7 ms·

Why I'm glad my iPhone broke

91 points by stkhlm 14y ago

emeidi 14y ago
Now I'm waiting to hear how deliberating it feels when the computer breaks ... wait, how is one going to blog then?
- assemble 14y ago
  When I was out of the country on vacation recently, I didn't turn on my phone and I didn't bring my computer. I didn't have internet (because I refuse to pay for internet at hotels) either. Writing (by hand) in a journal and just experiencing the place you are in can be amazing. I found that some of the most amazing parts of my trip were when I (a) was not trying to takes pictures or something and just took it all in or (b) when I was writing in my journal about what had happened during the day. Every time I've gone without a computer/phone for several days has been wonderful. I really should do it more often, but I have a job where I have to use both all day...
- pqs 14y ago
  With a paper, a pencil and a photocopier! ;-)
Peroni 14y ago
It’s handy to have all these things in one device, but for now, the pros outweigh the cons for me. The pro's listed: You call people more & you don't worry about damaging your phone anymore. Personally, those pro's don't even come close to outweighing the inconvenience of not having instant access to maps, music, camera and email for me.
- evandijk70 14y ago
  I think the main pro is that you are not constantly distracted from your surroundings by your phone.
- OGinparadise 14y ago
  "the inconvenience of not having instant access to maps, music, camera and email for me." If you are glued to them, whether you admit it or not, it's not doing you any good. The sun will still rise if you unplug for a few hours and have a normal conversation.
  - bussiem 14y ago
    This is a non-sequitur - He said nothing about being glued to it, or using it in lieu of normal conversation. He simply stated that it's extremely useful in situations where access to a searchable map that gives directions could save you time money and frustration. Also, if you're a big music fan, having to carry an mp3 player and these Nokias everyone brags about is just extra weight. Also, having access to email is a huge thing, especially if you have a job that communicates primarily by email (in other words, any corporation or consultant) These things are not "distracting you from normal conversation". I realize that we did without these things for years, but we have them now, and we shouldn't be demonizing them. They do as much good as you allow them, but they also give you enough rope to hang yourself as well. This shouldn't be about your phones causing you to waste all your time and lower your quality of life. It's simply a lack of self control, whether people want to admit it or not.
- w1ntermute 14y ago
  Saying that smartphones make you unproductive and then making a big announcement online about how you're giving up your smartphone is just a hip thing to do right now. The truth is that smartphones are just another tool. It's like saying you won't drive any more because you could get in an accident and die. Just as I drive as carefully as I can, I avoid being engrossed in my smartphone the whole day. But that doesn't change the fact that when I need to fire off a quick email, check my calendar, or find out how to get where I want to to go, having a smartphone makes a big difference.
  - checker 14y ago
    If anything, the traffic monitoring and rerouting capabilities of a smartphone were worth it for me. I broke my iPhone and downgraded to brick. After the first traffic jam I got stuck in, I decided to grab a used iPhone on eBay. I could use a GPS, but why get one when a smartphone offers so much more?
- ljf 14y ago
  I had a similar situation for 2 months, and was pretty happy - I now have a Nexus 4, but am no where near as plugged into it as I used to be with my Note. At first the biggest killer was waiting for people, snake on my fall back phone was dull! But pretty soon I just got used to using the time to think through problems, make mental lists (that I actually trained myself to remember) and recall good times. I found myself properly engrossed in the TV I was watching (this coincided with getting netflix, so we only watched what we were interested in, not filler TV), as I wasn't half watching everything while studying my phone. My comments on the points you mention: Maps: I'd either study an online map, print a map off, bring an A to Z map, or best of all, just head in the general direction and ask people. Talking to people is not scary! Music: When I was at my PC I had music, but then the time I spent walking was spent actually thinking, not just 'thinking I'm thinking'. Silence is brilliant, and I now don't carry headphones. Also others are far more likely to approach YOU to ask for directions etc. Camera: I've always hated people that spend gigs and festivals glued to the camera, so I've always tried to enjoy the moment without worrying about capturing it as social proof. There's been times that I've missed the chance to snap something cool - but now I just tell my friends about it in person down the pub, rather than post it to facebook. If I'm going somewhere cool, I'l take a real camera and get far far better pictures. Email: I'm far more productive between 9-5 if I keep my emails to 9-5. If someone needs me they can call or text, but generally - and email doesn't need answering for at least a day. In the office I now only check my emails 3 times a day, any more and I know that I'm just 'making work' for myself, rather than doing work. Anyway, I understand why they these might all be a loss for others, but for me, they've freed me up, and let me enjoy my life a bit more, than trying to feel like I'm cramming entertainment or 'work' into every second.
  - ljf 14y ago
    I'll add to this that it also totally killed my Facebook/Twitter addiction. I totally realised that I was was 'addicted' to posting and sharing likeable content, which wasn't really developing me or actually improving my relationships with friends.
- Joeboy 14y ago
  > inconvenience of not having instant access to maps, music, camera and email for me. I have two phones. I mostly use my trusty Nokia 6021, which lasts a week or so without charge and I find more pleasant to use as a phone. If I think I might need maps, camera, connectivity etc I also take my £40 Android phone, which does all those things well enough. If I could get a week's battery life from a sub £100 smartphone, I'd probably make the switch but for now this is fine.
Aardwolf 14y ago
Is everyone really this "connected" when having a smartphone? When I have a smartphone I'm not really "more connected", after all peple could call me on a dumbphone too. However, what it brings is "Internet everywhere yay!", which I then use to read forums, wikipedia, articles, etc... whenever not near a computer. Plus of course it can play PC games like Freeciv, nethack and Minecraft. So basically, I'm about exactly as social on a smartphone as on a desktop computer, and now have an environment that used to exist only at a desk, on trains and on the toilet :)
edparry 14y ago
Insightful. I don't think I'm brave enough to try this. I'd feel like I have to constantly jump between computers in case I missed an important email or some relevant news broke. And no maps? I'd never get home...
- smspence 14y ago
  "I'd feel like I have to constantly jump between computers in case I missed an important email or some relevant news broke." Sounds like you really need to try this then. Seriously, don't let your "fear of missing out" cripple you. http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2011/04/14/fomo-addiction-the-fear-of-missing-out/ http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2011/04/14/fomo-addict...
  - edparry 14y ago
    Wow, thanks for pointing me to that. I fear it describes me a little too closely...
moubarak 14y ago
same happened to me. my nexus one broke several months ago and had to use a nokia brick that was lying there but i hate it. I do not call people more often, i use my laptop for communicating with people now. I'm still stuck with that nokia though because i think we live in a time of ugly phones. i was about to get a 4s until they introduced that elongated screen, not to mention the huge screens on the androids. Seems like if i want to get a thin cool smart phone these days i have to put up with excess everything. i wish there was a minimalist phone out there that was still cool.
- kunai 14y ago
  >i wish there was a minimalist phone out there that was still cool. Well, you could always get a BlackBerry, you know. Or if you REALLY want minimalism, then buy a refurbished Razr V3 off of eBay. And this quote is a bit puzzling: >i was about to get a 4s until they introduced that elongated screen You can still buy the 4S -- Apple is still selling it.
  - moubarak 14y ago
    i don't know, my experience with nexus one is that once a new model comes out, the older one soon becomes unsupported. I still use snow leopard for instance and i can't get many new features because of that. So yes i can buy a 4s, but i was hoping for one that won't go unsupported soon. Plus you're right about the blackberry, i am considering one.
    - seunosewa 14y ago
      Apple still supports the iPhone 4, which is older than the iPhone 4s. What do you have against the 4-inch screen on the iPhone 5? It will still fit in your pocket, and it's lighter, thinner, etc.
pgsandstrom 14y ago
People seem to always enjoy experimenting with the way they live. I don't think the lack of a smart phone that created a good experience, I think it is trying out a new pace.
- SageRaven 14y ago
  I think that "pace" is something very much disrupted with various doodads vying for one's attention. I spent several years with my family in a rather primitive house. We tried to minimize use of power when possible to save money and not be dependent on it. As a result, our refrigeration needs were minimal. For several months, we started shutting off the main power circuit into the house for one day a week, usually Saturday or Sunday (and banning the use of battery-powered gadgets). It was awesome. No phone calls, no humming of the refrigerator, no ability to distract oneself easily with the PC or a movie or the radio. We would eat basic meals, go on walks, or just sit around the house/property on our own and reflect. I'd read more. The evenings were often spent playing cards together, often by the wood stove, with candles, talking more, drinking wine. I miss those days, and someday hope to return to such a situation. This isn't some kind of snobbery. Such silence and freedom -- such idle time -- is good for the mind, body, and soul (at least that's what I personally believe). I encourage people to experience such peace when they can.
gz5 14y ago
I was a little bit everywhere, all the time. But not truly anywhere. Without the temptation available from my pocket, I feel like I am more present being wherever I am. Nice summary. I can't quite ditch my Droid but am decreasing the frequency of switching back and forth between the two worlds. Finding that focused single-tasking (when not at work) is underrated and not easy (at least not for me).
RyanZAG 14y ago
I’ve started calling people more. ... It’s funny how little I called people on my iPhone, and how surprised parts of my generation is when they receive a call. ... improved arrangements and generally had more fun communicating. Did you ever think to ask the people you were phoning if they were busy with anything? Sure, it might have been great for you to break someones concentration with some basic question that could have had a quick yes/no answer in a text message, but was it great for the recipient? I would also be very surprised if someone called me for something they could have just sent a text for - and if they did it a couple more times, I'd set my phone to automatically redirect calls from them to voice-mail.
- Sirupsen 14y ago
  I am a programmer myself, so I am aware of how incredibly annoying interruptions are. I loathe being thrown out of the zone. So yes, I am very aware of whatever others are doing at the time of calling. I only call, if I believe it will shorten the interaction on both ends and would add something meaningful, and I am certain I am not interrupting the other person. I largely prefer email though, as it is more async and generally more convenient.
  - smspence 14y ago
    Put your phone on silent mode, and work until you don't feel like working anymore. Then check your phone whenever you feel like it. Your phone calls don't need to control you. You can just check your phone later and see if you have missed calls / voicemails. Working on something, but it's not super important and you don't mind being interrupted for a little bit? Take phone back off of silent mode. Easy. Well, easy for me at least. Judging my all the comments here, this is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE for everyone else on Hacker News.
- kintamanimatt 14y ago
  > if they did it a couple more times, I'd set my phone to automatically redirect calls from them to voice-mail That's a little ... inhospitable and cold.
- acabal 14y ago
sheri 14y ago
Here are my observations: - No one reads (books) on buses/trains anymore. Its very rare to see someone reading a book in SF in public transport. - No one looks around anymore. I seem like the only person who is looking out the window, or observing fellow passengers. I would say around 80% of the people have their headphones on, and are engrossed in their smartphone. One funny incident stands out. I waked into Chipotle (restaurant), and everyone in line was staring into their smartphone. As soon as I walked in, everyone looked up, and in unison went back to their smartphone. It was synchronized enough to be like something from a parody. I wouldn't say this is necessarily bad, just different than how it used to be. I have a smartphone, but not a data plan, so I don't use it outside of home. However, the maps and transit (to me) is a killer feature.
- hmbg 14y ago
  I spend most of my public transport time reading books - on my smartphone. That is one of the features I'd miss most if my phone broke. People are engrossed in their smartphones, but whether they're looking at cat pics or reading Nietzsche, you won't know until you ask.
- dsr_ 14y ago
  I read on bus and train every day. Many other people do, too. I use my phone to do it, though. Move to Boston, we read here.
  - omaranto 14y ago
    I think he or she meant no one reads books printed on paper anymore. I certainly see lots and lots of Kindles and such in the subway in Boston, probably more than printed books now.
- snogglethorpe 14y ago
  > No one reads (books) on buses/trains anymore. They do here (Tokyo area). What's interesting is that a few years ago, far fewer people seemed to be reading; everybody was staring at their phone. Lately (within the last couple of years), however, this seems to be changing, and I see many more people reading actual books [this is helped by the fact that Japanese paperbacks [文庫] are almost perfectly suited for train reading, being small, thin, light, and flexible]. My guess is that the bloom has passed to some degree, and highly capable phones have become so normal that people are less fascinated by them, and more likely to see the tradeoffs compared to things like books/newspapers/etc. [and indeed, I seem to see more people reading actual broadsheets on trains lately as well] That doesn't mean people don't look at their phones, of course; many do. But books are back, baby... :] [This is all merely my personal observation of course; YMMV...]
rcush 14y ago
I have read several posts about ditching smartphones in recent months, and the writer invariably states that they were not addicted. However, if their behaviour pattern cannot be changed while still owning a smartphone, then they are addicted. It's a question of will power, and it seems many people don't have it. I went through a stage of dependency on my iPhone, always filling in small gaps in my day with games, Twitter, email or Facebook. I realised I was spending too much time on it, and so for the past couple of years I've significantly restricted my time with the phone. Certainly it is never used in company. In my opinion, I've found a happy balance. I still get all the myriad pros that a smartphone offers, but don't reach for it every time I'm not busy.
kaolinite 14y ago
A little while ago my smartphone's screen smashed and it took 2-3 weeks for it to be fixed. During that time, I came to the conclusion that I didn't need a smartphone. Eventually my phone was returned and I loved it again and can't imagine leaving the house without it. Simon is probably right - leaving it at home for a month would probably be a good thing - but unless forced, I just can't bring myself to be without it.
- ericcholis 14y ago
  Similar situation, although my phone wasn't broken. My wife and I spent about 3 weeks in New Zealand and Fiji for our honeymoon. I toyed with the idea of getting a SIM card, but realized that I wouldn't have time or need to use it. I found that I didn't miss my phone at all. I had Google Voice at the time, and could text the family from the hotel while winding down. The occasional phone call would have been nice, but I could have used Skype if I really needed to. Also, my internet browsing habits have changed completely. I only frequent about four websites regularly. Most of my internet free time is spent reading HN Posts and other similar technical articles/blogs that I happen across. Side note: While I didn't get a SIM, I wish I had purchased some sort of mobile hotspot. Hotel internet access was ridiculously priced, upwards of $20 per day.
af3 14y ago
I live without a phone for 3.5 years. I use Messages (on OS X) to text friends that have iphones, and Google Voice for those that use something else. So far it works pretty well for me.
neya 14y ago
Here's my experience. It's not exactly the same, but it's worth a read. Currently I have a very basic Nokia model. There is a process called 'handing over' or 'hand shake' that happens when you move from one cell (a small region of an entire area) to another or when one cellphone tower 'hands over' the signal to another tower. This process is handled exceptionally well on most smartphones, but not so well on the basic phones such as lower-end Nokias. So, if you were in the middle of a call and this handshake happens (mostly when you are traveling) and if it isn't done on time, or if it isn't done right, the call is dropped. Previously I had a HTC Desire S, which I dropped from the top of a building by mistake and hence I ended up with this Nokia. Now, this Nokia had frequent call drops and it won't even notify me when it happens. It got irritating after a point, because I would still keep talking assuming the other person is still listening (while on a call) only to realize that I would have to repeat whatever I just said. One day, I got so angry, because it was an important call, I just thrashed the phone on to the ground on purpose. Luckily, only the display broke, but the phone would still function normally. Here's my experience with this phone: 1) Previously, on my HTC, all my 2000+ contact would be synced from my google account automatically. There was zero effort needed on my part, so, basically I had everyone's number on my phone synced automagically - My family, Friends on Facebook, Friends on whtasapp, etc. With this nokia phone, I would have to manually save each number to the phone (which has only a max. of 500 contacts) also it's a tedious process, because I'd need to type them manually. Since the display is gone now, I need to memorize the numbers of important people. And I could feel in a week's time, my ability to memorize (which was previously rusty) has actually improved. With a smartphone, I didn't have to memorize anything - While convenient, it's dangerous, sometimes. For example, I once needed to recall someone's number to deliver my movie tickets at a particular place and I had actually forgotten their number. It was a nightmare. And it's not just numbers, I actually have the workflow memorized too - To access phonebook, press right right select. To access recent calls - down down left. Stuff liek that. It's ugly, but it gets the job done. 2) Productivity. I'm a heavy Facebook user. Or I was, rather. I realized, my smartphone alone was responsible for over 80% of the status updates and photos uploaded to my account. It was a content producer by itself. Now that it is no more, I feel the urge to use the platform has considerably decreased, because I don't have a camera phone now and I haven't uploaded anything much since my phone broke. 3) Savings. I saved a LOT. No data plans meant cheaper monthly rates and no phone book meant memorizing only important people's numbers and calling fewer people. I do have a back up of my contacts on my google account though. 4) Safety. I don't walk on the streets typing some random shit on my Android qwerty keyboard nor do I talk to someone over the bluetooth headset while driving. This is subjective, though - Not everyone does all this with their smartphones. 5) No screening. Since my phone doesn't have a display, I wouldn't be able to see who's calling me. If I miss them, I will never get to know who had called me either. So, sometimes, if the phone rings, I just answer and say 'hello' and talk to whoever it is, instead of ignoring people by their name (sometimes to avoid them on purpose, because I would be busy with something). I realized how much I missed out by categorizing certain people as boring. Again, this is a subjective thing. 6) Battery. This phone lasts for almost 2 weeks. My HTC would last only a little less than a day. It's a huge difference. No charging or low battery woes. All in all, I'm a productive person, comparatively and a more real-world friendly guy - instead of taking pictures of pancakes and uploading them to instagram, I just fucking eat them.
brador 14y ago
Try this - Leave home with nothing and go take a walk around. No bags, no phone, no keys, nothing. Just clothes and maybe $20 in your pocket for emergencies. Leave early and with no commitments later in the day. Eat on the road. Return when you feel like it. Walk at whatever pace you like. Go wherever your legs take you. It's an awesome feeling like nothing else. Helps if you live with someone so they can let you in when you return.
- netcan 14y ago
  and take a towel
- ljf 14y ago
  I'd add to that; try a day/weekend/week without any kind of watch or clock. If I plan on waking at a time, and I KNOW there is no clock to wake me, I nearly always wake on time. Holidays feel awesome when you just do what your body tells you - eat when you are hungry, go places when you feel like it, sleep when you are ready. I spent a few weeks in Thailand like this and I felt amazing - I'd wake naturally (feeling great) around dawn, and the days felt huge with plans not tied to times. Similarly I would have nothing in my pocket except a little paper money. My shack had a combination lock on the door. I'd buy some water when I wanted it, and eat anywhere, leaving the change as a tip. Going down the beach and knowing I had nothing to be stolen, to forget or to go back for (was so hot that I swan in a t-shirt to avoid sunburn) you could just swim off and come to land much further down the beach. Man those were good times!
  - smspence 14y ago
    "If I plan on waking at a time, and I KNOW there is no clock to wake me, I nearly always wake on time." This makes no sense. Yes, around the holidays if you don't have to go to work, it's fine to just wake up whenever your body decides to wake up in the morning. But if I consciously think "ok, body, you need to wake up at 7:30 am tomorrow" it's probably not going to happen without an alarm clock.
    - snogglethorpe 14y ago
jasonm23 14y ago
"You should follow me on twitter here" ... Groan.
- khet 14y ago
  Please explain why that line bothers you and refrain from insults. This is not reddit.
  - jasonm23 14y ago
    I'll amend it, sorry, but it aggravates me slightly when someone is writing several paragraphs, describing in detail how much they are free from digital distractions, and so on and so forth, and at the very foot they say... Follow me on twitter. ... it speaks volumes to me, none of it good.
    - deleted 14y ago
      [deleted]
xedarius 14y ago
More often than not on hacker news there's a story about someone whose accidentally gone 'bohemian'. I think it's something we all need to do from time to time. Personally I like to rent a cottage in one of England's many fine forests. The end of the article did make me chuckle, as after his great story of 'disconnect' he ends the article with 'you should follow me on twitter'.
elrzn 14y ago
Smartphones are useful. They're an invaluable resource that might even save your life someday. What you really need is to lay off the twitters and the instagrams.
hudell 14y ago
I can live without my smartphone, but I don't need to. Life is better with it. And I can't see why people consider "I’ve started calling people more" a pro instead of a con. Why do people think that a person immersed in a gadget is a bad thing? I wouldn't be doing anything better without it. I would be bored to hell, as it used to be before I got my first gadget.
meaty 14y ago
I recently got a Nokia C2-01. Very basic thing that is used for calls and texts and doesn't need charging every half a day. It's also on Giffgaff in the UK so it costs me £20 top up a month for what I was paying around £80 a month for before. It is a weight lifted from my shoulders in many ways.
- koyote 14y ago
  £20 on giffgaff? You must make a lot of calls to non-giffgaff users on the go. And how were you paying £80 before? The advantage of having a smartphone is that you can get by easily on something like their £10-12 plan simply by using data to make free skype/gtalk/SIP calls and everything else is unlimited anyway. Battery and general reliability wise, nothing beats a good old Nokia though!
  - meaty 14y ago
    Yeah 800 inclusive minutes on that deal. I make a lot of calls (650-700 mins a month). £80 before: handset included and crap contract.
cm-t 14y ago
I am using on dailylife a smartphone, but i got the same issu: No camera; I don't take pics from my smartphone. No music; Not enought choice of music in the format required and anyway the player leak too much battery and it is lagging. No maps; 10 minutes to get a fix... I’ve started calling people more; taking 10 minutes for a fix on the agps built-in is too long I don’t care for my phone; it is so heavy that I got asked at airport My concerns were mostly right, but I can live without these things; but someone told me QtMoko was usable, I will give it a try also. Let me the time to compile this thing ( Not going back.. for now ) Message sent from my OpenMoko Freerunner GTA02
- duskwuff 14y ago
  Not to be a detractor, but you really ought to try getting a smartphone that's halfway modern. The GTA02 is four and a half years old -- that's practically ancient history as far as smartphones are concerned -- and it doesn't help that it was always a pretty funky device.
  - cm-t 14y ago
    I have a modern one, I was just making fun about my situation 3 years ago. Everyone with a neo had the same issues if they was using it as a dailyphone. I thought derision would not be same as detractor, sorry if you or others fell it like this.
alexyoung 14y ago
I wonder why his first instinct was to just lay out $1000 instead of seeing if he could get his current one repaired or replaced on insurance?
- smspence 14y ago
  I was wondering the same thing.... I was also wondering how he could NOT just get another iPhone for less than $1000? Seriously, if my iPhone died tomorrow, and I had no insurance, I could still easily buy one on ebay for like $300 or $400.
georgemcbay 14y ago
There is an in-between solution here: Buy a cheap Android phone. For example the HTC One V regularly sells for $150 (with no contract) and has had a few sales days over the past few months where it was selling for only $50. A $50-150 phone gives you that same "I don't really have to worry about my phone" situation while still allowing you to have the smartphone experience -- web, email, apps, GPS with turn-by-turn directions using the excellent Google Navigation, etc. I owned an iPhone 3G then went to a Motorola Droid (the original one) and then realized that while I could afford "expensive" phones and data plans, I was mostly throwing money away so I switched to cheap Android phones on no-contract plans (Virgin Mobile in my case though T-Mobile also has some nice options).
bluekite2000 14y ago
You can have the best of both worlds. I have an unlocked iphone 4. I pay as I go. I have no data plan. Before I go out I download what I need so I can read it offline (books,videos,articles,podcasts,etc) Google maps works offline so I dont fear of getting lost. I take pictures for myself
ssharp 14y ago
I can't believe that any majority of smartphone users' lives are being debilitated by owning a smartphone. Just like there is a large area between not drinking and being a full-blown alcoholic, there is a large area between not owning a smartphone and being addicted to a smartphone. If you cannot control yourself enough to stop constantly taking pictures and posting them to Facebook and you don't like this behavior, then tossing the phone in the trash might be your best play. But for those of us who own a smartphone and rarely touch the camera and Facebook app, the phone isn't affecting my life in a negative manner. Yes, I'd rather have access to 16GB of local music and access Spotify than not have it. If it's there, I can choose to use it or not. The issue here isn't the smartphone, it's making bad choices that lead to negative outcomes for you.
- LarrySDonald 14y ago
  These were kind of my thoughts. I love having a smartphone and even before they existed I tried to get the dumb ones to do the maximum possible via sms. I really like being able to not worry about finding my way someplace or being able to think "Hmm, I want to go to a museum/eat at 5 guys/walk around a park/swim. Where's the closest one?" and be told. I like being able to check my email or take a picture of something I find amusing. But it's not ruling my life, it's a tiny fraction of it. If people want to know so badly what I'm thinking, eating or doing, well, call or text I guess - I don't have time to document it. I've found very little disturbance to anything, the only possible time I might miss something is if I'm somewhere deathly boring and I choose to ignore it in favor of browsing and even that isn't common.
pretoriusB 14y ago
Let me guess: for some BS superficial reason, like: 1) Getting the chance to switch to Android which is, like, soooooo much better (and "open")? 2) Getting the chance to live life without constant connectivity, and appreciating the small things?
ygra 14y ago
Of course, having a smartphone doesn't really force you to check it obsessively every two minutes or be literally glued to its screen. To me at least it's nice that I can check e-mail, Twitter and the web while not at home or ask a service for directions. But I don't feel in any way forced that my life needs to revolve around this little computer in my pocket. I can still enjoy my surroundings and talk to actual people. Heck, I sometimes even miss calls because my ringtone defaults to “no one else should be annoyed by it” but that's ok – just because I carry a cellphone doesn't mean I must use that connectedness at all times.
peeze 14y ago
You should check out iCracked. They'll either fix your iPhone or buy it from you!
segmond 14y ago
learn some self control. i have a smartphone, i don't want it to break. i run it, it doesn't run my life, i'm more efficient and better for it. my last smart phone, i bought used for $90 and i used it for a year and the only reason i'm not using it now is because i got the nexus 4. no one has to spend $1000 on a smart phone.

91 points by stkhlm 14y ago

emeidi 14y ago

Now I'm waiting to hear how deliberating it feels when the computer breaks ... wait, how is one going to blog then?

assemble 14y ago
When I was out of the country on vacation recently, I didn't turn on my phone and I didn't bring my computer. I didn't have internet (because I refuse to pay for internet at hotels) either. Writing (by hand) in a journal and just experiencing the place you are in can be amazing. I found that some of the most amazing parts of my trip were when I (a) was not trying to takes pictures or something and just took it all in or (b) when I was writing in my journal about what had happened during the day. Every time I've gone without a computer/phone for several days has been wonderful. I really should do it more often, but I have a job where I have to use both all day...
pqs 14y ago
With a paper, a pencil and a photocopier! ;-)

Peroni 14y ago

It’s handy to have all these things in one device, but for now, the pros outweigh the cons for me. The pro's listed: You call people more & you don't worry about damaging your phone anymore. Personally, those pro's don't even come close to outweighing the inconvenience of not having instant access to maps, music, camera and email for me.

evandijk70 14y ago
I think the main pro is that you are not constantly distracted from your surroundings by your phone.
OGinparadise 14y ago
"the inconvenience of not having instant access to maps, music, camera and email for me." If you are glued to them, whether you admit it or not, it's not doing you any good. The sun will still rise if you unplug for a few hours and have a normal conversation.
- bussiem 14y ago
  This is a non-sequitur - He said nothing about being glued to it, or using it in lieu of normal conversation. He simply stated that it's extremely useful in situations where access to a searchable map that gives directions could save you time money and frustration. Also, if you're a big music fan, having to carry an mp3 player and these Nokias everyone brags about is just extra weight. Also, having access to email is a huge thing, especially if you have a job that communicates primarily by email (in other words, any corporation or consultant) These things are not "distracting you from normal conversation". I realize that we did without these things for years, but we have them now, and we shouldn't be demonizing them. They do as much good as you allow them, but they also give you enough rope to hang yourself as well. This shouldn't be about your phones causing you to waste all your time and lower your quality of life. It's simply a lack of self control, whether people want to admit it or not.
w1ntermute 14y ago
Saying that smartphones make you unproductive and then making a big announcement online about how you're giving up your smartphone is just a hip thing to do right now. The truth is that smartphones are just another tool. It's like saying you won't drive any more because you could get in an accident and die. Just as I drive as carefully as I can, I avoid being engrossed in my smartphone the whole day. But that doesn't change the fact that when I need to fire off a quick email, check my calendar, or find out how to get where I want to to go, having a smartphone makes a big difference.
- checker 14y ago
  If anything, the traffic monitoring and rerouting capabilities of a smartphone were worth it for me. I broke my iPhone and downgraded to brick. After the first traffic jam I got stuck in, I decided to grab a used iPhone on eBay. I could use a GPS, but why get one when a smartphone offers so much more?
ljf 14y ago
I had a similar situation for 2 months, and was pretty happy - I now have a Nexus 4, but am no where near as plugged into it as I used to be with my Note. At first the biggest killer was waiting for people, snake on my fall back phone was dull! But pretty soon I just got used to using the time to think through problems, make mental lists (that I actually trained myself to remember) and recall good times. I found myself properly engrossed in the TV I was watching (this coincided with getting netflix, so we only watched what we were interested in, not filler TV), as I wasn't half watching everything while studying my phone. My comments on the points you mention: Maps: I'd either study an online map, print a map off, bring an A to Z map, or best of all, just head in the general direction and ask people. Talking to people is not scary! Music: When I was at my PC I had music, but then the time I spent walking was spent actually thinking, not just 'thinking I'm thinking'. Silence is brilliant, and I now don't carry headphones. Also others are far more likely to approach YOU to ask for directions etc. Camera: I've always hated people that spend gigs and festivals glued to the camera, so I've always tried to enjoy the moment without worrying about capturing it as social proof. There's been times that I've missed the chance to snap something cool - but now I just tell my friends about it in person down the pub, rather than post it to facebook. If I'm going somewhere cool, I'l take a real camera and get far far better pictures. Email: I'm far more productive between 9-5 if I keep my emails to 9-5. If someone needs me they can call or text, but generally - and email doesn't need answering for at least a day. In the office I now only check my emails 3 times a day, any more and I know that I'm just 'making work' for myself, rather than doing work. Anyway, I understand why they these might all be a loss for others, but for me, they've freed me up, and let me enjoy my life a bit more, than trying to feel like I'm cramming entertainment or 'work' into every second.
- ljf 14y ago
  I'll add to this that it also totally killed my Facebook/Twitter addiction. I totally realised that I was was 'addicted' to posting and sharing likeable content, which wasn't really developing me or actually improving my relationships with friends.
Joeboy 14y ago
> inconvenience of not having instant access to maps, music, camera and email for me. I have two phones. I mostly use my trusty Nokia 6021, which lasts a week or so without charge and I find more pleasant to use as a phone. If I think I might need maps, camera, connectivity etc I also take my £40 Android phone, which does all those things well enough. If I could get a week's battery life from a sub £100 smartphone, I'd probably make the switch but for now this is fine.

Aardwolf 14y ago

Is everyone really this "connected" when having a smartphone? When I have a smartphone I'm not really "more connected", after all peple could call me on a dumbphone too. However, what it brings is "Internet everywhere yay!", which I then use to read forums, wikipedia, articles, etc... whenever not near a computer. Plus of course it can play PC games like Freeciv, nethack and Minecraft. So basically, I'm about exactly as social on a smartphone as on a desktop computer, and now have an environment that used to exist only at a desk, on trains and on the toilet :)

edparry 14y ago

Insightful. I don't think I'm brave enough to try this. I'd feel like I have to constantly jump between computers in case I missed an important email or some relevant news broke. And no maps? I'd never get home...

smspence 14y ago
"I'd feel like I have to constantly jump between computers in case I missed an important email or some relevant news broke." Sounds like you really need to try this then. Seriously, don't let your "fear of missing out" cripple you. http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2011/04/14/fomo-addiction-the-fear-of-missing-out/ http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2011/04/14/fomo-addict...
- edparry 14y ago
  Wow, thanks for pointing me to that. I fear it describes me a little too closely...

moubarak 14y ago

same happened to me. my nexus one broke several months ago and had to use a nokia brick that was lying there but i hate it. I do not call people more often, i use my laptop for communicating with people now. I'm still stuck with that nokia though because i think we live in a time of ugly phones. i was about to get a 4s until they introduced that elongated screen, not to mention the huge screens on the androids. Seems like if i want to get a thin cool smart phone these days i have to put up with excess everything. i wish there was a minimalist phone out there that was still cool.

kunai 14y ago
>i wish there was a minimalist phone out there that was still cool. Well, you could always get a BlackBerry, you know. Or if you REALLY want minimalism, then buy a refurbished Razr V3 off of eBay. And this quote is a bit puzzling: >i was about to get a 4s until they introduced that elongated screen You can still buy the 4S -- Apple is still selling it.
- moubarak 14y ago
  i don't know, my experience with nexus one is that once a new model comes out, the older one soon becomes unsupported. I still use snow leopard for instance and i can't get many new features because of that. So yes i can buy a 4s, but i was hoping for one that won't go unsupported soon. Plus you're right about the blackberry, i am considering one.
  - seunosewa 14y ago
    Apple still supports the iPhone 4, which is older than the iPhone 4s. What do you have against the 4-inch screen on the iPhone 5? It will still fit in your pocket, and it's lighter, thinner, etc.

pgsandstrom 14y ago

People seem to always enjoy experimenting with the way they live. I don't think the lack of a smart phone that created a good experience, I think it is trying out a new pace.

SageRaven 14y ago
I think that "pace" is something very much disrupted with various doodads vying for one's attention. I spent several years with my family in a rather primitive house. We tried to minimize use of power when possible to save money and not be dependent on it. As a result, our refrigeration needs were minimal. For several months, we started shutting off the main power circuit into the house for one day a week, usually Saturday or Sunday (and banning the use of battery-powered gadgets). It was awesome. No phone calls, no humming of the refrigerator, no ability to distract oneself easily with the PC or a movie or the radio. We would eat basic meals, go on walks, or just sit around the house/property on our own and reflect. I'd read more. The evenings were often spent playing cards together, often by the wood stove, with candles, talking more, drinking wine. I miss those days, and someday hope to return to such a situation. This isn't some kind of snobbery. Such silence and freedom -- such idle time -- is good for the mind, body, and soul (at least that's what I personally believe). I encourage people to experience such peace when they can.

gz5 14y ago

I was a little bit everywhere, all the time. But not truly anywhere. Without the temptation available from my pocket, I feel like I am more present being wherever I am. Nice summary. I can't quite ditch my Droid but am decreasing the frequency of switching back and forth between the two worlds. Finding that focused single-tasking (when not at work) is underrated and not easy (at least not for me).

RyanZAG 14y ago

I’ve started calling people more. ... It’s funny how little I called people on my iPhone, and how surprised parts of my generation is when they receive a call. ... improved arrangements and generally had more fun communicating. Did you ever think to ask the people you were phoning if they were busy with anything? Sure, it might have been great for you to break someones concentration with some basic question that could have had a quick yes/no answer in a text message, but was it great for the recipient? I would also be very surprised if someone called me for something they could have just sent a text for - and if they did it a couple more times, I'd set my phone to automatically redirect calls from them to voice-mail.

Sirupsen 14y ago
I am a programmer myself, so I am aware of how incredibly annoying interruptions are. I loathe being thrown out of the zone. So yes, I am very aware of whatever others are doing at the time of calling. I only call, if I believe it will shorten the interaction on both ends and would add something meaningful, and I am certain I am not interrupting the other person. I largely prefer email though, as it is more async and generally more convenient.
- smspence 14y ago
  Put your phone on silent mode, and work until you don't feel like working anymore. Then check your phone whenever you feel like it. Your phone calls don't need to control you. You can just check your phone later and see if you have missed calls / voicemails. Working on something, but it's not super important and you don't mind being interrupted for a little bit? Take phone back off of silent mode. Easy. Well, easy for me at least. Judging my all the comments here, this is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE for everyone else on Hacker News.
kintamanimatt 14y ago
> if they did it a couple more times, I'd set my phone to automatically redirect calls from them to voice-mail That's a little ... inhospitable and cold.
acabal 14y ago

sheri 14y ago

Here are my observations: - No one reads (books) on buses/trains anymore. Its very rare to see someone reading a book in SF in public transport. - No one looks around anymore. I seem like the only person who is looking out the window, or observing fellow passengers. I would say around 80% of the people have their headphones on, and are engrossed in their smartphone. One funny incident stands out. I waked into Chipotle (restaurant), and everyone in line was staring into their smartphone. As soon as I walked in, everyone looked up, and in unison went back to their smartphone. It was synchronized enough to be like something from a parody. I wouldn't say this is necessarily bad, just different than how it used to be. I have a smartphone, but not a data plan, so I don't use it outside of home. However, the maps and transit (to me) is a killer feature.

hmbg 14y ago
I spend most of my public transport time reading books - on my smartphone. That is one of the features I'd miss most if my phone broke. People are engrossed in their smartphones, but whether they're looking at cat pics or reading Nietzsche, you won't know until you ask.
dsr_ 14y ago
I read on bus and train every day. Many other people do, too. I use my phone to do it, though. Move to Boston, we read here.
- omaranto 14y ago
  I think he or she meant no one reads books printed on paper anymore. I certainly see lots and lots of Kindles and such in the subway in Boston, probably more than printed books now.
snogglethorpe 14y ago
> No one reads (books) on buses/trains anymore. They do here (Tokyo area). What's interesting is that a few years ago, far fewer people seemed to be reading; everybody was staring at their phone. Lately (within the last couple of years), however, this seems to be changing, and I see many more people reading actual books [this is helped by the fact that Japanese paperbacks [文庫] are almost perfectly suited for train reading, being small, thin, light, and flexible]. My guess is that the bloom has passed to some degree, and highly capable phones have become so normal that people are less fascinated by them, and more likely to see the tradeoffs compared to things like books/newspapers/etc. [and indeed, I seem to see more people reading actual broadsheets on trains lately as well] That doesn't mean people don't look at their phones, of course; many do. But books are back, baby... :] [This is all merely my personal observation of course; YMMV...]

rcush 14y ago

I have read several posts about ditching smartphones in recent months, and the writer invariably states that they were not addicted. However, if their behaviour pattern cannot be changed while still owning a smartphone, then they are addicted. It's a question of will power, and it seems many people don't have it. I went through a stage of dependency on my iPhone, always filling in small gaps in my day with games, Twitter, email or Facebook. I realised I was spending too much time on it, and so for the past couple of years I've significantly restricted my time with the phone. Certainly it is never used in company. In my opinion, I've found a happy balance. I still get all the myriad pros that a smartphone offers, but don't reach for it every time I'm not busy.

kaolinite 14y ago

A little while ago my smartphone's screen smashed and it took 2-3 weeks for it to be fixed. During that time, I came to the conclusion that I didn't need a smartphone. Eventually my phone was returned and I loved it again and can't imagine leaving the house without it. Simon is probably right - leaving it at home for a month would probably be a good thing - but unless forced, I just can't bring myself to be without it.

ericcholis 14y ago
Similar situation, although my phone wasn't broken. My wife and I spent about 3 weeks in New Zealand and Fiji for our honeymoon. I toyed with the idea of getting a SIM card, but realized that I wouldn't have time or need to use it. I found that I didn't miss my phone at all. I had Google Voice at the time, and could text the family from the hotel while winding down. The occasional phone call would have been nice, but I could have used Skype if I really needed to. Also, my internet browsing habits have changed completely. I only frequent about four websites regularly. Most of my internet free time is spent reading HN Posts and other similar technical articles/blogs that I happen across. Side note: While I didn't get a SIM, I wish I had purchased some sort of mobile hotspot. Hotel internet access was ridiculously priced, upwards of $20 per day.

af3 14y ago

I live without a phone for 3.5 years. I use Messages (on OS X) to text friends that have iphones, and Google Voice for those that use something else. So far it works pretty well for me.

neya 14y ago

Here's my experience. It's not exactly the same, but it's worth a read. Currently I have a very basic Nokia model. There is a process called 'handing over' or 'hand shake' that happens when you move from one cell (a small region of an entire area) to another or when one cellphone tower 'hands over' the signal to another tower. This process is handled exceptionally well on most smartphones, but not so well on the basic phones such as lower-end Nokias. So, if you were in the middle of a call and this handshake happens (mostly when you are traveling) and if it isn't done on time, or if it isn't done right, the call is dropped. Previously I had a HTC Desire S, which I dropped from the top of a building by mistake and hence I ended up with this Nokia. Now, this Nokia had frequent call drops and it won't even notify me when it happens. It got irritating after a point, because I would still keep talking assuming the other person is still listening (while on a call) only to realize that I would have to repeat whatever I just said. One day, I got so angry, because it was an important call, I just thrashed the phone on to the ground on purpose. Luckily, only the display broke, but the phone would still function normally. Here's my experience with this phone: 1) Previously, on my HTC, all my 2000+ contact would be synced from my google account automatically. There was zero effort needed on my part, so, basically I had everyone's number on my phone synced automagically - My family, Friends on Facebook, Friends on whtasapp, etc. With this nokia phone, I would have to manually save each number to the phone (which has only a max. of 500 contacts) also it's a tedious process, because I'd need to type them manually. Since the display is gone now, I need to memorize the numbers of important people. And I could feel in a week's time, my ability to memorize (which was previously rusty) has actually improved. With a smartphone, I didn't have to memorize anything - While convenient, it's dangerous, sometimes. For example, I once needed to recall someone's number to deliver my movie tickets at a particular place and I had actually forgotten their number. It was a nightmare. And it's not just numbers, I actually have the workflow memorized too - To access phonebook, press right right select. To access recent calls - down down left. Stuff liek that. It's ugly, but it gets the job done. 2) Productivity. I'm a heavy Facebook user. Or I was, rather. I realized, my smartphone alone was responsible for over 80% of the status updates and photos uploaded to my account. It was a content producer by itself. Now that it is no more, I feel the urge to use the platform has considerably decreased, because I don't have a camera phone now and I haven't uploaded anything much since my phone broke. 3) Savings. I saved a LOT. No data plans meant cheaper monthly rates and no phone book meant memorizing only important people's numbers and calling fewer people. I do have a back up of my contacts on my google account though. 4) Safety. I don't walk on the streets typing some random shit on my Android qwerty keyboard nor do I talk to someone over the bluetooth headset while driving. This is subjective, though - Not everyone does all this with their smartphones. 5) No screening. Since my phone doesn't have a display, I wouldn't be able to see who's calling me. If I miss them, I will never get to know who had called me either. So, sometimes, if the phone rings, I just answer and say 'hello' and talk to whoever it is, instead of ignoring people by their name (sometimes to avoid them on purpose, because I would be busy with something). I realized how much I missed out by categorizing certain people as boring. Again, this is a subjective thing. 6) Battery. This phone lasts for almost 2 weeks. My HTC would last only a little less than a day. It's a huge difference. No charging or low battery woes. All in all, I'm a productive person, comparatively and a more real-world friendly guy - instead of taking pictures of pancakes and uploading them to instagram, I just fucking eat them.

brador 14y ago

Try this - Leave home with nothing and go take a walk around. No bags, no phone, no keys, nothing. Just clothes and maybe $20 in your pocket for emergencies. Leave early and with no commitments later in the day. Eat on the road. Return when you feel like it. Walk at whatever pace you like. Go wherever your legs take you. It's an awesome feeling like nothing else. Helps if you live with someone so they can let you in when you return.

netcan 14y ago
and take a towel
ljf 14y ago
I'd add to that; try a day/weekend/week without any kind of watch or clock. If I plan on waking at a time, and I KNOW there is no clock to wake me, I nearly always wake on time. Holidays feel awesome when you just do what your body tells you - eat when you are hungry, go places when you feel like it, sleep when you are ready. I spent a few weeks in Thailand like this and I felt amazing - I'd wake naturally (feeling great) around dawn, and the days felt huge with plans not tied to times. Similarly I would have nothing in my pocket except a little paper money. My shack had a combination lock on the door. I'd buy some water when I wanted it, and eat anywhere, leaving the change as a tip. Going down the beach and knowing I had nothing to be stolen, to forget or to go back for (was so hot that I swan in a t-shirt to avoid sunburn) you could just swim off and come to land much further down the beach. Man those were good times!
- smspence 14y ago
  "If I plan on waking at a time, and I KNOW there is no clock to wake me, I nearly always wake on time." This makes no sense. Yes, around the holidays if you don't have to go to work, it's fine to just wake up whenever your body decides to wake up in the morning. But if I consciously think "ok, body, you need to wake up at 7:30 am tomorrow" it's probably not going to happen without an alarm clock.
  - snogglethorpe 14y ago

jasonm23 14y ago

"You should follow me on twitter here" ... Groan.

khet 14y ago
Please explain why that line bothers you and refrain from insults. This is not reddit.
- jasonm23 14y ago
  I'll amend it, sorry, but it aggravates me slightly when someone is writing several paragraphs, describing in detail how much they are free from digital distractions, and so on and so forth, and at the very foot they say... Follow me on twitter. ... it speaks volumes to me, none of it good.
  - deleted 14y ago
    [deleted]

xedarius 14y ago

More often than not on hacker news there's a story about someone whose accidentally gone 'bohemian'. I think it's something we all need to do from time to time. Personally I like to rent a cottage in one of England's many fine forests. The end of the article did make me chuckle, as after his great story of 'disconnect' he ends the article with 'you should follow me on twitter'.

elrzn 14y ago

Smartphones are useful. They're an invaluable resource that might even save your life someday. What you really need is to lay off the twitters and the instagrams.

hudell 14y ago

I can live without my smartphone, but I don't need to. Life is better with it. And I can't see why people consider "I’ve started calling people more" a pro instead of a con. Why do people think that a person immersed in a gadget is a bad thing? I wouldn't be doing anything better without it. I would be bored to hell, as it used to be before I got my first gadget.

meaty 14y ago

I recently got a Nokia C2-01. Very basic thing that is used for calls and texts and doesn't need charging every half a day. It's also on Giffgaff in the UK so it costs me £20 top up a month for what I was paying around £80 a month for before. It is a weight lifted from my shoulders in many ways.

koyote 14y ago
£20 on giffgaff? You must make a lot of calls to non-giffgaff users on the go. And how were you paying £80 before? The advantage of having a smartphone is that you can get by easily on something like their £10-12 plan simply by using data to make free skype/gtalk/SIP calls and everything else is unlimited anyway. Battery and general reliability wise, nothing beats a good old Nokia though!
- meaty 14y ago
  Yeah 800 inclusive minutes on that deal. I make a lot of calls (650-700 mins a month). £80 before: handset included and crap contract.

cm-t 14y ago

I am using on dailylife a smartphone, but i got the same issu: No camera; I don't take pics from my smartphone. No music; Not enought choice of music in the format required and anyway the player leak too much battery and it is lagging. No maps; 10 minutes to get a fix... I’ve started calling people more; taking 10 minutes for a fix on the agps built-in is too long I don’t care for my phone; it is so heavy that I got asked at airport My concerns were mostly right, but I can live without these things; but someone told me QtMoko was usable, I will give it a try also. Let me the time to compile this thing ( Not going back.. for now ) Message sent from my OpenMoko Freerunner GTA02

duskwuff 14y ago
Not to be a detractor, but you really ought to try getting a smartphone that's halfway modern. The GTA02 is four and a half years old -- that's practically ancient history as far as smartphones are concerned -- and it doesn't help that it was always a pretty funky device.
- cm-t 14y ago
  I have a modern one, I was just making fun about my situation 3 years ago. Everyone with a neo had the same issues if they was using it as a dailyphone. I thought derision would not be same as detractor, sorry if you or others fell it like this.

alexyoung 14y ago

I wonder why his first instinct was to just lay out $1000 instead of seeing if he could get his current one repaired or replaced on insurance?

smspence 14y ago
I was wondering the same thing.... I was also wondering how he could NOT just get another iPhone for less than $1000? Seriously, if my iPhone died tomorrow, and I had no insurance, I could still easily buy one on ebay for like $300 or $400.

georgemcbay 14y ago

There is an in-between solution here: Buy a cheap Android phone. For example the HTC One V regularly sells for $150 (with no contract) and has had a few sales days over the past few months where it was selling for only $50. A $50-150 phone gives you that same "I don't really have to worry about my phone" situation while still allowing you to have the smartphone experience -- web, email, apps, GPS with turn-by-turn directions using the excellent Google Navigation, etc. I owned an iPhone 3G then went to a Motorola Droid (the original one) and then realized that while I could afford "expensive" phones and data plans, I was mostly throwing money away so I switched to cheap Android phones on no-contract plans (Virgin Mobile in my case though T-Mobile also has some nice options).

bluekite2000 14y ago

You can have the best of both worlds. I have an unlocked iphone 4. I pay as I go. I have no data plan. Before I go out I download what I need so I can read it offline (books,videos,articles,podcasts,etc) Google maps works offline so I dont fear of getting lost. I take pictures for myself

ssharp 14y ago

I can't believe that any majority of smartphone users' lives are being debilitated by owning a smartphone. Just like there is a large area between not drinking and being a full-blown alcoholic, there is a large area between not owning a smartphone and being addicted to a smartphone. If you cannot control yourself enough to stop constantly taking pictures and posting them to Facebook and you don't like this behavior, then tossing the phone in the trash might be your best play. But for those of us who own a smartphone and rarely touch the camera and Facebook app, the phone isn't affecting my life in a negative manner. Yes, I'd rather have access to 16GB of local music and access Spotify than not have it. If it's there, I can choose to use it or not. The issue here isn't the smartphone, it's making bad choices that lead to negative outcomes for you.

LarrySDonald 14y ago
These were kind of my thoughts. I love having a smartphone and even before they existed I tried to get the dumb ones to do the maximum possible via sms. I really like being able to not worry about finding my way someplace or being able to think "Hmm, I want to go to a museum/eat at 5 guys/walk around a park/swim. Where's the closest one?" and be told. I like being able to check my email or take a picture of something I find amusing. But it's not ruling my life, it's a tiny fraction of it. If people want to know so badly what I'm thinking, eating or doing, well, call or text I guess - I don't have time to document it. I've found very little disturbance to anything, the only possible time I might miss something is if I'm somewhere deathly boring and I choose to ignore it in favor of browsing and even that isn't common.

pretoriusB 14y ago

Let me guess: for some BS superficial reason, like: 1) Getting the chance to switch to Android which is, like, soooooo much better (and "open")? 2) Getting the chance to live life without constant connectivity, and appreciating the small things?

ygra 14y ago

Of course, having a smartphone doesn't really force you to check it obsessively every two minutes or be literally glued to its screen. To me at least it's nice that I can check e-mail, Twitter and the web while not at home or ask a service for directions. But I don't feel in any way forced that my life needs to revolve around this little computer in my pocket. I can still enjoy my surroundings and talk to actual people. Heck, I sometimes even miss calls because my ringtone defaults to “no one else should be annoyed by it” but that's ok – just because I carry a cellphone doesn't mean I must use that connectedness at all times.

peeze 14y ago

You should check out iCracked. They'll either fix your iPhone or buy it from you!

segmond 14y ago

learn some self control. i have a smartphone, i don't want it to break. i run it, it doesn't run my life, i'm more efficient and better for it. my last smart phone, i bought used for $90 and i used it for a year and the only reason i'm not using it now is because i got the nexus 4. no one has to spend $1000 on a smart phone.