JOY is letting go of something I never really wanted or needed

[Tilikum Turbo]

Two weeks now since I gave my POS Cell-Phone the big heave-ho.

Never really wanted or needed this electronic 'nanny' and felt I was becoming a slave to a device like a rat in a cage being conditioned to monitor it for text's/e-mails/calls.

In another life maybe I will need it if I am a heart surgeon on call, but as an engineer...no.

Time Warner also sealed the deal...$10/month for the land-line unlimited calling, to US and Canada. For me, economics trumped convenience.

[look 171]

I don't like cell phone and electronic devices but they are necessary. Ultimately you are in control. Don't allow the phone, text or any of the other things to tie that leash on you. It should be the other way around. Its a device, use it to your advantages.

[scottmandue]

Ba... ba... but how will you find he nearest starbucks!?!

My cell phone just went through the laundry... I am currently "untethered"

When I get to work I turn it off and toss it in the desk so don't need it everyday... but they do come in handy at times, especially on vacation.

Time Warner? Oh my

[Tobra]

Good man. I wish I did not need a phone, was very resistant, but got tired of going to pay phones after a page. Yeah, like in the olden days.

I have a cordless phone that is pretty nice I will give you if you PM me an address. It has been sitting in the box for a number of years, so you might have to buy batteries. It has two, one in the phone and one in the base. If the power goes out, you get some talk time until the one in the base goes dead. No idea how long it would work, but it did when my power went out and I still had a land line. If your battery goes dead in the hand held unit, you just swap batteries. Charges like any other hand held, resting on the base, mounted on a wall or sitting on a table.

[stomachmonkey]

I think if it were not for the advent of cell phones my wife would have divorced me a long time ago.

Some of us work in industries where the shop never closes.

While she hates the intrusion when we are out she understands if it were not for the ability to talk someone through something or give a verbal approval then I'd be the one doing the doing, as in I'd be back in the office while she was home alone on the couch.

But honestly I would not mind opening a Margarita Shack on a beach in the islands and vacuum sand out of tourists laptops on the side.

[Baz]

IMHO - too many people tethered to their cell phone.

Unless I am expecting a delivery on a job - my phone stays in my work truck. I have voice mail check it throughout the day as necessary. Otherwise I am busy focusing on my work.

[Don Ro]

I just got an iPhone 5 -my first smart phone - bought from Paul (widgeon13).
I'm amazed at what it brings...but, I only use it for phone, text messages, GPS maps and a couple of fun apps like Planet Finder, and Checker (a cleaner).
I've cleaned it all out WRT what I need to do to keep a good battery charge.
So much junk available, IMO.

[Baz]

Secret Service agent distracted by cellphone allowed fence-jumper to enter White House - The Week

[Noah930]

I know the feeling, OP. You can ask Mrs. Noah: I hate having a cell phone. Up until last week, I had a **flip phone**. Possibly the last non-burner flip phone in existence. Unfortunately it literally broke in two, and I've since "upgraded" to an iPhone. Can't wait until the day I can get rid of this nonsense.

[Jim Richards]

I neighbor just got rid of his flip phone today and replaced it with an iPhone. Big learning curve ahead for him. I like my smart phone. It has made my life a bit easier, and contrary to the OP's opinion, it's no more a nanny than my old alarm clock. Oh wait, it is my alarm clock, too!

[Laneco]

At $10 a month, the landline is a great deal - don't blame you at all. But as for cell phones - here's how I feel about it....

Is your phone controlling your life? Make an adjustment to the ON-OFF button...

angela

[GH85Carrera]

My iPhone is not an extension of my hand. I can ignore it with ease. Just last week we went out to eat and there were 5 adults at out table. Not once in almost two hours did anyone use a phone. We actually talked and laughed.

My iPhone is just a tool I use at my convenience much like my car or any other means to an end.

[Oh Haha]

Since I "retired" I get just about 0 phone calls a day. My wife texts me but that's it. I don't have a fancy shmancy device, either.

My wife's work device> texts and phone calls constantly.

[scottmandue]

Day three without a phone (see previous post, phone went through laundry) woke up this morning and it is D-E-D dead.

Honestly don't miss it... my only concern is if my 18 year old Mazda dies on me I will have to walk to find a phone.

Also honestly it is not about the electronic leash so much as the cost that bothers me... no matter how much I massage the bill we are still paying +$150 a month for three phones with data (please don't bother posting that you are paying $39 for one phone with no data... apples and oranges).

Frankly money is short and I may just go without a cell phone until after the holidays.

[wdfifteen]

My cell phone has saved me miles and miles of unnecessary driving. I don't especially like it, but it is useful tool.

[Z-man]

There are many practical uses for a smartphone beyond the typical SMS, Twitter, Facebook updates...etc. that most young folks use their phones for...

Some examples:

Last fall, Mrs. Z-man and I were hiking in the Ramapo Mountain State Forest. I mis-judged the distances and we were caught in the middle of the park at sunset. The long way back via a dirt road would have taken well over an hour to reach our car. I spotted a section of the Cannonball trail as we were making our way back. Looked up the trail on my iphone, and realized we would save significant time by bushwhacking it. Since it was getting dark fast, most of the trail markers were difficult to spot - but I used my phone's GPS /mapping app to help point the way. Would not have ventured off the dirt road without that aid. We likely shaved at least half and hour off our trip. Would not have done it without the iphone's GPS.

Here's a pic as we approached the tail end of the trail:


I also use a GPS app (Run Keeper) to track my bike rides.

Waze is another great GPS app that combines mapping with social media - so folks can warn you of traffic, accidents, and police up ahead. (Saved my skin a couple times!)

I enjoy listening to music during my commute - and instead of listening to CD's (so 1990's), I stream Pandora radio through my phone.

Various airplane apps help me with airport check-ins and gate reassignments too. Comes in handy when you have a short layover and need to know what gate to go to quickly. And Google Translate is a great tool if you can't speak the native language.

I've used Redlaser to do price comparisons when I'm at stores like Best Buy and Target. Saves me a few bucks from time to time by pointing me to a store with the same produce for less.

For taking notes in a meeting, I have an Evernote app that syncs with my iPad.

The Reminders app is great for keeping track of doctor visits, appointments...etc.

A smartphone is only a waste of time / nanny / electronic leash if you let it be one. There are useful things it can do, if you want. Not that there's anything wrong with a round of Angry Birds from time to time!!

-Z-man.