[TheSword]

Originally Posted by tealady

Free from what?
Or free to do what?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiom

[tealady]

So, you're not prepared to explain your "idiom ".

[Step666]

Originally Posted by TheSword

Oh you do take yourself far to seriously, it's not a rant, and if you look at the other postings, they basically agree, but say I like my smartphone, and I use it, and I'm going to have one, nothing wrong with that, but they don't claim to 'need' one.

People agree they don't need a smartphone, of course - as others have said, the only true needs are things we require to live healthily.

But that's completely separate to your claims that people would be better off without one - I may not need a smartphone but having one affords me a number of advantages. So no, I would not be better off without one.
The fact that you don't feel the same way doesn't mean that you somehow know better.

Originally Posted by TheSword

And I obviously know a heck of a lot more about life than you do...

Again, presumptuous and condescending.

Originally Posted by TheSword

...for one thing it's quite obvious from your posting that you are female

I'm curious as to what you mean by this, especially given it's part of the same sentence as your claims to know more about life than I do - it's almost as though you're suggesting the two are related.

[Thine Wonk]

There is very little in life you need, air, water etc being some of them.

However in life there are loads of things that make life better. For example, a smartphone not only lets you make calls and send texts, but in most cases:

You can have built in navigation and GPS, saving you buying and carrying a separate satnav and so you can do street navigation when walking.

You have instant access to a google search and the internet, so if you are out and you need to pick something up you can look for the nearest store etc, maybe something you didn't intend to get when you left the house.

You no longer need a separate music player

You have a built in camera, which these days is usually 5 or 8 Megapixels, great for some quck photos or for capturing something unexpected or something you come across and not having a camera. Of course you can take video too.

When I'm out and I've forgotten to record a TV show I can just fire up the Virgin Media app and set my Tivo to record a show, very handy and nice to have. If you're in a queue you can see what you might want to record.

You can always catch up with the news, stocks, whatever you're interested in wherever you are, which is great again if you're stuck somewhere waiting for a train or whatever, it's entertainment and information and something to do to pass the time.

You have access to your email, which is very handy.

There are lots of useful apps like checking for flight delays if you're on your way to the airport, or searching for the cheapest petrol on the way.

When you are in a new city or on holiday the guides with maps, tube maps, places to visit etc are extremely useful.

I don't know why anyone wouldn't have a smartphone these days, other than maybe if they couldn't afford it. I think the mistake most non smartphone owners make is that they think they are a gimmick or don't understand how useful they can be.

[noise747]

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

There is very little in life you need, air, water etc being some of them.

True

I don't know why anyone wouldn't have a smartphone these days, other than maybe if they couldn't afford it. I think the mistake most non smartphone owners make is that they think they are a gimmick or don't understand how useful they can be.

While I agree with what you said to a certain degree, I must point out the bit I quoted above.

There are a few reasons why people may not want a smart phone, one being as you said the cost.

Some people may just want a phone for calls and that is it. Too complex for some people to use, because they can be. Battery life. Reliability, all smart phones have problems of reliability at some point and need to be Rebooted, including Iphones.

i myself never saw a need for a smart phone, i know got one but I could manage without it. I only got it just to have a look to see what they are like. i get emails, browse facebook and use the MP3 player/radio and that is it. I used the camera a couple of times, but the quality is not that great and I may browse the net once in the blue moon.

Got until June next year before contract is up, pretty sure i will go for a sim only and keep the phone I got, don't feel the need to update my little HTC wildfire is fine, but if I do feel the need to update it will be another HTC android based and that will only be if my phone goes belly up.

[neo_wales]

I often forget mine, don't really use it much; last month IIRC I used 14 minutes of my call allowance and sent 1 text so for me there really is no need for a mobile phone let alone an S2 other than the fact that I like gadgets. I love playing with new my 'toys' but tend to get bored with them so they end up in a drawer...hence I forget to take them out the house with me.

So, in my view there is no true 'need' for a mobile and I could happily survive without one.

[douknowotimean?]

This is a question I've been asking myself for a few days. Could I live without an iPhone? The reason I asked myself that was because Virgin Media are doing fantastic tariffs at the moment and the fact that I may well be working in a rough idea.

My answer however was No. All we need in life, food, water, air, shelter and a good circle of family and friends. Smartphones are a luxury but they do make life a hell of a lot easier.

Most of my internet browsing is done on the iPhone, even at home. I work on a computer every day in work and sometimes I don't even want to touch one when I come home. If I want to go on the web, I'll just use the iPhone. I will even go on DS using the iPhone.

If I'm lost and I don't know where to go, Google Maps will help me on the spot.

When I'm on the bus I have the choice of listening to what's on TuneIn, watching YouTube, catching up on the news, doing some shopping or even playing games to pass the time by.

Since having a Smartphone I've also been able to stay on top of my emails. Prior to having one my emails would only be checked once every so often and there would be at least 50 in my inbox.

Whilst Smartphones are a luxury, there's no way I could live without my iPhone. I'm even using it as my mp3 player. I would be lost without it.

[L_Silverwolf]

Originally Posted by TheSword

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiom

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperbole

It depends upon how much you use your smartphone, obviously. If you don't use it for much, you don't need it. Simple. Next question?

[noise747]

I do need a mobile phone, most people I call now have a mobile and it6 is cheaper to call their mobile with my mobile than use my home phone and in a few weeks i won't have a home phone anyway apart from the voip phone,

[neo_wales]

Originally Posted by noise747

I do need a mobile phone, most people I call now have a mobile and it6 is cheaper to call their mobile with my mobile than use my home phone and in a few weeks i won't have a home phone anyway apart from the voip phone,

I 500 minutes a month landline to mobile with Talk Talk, another reason my S2 is gathering dust.

[Step666]

Originally Posted by douknowotimean?

This is a question I've been asking myself for a few days. Could I live without an iPhone? The reason I asked myself that was because Virgin Media are doing fantastic tariffs at the moment and the fact that I may well be working in a rough idea.

As an aside, I believe Virgin have just started selling the iPhone so you may well be able to have your cake and eat it.

[noise747]

Originally Posted by neo_wales

I 500 minutes a month landline to mobile with Talk Talk, another reason my S2 is gathering dust.

Pretty good I must admit if you use it. i don't even use 300 minutes on my mobile, saying that without my home phone I may come close to it.

[neo_wales]

Both my children are heavy mobile users, I prefer landlines so use maybe 250 minutes of my 500 minute allowance calling them and other mobile users.

I still prefer the feel (and call quality) of a good full size corded phone or larger cordless one. I've several old GPO phones ranging from pre WW2 up to a Trim Phone, they can still work although some modification is required. Maybe its an age thing, I'm old enough to remember when having a phone was not something everyone had and you could wait months for the GPO to get a line to the house and connect you to the exchange. I still remember my father having to 'book' calls to to family and friends in America, Canada or New Zealand, our phone would ring and the operator would tell you 'Your now connected to you international call'........bloody hell, I feel old lol.

[misar]

This thread seems to be a repeat performance:
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1660333
In each case the OP starts and sustains a pointless debate on why they do not want to use a smartphone. Wonder if Faust and TheSword are related.

[finbaar]

I actually don't like the phone part of my smart phone. I did toy with the idea of deleting the phone apk from my SE Arc but Mrs finbaar was against that idea. I was an early adopter with mobiles back in 93 but when I realised it was only a phone I got shot and remained mobile free until 2000 when impending fatherhood meant I was forced to get one. I must admit for most of the time I kept t switched off until I needed to make a call. This changed in 2009 when I got my first smart phone. Since then I have had 7. And I bloody love them. I love the feeling of carrying a computer with me everywhere. I am also love the custom ROM scene in Android.

So I need a smartphone. That way I don't get moaned at for having my phone switched off. No, I get moaned at for not answering the bloody thing.

[noise747]

Originally Posted by neo_wales

Both my children are heavy mobile users, I prefer landlines so use maybe 250 minutes of my 500 minute allowance calling them and other mobile users.

I still prefer the feel (and call quality) of a good full size corded phone or larger cordless one. I've several old GPO phones ranging from pre WW2 up to a Trim Phone, they can still work although some modification is required. Maybe its an age thing, I'm old enough to remember when having a phone was not something everyone had and you could wait months for the GPO to get a line to the house and connect you to the exchange. I still remember my father having to 'book' calls to to family and friends in America, Canada or New Zealand, our phone would ring and the operator would tell you 'Your now connected to you international call'........bloody hell, I feel old lol.

I remember the phone going into my parents house, my brother was paying for it as he started up a mobile disco so needed a phone. I remember before that going to the phone box up the road to make calls

I never liked Trim phones, someone across the road from my parents had one and it was so high pitch when it rang.

The problem with a lot of older phones is the Ren, A mate had one converted but the ringer was plugged into the mains as it took the strain off the network. i must admit I was thinking of getting one, but I don't know if they will work with a Voip system.

Youngsters take phones for granted now, if someone had told me when I was a child that in a few short years, kids will be walking around with their own phone I would have laughed in their face.

We are all different and all use our phones different ways, which is why mine is going, home p[hone that is not mobile

[Schadenfreud]

Originally Posted by misar

This thread seems to be a repeat performance:
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1660333
In each case the OP starts and sustains a pointless debate on why they do not want to use a smartphone. Wonder if Faust and TheSword are related.

Lol, I thought the same at first, though I do think they're different people, Sword is nowhere near as obnoxious as Faust IMO.

[Dai13371]

Originally Posted by TheSword

No I don't think there is, modern technology is absolutely great, GPS, Online banking, email, digital TV, Digital cameras, the list goes on but it gets to a point where you have technology for technology's sake.

I think people just don't take enough time out, walking out into the great open air, and disconnecting yourself and just appreciating the beauty of nature and the circle of life.

This is where a smartphone will come into its own. You can use the gps to get you there and then an augmented reality app which will tell you a little bit about where you point the phone's camera lens.

[owhittle]

Originally Posted by Anika Hanson

I use mine for:

Web browsing
Online purchases
Receiving and sending emails
Playing games
Watching videos
Playing music
Banking on the go
Organiser
Reading (although
I use my kindle mostly)

Obviously I could survive without it but im heavily reliant on it.

same pretty much. i do use it alot for social media too- facebook/ twitter/ instagram and also to get latest football scores!

[GamerGirl]

I confess that after posting in the aforementioned similar thread above, I have bought a Galaxy Note (unlocked) and currently have a PAYG sim in it that will cost me £5 per month for 500MB data if I choose to pay for it when required if I don't have WiFi access. I will never, unless it's unavoidable, make phone calls with it. I just don't like chatting aimlessly on a phone. Any phone.

I love using computers & gadgets, and so this particular gadget is an extension of that availability when I'm away from home WiFi. I can also actually read what is on the lovely large 5.3" screen So it's for occasional internet use (email, browsing for information etc), camera use, mp3 music & podcasts listening, family snaps, a couple of games, note-taking, calendar, timer etc...... SO exciting!

In addition, I have a non-smart mobile for emergency calls on an 8p per min Tesco Lite tariff together with a £5 per month booster for 5000 texts - can't see me sending that many! - but it's cheaper than paying for them separately in the long run.

So I have at last joined the ranks of SmartPhone users

[noise747]

Originally Posted by Dai13371

This is where a smartphone will come into its own. You can use the gps to get you there and then an augmented reality app which will tell you a little bit about where you point the phone's camera lens.

What is wrong with good old fashioned eye sight? Anyway a augmented reality app will only be as good as the info it can get.

i like to turn my phone off when I go for a walk. Technology is fine, but it is great to get away from it now and again and go back to basics for a few hours.

[BastardBeaver]

I use mine for DS!

But mainly for reading up on useless information. I've cut down on how much I use FB, and only go on it once in about every 4 days now.

I never use my smartphone in a social situation. Not even to text people. I find it rude. I'm quite happy to wait until I'm on my own to text people back if its not an emergency.

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by noise747

What is wrong with good old fashioned eye sight? Anyway a augmented reality app will only be as good as the info it can get.

i like to turn my phone off when I go for a walk. Technology is fine, but it is great to get away from it now and again and go back to basics for a few hours.

You can also gurantee that if you are anywhere except central London you'll get a 'no info' message come up when you point it at something! LOL

[noise747]

Originally Posted by alan1302

You can also gurantee that if you are anywhere except central London you'll get a 'no info' message come up when you point it at something! LOL

I bet it will no nothing our our city then, no doubt say where the hell are you

The only useful thing may be GPS as the last time I went to Cardiff i walked around in circles, the GPS may have given me a bit of a idea where I was going.

[AntiDote]

Originally Posted by TheSword

I think for the sake of humanity sanity mobile phones should be used for essential and emergency calls only.

Absolutely not. For people with neurobiological conditions (such as myself) it makes life that little less difficult.

I suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder. There are loads of apps out there I can use which help me get through my day wherever I am. I can makes notes which can immediately be uploaded to my laptop at home so I can keep on top of things. I can refer back to previous entries I've made.

There is nothing out there as straightforward and accessible as my iPhone (could just as easily be any similar phone really) that helps me deal with my day to day challenges.

So yes, my 'smartphone' (god I hate that expression!!) is essential to me.