Not so long ago, I was not a huge proponent of smartphones. I was happy with the basic functions that my regular cell phone offered me - phone, internet, music, photos and other regular features like sms, alarms, stop-watch, timers, reminders etc. What else would you want in a phone after all? In fact, I couldn't understand the psyche of people who spend obscene amount of money on the so-called smartphone. I couldn't stop wondering what made them shell out the kind of money that I would never. I was curious, but still satisfied with my regular phone until the opportunity presented itself to do a thorough evaluation and take sides.
My regular cell-phone started having power problems. It was clear that it was going to die on me sooner than later. It had served me well for about 3 years and I was kind of happy that it provided good value for money I spent on it. So enthusiastically, I started looking out for what would be my next buy and I had to consider smartphones. Smartphones were no doubt better but the question was - Am I willing to pay the price?
My main expectations from a smartphone were
My regular cell-phone started having power problems. It was clear that it was going to die on me sooner than later. It had served me well for about 3 years and I was kind of happy that it provided good value for money I spent on it. So enthusiastically, I started looking out for what would be my next buy and I had to consider smartphones. Smartphones were no doubt better but the question was - Am I willing to pay the price?
My main expectations from a smartphone were
- Better ergonomics
- Big screen, no strain on the eyes
- Neither too big, nor too small
- Touch-enabled - easy on hands, less typing
- Good voice quality - good mike, speaker and earphone performance
- Good battery life
- Easy to operate - Good usability, support for various standards GPRS, 3G, WiFi, CDMA, GSM etc.
- Good value for money - It HAS to justify the price tag
Expense Tracking
There are many good apps for iPhone that let you track your expenses and provide good reports such that one gets complete insights into where the money is spent. One might ask whats the big deal? Could you not do that on a PC/ laptop. Sure you can, but its not real-time and that's what counts the most. I have attempted a zillion times trying to track all my expenses by entering them into an excel sheet at the end of the day but I would still end up with deficits that I could not account for. Now, if I take a cab to my friends place, I can make an entry into the phone app while I am in the elevator and its all taken care of in reporting. Fill it-Shut it-Forget it and march to zero deficit.
Banking / Stock Watch
Most banks and DPs now have software for phones which let you do stuff without hassles of a call (more importantly privacy in public places). Using them I have been able to make profits or cut my losses and all I need is an internet connection. This On-the-go connectivity is alone enough to justify investments (at least for me)
All-in-one-place
Most smartphones offer software that allow you to add text notes, embed an image into it and add audio recordings into it. In short create your own videos but with text annotations. I recently upgraded my desktop and the technician told me a few facts about the motherboard layout. I just clicked a photo and recorded audio of his instructions. Later when I went through the user manual, I could add my own notes into it. From learning a new recipe to learning how to repair you car/bike - this is a great way to learn if you have access to the expert.
Social Apps / News Apps
I usually travel by public transport and recently there were couple of flash strikes by autos / taxis and once even the Meter Jam by citizen organization. The power of social media and news applications is immense in such situations. I participated in Meter Jam and patched up with friends on strike day (thanks to Twitter) just because I got to know about them in time. All credit goes to these apps which empower you with facts and let you decide the next course of action.
Weather Apps
Using weather apps, have been able to plan out a few outings with good deal of success. Thanks to reliable sources these apps pick up weather data from, that you don't have to be a victim of spineless and toothless weather reporting from the Indian Met Dept whose samples include "Possibility of light to heavy rains in different parts of the city throughout the day".
Knowledge Apps
Have subscribed to various Word-A-Day Apps and even downloaded an offline dictionary. So whenever I encounter a word I am not sure about, in less than a minute I am informed. Absolutely great way to improve vocabulary. Have an offline wikipedia on my cell, so a quick reference and I get to play the "expert" if others are not savvy as well. A great way to show off and win arguments :). More importantly it makes learning a lot more fun.
eBooks and Reading Apps
From Panchtantra tales to Sherlock Holmes, from technology reports to reviewing own documents, reading has never been a problem since smartphone. So stuck in traffic jams, waiting in the bank or at doctor's clinic or even cutting a long journey alone, I get my juices as long as am able to focus. As a result I get more free time for myself. Just a nice little positive cycle which contributes its share to my well-being. Am blessed with a good eyesight and like to read. So if you are like me, go for it !!
Games and Maps
This is one area where regular phones don't even make their presence felt. So if you want them, smartphone is your best buddy.
Size does matter
When it comes to storage size, average smartphones have GBs of memory compared to a few MB capacity on regular phones means a lot of photos, videos, documents, applications, songs and movies co-exist peacefully. Deleting items to create space is so passe. I don't have to choose between things anymore, if I like something it gets in. That's Power.
Typing speed
Because the touch screen smartphones are so easy on the fingers, your typing speed is guaranteed to increase. Friends who used to call me a snail when it came to typing cannot do so anymore because I can now type faster than most. This is actually an iPhone feature in my case. I will possibly be just as slow on any other smartphone, I guess. But that's just me. You will definitely gain on typing speed. Guaranteed.
A very valid and just description. It isn't really a question of whether one is ready to pay more for a smartphone full of applications you rarely use (if you are a basic phone user earlier). But the thing about these smartphones is that you certainly tend to use the applications more often once you are used to the phone, say after a couple of months. We all are majorly, salaried people who often spend time traveling (for work and sometimes on vacation. This is where the smartphones come in handy, especially if its a iPhone. Earlier mobile phone generation (lol, it changes every couple of years) was into games, then we graduated to internet, thanks to GPRS and its falling rates. But, I have observed more and more people using the applications often, not just while traveling, but on other times too. Ofcourse, game and GPRS is still the preferred usage, but other applications (especially if your smartphone is still new) are not too far behind. Though, I am tempted to give the credit to iPhone, it also noteworthy that Android (mainly through Samsung/HTC) has made its presence felt. More of iPhone applications are still paid ones, while Android market still has some cool freewares. And with the 99Rs per month, unlimited surfing plans available on 2G networks (guys, accept the fact that 3G is still out of reach for many of us), you tend to download more apps and use it often. So, all I can say, have money - buy a smartphone and enjoy. It wouldn't really make sense for a basic use to graduate suddenly to a smartphone unless he is going to use all those, or some, features/apps. But still, to make yourself future-proof, one can still go ahead and buy one of his choice. As of now Galaxy SII is one of the best bet (I am a hardcore iPhone fan, but sorry Steve this one is a fact) and most popular around as it is notably cheaper than iPhone and gives more features.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I would stop here and not be boring. But Amol, a great article/blog if I must say that and I am happy, I am not the only one who thinks on the same line. :) Cheers.