What advantages do you enjoy with your Smart phone that you didn't have before?

[raccoon]

I guess my next phone will be a Smart phone, that's why I'm asking you DUer's.

[MadHound]

1. Being tracked everywhere I go,

And having the shit datamined out of my information. Oh boy!

[AndyTiedye]

11. They Can Track Dumb Cellphones Too

Any cellphone can be tracked if it is turned on.

[bettyellen]

14. and she gets datamined on the net all day long....

[SharonAnn]

2. Weather, can get email, complete contact list & apointment schedule

I connect to Outlook on my PC and can carry my Contacts and Calendar info on my Smart phone. It's a real help.

I don't use it much for Internet, but it's available.

[klook]

3. Reading and posting to DU is a great advantage. :)

Navigation tools (GPS / maps), contacts list, good camera, flashlight app, sending and reading email, voice transcription for instant messages & emails & web posts, and much, much, more depending on what device/platform you go with.

A smart phone is miles more useful than a regular cell phone -- I'm sure you'll enjoy it and find it very useful.

[curlyred]

4. I can see it, for one thing

It is much easier for me to read texts, and easier for me to send texts. My kids usually communciate with me several times a day via text, and it is just easier. They hoth have better smartphones that I do (an antique iPhone 3) and it is like having a little computer in your pocket.

They can play Words with Friends with their grandfather, who has an iPad. That one thing, keeping in touch with grandpa and playing his favorite game withhim, is pretty awesome to me.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

5. For me? Nothing. I've had one for a week and I honestly can't say I see any benefit to it.

I had a dumb phone for years. Used it primarily to call, rarely to text, never used it for internet access.

Last week my wife convinced me to get one because of the camera and video quality. I didn't feel the need to get one, but I eventually gave in.

I didn't get the I phone 5---I think I got the Iphone 4. But really I don't care. Not seeing what the big deal is.

I had my email linked up to it. That lasted about 15 minutes. It creeped me out. I didn't like having all my contact means on one device. And I didn't like the idea of having what amounts to a computer on me at all times.

I had my Facebook linked to it. I haven't used that function since I got it. If I need to go to Facebook, I'll go onto it on a computer with a full size screen. Nothing on Facebook is so important that I have to update it on the run.

Don't get me wrong. I like computers. I like technology. I like emailing. I like Facebook. I see the need to have a cell phone. But I don't need to be in constant contact with everyone at all time using all possible means.

I like the idea of using a computer and then being able to step away from it. People with Smartphones apparently feel as though having instant computing access at all times is a benefit. Maybe for them. But not for me.

This past week I've used my Iphone to a) make phone calls and b) send a couple of texts. Which is the same exact thing I had been using my old dumb phone.

I have no desire to play games on my phone. I have a good inate sense of direction, so I don't need to use my phone for a map, and if all fails, I have a GPS in my car that will do the trick.

Can you tell I'm extremely unimpressed by the Iphone?
Oh yeah, and I'm a male in his early 30s. I should be the target audience for smart phones. But I just don't get it.

[Lex]

6. Checking & responding to email, looking up something on Google quickly, an easy map

to pull up if I get lost, checking latest news or politics when I'm waiting in line for something, instant weather radar to pull up on the screen, a compass app that came in handy while hiking. Lots of stuff.

[ncgrits]

7. It's almost like having another computer. . .

and it's all synched up to my laptop. I like it.

Can check my email. Can log on to my bank. Can check out DU and post too.

I use it as an ipod too with tons of podcasts and my music on it. . . .

Oh, and it makes phone calls too!

[AngryAmish]

8. It is the end of boredom

In life you have to wait sometimes. Your car is getting fixed. Waiting for a doctor. Well you now have access to all the newspapers and magazines in the world. Or millions of books with the amazon kindle app.

You can have your calender with you at all times and it can tell you where you have to be and when. Google maps has drving directions - you will never get lost again (most likely).

I belong to a message board filled with interesting people with a shared passion for a subject. You can do that anywhere.

I can see every fax I get. I can bring thousands of pages of documents and print them anywhere.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

10. You mean waiting rooms don't have magazines?

Most have plenty.

Books and maps exist in paper form and work just as well.

For people who feel the need to be constantly connected, I guess I can see why people might get excited about an Iphone.

But for people who like to step away from that stuff every once in a while, I just don't see getting all excited about it.

[AngryAmish]

15. Not the ones I rread

But I suppose when one is content with "Highlights" then one can get along quite nicely without a smart phone.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

18. Well to each his/her own.

I've managed to entertain myself fine without an Iphone, and I think I can continue to do so without needing to use one for reasons other than phone calls.

[bettyellen]

17. but you have the maps and contact info for everything you'd ever need at a moments notice

and that's a vast improvement because you can't just easily purchase the exact maps you need when you need them.
Alos, I can get a lot of work done, it's cut my office hours significantly. So I can step away when I want to.
Get some work done the night before, and relax and step away when I need to.

It's amazingly helpful to not have to be home or at office to have access to a computer. I don't do tons of calls, or social media, I use it mostly for work and shopping. And I have books and movies of my choosing when Im stuck waiting somewhere, so that's great.
Big time and money saver for me.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

19. Yeah, but I can already get work done from home using my regular home computer now.

Full screen and full sized keyboard and everything. And it's a laptop, so I can take it different places if I need to.

How exactly is that different from poking at my Iphone?

[jeff47]

36. Because your laptop is large enough that you don't take it everywhere.

If I'm in a store, I could use a laptop to look up products to read reviews and price compare. But that's rather awkward.

Or I could use my iPhone to scan the UPC code. Much faster than manually searching, and in a small package that's easy to carry with me. (The app I use is called "RedLaser" if you happen to want to do that).

Or if I happen to be in a new town and want to find a restaurant. Or gas. Or it turns out the Interstate is shut down and I need a hotel. Around Me displays such information, again with a device that's small enough to carry everywhere.

Speaking of Interstates - on a long drive and looking to stop for food? Well, those blue signs tell you what's at the next exit, but what's at the exit after that? You don't know if you should settle for what's coming up, or if the next exit will have something much better. Again, "there's an app for that".

A smart phone can not replace a full-size PC. What it does is bring PC capabilities to places where it's inconvenient to carry and use a full-size PC.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

39. I have to be honest here....

.....I find none of this stuff necessary for my survival in life.

I know I sound like an old fart, even though I'm not (I'm quite a young fart as farts go), but none of the things you mentioned would sell me on an Iphone.

I product shop before I go to the store. In terms of restaraunts in other towns, I'm fine with chance leading me where I need to go.

The only thing that inevitably sold me on the Iphone was the enhanced video and picture capability. But I'll be honest, if the thing accidentially gets dropped in the water, I really couldn't care any less. At this point, I probably wouldn't even bother to replace the thing with another smart phone. I'm that non-impressed by it.

But as I say, to each his or her own. If you want to use all that stuff, who am I to say you can't? All I can say is after a week of owning one, I personally don't feel as though the things live up to their incredible hype.

[jeff47]

56. Nothing in your PC is necessary for survival.

So why are you shocked to find a much more portable PC is the same as a full-size PC?

All I can say is after a week of owning one, I personally don't feel as though the things live up to their incredible hype.

A week after I got high-speed always-on Internet, I was still using it like I used dial-up - news and weather still came from TV news, for example. That's quite different now that I've had a cable modem for a long time. I do an enormous number of things differently now, just because of that cable modem.

Or, lets go for even older technology: "Why light your house with electricity? Oil lamps still get the job done. I've had electricity for a week and it hasn't changed my life". Without electric service, a whole host of lifestyle changes could not happen. But people didn't change how they lived their life in a single week.

So play with the thing. Figure out what it can do for you. You will likely find something that it can do for you that other devices can't.

Whether that thing is important enough to continue using a smart phone is up to you. But a week is WAY too short to decide.

[bettyellen]

68. you missed my point- it's the extreme portability that allows you spontaneous computing

for comparison shopping or or planning what movie to go see in an hour or where to eat. To leave work early knowing I can finish an email or two on the way home. To look up and bookmark an interesting artist or song I just heard.
I do have a smallish laptop, but I don't want to carry it around all day long, that's for sure.
I didn't use it for all these things at first, and maybe you're more of a homebody and never will. But if you're not, you could really find yourself putting it to good use often.

[Brickbat]

9. I've used apps on it to turn into a runner and lose, so far, 30 pounds.

The smartphone and the apps made it easy.

[WinkyDink]

64. Congratulations! I know how hard it is!

[ecstatic]

89. endomondo? nt

[northoftheborder]

12. All of the above:

I expected to like the mapping, weather, contact list, calendar, and to do list, and all coordinated with my Mac.

Unexpected: texting grandchildren who are much more likely to answer than phone. getting addicted to certain games such as scrabble; realizing how much I needed new glasses.

I'm getting an I Pad soon, to use for internet and scheduling, and other things difficult to read on the I Phone (such as games).

[AndyTiedye]

13. Internet Access and the Camera

[TrogL]

16. I've got an internet-connected handheld computer that I can also use as a phone

You know what I'll bet the number one favourite app is? Flashlight. I was at a rehearsal in a darkened church and three of us had our phones out navigating around trying the find the light switches.

[NCTraveler]

29. Love the flashlight.

It is amazing how many situations a little light will help. I use my phone for many things and it has been a huge benefit to me. But the flashlight comes in handy very often.

[PowerToThePeople]

20. None, smart phones are not worth it imo

Too much money for not enough advantage. I had a smart phone (iPhone 2nd gen) die on me recently. I was able to get my old flip feature phone to do everything that I did on my smart phone. Web browser, twitter, email. I will not spend the money for another smart phone. If I really need full internet capabilities, I can tether my phone to a netbook and go for it. The flip phone is also much smaller and better at being a phone.

[Xyzse]

21. Pros and Cons:

Pros:
-Easy look up on any sort of question asked through google and so forth.
-Pandora - I have an account that allows me to stream songs and connect it to my car.
-GPS - I don't have to buy another GPS that forces me to buy their maps.
-E-Mail - Easy to check e-mail just in case.
-Readers - I have Kindle, BakaReader, Mango and so forth
-Stocks - If I feel like it, I can buy and trade through the program
-Banking - I can check my budget, and it stops me from just buying whatever.
-Fandango - Allows me to check what movies are out there and times.
-Netflix and Xfinity Player - If I have WiFi, being bored or whatever, I can just stream a show.

Cons:
-Shitty texting
-Shitty reception
-Shitty for calls.
---
So basically, a Smart Phone is GREAT, for everything other than calling and texting.

Enjoy!

[hollysmom]

22. I am wondering the same thing

I am looking to cost justify spending more for a phone and then paying 70 dollars a month instead of 30.

Since I misplaced my phone again and haven't used it for 4 days, maybe I could get the 2 dollars a day plus internet and 2 cents per text. I get almost no e-mail. I tend to chat on the computer, but don't want to do that on such a small screen, quite a lot less than my 30 inch computer screen or even the 17 inch lap top

[Johonny]

23. It's nice to have mini-GPS

web browser, phone, etc... all in one relatively small device. It won't replace your computer, but if you are on the go and you find yourself wanting to say post to the DU, check your stocks, find a place to eat... you end up using it a lot.

[woodsprite]

24. Being able to fact check on-the-fly by bringing up DU. :)

Actually, my family and I rely on it most often for weather and mapping on a daily basis. Since I can get to email, DU, Accuweather, radar maps, and Google maps for GPS, I rarely watch newsbor weather on the tv or listen on the radio anymore. Also, it's an instant check in for our daughter and all 3 of us can update a grocery list when one of us is already on the way to the store.

[porphyrian]

25. Mobile Internet - my computer is a desktop. n/t

[av8rdave]

26. Instant access to my work schedule, weather, email

Also, voice mail is easier to retrieve, and I like having a camera handy at any time.

[Drunken Irishman]

27. If you're on the go, it's a godsend.

Mostly because it's like having a very small laptop you can use anywhere ... check e-mail, surf the net, do anything, really. There are thousands of apps that allow you to receive up to the minute game scores, political polls, anything you want.

[get the red out]

28. Calendar is great

The calendar helps me greatly in keeping up with things like my Mother's doctors appointments (she's in assisted living with dementia).

I've found apps that are very helpful, like the National Weather Service one which I used one day last week to see if that storm I heard in the distance on my morning walk was coming my way or not (it was, I went home).

I also enjoy a lot of podcasts on various interests and can easily download those. Internet radio is something I enjoy because I live in a red state and that's the only way I can listen to progressive talk radio.

Having email on my phone helps me quite a bit at work and in just my normal routine. It is easy for people to relay information like something being cancelled that I planned to attend. I don't have to be right at a computer to get information. And I can't count the times having internet instantly available has helped. There are so many times I've needed to find an address or phone number for a doctor or business. One time I had a fantastic groupon for a present for my husband and couldn't find the store!

Of course I like being able to take a picture of my dog being cute and immediately post it to FB too, LOL.

[tavernier]

30. The camera takes amazing photos and film clips,

better than my expensive camera that weighs a ton and I no longer drag around, because with a flick on my phone, I can send my pics anywhere.

I went from "what a confusing piece of crap" (first day I got it) to "Don't let me forget my phone... I'm lost without it" (this morning to hubby).

[JoePhilly]

31. Any radio station from anywhere ... and ...

Games for the kids when we're waiting for a restaurant to seat us.

Ability to locate ANYTHING no matter where I am.

Can track, text, and call my daughters.

Access to news sites when I'm waiting for anything.

Mobile access to DU.

Ability to get real time updates for a sporting event I can't watch.

Maps.

Great travel alarm clock.

Podcasts (like Stephanie Miller) and my music from itunes.

XM radio.

Bar code reader allows me to check for prices at nearby locations for anything.

Camera and Video recording.

Flight info and notifications.

[NCTraveler]

32. Calendar, camera, texts, email, internet....

music, voice notes, banking, tides, weather, sports (live updates, also watch games), trail maps, navigation, shopping, flashlight, document scanning, and much more. Research well as everyones needs are different. Do things like you are doing right here. This will help you to discover what a phone can do for you and what you would like to get out of it. After you decide that, shop accordingly.

[Honeycombe8]

67. When do people do all those things? They're at work all day, then they go home where they have a pc.

So....when do people have time to play games, do the music, voice notes, banking, tides, weather, sports, nav, shopping, flashlight, etc.? (I'd never shop on a little smart phone.)

Is that what they're doing on the 60 second elevator ride, when people get out their smart phones and look at them intensely?

[bettyellen]

69. who goes straight home from work everyday? LOL.

[NCTraveler]

87. "They're at work all day, then they go home where they have a pc."

Doesn't describe me at all. It is a kind of funny statement. Doesn't describe anyone I know.

Calendar - Work
Camera - Too many situations to list
Email - All the time
Music - On the boat, working out, working in the yard
tides - Fishing, boating
weather - Very helpful having radar on the boat or on road trips
Navigation - Work
trail maps - discover new trails and map them out when I am NC
Shopping - When buying large ticket items I will scan the bar code to find the lowest price in the area
Flashlight - Amazed at how often I use it
Document scanning - while I am mobile at work

So much more. It has made me a more efficient person.

I can understand that you only go from home to work and it might not help you as much. Even if that was the case with me, it has helped me to organize and save time at work.

"Is that what they're doing on the 60 second elevator ride, when people get out their smart phones and look at them intensely?"

I don't think I have ever looked at my phone intensely.

[NightWatcher]

33. it's like having a computer with internet everywhere you go

[1-Old-Man]

34. My son has a smart phone, I do not. We talk sometimes. His phone works, so does mine.

He has a smart phone, I do not - and yet somehow we are still able to communicate, although I do it at a lower overall cost.

[Mz Pip]

35. Instant traffic maps

Knowing how bad traffic is so you can plan your route and time your trips.

I love having instant maps when I am traveling though the new iPhone map features has problems. I don't know how bad since I haven't had a chance to use them.
I like being able to take and send pictures without having to download them onto a computer first. I like being able to receive photos and save them to a folder on my phone or download them at a later date.

I can check DU anytime any place that has Internet access.

[Posteritatis]

37. Phonebook, memo function, navigation, pass locker, and annoying technophobes. (nt)

[janlyn]

38. Instant facts

Having google at your finger tips is AWSOME!! I like to pull up info that will immediatly prove my point when having discusssions with ignorant" I only watch FOX news" conservatives!!!

For that alone it is priceless!!!

[backscatter712]

40. Google Maps is incredibly handy.

Need directions? Your phone will do a great impression of a Garmin! It can show you traffic in your area, weather maps, etc!

[benld74]

41. #1 - Higher Monthly Phone Bill,,,

#2 - Data plan I didnt need before
#3 - Additional taxes paid on my monthly bill
#4 - Wondering if I went over my data plan for the month
#5 - Learning to compute MB's into KB's to make sure I dont go over my data plan for the month
#6 - Learning smart phones are really dumb when you need to do something really fast
#7 - Learning when you attache a photo to a txt message you go over your data plan limits

[Hugabear]

79. Not necessarily

You can get pretty decent rates from places like Virgin, Boost, or MetroPCS, none of which require contracts. Many of their rates are about half of what you would pay from the "major" providers.

[SidDithers]

42. Maps. I use maps all the freakin' time...

to find an address. To plot a route. To figure how much time it will take for me to get somewhere.

Browsing when I'm on the go. I'll go grab a sandwich or burger, and sit and browse DU while I'm eating.

And I use the mp3 player all the time. I listen to audiobooks while I'm in the car, driving to and from work. Bluetooth connectivity to my car makes for easy listening, and gives hands-free calling and answering too.

Sid

[Care Acutely]

43. Having the option to take video or stills at the drop of a hat.

Used it to stop some lazy assholes from dumping all of the trash out of their car onto the street beside my house one day.

Reminded them that all photos and videos were immediately backed up to the cloud, you know, in case they thought getting rid of my phone would "solve the problem."

They picked it all back up again, nice and neat, and apologized too.


Cell-phone videos have changed the world, launched revolutions and brought justice to people beaten by abusive powers both big and small.

ETA: I know dumb phones have cameras too but they suck, and you don't get instant transfer/backup to a cloud.

[ananda]

44. I like my dumb phone just fine.

All I need is talk and text.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

45. If you are into Real Estate...you can get an app to point at a house and see the last

amount it sold for.

I also like the gps for walking. it reads your current location and tracks to destination.

there are like a zillion apps out there. way too many to even browse thru anymore.

you kind of have to go with what someone else picked out as great apps.

[Retrograde]

46. Emergency backup books

I use the Kindle app to catch up on my reading on the bus and train. I also use the maps when I'm travelling. I don't have my phone loaded up with games or with that many apps.

I use an iphoe 3: don't like the form factor of the 4s, as they don't fit my hand as well. And I got a re-furbished one cheap.

[bamacrat]

47. Too many to list in the title.

On Demand GPS
Instant Email
Full computer-like web browsing
Photo editing
Office tools like Word and Exel
Endless apps that turn your phone into anything you want
Full calendar
Google
Wikipedia
IMDB
Keep track of your fantasy football anywhere
Great for sports
Better for news
Twitter
Facebook
Awesome games

and you'll look cool holding a wallet sized piece of technology up to your head!

[TlalocW]

48. A combination of several different devices into 1

While my digital camera is probably superior to the 7 megapixel camera in my Smartphone, I always have a camera and video camera on me.

Combine that with a phone (it should make phone calls after all... ooooh, sorry about that iPhone users), alarm clock, countdown clock, timer, messaging system, voice recorder, calendar, weather updater, and access to the internet, it's just amazing that all that and more fits into such a small device.

TlalocW

[Blue_In_AK]

49. We just got an iPhone 4S

We haven't had it long so I can't speak with authority. The advantage to the iPads, which we also just bought, is that we can now sit around in our living room and waste a lot of time playing solitaire.

[hedgehog]

50. My phone has a clock on it when I turn it on, and the phone number is printed right on it!

Not to mention - a dial tone!

[Bake]

51. Maps. My checking account balance. Internet access. Weather forecast.

Spider Solitaire!!!

Bake

[veganlush]

52. it's very close

to having a little laptop with you everywhere. At lunch time at work i can watch whatever netflix has., lately I've been watching a forensic show called "you decide". I can also watch Rachel Maddow, post on DU, check email, search google, whatever.

[longship]

53. Internet access at home.

Most DUers take this for granted. But here in the midst of the Manistee National Forest, never take anything for granted. Furthermore yesterday, for the first time I have something better than dial-up speed access when my data icon changed from EDGE to 4G. Wow! Almost like broadband. I can stream audio and video at home!!

Never take things for granted. There is always somebody who's worse off than yourself.

:skål:

[Control-Z]

54. All the advantages I have with my computer

short of doing graphics and writing code. For me, that is. Plus text messages are so much easier to write and follow with threads instead of single messages.

Because of the smaller size, I find the keyboard more difficult to use than on my computer, whether using touch or manual. But you get used to it. Copy/paste can be kind of lacking at times but it is available. Internet, of course is a must. It makes phone calls simple. (Touch the phone number on the website you're visiting, it automatically goes to your phone for dialing, saving to contacts). If you're looking for something local, like hardware stores, or a Costco, the GPS makes the searches relative to your location. Which you can then get directions to with a touch. Banking - balance checks, transfers. Bill pay.

I could go on and on. I'm posting from my phone right now. I don't remember how I got by before. Honestly.

[ret5hd]

55. none. absolutely none.

every ten seconds it will vibrate in your pocket for an email, text, or change in the fuckin' weather (as of you can't look out the window like you are in jail or something, and then what would it matter) and the reception is worse than with the older cell phones so you get dropped more often and every function you actually use is hidden ten buttons deep and when you want to turn off a function you can't and every time you try to text someone you accidentally hit the "ES" button and your text gets changed from "no way dude!" to "nolo vayomos duresco" or some such nonsense and you don't notice it till you hit send.

if you are an old codger like me hold onto your old phone as long as they will let you.

[Initech]

57. I can post on this site any time, anywhere I want!

[HopeHoops]

58. My phone is smart. It places calls and receives calls. That's smart enough for me.

[Canuckistanian]

59. I use the GPS extensively

For driving and for keeping track of exercising. I don't need the guidance for driving so much, but I like the "ETA" feature - I know EXACTLY when I'll get somewhere.

I also listen to music, podcasts and FM radio. And videos.

I use the Opera browser for weather events - very handy, especially weather radar. AND of course, to look at the latest from DU!

Also email... I know immediately when someone is trying to contact me. No waiting until I can log in at home!

[Glitterati]

60. QWERTY keyboard

With a teenager, one must be able to send text messages.

[bettyellen]

70. MAJOR, and the exploding image of keystrokes, LOL. I can't use other kinds.

[Glitterati]

91. Me either!

I talk too much, even in texts. It would take me a month to type out a text message on a phone with just number keypads! I tried it once. Never again.

MUST have a QWERTY keyboard on my phone or no texting.

[obamanut2012]

61. Reading books, checking email/FB/DU/Twitter, listeming to the radio

And other music, GPS while driving/waling/running, downloading cool apps like a running app that tracks my pace, route, and mileage. Taking photos and texting it to see if that's the item they wanted me to get at the store. Scanning barcodes and pulling up reviews, comparing items, etc.

That's just the tip of the iceberg.

[JI7]

62. i just got one recently, after using it for a while

i will get a better idea of what i want and need and what kind of phone to get next .

[Luminous Animal]

63. I don't even have a dumb phone and I am fine with that.

[bettyellen]

90. I didn't until my Mom was in ICU and the hospital told me they wont call NJ from NY

had to get a NY#, and one I could be reached at right away. Done.
It was a no brainer. And I found it very very useful over the years, but then again I don't keep to a steady schedule so I used to miss a lot of calls at home.

[Raine]

65. THANKS for asking this. I want to get one soon

and this thread is very helpful.

[randome]

66. Bathroom time is more productive.

You can download Kindle on your phone and read anything while you're...well, whatever you might do in the bathroom.

[aikoaiko]

71. I asked Siri to talk dirty to me and she blew my mind.

I like it over the regular cell phone and even the Blackberry bold.

One thing not mentioned so far is that I like being up to look things up on the internet relatively unobtrusively at a meeting or event.

Seriously, Siri blew my mind.

[Cali_Democrat]

72. Email is the big one for me

Also web browsing.

[vanlassie]

73. Laying in my back reading DU.

[aletier_v]

74. GPS and maps - I use it every week

For restaurants, meetups, etc.

A friend of mine traveled to New Jersey last week, his first time on the east coast, and he was crippled without a smart phone, it took him two hours to reach a destination which took me about 15 minutes.

[aletier_v]

75. My phone is more important than my wallet now

I carry my car insurance on my phone now.

it's only a matter of time before your driver's license will be issued electronically, you can use it as money to purchase things and eventually your car keys will be a bluetooth program.

No more wallet.

[geckosfeet]

76. gps. web. email. music. camera. video. It's a phone too.

[jberryhill]

77. Reading DU in bed

[cantbeserious]

78. Kindle For Droid - My Reading Habits Have Grown Substantially By Always Having A Book At Hand

eom

[pnwest]

80. It actually released me from the computer! Yes, i am

utterly addicted to my computer, but at least now I can leave the house!! LOL! Seriously, 100% access to all of the information in the known Universe, on a device in your pocket. Constant and instant access to the internet, what else can you possibly ever want? I never have to scramble for a phone book in a phone booth, buy a newspaper just to find out movie times, or print maps or shopping lists, I can be notified instantly when something has sold on my Etsy site, there's a thousand reasons for having internet access on the go. News during emergencies, including power outages. The list is endless.

[ghurley]

81. FLASHLIGHT!!!

kinda serious bout this one.

[Atman]

82. It's a hand-held computer

If I need to do real work, I still have the desktop for Photoshop and Illustrator and inDesign. But everything else, from mail to music, internet to iPhoto, is on this tiny device in my pocket.

[liberal_at_heart]

83. My husband's fav app is the maps

My husband is legally blind so he uses the map apps while he is walking and taking mass transit. He is sticking with his current iPhone and operating system because apparently you cannot use Google maps on the new iPhone 5 and Apple maps suck. I am hoping to get my autistic son some kind of either tablet or phone that has some autism apps. I can't afford it right now but am hoping to soon.

[ailsagirl]

84. Afraid I can't afford a smart phone, so I haven't a clue.

Maybe someday.

[randr]

85. Photos are instantly transfered to home computer

Important for my business.

[Aerows]

86. I can surf the internet

When the cable goes down during hurricanes. I was able to at least surf a little bit after we got his by Hurricane Isaac. I can also read books on it. It is very handy to have a mini-computer around

[ecstatic]

88. I was against getting one for the longest time but...

I have one now (galaxy s2 android).

The features that I really like are:

Navigation - If your car has built in bluetooth, you can connect it to your phone and have turn by turn directions given to you through your car speakers. Or you can just play it through your phone speakers. You can use the maps program to find nearby businesses and get important phone numbers.

Additional music source - If I don't like what's on the radio, I can stream pandora.com through car speakers (again, bluetooth required) or any music I have stored on my phone

Calendar synced with google calendar with helpful pop up reminders and alarms.

alarm clock (I use an app for increased options).

Interesting & helpful apps, like fitness apps, and also some apps that can keep your young kids, nieces, and nephews occupied.

The least important reason is to be able to just surf the web whenever. I don't think it's healthy to be wired 24-7.

Downside: There is a huge downside, which is that it doesn't operate as a phone first. There's been times when I needed to make a phone call and literally had to power the phone off first (much like you'd have to do if your computer froze). The more apps you put on it, the more issues you may have with respect to the most important function of the phone--which is making a phone call. Also, the all touch screen design increases the time it takes to text and dial. The good news is there is a voice to text feature which comes in handy when you don't want to type long messages.

[BarackTheVote]

92. Makes life MUCH easier--

I get work e-mails instantly (yes, I've been getting e-mail on my phone since I had a flip phone, but, come on, e-mail is much easier to read and sort-through on a smart phone)... and a nifty corollary to that, whenever I'm at home, just lounging around, cruising the internet, and I get an e-mail, my phone will buzz, signaling me to go click the gmail tab on my browser LOL

Access to the full internet everywhere... and you can call straight from a web page. Txt messaging is much easier (much easier that trying to type out a coherent message on a number pad, and I've had a couple phones with a keypad, but the iPhone4's touchscreen is so responsive, and the biofeedback is so effective that, literally, it's about as easy as typing on an honest to god keyboard.

For my work at the TV station, I go out about twice a month shooting station IDs in different towns in our viewing area... for these trips, I ride shotgun and navigate using google maps... by zooming out and in, we can pick towns to visit along our chosen route, we can see exactly how big the town is, plan an efficient route through the town, see landmarks right there on the map, and all without fear of getting lost because of that little blue dot that follows along with us. We can also look up where to go for lunch.

I also have time-wasters like sudoku, Cracked, and FML. I think in general, the biggest benefit of the smart phone is being able to do everything on the fly.

Edit: oh yeah, and the FLASHLIGHT LOL

[BarackTheVote]

93. I really think it's basically analogous to

the transition from a home phone to a cell phone... now, it's the transition from the home PC to the hand-held mobile PC. I'm sure there were plenty of people in the early 90s (and I'm sure there are still some today) who didn't understand the value of a cell phone because they already had a phone at home and at the office...

[Change has come]

94. 24/7 access to DU of course!

[hootinholler]

95. The next train time on metro.

The radar now app.

Google maps traffic layer...

[backscatter712]

96. MUSIC!

It does everything an iPod does - the memory card stores thousands of songs, and if you've got wi-fi or 3G/4G, you can do Pandora, Last.fm, iHeartRadio, etc. etc. etc.!