Is an iPhone/Smartphone worth it?

[AirKuhl]

Originally Posted by rcooled

You're absolutely right...the genie's out of the bottle and isn't going back. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy technology as much as the next guy. I have iPods, iPads, laptops, gps and cell phones too. I just find it interesting how quickly mobile devices have risen to the status of "necessity". We're witnessing the birth of a phenomenon here that will eventually have a profound effect on most everything people in the civilized world do. Probably something along the lines of what Henry's Model T did for the status quo back in the early 1900s, only reaching so many more people.

Very true. Most regular jobs used to about doing something repetitive for some number of hours a day, then you are done and go home. Nowadays many of those types of 9-5 labor jobs get shipped overseas to someone who will do it cheaper. More jobs here these days are about accomplishing some goal and getting a result. No one cares if you worked 10 hours or 80 hours last week as long as the goal was done by Monday. No one cares if you sat in a cubicle or sat in your living room as long as it got done.

This is good and bad I guess. I love the freedom to manage my time and location as I see fit, but I also realize that the line between work and not-work is totally blurred in my life.

[911pcars]

The iPhone and equivalents are so popular, they are must-have products that are on many people's shopping list. I give you this:

iphone | eBay

Note: Disregard the potentially lucrative iphone URLs for sale.

Sherwood

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by gprsh924

Having a smartphone allows me to get a ton of work done without being in the office.

For those complaining about being overconnected, it's as simple as not answering calls or emails until you decide you are back on the clock.

Translation = I can quit anytime

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

The iPhone and equivalents are so popular, they are must-have products that are on many people's shopping list. I give you this:

iphone | eBay

Note: Disregard the potentially lucrative iphone URLs for sale.

Sherwood

Those domain names for sale are crazy. Back before Google I would sometimes guess at domain names when thying to find a product. Now like most I just Google it and never pay much attention to the domain name.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by gprsh924

Having a smartphone allows me to get a ton of work done without being in the office.

For those complainig about being overconnected, it's as simple as not answering calls or emails until you decide you are back on the clock.

I have my email synced on my iPhone with my office email. I sometimes look at who it is from when I am off work. A lot of my email is personal stuff and not really work related. I really do just ignore anything that is work related that can wait until work hours. If an important client needs a response I can respond or forward it easily.

If a buddy sends me a funny email I can read it and delete it and when I come to work it is already in the deleted items folder. It is just like having my office Outlook with me all the time.

[RedBaron]

Personally, this is not a "must have" item. I am a college student, that is working full time in the summer. I do not want one to be "hip", I just think it would be nice when I travel and such to be able to use the internet on it or to consolidate my iPod and phone together when I travel. I have a decent amount of money in my reserves, and it comes to about ~$1.00 a day for internet. My 944 does not need much except for tires at this point.

Thus, I think I am going to get the iPhone. Now, I am wondering if I should get it now before VZ gets rid of unlimited data, or wait until the supposed iPhone 5 will come out? A few people I know have iPhone 4s and they seem to be VERY NICE as is.

[stomachmonkey]

Unlimited data trumps phone features. You can always upgrade the phone later but you won't get unlimited later

[RedBaron]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Unlimited data trumps phone features. You can always upgrade the phone later but you won't get unlimited later

That is a very good point.

For those with iPhones: does Verizon put any hidden charges on the bill or should I just expect to see my bill will be $30.00 more each month + tax?

[gprsh924]

I think the decision is slightly more complex than that. It really depends on how one uses their phone. I have the 2gb AT&T plan and have yet to go over 1.3gb in any month. I process about 50-60 emails a day through the phone, spend probably 1-2 hours a day surfing the web/ using web based apps, and watch a handful of YouTube videos. There is now wifi at work so I am using data all day. At home I am on wifi.

If I wanted to stream pandora all day at work, unlimited data would be required.

To sum up the above, I would venture that a majority of smartphone users do not consume enough bandwidth each month to make an unlimited plan necessary.

[GH85Carrera]

This summer I will be driving my 911 to Savannah GA. I will have my conventional GPS with me. Last year when I drove to Chicago I brought my OLD GPS as a backup, this year my iPhone will be the backup GPS. I used to have paper maps as backup, now it is all electronic.

[porsche4life]

I wouldn't get one on VZ, but thats mostly because of them not letting you browse while making a call. And yes, I do that.

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by gprsh924

For those complainig about being overconnected, it's as simple as not answering calls or emails until you decide you are back on the clock.

Bingo! You are only as "overconnected" as you allow yourself to be. Whether it be for work or personal life.

Few weeks ago I lost my phone for 2 days. The most peaceful 2 days I have had in a long time.

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by gprsh924

I think the decision is slightly more complex than that. It really depends on how one uses their phone. I have the 2gb AT&T plan and have yet to go over 1.3gb in any month. I process about 50-60 emails a day through the phone, spend probably 1-2 hours a day surfing the web/ using web based apps, and watch a handful of YouTube videos. There is now wifi at work so I am using data all day. At home I am on wifi.

If I wanted to stream pandora all day at work, unlimited data would be required.

To sum up the above, I would venture that a majority of smartphone users do not consume enough bandwidth each month to make an unlimited plan necessary.

Good summary. I just jumped into the personal smartphone use this past week. (Have a Blackberry for work for the past 5+ years) I drank the kool-aid and got an iPhone4, primarily to use facetime with my bro-in-law and his expecting wife who just moved to AZ, as well as to skype with my parents in Florida.

I must say, I am pleased so far. I have an ATT plan, (2Gig / month) and am conscious of how much I'm using the data plan when on 3G. But it has only been less than a week...

The good part is the iPhone will always try to connect to wifi, and if it can't find wifi, it will tell you that. So if you're surfing along @ 3G and consuming the data bandwidth, you do it knowingly.

My cable company (optimum) has wifi hotspots all over my area -- and if I am in such a spot, I can setup my iphone to automatically connect, and use that instead of dipping into my dataplan. (Plus there are tons of free wifi hotspots all over the place these days.)

For me the bottom line is this:
1. I am not the kinda person that must be connected to everyone all the time, so I am not too concerned about sucking up all the bandwidth that ATT allows per month.

2. All the apps are new to me, but I will limit my 'playtime' for now when I'm on wifi primarily. (Work's wifi is only for laptops, understandably so. Besides, I work all day, and SHOULD be focused on work, not playing with an iPhone. And I can stream Pandora, check the news...etc. on my laptop at work.

3. If I am out at a restaurant with my wife or friends, I'd rather engage in a conversation with them vs. texting someone or posting up on Pelican.

4. There are a lot of apps out there -- the trick is finding the useful ones. If you are getting an iphone (or other smartphone) just to text and play angry birds, then you are wasting technology and $$.
-Z

[RedBaron]

UPDATE:

Well I finally got sick of my regular phone restarting in my pocket every 5 minutes, so I bought a 32GB white iPhone last Saturday. I do like it quite a bit although typing is a little tricky on it. Any recommended Apps? I really love the Rennlist App (Wish I knew how to develop one for Pelican.) I think I may either start a new thread or revive a thread about them. I do not have any regrets about buying the phone so far. Thanks everyone for your advice.

[axl911]

The Iphone is easily 10x more powerful than the PC/laptop in term of functionality.

On a recent trip, I used it as a GPS, travel guide, and know-it-all. Wandering around San Diego, I find little places to go to and neat restaurants with ratings. Heck, if I was tired of walking along LaJolla shoreline and want to spend the night there, I can easily find a hotel and book it.

When walking around NYC during Christmas and the gf has to go to the bathroom, I can quickly locate a starbuck 2 blocks away. Grabbed a hot drink while she does her business.

Shopping at Lowes, I can scan an item I am interested in buying and immediately check to see what's the typical price on Amazon.

All that stuff in addition to making phone calls, textings, full internet access, playing games, Ipod /w bluetooth when I work out, etc.

Heck, I am interested in buying a snap-on TX-72 ratchet off ebay. The iphone will beep and notify me immediately when one appears on Ebay!!! And with one motion, i'll even bring me to the auction screen!!!!

100X more powerful than the laptop/PC.

[masraum]

Muh hahaha. Another one assimilated.

BTW, have you set Pelican Parts to come up in iphone mode? I don't really feel like I need an app for it because the iphone mode is so good.