Fancy-phones! Who and why?

[Gorgon Heap]

Though I've considered it once or twice as a topic for discussion, I now have to include it in a paper so I might as well ask properly.

People with Smartphones/iPhones, whatever: Why do you own these devices? What got you to buy them to begin with?

When newer devices come out, do you get excited for an upgrade? Why?

[taxi78cab]

I got mine from work. We're on call once a month on the weekends to monitor some data processes so work provides free iPhones and the service to support our on call time. (We don't get paid extra for being on call; we're all salaried employees. So the free phones and service kind of help make up for giving up part of one weekend a month.)

Since I didn't choose to get the phone myself and I don't really care one way or the other about it, I don't get excited about new versions coming out. I also haven't downloaded an apps, I don't have my personal email set up on it, and I don't really use it for much other than work email and general phone calls.

[Troy McClure SF]

Why do you own these devices?

I'm always a little confused by this question when it's asked about smartphones. People own smartphones for the same reasons they own computers.

I got a G1 after using those old Nokia bricks for years. I was happy with them, and they were essentially too dumb to ever break, but I eventually decided that I was gonna need to upgrade to a smartphone after that one died. When it did die (in a toilet at a party) I went out and got the G1 the next day.

I'm not one to be obsessed with getting the newest and best gadgets, so I've generally been happy with it, but it is essentially very first Android phone, and I'll definitely look forward to upgrading when my two years are up.

[Blackberry]

I own a smartphone because I like to be able to check my email and look stuff up on the Internet anywhere. The GPS also comes in very handy sometimes. Also, I use the calender and alarm and to do list features. Oh, and notes, I put grocery lists and stuff on there. I used to have a Razr and it had some of those features, but I never ended up using most of them because it didn't work as well and it wasn't worth it. I really like having a qwerty keyboard for those things and for texting.

No, I don't get excited for upgrades. I wouldn't pay hundreds of dollars for a newer model. I got my phone free with the service plan.

[Xavier T. Nougat]

People own smartphones for the same reasons they own computers.

I don't know about that. My wife just got a smart phone, and so did my best friend, and neither one of them really needs them or uses the extra features. In my wife's case, it was because the phone "was cute" and in my friend's case, it was because he buys pretty much every electronic gadget the moment he can just to be ahead of the curve. He will show it off for about a week, then throw it in a drawer somewhere and forget about it. I have another friend that's planning on getting a Blackberry soon just so she can have a better phone than my wife. (She competes at everything and certainly does look forward to the new versions of everything.)

From my completely scientific survey of a comprehensive cross-section of society, I conclude that good marketing and oneupmanship contributes to a lot of smartphone purchases.

[Troy McClure SF]

I don't know about that. My wife just got a smart phone, and so did my best friend, and neither one of them really needs them or uses the extra features.

Is their computer use comparable? If all you do on a desktop computer is check your email once a day, you won't be using smartphone features much. But if you're like me, and you're on an RSS reader, Twitter, Facebook, message boards all day, along with checking email, running a website, and interacting with people via text, IM, and various direct messaging services , then you're going to be pushing the limits of any smartphone (specifically the battery life).

[Glory]

I got an iphone in July 2008 (I upgraded from the cheapest Verizon phone I could get - 3 years before that).

I love having a single device - it takes pictures, video, holds all my music. I love the way it handles texts (like little conversations). I love apps and games and having the internet in my pocket (and iphone-friendly apps for IMDB and wikipedia!) It's fun to update Facebook on the go with a mobile upload photo or a status update. It's great for travel - I can play games, watch movies, I read books. I don't have a GPS in my car and pulling over to use Google Maps has been a real lifesaver on several occasions.

And - importantly for me, it's a very easy phone to use, even with all the cool stuff it can do.

I upgraded my iphone this summer with the 3GS came out. I wanted more capacity (my old 16G was getting crammed). I ended up not paying a dime for my new 32G phone. I bought the new one and put my old 16G white 3G for sale on Craigslist. Within 20 minutes, I had 10 offers. The first person flaked (typical Craigslist), but I sold my phone to the second person for exactly the amount I had paid for the new 3GS. I plan to do the same thing this summer if there's another upgrade!

[Drunky Smurf]

It is my first cell phone, blackberry, got it this last February, so I figured I might as well get one with all the bells and whistles.

I don't use most of the extra stuff but I do use it as my walkman when I'm out walking and as my camera because I usually forget to bring my camera to birthdays and Christmas and other get togethers.

I also use the voice commands for calling people and a few other things and that makes me feel all futurey and cool.

[Munch]

Happy to answer questions, but you might want to ask something more specific.

I have an iPhone. I waited for the second generation line to come out (3G). I got it for a number of reasons: Primarily, I just coveted a sweet piece of technology. Secondarily, I was tired of carrying both a phone and an ipod, and this did both (and much, much more). There was a lot that I thought I'd be using it for that I still do - the map application alone pays for itself*. Integrating both personal and work e-mail is a tremendous asset to have at my fingertips. I use the web browser constantly. I also never had a phone with a camera in it, and I've found it to be fantastic for the purposes I need a camera for. There are aspects of it that I don't really utilize to their fullest, specifically the calendar and other planner apps that I could get.

I don't chase technology, and don't have much desire to upgrade to the 3GS.

*My bill is $89, includes 450 anytime minutes, 5000 night & weekend minutes (starting at 9pm), 1500 text messages and rolls my anytime minutes over.

[Gorgon Heap]

I'm always a little confused by this question when it's asked about smartphones. People own smartphones for the same reasons they own computers.


I don't get what you mean by that Troy McClure. I own a computer because it's what typewriters look like now.


Xavier, thank you so much. That's what I'm looking for. The paper I'm writing (admittedly half-assedly) is about persuasion and current and future trends. As I can't wrap my mind around why people get these contraptions to begin with, I need some input.

What's exceptional about their marketing (and I just figure a smartphone and iphone were essentially the same thing)? Why are people pressured for that "oneupsmanship"?

Glory - fun and capacity. Got it.

[Green Bean]

I totally want one.

I'm so used to being able to look things up online, and it would be great to have a little computer that travels with me. A couple of weeks my best friend called me asking "are you anywhere near a computer?" I wasn't. She needed to make a plane or something and needed some information. I don't even know what, because I just handed the phone off to another friend with an iPhone who looked up what she needed in a couple of seconds.

It would also be nice to be able to customize the phone a little bit. It irks me that my phone doesn't have any kind of a stopwatch function. I could really use that.

Unfortunately, I have other budgetary priorities at the moment, so I won't be getting one any time soon. But I certainly look forward to the day when I can have one.

I don't even know what they cost! Anyone know a ballpark figure for what a typical phone and service might cost?

[Labrador Deceiver]

I own a computer because it's what typewriters look like now.

.

I doubt that. By posting in this thread, you are doing something that no typewriter in history was ever able to accomplish. So, I know for a fact that you own a computer for more than just typing papers.

[Xavier T. Nougat]

Is their computer use comparable? If all you do on a desktop computer is check your email once a day, you won't be using smartphone features much. But if you're like me, and you're on an RSS reader, Twitter, Facebook, message boards all day, along with checking email, running a website, and interacting with people via text, IM, and various direct messaging services , then you're going to be pushing the limits of any smartphone (specifically the battery life).

I would say they both use their desktops / laptops regularly. My iPhone friend is on his computer nonstop for games, web-browsing, office use, e-mails, and everything else. I would expect him to use his phone for more Internet-related features, such as IMing and e-mail. But he doesn't. He occasionally uses it for gimmicky things like that auto-tune feature (I forget the name of the musician attached to it), but otherwise, he puts his phone aside and just uses his computer. In fact, whenever he comes to my apartment, he usually asks if he can use my computer to check things online!

My wife is very much into social networking online almost all day, especially Facebook and e-mail. She has, on occasion, used her phone for these things. But she still mainly just uses the computer instead. I suspect that if she was more often away from a computer and had no alternative, then she'd use the phone features more often - but she's hardly ever far from a computer, and so she doesn't.

Though, I should be fair and acknowledge that my mother-in-law's boyfriend has an iPhone, and he uses it constantly for communicating with his clients and browsing the Internet. I'm not opposed to people owning fancy phones, it's just that from my (limited) viewpoint, there's a significant number of people who don't have good reasons to.

[Munch]

I don't even know what they cost! Anyone know a ballpark figure for what a typical phone and service might cost?
I'm not all that familiar with the pricing of other smartphones, but an 8gb 3G iPhone will run you $99 with an $89/month service plan.

[enipla]

I don't get what you mean by that Troy McClure. I own a computer because it's what typewriters look like now. Don't you use your computer for more than a word processor?


I was a late adopter to the cell phone and smart phone. Partly because I don’t get good coverage.

I use it for –

Email

Calendar, keeping appointments

Music

Phone/Contact/personal information

GPS

Camera in a pinch

Memo pad/lists/notes for myself – starting to keep recipes on it.

Modem for my netbook if wifi is unavailable

Quick web searches. Though if I’m looking for a business, I’ll just use the GPS. For instance, traveling through the Midwest in the middle of the night and look up a certain type of hotel on our route and make a reservation.

All in a package about the size of a pack of cards. Not much to not like about it.

[Troy McClure SF]

I don't get what you mean by that Troy McClure. I own a computer because it's what typewriters look like now.

Well, many of the rest of us spend portions of day writing emails, commenting on SDMB threads, watching porn, editing & uploading photos, passing along the newest Muppet videos on Youtube, composing & editing websites, researching travel plans, keeping up with news, aimlessly wandering Wikipedia, following sports that we can't listen to or watch, figuring out how to get places, buying funny t-shirts, and yes, word processing on a desktop or notebook computer and no one blinks.

Smartphones do all that. Usually not as well as a full computer, but still pretty damn good for being on the bus. So the answer to "why do you have a smartphone?" is essentially "why do you have a computer?" and, it being 2009, I'm not really sure how to go about answering that question.

[Troy McClure SF]

In fact, whenever he comes to my apartment, he usually asks if he can use my computer to check things online!

...

I suspect that if she was more often away from a computer and had no alternative, then she'd use the phone features more often - but she's hardly ever far from a computer, and so she doesn't.

Another benefit of smartphones is that you can be logged in to all your accounts, and have them handy. You can always use someone else's computer, but that usually entails logging the owner out, logging yourself in, then logging yourself back out, which is annoying for both parties.

[whole bean]

I own a smartphone because I like to be able to check my email and look stuff up on the Internet anywhere. The GPS also comes in very handy sometimes. Also, I use the calender and alarm and to do list features. Oh, and notes, I put grocery lists and stuff on there. I used to have a Razr and it had some of those features, but I never ended up using most of them because it didn't work as well and it wasn't worth it. I really like having a qwerty keyboard for those things and for texting.

No, I don't get excited for upgrades. I wouldn't pay hundreds of dollars for a newer model. I got my phone free with the service plan.

nice username/post combo

[Gorgon Heap]

Ok. I do not want an argument. I'm only looking for info into something I don't know anything about.

Am I using the Internet rigt now from my desktop? Obviously. But it's not the sole or most important reason I own it. It can do all these other things too, but if all it did was type and print, that would be fine with me for the most part. No computers are that simple anymore, I don't think, so the point is probably moot.

My phone is just a phone. I got the cheapest little thing the company would give me because all I need is a communication device. It's a phone. I don't need it to be a computer because I have a computer for that. Nor do I need my car to be a hovercraft or my refrigerator to bake bread. They do what they're made to do and I'm perfectly content with that.

Your saying, Troy, that it's 2009 sound like I'm just hopelessly out of date and behind the curve. That's entirely possible - people have said it of me for years. Again, I'm fine with that - I'm just trying to get a grip on this so I can mention it in a paper as if I know what the heck is going on out there.

[iamthewalrus(:3=]

So the answer to "why do you have a smartphone?" is essentially "why do you have a computer?"This. While a smartphone isn't a computer replacement, it lets me do most of the important things (email, internet) that I use a computer for.

This is my first smartphone, a few months old, and I don't intend to upgrade it any time soon, although I do intend to replace it with another such phone eventually (probably either when my current contract runs out (might as well get the discount) or when my phone breaks).

Gorgon, but, why do you have a cell phone when you can use a landline? Sure, you can use a computer when you want to do computery things, but only if you have one with you. I always have one with me (well, except today, because I forgot it at home).

[Oredigger77]

I got my iPhone because I finally broke down and was going to get a MP3 player and didn't want to carry both of them.

Since them my phone has become my life I don't own a computer so outside of work it is my only access to the internet and emails. All of my music is stored on it and I listen to it while I drift off to sleep as well as my alarm clock in the morning. I take down notes on things I want to buy or things to remember and instead of watching the news in the morning I decide what to wear based on the weather app. If I'm in a place that doesn't have cell reception and I'm bored I have a couple of games on the phone that I can play. I occasionally use it to talk on the phone or send texts (67 min and 130 texts this month).

I don’t really care about upgrading my phone since I live in an area without 3G. Most of my friends bought iPhones after playing with mine but they’ve all upgraded and I now have the oldest one in the group which doesn’t bother me.

[Troy McClure SF]

Ok. I do not want an argument. I'm only looking for info into something I don't know anything about.

You're completely right, and I shouldn't have given you one. People are often a lot more condescending when asking why one would have a smartphone and I directed my frustrations from them into this thread. You were obviously just fighting some ignorance, and I apologize.

My phone is just a phone. I got the cheapest little thing the company would give me because all I need is a communication device.

I think what it boils down to is the definition of "communication device." Some people can't understand why people e-mail when post is just fine. Other people can't understand why people text when calling is just fine. Some people still pay for AOL on top of a regular ISP because they like AOL's homepage. People are still determined to believe that Twitter is nothing but people talking about their poop. But normal, day-to-day communication for me happens in all kinds of forums beyond calls and texting. Any "communication device" I'd own would have to include calls, texting, IM, and Twitter at a minimum.

Then toss in some 300+ RSS feeds in Google Reader, and roughly the same number of Twitter accounts I'm following, and the myriad of other stuff I occupy myself with online, and a smartphone is a no-brainer.

[RoniaBorkason]

I got a Blackberry as my second cell phone ever because I used to have a Palm Pilot and I missed all of the functionality. Switching OSs was easier for me than paying for a Palm with phone/internet :) I use it for the calendar, the address book, the list making tools, reading (the internet or books) on the bus/in line, email, texting, taking notes in meetings, the camera, and sometimes to call people. Its most of the internet, plus my whole memory, in my pocket!

[Lantern]

A smartphone is a really useful general-purpose tool just like a computer.

I have an 8GB memory card in my Nokia smartphone and use it as my main audio player. Saves me the bother of carrying another device and it's especially convenient if I receive a call while I am listening to something. The phone will automatically transfer me to the call and switch me back after the call is over.

Having access to the Web wherever I go is very convenient. Say I find some books or DVD's on sale. I can quickly pull out reviews and see whether they are worth buying. Or if I am stuck in a line, I can check the news or my e-mail.

The camera has autofocus and can serve as a makeshift scanner; I can photograph text and it will be legible. At other times I just take a snap of something I find interesting.

The GPS and Google Maps comes in very handy from time to time especially if I am in an unfamiliar area. Maybe I have some time to kill and want to find a nearby bookstore.

[Gorgon Heap]

Originally posted by iamthewalrus

Gorgon, but, why do you have a cell phone when you can use a landline?

Actually not two months ago I considered doing just that for monetary reasons, but decided to retain it ... well I guess because of paranoia. If something happens to my car or me I want to be able to contact help. Likewise if something happens to my kids I want to know right away, not hours after the fact. Between work, school, and family responibilities I spend all day kinda driving in circles, so who knows when I'd get messages.

[Troy McClure SF]

Having access to the Web wherever I go is very convenient. Say I find some books or DVD's on sale. I can quickly pull out reviews and see whether they are worth buying. Or if I am stuck in a line, I can check the news or my e-mail.If your phone has a camera, you can (probably) scan the barcode and see if that item is available cheaper online from the retailer whose store you're standing in. Pair that with in-store pickup and you can save some real cash.

[Gorgon Heap]

Troy, I'm only semi-sure of what most of your last post meant, but I see your point and why it works for you.

Thanks for the honest answer.

[Labrador Deceiver]

Ok. I do not want an argument.

Sure you don't.

My phone is just a phone. I got the cheapest little thing the company would give me because all I need is a communication device. It's a phone. I don't need it to be a computer because I have a computer for that. Nor do I need my car to be a hovercraft or my refrigerator to bake bread. They do what they're made to do and I'm perfectly content with that.

When you poison the well with these kinds of ridiculous comments, what do you expect the responses to your question will be? Nobody is looking for a phone to do random, unrelated tasks like bake bread or act as a hovercraft. Some people need computer-like functionality from the road, so they get a device that will perform those functions. You seem to be completely unable to understand that some people have needs that differ from yours.

[Troy McClure SF]

Troy, I'm only semi-sure of what most of your last post meant

Which one?

[Xavier T. Nougat]

Gorgon, a couple more thoughts that might help you with your paper, or at least might bring up some more interesting conversation on this topic:

1 - From the few people I know that own smartphones, they can pretty clearly be broken into two groups: young people who want them because they're fun and/or a status symbol, but don't really use them, or older (not old) professionals who need the various apps and really do use them for business-related purposes. I would argue that the marketing aspect of smartphones really only works on the young, as is probably the case for 99% of all forms of marketing anywhere.

2 - Though it may seem like I was complaining about smartphones in my previous posts, the truth is that I'd really like to have one someday when they get better.

I got my iPhone because I finally broke down and was going to get a MP3 player and didn't want to carry both of them.

Since them my phone has become my life I don't own a computer so outside of work it is my only access to the internet and emails. All of my music is stored on it and I listen to it while I drift off to sleep as well as my alarm clock in the morning. I take down notes on things I want to buy or things to remember and instead of watching the news in the morning I decide what to wear based on the weather app. If I'm in a place that doesn't have cell reception and I'm bored I have a couple of games on the phone that I can play. I occasionally use it to talk on the phone or send texts (67 min and 130 texts this month).

This basically sums it up for me. My current phone can do most of what Oredigger describes, even though it's not a smartphone. It is lousy for MP3 playback, though. I'd like to replace my MP3 player with an advanced phone because it would be great to incorporate everything into one easy device. But the problem for me is that smartphones are not yet a suitable replacement - my MP3 collection exceeds 70 GB, and I know I'd use up more memory for apps and pictures and whatever else. I've also read that the battery life is very short.

One day, though, phones will likely be capable of supporting enough memory and battery life that I can do everything I want on one device. When that day comes, I will get a smartphone because of the convenience it will provide. Until then, the reason I don't get a smartphone is that I can't justify the cost of it.

Now, if only they could invent a smartphone that acted as a wallet and had a built-in compartment for your car keys... then I'd never have to worry about pocket space again.

[Gorgon Heap]

Labrador Deceiver - Let me explain. I know, I think, three people who have these things now, and all the use I've ever seen any of them get out of it was to look up YouTube videos. Seriously. They're just showing off toys.

What Troy, Xavier and others are saying is more like what I wanted to know. That people actually have use of all the whackiness the gadgets are capable of.

Or I should say I now know the difference between people who do and do not need smart-i-phones. I assume in years to come people will be more familiar with the things ... that's what I have to comment on in the paper.

[Gorgon Heap]

Now, if only they could invent a smartphone that acted as a wallet and had a built-in compartment for your car keys... then I'd never have to worry about pocket space again.

See here's where I stand, Xavier - I was sure this actually existed in "Galladinium's Fantastic Technology", but it was actually a chronometer with a hidden compartment. When real technology has outstripped science fiction technology, the world is just going way too fast for me.

[Erasmus Darwin]

A smartphone is a really useful general-purpose tool just like a computer.

This sentence serves as both a summary as to both the appeal of smartphones as well as providing a good indicator as to where they're going. A phone isn't a phone anymore -- it's a universal electronic widget.

Now, if only they could invent a smartphone that acted as a wallet and had a built-in compartment for your car keys... then I'd never have to worry about pocket space again.

The phones are already more than capable enough. It's everything else that needs to upgrade.

Wallet: There are already vending machines in some parts of the world that let you pay using your cellphone. I don't think they've caught on in the U.S. Just imagine that only as ubiquitous as credit card acceptance, and you're golden for paying for almost anything.

Car keys: There are cars that support wireless key fobs in lieu of keys. There are cars that support bluetooth. Smartphones support bluetooth. Put the three together, and there's no reason why your phone can't have a program that lets it send the authorization signal to your car.

[Munch]

Also: While even if I did ever manage to fit an entire Risk board game into the bathroom stall and set up the board with all those tiny pieces, I'd never be able to fit 5 other people in there to play with me while I poop.

[Oredigger77]

But the problem for me is that smartphones are not yet a suitable replacement - my MP3 collection exceeds 70 GB, and I know I'd use up more memory for apps and pictures and whatever else. I've also read that the battery life is very short.

The battery life isn't bad on the iPhone. When I originally bought mine it was for a trip to Australia and I wanted something to listen to on the plane ride. I got 19 hrs of continuous play over the headphones. Using the external speakers or surfing the internet is where problems occur and typically I get about 4 hrs of heavy use which still isn't bad. You’re right the memory isn’t great thought.

[Munch]

But the problem for me is that smartphones are not yet a suitable replacement - my MP3 collection exceeds 70 GB, and I know I'd use up more memory for apps and pictures and whatever else. I've also read that the battery life is very short.
There's an app for that...

SimplyMedia will stream your entire MP3 collection from iTunes, letting you dedicate all your other memory to videos, pictures, etc. (Apps take up VERY little room.)

[Cat Whisperer]

I'm thinking about getting an iPhone for a couple of reasons; my husband got an iTouch for Christmas last year, and he loves it very, very much, my old cellphone is ooooold (people laugh when they see it - it's about three generations away from being one of those old brick phones), and I would like to have more functionality in one device. I'm certainly no early adapter - my old cellphone has been fine for my needs for the last four years or so, but there comes a point where I'll make the jump up to the next level of technology.

I'll agree with technology moving too fast, though. I'm starting to have thoughts like, "My dvds play perfectly well on my inherited hd tv - why do I need a blu-ray player and a plasma screen?" In fact, I'm noticing that the hd tv we got from my sister plays dvds TOO well - I don't need to see every pore in every actor's face! And sometimes I start rambling and forget the topic I started off talking about....:)

[Elysium]

My husband and I both use iPhones, but for varying purposes. I need the daily planner tools. I store all my appointments in iCal, access my email frequently on the road and update my work if I'm running late. I commute to work so I frequently check on train delays while in between stations. I store books in my Stanza application and recently finished reading The Count of Monte Cristo on it. I use it to count my knitting stitches, patterns, and notes in a knitting application and the functions of the one application alone trump any hand held stitch counter. I take photos and upload them to friends and family. I listen to music.

I didn't buy this phone for bragging rights and I don't use it to show off. It's an amazingly practical and useful tool that has functions for many aspects of my life. Hell, if I get bored on the train it's invaluable just for keeping my brain occupied with games or websites.

Then, there's my husband, who remote connects into his work computer on it and keeps track of his business emails and tech tickets 24 hours a day. We can use it to remotely control the laptop if we hook it up to the TV and want to watch streaming video.

Sure, maybe a portion of the iPhone user community are just tech-braggers but I know a lot of people who are using smartphones every day for the sheer number of functions they now contain.

[melodyharmonius]

I got my iPhone because:

1) it was cool.

I got the Motorola Razr 2 years ago when I signed up with AT&T and although I liked being able to finally take pictures on my phone, I hated it for most other things. It was also way too small and too thin and I could never find it in my purse.

When I got the iPhone, though, I was still a cheapskate and got a refurbed 3G rather than the brand new 3GS that had just come out (I got mine in Aug 2009).

And now here's the really big confession about part of the reason why I got my iPhone:

2) I go to Dragon*Con every year. This year was my 3rd year going, and I wanted to get it before Dragon*Con so that I could check the website for schedule updates without having to worry about paying for in-room internet or finding a wi fi cafe to lug a laptop to.

The other really handy thing is:

3) I'm a contractor, and a lot of places I work for has blocks on websites at work. So checking emails about potential new assignments, checking agency websites for new postings, etc are just really hard to do. And some of my assignments can be pretty boring during the day without FB or LJ or SDMB!

I use my phone a lot - although I don't currently have an apps that I haven't gotten for free. Usually during the day I use it to IM my bf, check/update FB, Twitter, check emails, and get directions (I'm geographically challenged).

As far as updates and whatnot - I'm not typically the first in line for new phones. I wait out my contracts like a good girl as much as possible. I don't even have a blue tooth for the iPhone - I use the rubber headpiece and talk that way.

[panaccione]

Well let's Just say I'm at work replying to this from my iPhone, when I otherwise would not be able too. ;)

[enipla]

and recently finished reading The Count of Monte Cristo on it.I forgot books. I read a lot on my storm simply because I ALWAYS have a book now or just about any book I want.

Really, carrying something as big as a pack of cigs and having all this available is just quite stunning.

[cmyk]

I got the iPhone when it first came out. I just upgraded a couple months ago to the 3GS (32 gb).

I think, first and foremost, it depends on how "plugged-in" you are. That is, how much of your life is organized and runs through the computer. I run my own business (3D modeling / CG animator), so it's a much more convenient lifestyle if I can check up on matters, while I'm away from my main rig. Lots of sending and receiving visual content and video, so it's perfect for that. As for general communication I use it, of course, to make calls, but for work I mostly stay in touch through email.

Second: What a great pocket device! Games, books, utilities, internet, email, google maps, GPS, digital compass, camera (video and pics), music/media player, apps, etc. All in an incredibly easy to use, slick and well integrated piece of hardware (that is, well integrated with the Mac OS and Apple's hardware). I make use of almost all of it, constantly. I hate being stuck somewhere and being bored, or not being able to access my "plugged-in" life. With the iPhone, it's available to me anywhere, so long as I have coverage (or wifi) and my phone has juice.

[Xavier T. Nougat]

There's an app for that...

SimplyMedia will stream your entire MP3 collection from iTunes, letting you dedicate all your other memory to videos, pictures, etc. (Apps take up VERY little room.)

That seems pretty cool, and it's definitely a plus. But on the other hand, I prefer not to leave my PC on for hours at a time when I'm not using it. I assume you'd have to leave your PC on for this to work, right? I realize that's probably a stupid question - I like to think I'm fairly tech-savvy, but for all I know, Apple has servers with billions of GB dedicated to backing up people's iTunes collections for instant streaming.

Oredigger mentioned battery life as being 19 hours during MP3 playback, and maybe 4 hours of heavy use. Is this pretty standard for the current generation of phones? Anybody with a Droid or Blackberry that can comment? My wife leaves her phone plugged in almost nonstop when she's home, and it seems that the battery will last just long enough for her to take it to work and back. I've just assumed that it's basically the same for other Droid-owners, but maybe she's just got a crappy unit?

[Declan]

People with Smartphones/iPhones, whatever: Why do you own these devices? What got you to buy them to begin with?

Currently the iphone is the closest thing you will ever own that replicates a tricorder.

Declan

[Baron Greenback]

Currently the iphone is the closest thing you will ever own that replicates a tricorder.

Declan

Heh, not quite. (http://code.google.com/p/moonblink/wiki/Tricorder)

[Pithy Moniker]

I have a PDA phone because of work as well. I'm on call one week in three and need to be able to get emails from our monitoring software anywhere/anytime. My phone also has remote desktop program that lets me log in to the servers at work and fix problems. It has Outlook calendar functionality and serves as a great reminder tool for upcoming events.

For non-work related uses, my phone gets called into service when there's a movie trivia\song lyric dispute and there's no computer close. For gift shopping purposes, I typed up a text list of which seasons of what shows on DVD my wife needs to complete her various collections. Google maps is great on trips out of town. I used the phone once inside a store to look up the right kind of headlights for my wife's car. Someone had ripped the reference book off the display.

It's like having a slow computer with a tiny screen in my pocket.

[Angel of the Lord]

I got a Blackberry because it allowed me to have Google Talk in my pocket and use it to IM as much as I want. Later on, I grew to appreciate the email functionality and the web-browsing capability, but initially, it was all about the IMs.