Smartphones Are Awesome

[Amaris]

I realize it's not a creative title, but it's true. See, thanks to a good friend's wonderful Christmas gift, I now own a Smartphone. It's a Nokia Lumia 520 with Windows 8.1. This means it also includes the digital assistant Cortana.

I have to say that I now understand why people are so busy and fascinated with their phones. These phones do virtuall everything.

This evening, for example, I was tired, and needed some music to keep me awake. I told Cortana, "Cortana, play me some music."

She replied with "Okay, I'll open up your media player and play some music."

Sure enough, a few seconds later, Joe Jackson's "Steppin' Out" began playing.

So I said "Thank you, Cortana!"

To which she replied, "You're welcome, John!"

All of this went on as I checked my network speed via my phone, scheduled a reminder for a haircut tomorrow, and browsed a message board.

It just blows me away how far we've come, and how far we'll go just in the near future!

So, does anyone else own a smartphone? If so, is it just a phone, or has it become indispensable?

 

[Melakon]

Congrats, J. I'm still in the Dark Ages with a landline.

 

[FPAlpha]

I was also a comparatively late comer to smartphones and it has become my most important technical gadget.

I'm not a social media junkie (don't even have a Facebook account) but i like to be informed so news it is for me. I love mobile internet and the millions of apps that cover basically any need.

Bored sitting in the waiting room of a doctor? Start up a game app.

Lost in a city? Start up the navigation app.

Need to know weather data? Look at the start screen.

The list is nearly endless and the smartphone has become indispensable and a good way to avoid talking to people you really don't want to talk to (which suits me just fine because i hate pointless small talk).

It'll be interesting to see where the developments will end up 10 years from now because currently it is rather static. The only thing that changes is faster processing speeds, better cameras and maybe a better screen. There has not been a killer app yet since voice commands have been introduced with Siri and others so i'm curious what the next must have feature will be.

 

[YellowSubmarine]

I've been smartphone-free for two months now. Feels really good.

 

[Tiberius]

I couldn't live without mine.

 

[Amaris]

Congrats, J. I'm still in the Dark Ages with a landline.

Thanks! On the upside, if the power goes out, you're still in good shape. Many smartphones eat battery power quickly. I mean, not mine, because the first thing I did was disable non-essential services, but yeah.

I was also a comparatively late comer to smartphones and it has become my most important technical gadget.

I'm not a social media junkie (don't even have a Facebook account) but i like to be informed so news it is for me. I love mobile internet and the millions of apps that cover basically any need.

Bored sitting in the waiting room of a doctor? Start up a game app.

Lost in a city? Start up the navigation app.

Need to know weather data? Look at the start screen.

The list is nearly endless and the smartphone has become indispensable and a good way to avoid talking to people you really don't want to talk to (which suits me just fine because i hate pointless small talk).

It'll be interesting to see where the developments will end up 10 years from now because currently it is rather static. The only thing that changes is faster processing speeds, better cameras and maybe a better screen. There has not been a killer app yet since voice commands have been introduced with Siri and others so i'm curious what the next must have feature will be.

Exactly. I didn't realize until I had one that thinking out loud about a puzzling question would get an answer faster than if I were to type it out in Google.

Add to the fact I can get weather instantly, news instantly, directions instantly, anywhere in the United States, or even the world in some cases, is just mind boggling.

I've been smartphone-free for two months now. Feels really good.

I'm glad you were able to break free of something that inhibited you rather than helped you!

I couldn't live without mine.

I'm starting to feel that way now.

 

[MacLeod]

I have a Lumia as well, though I have to say MS aren't very good at rolling out updates at a speedy pace, still waitng for Cortana to arrive first it was supposed to be Q2 2014, then Q4 2014 now expected Q1 2015, and I can't blame my network as they say they have't had the relevant update to test it.

 

[Amaris]

I have a Lumia as well, though I have to say MS aren't very good at rolling out updates at a speedy pace, still waitng for Cortana to arrive first it was supposed to be Q2 2014, then Q4 2014 now expected Q1 2015, and I can't blame my network as they say they have't had the relevant update to test it.

I hope you get it soon. I thought the 8.1 update had already rolled out in the UK. I will say this: when you do get the upgrade, it will be so worth it. Cortana is indispensable.

 

[ITL]

I use my phone (Samsung S3 Mini) for games, music (listening to and creating), TV and all manner of internet activities. I suppose it's a bit out of date now, and I really could use a bigger screen, so it might be time to upgrade when I can afford it.

 

[MacLeod]

I have a Lumia as well, though I have to say MS aren't very good at rolling out updates at a speedy pace, still waitng for Cortana to arrive first it was supposed to be Q2 2014, then Q4 2014 now expected Q1 2015, and I can't blame my network as they say they have't had the relevant update to test it.

I hope you get it soon. I thought the 8.1 update had already rolled out in the UK. I will say this: when you do get the upgrade, it will be so worth it. Cortana is indispensable.

8.1 has indeed rollout out in the UK in Q2 of this year, which as I indicated is when Cortana was expected but Cortana wasn't part of that update it's in the Lumia Denim upudated that is rumoured for Q1 2015 just as soon as MS give it to the operators to test. Only downside is no Jen Taylor doing the voice.

 

[tomalak301]

I got an Iphone in July (Iphone 5s, before the 6 came out) and I love it. It's really been a helpful tool, especially the reminders tab because I tend to forget a lot of things.

 

[iguana_tonante]

I too got a smartphone just recently (May I think), and only because I really, really needed one for work. Now it's fused to my hand.

 

[urbandefault]

I've had an iPhone 4 (non-Siri) for a few years. Not crazy about Apple (and I don't like having to depend on iTunes), but at the time there were not as many apps available for Android. My wife is the only person who really ever calls, but it's handy for that. But I do like the camera.

Lately it had become bloated and slow, and wouldn't let me add any new apps no matter how many others I deleted. I was ready to ditch the iPhone and get an Android. As a last ditch effort I backed it up and did a full reset. Now it works like new. :/

If it was like my Nexus 7 tablet it would be perfect.

 

[Mary Ann]

I don't really need a smartphone but I wouldn't be without one. As my eyesight is shite I currently have a Sony Xperia as I needed a phone with a larger screen. I don't use it for reading if possible as it still gives me eyestrain but I do play games on it. One of the things I don't like about my phone, however, is the calendar/planner, so I still use a paper one.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I'm on my second iPhone but I still have never used Siri. I'm almost nervous to do so. Pathetic, isn't it?

As for being indispensable: It sure is, in that I've gotten rid of my landline. And it's very useful for replacing things like some ID cards (Starbucks, AAA, etc.) and paper boarding passes on airlines. Also I am very brand-loyal to Apple gear, so that's also a plus. As for games, I do like the occasional diversion, mostly when I'm waiting for (or on) a train or plane.

 

[Kemaiku]

Had my 4S over 3 years now and never used Siri either.

 

[tomalak301]

I'm on my second iPhone but I still have never used Siri. I'm almost nervous to do so. Pathetic, isn't it?

As for being indispensable: It sure is, in that I've gotten rid of my landline. And it's very useful for replacing things like some ID cards (Starbucks, AAA, etc.) and paper boarding passes on airlines. Also I am very brand-loyal to Apple gear, so that's also a plus. As for games, I do like the occasional diversion, mostly when I'm waiting for (or on) a train or plane.

I barely use Siri. I don't really get the point of Siri, but other than that I really have no need for it.

 

[Amaris]

I use my phone (Samsung S3 Mini) for games, music (listening to and creating), TV and all manner of internet activities. I suppose it's a bit out of date now, and I really could use a bigger screen, so it might be time to upgrade when I can afford it.

There's some great phones out there, and for cheap! There were a number of phones I was looking at before I was gifted this one.

8.1 has indeed rollout out in the UK in Q2 of this year, which as I indicated is when Cortana was expected but Cortana wasn't part of that update it's in the Lumia Denim upudated that is rumoured for Q1 2015 just as soon as MS give it to the operators to test. Only downside is no Jen Taylor doing the voice.

Wow, that is weird! Why is it so complicated over there?

I got an Iphone in July (Iphone 5s, before the 6 came out) and I love it. It's really been a helpful tool, especially the reminders tab because I tend to forget a lot of things.

Yes! I have used the reminders option dozens of times already, and I've only had the phone a few days.

I too got a smartphone just recently (May I think), and only because I really, really needed one for work. Now it's fused to my hand.

They make themselves insidiously useful, don't they?

I've had an iPhone 4 (non-Siri) for a few years. Not crazy about Apple (and I don't like having to depend on iTunes), but at the time there were not as many apps available for Android. My wife is the only person who really ever calls, but it's handy for that. But I do like the camera.

Lately it had become bloated and slow, and wouldn't let me add any new apps no matter how many others I deleted. I was ready to ditch the iPhone and get an Android. As a last ditch effort I backed it up and did a full reset. Now it works like new. :/

If it was like my Nexus 7 tablet it would be perfect.

You may have to accidentally smash it in order to get a new phone.

I don't really need a smartphone but I wouldn't be without one. As my eyesight is shite I currently have a Sony Xperia as I needed a phone with a larger screen. I don't use it for reading if possible as it still gives me eyestrain but I do play games on it. One of the things I don't like about my phone, however, is the calendar/planner, so I still use a paper one.

Really? I used a calendar/planner on my PC until Cortana came along. I can even sync up that calendar with my PC calendar (since both systems use Windows).

On the plus side, using a paper calendar/planner helps one remember better. I'm afraid it's too late for me. :P

I'm on my second iPhone but I still have never used Siri. I'm almost nervous to do so. Pathetic, isn't it?

As for being indispensable: It sure is, in that I've gotten rid of my landline. And it's very useful for replacing things like some ID cards (Starbucks, AAA, etc.) and paper boarding passes on airlines. Also I am very brand-loyal to Apple gear, so that's also a plus. As for games, I do like the occasional diversion, mostly when I'm waiting for (or on) a train or plane.

It's not pathetic. Some people just don't like voice interfaces. Me? Anything that gets me closer to Star Trek.

Had my 4S over 3 years now and never used Siri either.

Well, that's okay. I mean, we know who the superior digital assistant voice interface is anyway.

 

[urbandefault]

^^You like the Cortana?

Here's Bat in the Sun's take:

link

 

[Amaris]

^^You like the Cortana?

Here's Bat in the Sun's take:

link

I love Cortana. I even made an avatar of her interface.