Smart phones are a relatively new problem/wonder.
My first cell phone had a Canadian flag across it and was mostly free under a sponsorship deal for athletes. I received the phone in 1999 or 2000 and I remember that at first I didn’t really use it much. Those were simple days. Days of dial-up Internet service and home phones.
Since then I have almost always had a cell phone. Until 2005 my phones were, again, mostly free and the model was determined by the sponsorship deal. Once I hung up my rowing oars I had to start paying for my phone myself. I was allowed to keep the, at the time, older model phone.
My cell phone use until 2005 was average. I had just learned about text messaging but most of my friends were still in the dark about it. No fun to send a text message and get a reply three days later that is unreadable because the sender doesn’t know how to use the smart text function on their phone.
Everything changed in August of 2005. I met my future husband and became a text addict. We were dating long distance and it was a fun way to keep in touch and build the romance. From all accounts I was a texting jerk and ignored friends to return messages.
Texting jerk in 2005 = pretty much everyone I know that has a cell phone today.
Social norms have changed. We used to not answer the door or the phone during dinner. Now our smart phones sit next to the bread plates with Twitter and text messages streaming while we cut our steaks.
A friend of a friend seriously broke her arm and gave herself a minor head injury and the suspected culprit was walking and text messaging. There are serious costs to having a smart phone beyond the monthly bill.
With fair knowledge of my love of text messaging, and a distaste for actually putting up money for cell phones, I had restricted myself to clunky cheap models of phones for many years. One in particular froze repeatedly and became an embarrassment to use around my tech savvy friends.
I knew a smart phone would be bad for my life.
With my great self-awareness + cell phone frugality, I was determined to not own a smart phone. Quick access to the Internet on demand would be dangerous for me.
And I already felt like my husband’s iPhone is a third wheel on many of our dates. So much so that I often asked him to leave it at home. Do you really need ESPN text message updates on the six professional sports teams you follow interrupting our romantic walk?
If I was so determined to not own a smart phone how did I end buying an iPhone in November of last year?
Let me set the scene:
- broken cell phone: my crappy free horrible texting cell phone breaks one morning. My dropping/tossing/throwing it may have contributed to the breaking.
- unhappy Henry: several days of a cranky baby had worn me down. I needed a break from parenting. See note about cause of broken cell phone.
- feeling emotionally drained and tired and a bit miserable, I went shopping for a new cell phone.
- justify, justify, justify: my husband has an iPhone – why can’t I have one? Why do I always relegate myself to the cheap almost free phones? I deserve an iPhone. *I know – what a load of crap! Out of my head insane. Who DESERVES a smart phone? Blah.
So I bought an iPhone to make me happier.
Side note: I then topped off the purchase with the blue brie, pear, prosciutto and walnut baguette at Finch’s. I think I also got a big cookie. Bad spending followed by more bad spending and eating.
Of course, I haven’t managed my use of the iPhone as I had hoped.
I’ve checked email too often, felt compelled to blog surf when I should be sleeping/reading/doing other more fun and more productive activities.
Sure, I’ve enjoyed some apps on it. Particularly the budgeting app and the map app it comes with. My sense of direction is terrible. And in these weeks of preparing to move overseas and all that goes with that – selling our stuff, finding renters, home repairs, visa applications and what not – it’s been quite handy to be able to check email and search for handymen while waiting at the doctor’s office. The iPhone has been great at allowing me to multitask.
Did I mention I am trying to get away from multitasking?
Despite the conveniences, I feel like my smart phone is making me stupid.
I rely on the GPS map function instead of researching directions before I leave. I don’t pay enough attention to the people around me. I check my email out of habit/compulsion rather than necessity. I feel tethered to it and all its possibilities for information and connection.
So I’m giving it up.
I’m getting rid of my iPhone so I can enjoy my life more.
The move overseas is a chance to reset so I’m untethering from my stupid smart phone. No more iPhone.
What’s the plan on the other end? Ideally I would like to be without a cell phone.
I have an old iTouch that I’ll use for tracking spending and to check email if I am traveling. Travel meaning a ferry or flight away – not down at the local coffee shop. I like the calendar function on it too so will continue to use that on the iTouch.
But I’m hoping to not to be tethered to that device like I have been to an iPhone.
My husband is concerned about safety/emergencies if I don’t have a cell phone on the Isle of Man. We’re still discussing it but I would like to at least try not having a cell phone. If it is deemed a necessity I’d like to just get a pay as you go phone. Something with no Internet access and limited text messaging.
The other week Meagan over at the Happiest Mom had a great piece about technology, happiness and homemaking. Are gadgets making our lives harder or easier? Megan revisits Lilian Gilbreth of Cheaper by the Dozen and there are some interesting quotes on how technology has changed homemaking for the better and for the worse.
Right now I feel like taking a break from smart phone technology will be for the greater good of my family and myself.
Do you own a smart phone? Do you use it in moderation or is it your eternal sidekick? Anyone not have a cell phone?
Hi there,
I got a smart phone again in June of 2015 when I moved back to Canada from the UK. I struggle with it. There were some good reasons to have one when we lived in the city (we used car and bike share that you accessed with apps) but we moved to a small mountain town about five months ago and I could really give mine up again. I would like to but have yet to pull the trigger.
A few things that I have done that have helped me ‘untether’ from my phone:
– I leave it at home frequently. I try to have it away a lot, tucked in my purse, charging in another room out of sight.
– I don’t have push notifications on for anything other than text messages. None of my apps send push notifications that pop up on my phone. I find that really helps.
– I try not to keep it in my bedroom at night and I try not to check it first thing in the morning. *Try being the operative word. It’s hard.
– I don’t have certain apps on that I find distracting. If I do find myself checking them too much I take them off for a few weeks. Just took a three week break from Instagram by removing the app from my phone. I don’t access Twitter or Facebook on my phone and don’t have those apps installed.
So yes, if you can get rid of the smart phone I would go for it. Also: I can’t remember much anymore. I do blame aging + our youngest is a terrible sleeper but you might be onto something with the whole phone thing!
Good luck!!
I’m late to the party.
I do have a smart phone – I got it in September. It is now my eternal sidekick.
I don’t check email on it in general and I send an average of 1 text message per week. I mostly use it to tweet, take photos, play games or call people. My game use did get out of hand, so I gave up iPhone video games for Lent. It helped me to re-balance and freed up some space.
Honestly, though, I watch very little TV, and the vast majority of my computer use is work-related. I’m comfortable with my recreational phone use, and so I’m not sweating it. I have few enough outlets as it is.
I have 2 phones.
1 – payg. has a full slide out keyboard (yay!) but i rarely text/make calls on it. for emergencies, generally, or calling home.
2 – android smart phone. used for internet only. £20/6 months. To be honest I don’t use it that much but £40/year is a small enough amount that I don’t really care if I use it often or not. I get £40/year enjoyment out of it from having something to do on trains/buses 🙂
I have an iphone and I loooooooove it. I got a little addicted to it at first but now I’m much more reasonable with it. I do find that I read less before I go to sleep and play scrabble on my phone more which concerns me.
I love the calendar on my phone, my music on my phone. I love my phone – but I use it for work and my work pays for it so perhaps that makes it easier for me to love it so much!
I pay $25 per month with Virgin Mobile and get 300 minutes of talk and unlimited text. I can surf the web, but it is inconvenient with the phone I chose. I don’t like cell phones, but the people I need to communicate most with text and it is easier for my husband to send me a quick text while in a meeting than to wait and find time in between meetings to call me. It is hard not to buy into the cell-phone-as-status-symbol, but I couldn’t stomach a $70-$100 a month bill for a silly phone!
We have Tracphones and have only started using those in the past year. I am out-of-the-loop with many due to no texting and no Facebook, but it is what is best for me in this season of life. I’ve been reading “The Winter of our Disconnect” by Susan Maushart. Thought-provoking and funny!
I’m eager to follow your journey over the next year or so. I love your blog!
I don’t have a cell phone and never have. Mostly because I am too cheap. I am a mostly stay-at-home mom, so I feel I don’t need one. It’s an expensive we can easily cut out. I am a nurse, so when I work, we are too busy to take breaks, much less use a cell phone. And when I am out, I don’t want people getting a hold of me — it’s not about me getting a hold of other people.
My husband has a iphone from his work. If we are out together, it is handy that our parents can call us if the kids need us to come home earlier. Or if I go out by myself, I can take his phone if he needs to get a hold of me. But it is very hard to mind your manners and not keep checking it when you are out with friends! Very hard! The phone also came in handy when we were on a month-long vacation and we had internet/e-mail access wherever we were; we didn’t have to rely on crappy hotel computers or rental places without computers at all.
However, in our work with kids/youth, we find the only way to get a hold of them is by texting. Some of them you can’t even call their cell phones or e-mail them; they only answer texts! So if I have to answer texts I answer them in the evening when the kids go to bed on my husband’s phone.
But we always say, if work didn’t pay for the phone, we wouldn’t have it. If the iphone were significantly cheaper than our landline, that would be the only way.
I’ve never had a cellphone and at this point, see no need to, and hope I won’t ever have to. Part of it is because it’s an unnecessary cost. Sometimes I think how useful it’d be (like if I want to contact my partner while I’m out), but those instances are quite rare. Also, I’m worried about cellphone radiation… yes, I’m paranoid, I know.
Mostly though, I see tons of people walking around on their cellphones talking or texting all the time and I think about how they’re so absorbed in their bubble that it’s probably hard to enjoy the little things in their immediate environment. This is what really bothers me the most.
I think taking a break from having a cellphone will be good for both you and your family, but hey, this is coming from someone who eschews cellphones 🙂
Whenever I pull out my phone, people go, “whoa – retro!” as it’s about 6 years old and still has one of those hard, nubby antenna’s on it!
I love to text and text with my friends and family back in Calgary (I live in Toronto) with it, and most of all use it as a timepiece when I’m out at lunch.
I worry about getting an iPhone because I think I would get addicted to it too or that I wouldn’t use it to it’s fullest potential. I’m a very pen and paper type of person. I always have a pen and notebook on me to jot down whatever I happen to be thinking at that moment. I also carry a mini calendar with me that I use to write in apt’s and meeting up with friends, and I have no desire to get an eReader as I love reading and carrying around an “actual” book.
Plus, I like that if I’m bored on the subway or at waiting for a friend, I can people-watch or look around at my surroundings, even strike up a conversation with someone else who’s not nosedeep in an iPhone… I don’t have to CONSTANTLY be preoccupied with something. It’s nice to be bored, and just let the mind wander. Or be forced to not look like I’m busy all the time. 🙂
I found a typo in my “comment”….it should read
“I used to ride my bike over to my friends and knock on the door to see if they were home”. LOL!
Hi Rachel,
As you know I have not had a cell phone for 7 months. My partner and I decided not to have cell phones when I went on maternity leave and would be home ( closer to home phone and email) and he could be reached at work. We have cut over $100 a month in our phone bills. We talk to each other and our friends on the landline or we wait until we see each other in person. I personally feel that cells make us lazy as a society. I am frustrated when I see people sitting at a restaurant not talking to each other but texting.I certainly understand the need, in some cases, for cell phones however it was suprising how little I actually need access to a phone. I love being cell phone free! When I lived with my parents we did not have a landline until I was 16. I used to ride my bike over and knock on the door to see if they were home. In some ways I long for those days again for my children.
Here’s my smartphone tip. When I’m waiting in line, I pull out my phone, check my email, and use the moment to unsubscribe from commercial email. I don’t need to know that I can “save 30% off everything this weekend only”, because I’m not going shopping!!! De-clutters my inbox and minimizes temptation to buy stuff we don’t need.
So nice to hear from other people w/o cell phones! I have never had one and don’t want one, but my husband has been pining for an IPhone since they came out. I don’t want the added expense and thanks to all the posts I’m even more anti as I don’t want his nose in a phone all the time. My son is almost three and I have never needed a phone for any emergency. Of course a handful of times it would have been helpful, but I like being unreachable. It makes my time more about what is happening at the moment. I have never heard of anyone giving up their iPhone, so I am impressed and wish you lots of luck and will power!
I tend to take advantage of the $20 upgrade phone upon contract renewal. I waited until I could get a DEAL (read: free) on a smart phone. That said, I just can not justify paying for internet access on my phone, as much as I would LOVE to have it.
I, too, didn’t text much until I met my husband, then it went through the roof! Sometimes I think life would be simpler without a lot of technology. I’m cool with having my phone (and text often), but sometimes wonder how much more time I’d have with no computer… but I just can’t let it go. I feel it is an amazing resource as well.
I have a basic motorola from Tracphone – no texting, no camera, just calls. It cost $15 and I spend $10 a month on 100 minutes. I only use it for emergencies or calling my husband while out. My husband doesn’t even have a phone. If he is out and I am home he’ll take it with him. The main reason we even have it is because I stay home with our daughter and he wanted me to have it just in case. Sometimes I see my friends iphones and think that I want one but then I realize that it would really cause me to waste so much time on it that it just isn’t worth it!
LOL! After many years of having an “for emergencies only” Tracphone, DH & I just got iphones over the weekend. So far, I love it and am finding the apps very useful. Whether it makes me dumb or not remains to be seen … I’m not a huge phone talker, had never sent a text message prior to Sunday and have opted not to join social netwoking sites like FB or Twitter. I’m still not sure about the cost, though. We’ll see. 😉
I simply do not understand why everyone lets their phones control their lives.
The only thing I was anxious about before I was given an iphone over two years ago was that it could get expensive if I constantly wanted to look information up. That is something I like to do, but it hasn’t been a problem, I just have to be sure I’m on a local network or the costs shoot up (I live near borders!).
However, otherwise, I look at my phone or use it ONLY when I need to. I leave the sound off. I don’t let it dominate me or my life. It’s a tool, for goodness sake. If I’m expecting a call, I will look for it. If I miss one, no big deal – the information is there for me to call back at MY convenience.
On the contrary, my phone is so useful to me – clock, calendar, alarm clock, timer, camera, calculator, notebook, music, maps, capacity to look ANYTHING up, check the weather etc. etc. and I no longer need to drag a book along with me, either, since I got the Kindle app. I actually rarely use it as a phone – though it’s great to keep tabs on the family as necessary and also for my business, freeing me to be away from home at times and still get things done.
My favourite minimalist TOOL!!!!
I don’t have a smart phone. I don’t need one, and would rather use the money on something else. I’m on a pretty basic phone plan. I probably could survive without my mobile phone, but I’d have to buy a new watch! The vast majority of my calls and texts are to my husband, but if we were a bit more organised we could manage without a phone.
The thing that we have found in our house is that since we have both switched to laptops and bought a wireless router, we are both spending far too much time online. I’m trying to set myself some limits and just close the lid on my laptop just a little more often!
Rachel, you are a mind-reader!
The other day my son came home from school, saying: “Everyone has an IPhone these days, who don’t you and daddy?” I simply fobbed him off with: “Because we don’t need one.”, however, later on, we had a whole conversation about phones and minimalism. We concluded that yes, IPhones look lovely, can be very useful, and yes, mommy and daddy could easily afford one. BUT: we use e-mail, Facebook and Skype to keep in touch with family and friends, and only use the mobil for emergencies and short, matter-of-fact-calls. On-the-go, we don’t write e-mails or check the Internet or Skype with family. We don’t even need (and have) landline homephone. I have a brilliant little digital camera that I carry around with me, we also have an IPod and a MacBook. So yes, I love the look of the IPhone, but no, I can’t see myself using it more than just an ordinary mobil.
rather: “…why don’t you daddy…”
Thank you!
First: it’s nice to find someone else that only got their first smartphone last fall.
I got mine because the old phone I was using suddenly couldn’t make outbound calls… and I was eight months pregnant. We kinda decided that having a cellphone in case of going into early labour might not be a bad idea…
It’s really hard not to be in constant touch because of it – and I hate that.
I actually spent the last 24 hours without going on Facebook/Twitter (this was not for a good reason, per se, but because my husband is a big survivor fan, we don’t have cable, have to wait for the show to be up on the Global TV site, and I was worried I’d read about it somewhere and spill the beans).
Meaning, I was relegated to using a baby app I have, my email (but much less than normal), the weather app… and the calculator and calendar. But that’s it.
And you know what – I really didn’t miss anything. And it was kind of nice!
THANK YOU for posting this. I have been on the fence about it for a long time. I already have serious problems with the computer. Adding an expensive smart phone would make it totally worse. I guess I will be getting that $24 pay as you go phone.
Hello from Australia. I gave up my mobile phone when I started working from home again. What a RELIEF! It was just another thing to respond to, and guess what? Neither my business or my relationships sufferred a bit. In fact, I had had to say to several friends that I was just not happy to conduct most of our relationship via text messages – unhealthy, unsatisfying and unreal. Now we meet face to face for a cup of tea, just lovely.
I completely relate to your issues with net surfing etc…I’ve solved this for myself by having technology-free days and certain times of day when I can check emails and be on the net. This really helps a lot (if you stick to it.) And you’re right, it frees up time for reading,being with kids and partner etc..the REAL stuff of life.
Have a beautiful day, Madeleine
I’ve never had a cell phone, just a land line with voice mail. I’ve got two young boys, and we’ve been just fine without a cell. I have to say that I get very frustrated when I’m with people who ‘check’ their phone every five minutes. What is happening ‘out there’ that’s so important? I think more than it being a convenience, it’s just a big distraction. Gosh, I could go on but I’ll stop here! Good decision, Rachel 🙂
Mine is a 4 year old phone, mostly used to call hubby. We were without a home phone for 2 years, now we only have it because it is included in the internet plan. We call our families in Europe via skype, I only send the occasional text to a teenage friend. If my family was closer I would probably text more. I don’t like to expectation put on people to be accessible at all times. Ringtones used to entartain my cranky baby, now a toddler. It pobably helps that I drive and don’t use the phone in the car, it would be different on public transit. I only got on Facebook last fall and de-activated my account after 3 months, still happy!
I don’t have a cell phone. I never have. Neither does my husband. He’s 44 and I’m 37 so we’re not ancient or technophobes. We just never want to be that easy to contact. I don’t want people phoning me all the time. Plus it seems expensive and I know nothing about them or the various plans – too much for a beginning minimalist like me. 🙂
When we adopted 5 year old twins two years ago, people loved telling us that we’d need a cell phone. That you couldn’t parent without one anymore. So far, we’re doing fine without one!
I have a 3 year old phone that I use once or twice a week. I don’t know how to text so I told the phone company that I didn’t want any texting options on my phone, to send or receive. This comfused them because they kept telling me over and over that it was free! However, I don’t like that I am always available, so to speak, with a texting plan. I think 6 people have my cell # and they know I’m not always going to hear the phone, or check my messages quickly. They’ve accepted it. I do the local pick-ups for New and Green and mainly I use it for that, in case people are running late and need to let me know.
As far as I’m concerned, I have the cell for emergencies because I’m out and about with three kids and a crappy vehicle. I have enough trouble curbing my “one-last-email-check” on the computer let alone having access through my phone! Plus, I have to admit that I worry about brain cancer caused by over-use of the cell phone. Although I think that’s how peopl justify texting over calling…
We gave up our home phone when I got a (non smart) cell phone, and I got an iTouch about a year ago. I only use the touch at home, or play games on it while waiting for my kids in the car. It’s also a good distraction for them while waiting (they are WAY more savvy than I).
However it drives me crazy when people text all the time and DO NOT answer their phones, I just want to have a real conversation sometimes!!
A recent discussion with my husband about technology got us both thinking about these things. We both think that the modern devices, iphones, blackberrys, playstations etc disengage you from real life, My eldest son (16) has his iphone permantly attached to his hand and when he had it taken off him as a punishment we found him to be more sociable, and more engaged with other people. He was given the phone back and he totally reverted back to being anti-social. The trouble is how do i take a 16 year olds phone away from him, he pays for it himself. I suppose the lesson is ‘be careful what you start’.
I came off facebook about 18 months ago for all the same reasons, i honestly felt liberated when i did!!
It’s a toughie, yes bring back the good old days , but how would i read your blog!!
Sharron
I have an iPhone. In fact that is what I am on right now typing this comment. I love it and would never change it. We got rid of our home line which got rid of that bill. Now we only have our cell phone bills. My husband and I use a “cloud” calendar which has enabled us to get rid of our paper calEndars and agendas and all those silly little pieces of paper where I used to write important info on. This iPhone has simplified my life and allows our family of 6 (children aged 1,3, 5, & 7) to be very organized, which is so important for me to keep my sanity.
Love this post! I know that if I had an iPhone or similarly capable phone that I would be the same – I already spend too much time randomly surfing the internet at home, reading blogs and Facebooking. If I had an iPhone, I would be doing it all on the go and spending more time at it. Which isn’t really how I want to spend my life. I do have a cell phone, but it is from 1998 (yes, I rock). My awesome vintage Nokia can make phone calls (and receive the occasional text) and that’s all I really need it for – I use it maybe once a week.
Love the technology, but unfortunately, I think it’s making us all a little technologically co-dependent and is separating us from what’s important in life – real, breathing people.
I, like you BiP (Before iPhone), have the cheap/free with a plan phone and usually have the cheapest plan I can find, since I rarely talk on my phone and use it mostly for texting, and even that I use rather minimally compared to some. Many of my friends are not huge cell phone users, so I get responses three days later still. I like it for texting one friend, my husband when he’s at work, and my out of town family. My husband got an iPhone and he checks it constantly out of habit and it’s costing us a lot of money. I would love to have an iPhone since it seems handy and looks like a lot of fun, but I just can’t justify the cost.
My phone is almost 4 years old. It has no camera, or fancy features or apps. I simply call people when I need to and answer it when I feel like it. No need for any of that other crap. (I’m only 30, not 60 like I may sound lol).
I have a (free) texting phone and an iTouch. (I was gifted a new iPod Touch for mother’s day, actually, the one with the camera? Oh, I love it! Being able to take photos and video where ever is awesome.)
But, even though I’m limited in my use by the simple fact that I have to be connected to wifi, I also run into the overload that everyone else does with their smart phones (only, for me, it’s just at home). And of course, the occasional text during social outings from my “regular” phone. (I don’t text and drive — or call and drive — ever, and I don’t walk and text.)
So, I set limits. It works for awhile and then stops working (usually because I get overwhelmed and “need” the distraction). So, I set them again.
I really love my iPod Touch (and wouldn’t dream of getting an iPhone, do not want to pay the extra monthly fee). But yeah. It has changed our culture a lot and I’m hoping we will all soon take a collective breath of fresh air!
Our society’s current obsession with constantly checking their phones/e-mail/twitter reallllyyyyy gets under my skin. It’s definitely distracting and I think it makes people a little crazy/ADD/impatient. No one can wait for anything anymore.
I do have a cell phone, we have no landline. It’s 3+ years old and doesn’t even have a camera, much less internet access. It does not get used while driving and I never text when I could call instead.
I don’t have a cell phone and can count on one hand the number of times I’ve wished I did. The biggest thing I notice is that my friends are used to making plans as we go, because they can just text each other “I’m on my way” or “let’s meet here” whereas I have to plan with them in advance, and we have to email or call before I leave the house. I like making plans in advance, and I don’t mind being out of touch once I leave the house. I think my friends would like me to have a cell, but I don’t think I need one yet. I expect that eventually my everyday life won’t be possible without a cell, and then I’ll get one.
Right now I have a super-old-school phone. I can call, but I don’t have any idea how to text (or even if it is possible). I like not being uber-connected at all times – I feel like the computer at home is more than enough!
However! I’m a doula, and as I try to grow my business I’m starting to wonder if a smart phone may be necessary to my job. The fact is that people TEXT. And when I’m driving all over unfamiliar cities in the middle of the night, I really need a better way to know where I am and where I’m going. So it may be something I need to get…but I share all your concerns about it, and I’ve kind of been putting off getting one.
I have an iPhone too and while I enjoy being able to find directions, and look everything up immediately, I completely understand your problems with smarthphones. If I’m not careful I spend way too much time on my phone, checking twitter, e-mail, my bank-account etc. Last year I set a challenge for myself not to use the internet while on vacation abroad for two weeks (also because the roaming costs are ridiculous). It was hard some times, but when I came back two weeks later I didn’t really miss anything.
Since I have my iPhone I also don’t have patience to wait for things anymore. If I have to wait more than 1 minute I take out my Phone and start to looking up things.
I want to try to turn off the internet on my phone to see if I can last without it. However, I’m afraid that the temptation to turn it back on will be to easy. Maybe getting rid of the phone would be better, but I’m not ready for that yet! Your post gives me the motivation to at least try to turn the internet off for a while!
Oh yeah, and I still wouldn’t have a smart phone if Metro PCS didn’t have a $50/month unlimited everything plan. It’s a company where you pay your monthly amount in advance…sort of a nicer kind of pay-as-you-go type thing. The speeds are ridiculously slow, but maybe that is a GOOD thing…keeping me from doing too much surfing!!
I have a smart phone…an Android one. We just got it in January and while I DO like a few apps and I enjoy playing long drawn out games of Words with Friends with my husband on it…I don’t actually use it as much as I thought I would.
I have noticed some upsides…being able to look up directions (once I’ve been somewhere a couple times with directions I’m generally okay to get there on my own)…and when I get stuck by a train I don’t just sit there fuming and twiddling my thumbs.
The downsides…I find myself doing “one last check” on email, etc. on my phone after settling into bed at night (time I SHOULD be spending in talk with my husband before he conks out)…and my husband expects me to be tethered to it at all times and freaks out if he can’t contact me immediately!! For example, this past Saturday evening my phone died and I didn’t notice it had turned off when I plugged it in that night. Sunday he had to run sound for all three morning services at church and I stayed home with the kiddo. When he walked in the door he was seriously annoyed at me because he’d called three times and texted me once…but I hadn’t known it cause my phone was charging in the other room (and unbeknownst to me, wasn’t even turned on)!!
My husband panics when he can’t reach me, too! He expects my phone to be near me at all times!
I had an iPhone, and got rid of it soon after buying it. It is so distracting from life.. and it costs so much!
I switched to a cheap little texting phone with no internet, but that broke so I got an HTC Freestyle. Which is like a smart phone but not. You dont need a data plan and it had a nice calender, texting and user interface.
My husband’s face is always buried into his iphone and it annoys the crap out of me. always playing a game or looking at facebook..