablet with the data plan and it is fantastic. My work got me a Blackberry and it is the absolute worst phone. It butt dials and the contact list is a pain in the butt. The audio quality is awful and I don't feel it is any easier for texting. Unfortunately 90% of the time I am trying to use it as a phone... My vote is a big fat "NO" and I wish I could vote twice because I have two phones...
Pete

[shadowfox]

Smartphones are useful.
I'm on the Android camp.
I got one from work and I just bought my wife one as an early b'day gift.

She deserved it too, she had been using an old phone whose battery already dead 30-min after charging

Most useful feature, camera (for shopping, capturing ideas, barcode tagging, books to check out later, etc.)
And text messaging, particularly for meeting strangers for craigslist deals.
And GPS/map

[seakayaker1]

No, plain old phone with voice mail and without texting capability works for me.

I have a computer at the office and at home for all the smart stuff that I need. When I am out and about a plain old cell phone is good enough for me.

The money I save is spent on cameras, lenses, film and other gear.

[paulfish4570]

my bride has an iphone. she loves it. gotta say the gps, google and such can be very handy. my bride is an excellent navigator with the iphone in hand.
i have a casio waterproof flip phone. i use the stop watch setting for film developing, and the alarm clock setting for getting up in time. i also use the pedometer setting to keep up with how much i walk, and the compass for deer scouting and such. oh yeah, i use it to make and receive calls, and text my children and bride. that is a lot of convenience packed into my device.

[colyn]

You just have to be careful how you use it and don't install just any app.

Mine comes in very handy when I am away from home..