Always had a cheap desktop computer and never thought a phone was worth it. Is there a reason people like me should reconsider?
It generally does everything your desktop computer does, but you can do it while you’re on the shitter.
I’m not even kidding.
This. It’s basically a pocket PC. It’s useful for all the reasons a computer is, but it’s more portable than a laptop.
Navigating the web sucks in comparison though
I can look at my phone when in an awkward conversation, to appear busy/distracted
Well, if you think that a cheap desktop computer is enough, think of phones as a portable desktop in your pockets powered by a battery.
This is really the only answer. If you think being able to put your your desktop in your pocket and use it anywhere would be useful, then you’d probably find a smartphone useful.
Plus, with the right combination of applications (more preferably, a few, and some with no active internet permission at all) and power settings tweaked both for better battery mileage and longer, more focused on-the-go sessions (e.g. editing documents, playing that one dungeon crawler roguelike, and planning important events, etc.) you could count on it more.
Now that I think about it, instantaneous access to information from anywhere with an internet connection is a big one for me.
Convenient distraction
So many uses. They are a convenience and not really necessary when I really drill down into it, but the convenience factor is significant.
Maps and navigation. I can change plans on the fly and still confidently navigate cities I have never been to before, with a good estimate of when I will get somewhere. Could I plan from home or use paper maps/atlases? Sure, but a smartphone is way easier and more flexible.
Communication. It simplifies keeping in touch with people and maintaining relationships. Could I call them from my home landline once a month? Sure, but a smartphone allows me to send them a quick text or a dumb meme anytime from anywhere. Smaller, more frequent communication to supplement the less frequent larger effort helps a lot with relationship maintenance.
Having a computer in my pocket any time I am away from home and my home PC.
People who eschew basic modern technology are weird. It’s just a fact. Could I move to a remote mountain cabin and throw out all electronics and let my inner, introverted, weirdo quirks run rampant? Sure. But I don’t really want that. I want to have friends and to be generally well thought of by my community. I want people to text me to invite me to go out. I want to pull up the latest artist I’m excited about to share with someone when we’re out and about. Smartphones are so ubiquitous, it is a radical statement not to have one and I simply don’t want to be a radical.
I can do spreadsheets lying down
No. Do what works for you.
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Google Lens is definitely a real lifesaver when you want to instantly translate the menus.
It connects my laptop to the internet when I’m away from home.
A phone can’t replace a computer unless you put Linux on it and connect a monitor and keyboard. Even then, it will perform like a 15 year old computer.
For 95+% of people, literally everything they would use a computer for personally can be done with a phone. Phones are also replacing a bunch of stuff in various job related fields. Why have a static computer with a barcode scanner when you can just mount a scanner to a phone and have it portable? Why have a giant beefy cash register when you can trivially swipe a card and accept contactless payments on a phone instead? They even print paper receipts with some of them, if you want one.
Portable web browser to read books on. That’s all I use mine for, except for the occasional text message / phone call. I got by fine for a long while with just my laptop, but reading on my phone is just a lot more convenient in a lot of cases. Like when you’re walking, or running, or standing, or laying down. It’s a pain in the ass to read from a laptop while walking, I’ve almost dropped the poor thing too many times to count.
The more sensors the better. I want a motherfucking tricorder.
If you’re satisfied with what you have, by all means stick with it.
If your current setup is stopping you from doing something you want to do, or is holding you back from progress in something you care about, look around for solutions. Many other pieces of tech can fill in what a smartphone does, but in separate pieces. I think there is some value in having those separate pieces.
Like a smoker telling you not to smoke, I encourage you to find alternatives to the smart phone for daily life while typing to you from a smartphone.
I’m a smoker and I take offense to your comment. Winners never quit and quitters never win! Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em! /s
My smartphone is mega useful to me:
- Step tracking. I can see trends in how much physical activity I’m getting
- Alarm clock
- Reminders and lists. I use features like “Remind me at 7 pm that I need to do X” many times per day
- Google maps and especially transit directions are incredible. Being able to download offline maps is great too for when I’m traveling
- Ultra high resolution camera in my pocket
- Google’s been great for the last 20 years. Now GPT-4 is my go-to when I have a quejaron about anything
- Being able to call people is handy
I mean it does everything really, mp3 player, GPS, Internet, compass (maps), communication even games. That said I am a little disappointed because they have been removing things like headphone Jack’s, Sd cards and I really thought at this point we would all have flir cams etc on every phone.
