I don't have a smartphone, but everyone I know does. They seemed to get "dumber" and overly reliant on the damn things. Using them as their watch/clock alarm, even figuring out how to drive to work. Using googlemaps or some app during construction detours, that's pretty dumb if you ask me.
How is using a phone as a watch and alarm clock stupid?Also, using it for navigation seems like a pretty obvious one for me... especially when your normal route is block because of, say, construction.
Smartphones as clock and watch becomes "stupid" when electrical grids short out....and people end up hunting for charging stations like crack addicts.Originally Posted by wiggin
How is using a phone as a watch and alarm clock stupid?
They might find help navigating traffic by listening to radio-helicopters, but they'd have to know north from east, without using their damn "smart" phone to tell them which way is north.
Alarm clocks are normally plugged into the grid as well, no? And watches are nowhere near as relevant in a power outage. I really don't get your Luddite streak.
So, it's stupid to use a piece of technology that means you don't have to wait for an incomplete traffic report on the radio?They might find help navigating traffic by listening to radio-helicopters, but they'd have to know north from east, without using their damn "smart" phone to tell them which way is north.
So I'd be better off using an old-fashined plug-in alarm clock that dies when there's a power cut? I've never had a grid powercut last long enough to deplete the battery and if there was then it'd be pretty severe with other things to worry about.
Oh yes and if I'm worried about conserving battery usage to use it as an alarm then there's always "Airplane Mode". Putting the iPhone on Airplane Mode and the battery could last a month.
Most Sat-Navs can re-route you automatically now during traffic/diversions.They might find help navigating traffic by listening to radio-helicopters, but they'd have to know north from east, without using their damn "smart" phone to tell them which way is north.
I use an app called "Waze" that is really good at detected and attempting to avoid traffic and have often sped past a backlog wondering why I was taking a different route today before the traffic report even reported that there was an accident on ... plus radio reports tend to only be every 15 minutes during rush hour/hour if you're lucky later and only highlight the major incidents that affect many in the region, not all the localised incidents which technology can provide. Finally radio reports normally simply report where there is traffic, not give a comprehensive detour guide like a Sat Nav does.
I use it to:
- Browse Internet when waiting
- Check Facebook
- Check news
- Receive and give free SMS & Calls
- Use it as a GPS when travelling to new places by foot
- Music device with earplugs
- Secondhand camera always with me
Tomorrow is like an empty canvas that extends endlessly, what should I sketch on it?
My wife uses Waze since she got an iPhone and there's no Google Maps. I like the idea, but so far it's been completely full of shit about Boston traffic. I think it depends a lot on the specific road network in a city as to whether it's actually any good.
But yes, in general your points to GGT are spot on.
Wiggs, it's early days. Your smartphone cherry has only just been popped. You will use it more and more and more and more. And then some more.
My main uses:
Google Navigator: I have no sense of direction. Trying to find my way around London, meeting friends in new bars or attending appointments in the City, the Satellite Navigation has proved essential.
Twice in the last few months I've taken minicabs outside of London, and the cabbie has been a bit uncertain about my destination. Both occasions I just whipped out the phone, whacked in the destination, and told the cabbie to follow the audio direction.
Webternet: For whatever one uses the old net for.
Sometimes I'll be out at a bar with friends/other half and we'll fancy going out for an Italian. Whip out the phone, see what Italian restaurants are in the locale, have a quick check of reviews on reviews sites, choose one, click it on Google maps, and follow directions.
Other times it's just an aid to conversation, down the pub or out for lunch, when for the life of you you can't remember the name of that movie, that particular lyric, or what the GDP of Mongolia is. Bang, Uncle google is your instant friend.
Banking app: Instantaneous check on all my accounts, inter-account transfers, the odd bills payment. It's quicker to use and easier to use than the desktop online equivalent, though that's largely because my bank insists on using a secure pin-checking device for desktop login.
QR Barcodes: As Hazir has mentioned, use your phone instead of a ticket & boarding pass for flights, so much quicker and easier.
We use a similar system for the cinema. We no longer queue for tickets or at the machine for pre-purchase. Just walk straight to the screen, and they scan the QR code on your phone at the door.
Restaurants have now started a system where you get discount vouchers sent to your phone in the form of a QR code, which the waiting staff scan. One particular restaurant chain in the UK has now even created an app which allows you to pay by phone, so you don't have to wait for staff to bring you the bill.
Instantaneous pic communications: My other half takes advantage of this a lot when out shopping on her own. She wants my opinion on an outfit she wants to purchase, so will be in the changing room, tries on the outfit, takes a pic of herself in the mirror, sends the pic via Whats App instantly to me (or friends of hers), and I'll proffer a yay or nay.
Sky + App: Quite a few times I've been out and about and entirely forgotten to set the Sky box to record the Grand Prix live, or some other live sporting event, or something else on TV I meant to record but entirely forgot to set it. Sky's app allows me to set my Sky + box at home to record anything, from my phone, wherever I am. Have even done this while abroad on holiday.
Bluetooth in-car communication: My phone interfaces with my car via bluetooth - using the phone with your hands is dangerous and illegal. Any calls coming through to the phone while I'm driving are passed through to the car via the phone. The caller's name is displayed on the car's screen, and I press a button on the steering wheel to accept/reject the call. The call is then carried out entirely hands free using the car's system.
Similarly with outgoing calls, I use the in-car system to display my list of contacts from the phone, select who I need to speak to using buttons on the steering wheel, and again conduct the call hands-free.
Last edited by Timbuk2; 11-15-2012 at 09:57 AM.
I don't really disagree that I'll find more uses for it as time goes on (though not really most of the ones you mention), but I just had to comment on this:
And you think this is a feature?!Instantaneous pic communications: My other half takes advantage of this a lot when out shopping on her own. She wants my opinion on an outfit she wants to purchase, so will be in the changing room, tries on the outfit, takes a pic of herself in the mirror, sends the pic via Whats App instantly to me (or friends of hers), and I'll proffer a yay or nay.
Heh. Fair point.
I have yet to find the app which randomises a response.
First, in my country you are unlikely to find second hand devices, and when you find one, usually it is basically in junk condition. Second, importing anything from costs the double of US prices. So you really must want something. Would you spend $400 for a $200 phone in US?
Why should I be in Internet while I am in the street? Thieves rob tourists, and if you carry one of those, it is tempting them to send you to the hospital with a bullet or stabbing wound.
I was first attracted by the idea of playing videogames at the bus, but I am more used to complex PC games like Mechwarrior, Fleet Command or Wii games like Wii Fit Plus, Sports Resort and PES 2012. I bought the Wii as it had something PC did not offer me, I am not big fan of consoles. I have found nothing that a smartphone offers me that I want. Even if I get bored, I have my doubts, as I use that boring time to think. Not the most entertaining thing, but the best you can do. I fear that not thinking may cause me to get less used to think, less patient, less used to abstract because I would move to the visual instant reward. Those who create technology have some attraction for abstract things, for intellectual stuff, imagination, create something out of nothing, everything you do not have with a mobile device.
I grew up during a time when Internet was not there. I lived in a time where cell phones were huge unaffordable walkie talkies. It was a time when books were printed on paper, and I own them. Am I too old fashioned? Should I need to change for some reason?
Freedom - When people learn to embrace criticism about politicians, since politicians are just employees like you and me.
You'd give random answers? Or more particularly you'd ever give a nay to her?
I'd want an app that gives a random synonym to yes. The other day I wasn't paying too much attention and mistakenly implied no to something after mishearing the question - was in the dog box for that!
Because I have a couple of battery clocks and a wristwatch, and don't use smartphone apps to tell me which direction is north, that makes me a Luddite?
I said people seem to get dumber and overly reliant on them, to the point of acting like crack addicts when they're without. That isn't being anti-smartphone, and it's not shocking news from the tinfoilhat crowd.
Rand, 8.5 million people in several states lost electric service after Sandy, lasting over a week or more. Yeah, people were desperate for places to charge their phones so they could contact family/employers/doctors/insurance companies. The nice part of having a smartphone (if it's on your person at all times) is that important data and phone numbers don't get ruined by fire or flood.
That instant reward can be a real problem with kids who've teethed on this stuff. I read about parents whose toddlers can't be in the car longer than 15-20 minutes without demanding some tech device (hand held game, tablet drawing, DVD movie, etc.). Some tweens/teens never turn off their phones --- and even sleep with them!
Same here. I love my paper and text books, some are so old they need re-binding now.I grew up during a time when Internet was not there. I lived in a time where cell phones were huge unaffordable walkie talkies. It was a time when books were printed on paper, and I own them. Am I too old fashioned? Should I need to change for some reason?I went through a map phase when I was younger, and kept all the inserts in National Geographic magazines, as well as AAA family road trip maps. (Wish I still had those.) World globes are cool, too....not just because you can touch and spin them, and get a better idea of distance and topography, but especially because political borders have changed so much over time.
I'm not sure whether you're complaining about an over reliance on smart phones or mere electricity. Anywhere with an electrical socket you can charge a phone, plus I have an in-car charger as well, plus my Laptop can charge it (if it has any charge). Quite frankly if I have no electricity at home, at work, at anywhere I'm going and I have no car either then there's bigger problems than merely not having access to your smart phone.
I also wouldn't need an alarm clock if my workplace doesn't have electricity as I wouldn't be going in if they didn't. If they did, I could charge there.
I never turn off my TWO phones either. And I do sleep with them. I don't really see where the problem is.That instant reward can be a real problem with kids who've teethed on this stuff. I read about parents whose toddlers can't be in the car longer than 15-20 minutes without demanding some tech device (hand held game, tablet drawing, DVD movie, etc.). Some tweens/teens never turn off their phones --- and even sleep with them!
Same here. I love my paper and text books, some are so old they need re-binding now.
Dead tree books are ok if you live life from behind the potted plants. Other people get around and still like to read, these people prefer e-books. There is nothing intrinsically better about the dead tree version.
FYI I do have somewhere in the region of 1,500 dead tree books in my house. My favorites on the shelves I have also as E-book. I noticed I am less and less inclined to take out anything from the shelves. One person's dear memories are another person's trash, something to keep in mind when you start about the 'value' of things you can touch.
Congratulations America
Normally I just use the "smart" nature of smartphones for e-mail, maps, Google Books and occasional browsing. But the more I travel, the more reliant I become on the smartphone for some of the things that have been mentioned. Just want to add:
- Videochats (helps the kids see me and understand where the fuck I went).
- Movies downloaded to phone for long flights/airport waits
- News apps- I prefer using my browser to using apps, but because I pay to subscribe to digital editions of some major papers, I just download the day's paper into the app so I can read on the flight.
I can't believe I forgot the social sites. With those proximity apps you can sometimes hook up with people in places where you are alone and bored but know nobody. It's a 100 times easier than just chatting up a random stranger sitting somewhere.
Congratulations America
I had heard of a gay proximity app, but not a general one?
If you fly then a Kindle/smartphone/alternative, instead of dead tree books, can be a real blessing. I love to read but only being able to take 20kg total luggage when you travel restricts what you can take. Amanda and I will be travelling to Canada for Christmas to spend it with her parents. First time in 5 years she'll have seen her parents for it and we'll be there for a month.
Our luggage allowance will all be used up one way or another. Preferably with presents not books. With my Kindle I can take all the reading I could possibly want for the month (and more) which would have taken many kilos previously.
I will be taking with me on my Kindle the entire Wheel of Time series and start a re-read of it (as the final book is released day before we fly back so will pick it up dead tree at the airport). To take my series of books with me would be ridiculous with paper.
There are general ones, at least one was shown to me by a female friend. I of course stick to the gay ones.
Congratulations America
I didn't know Grindr was a big deal in your areas as well.
Grindr doesn't work for people of my size and age. But there are alternatives.I didn't know Grindr was a big deal in your areas as well.
Congratulations America
I didn't know hung guys weren't allowed on Grindr.
I do
Last night as I lay in bed, looking up at the stars, I thought, “Where the hell is my ceiling?"
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