What do you do with your smartphone?

[T_Yamamoto]

Went from a Droid 1 to a Galaxy Nexus.

Dad went from a Droid 1 to a SG3

 

[rcpratt]

Pulse and Flipboard for sports/news.
MLB At Bat to watch games
Skydrive/Google Play music to stream video/audio
Traffic/navigation
Finance...Mint/USAA/E*Trade
Gmail/Work EMail (Lotus traveler)
Scramble and bejeweled

 

[Zaap]

Since PIII hit the GHz limit the compelling nature has gone way down as a result I don't upgrade my computer often I just moved on from a Core Duo laptop this year. I buy lower mid-range hardware now PC wise.

This is why more choice, not less, is a good thing.

Know the real reason why your lower-to-mid range hardware is as cheap as it is?

Because people's demand for the newer/faster hardware pushes the demand/cost of yours way down. You enjoy the low cost at the expense of those pushing for newer/faster/better.

If not, believe me, the same companies would GLADLY charge you an arm and a leg for your 'older' hardware, because that would still be the current 'high end'.

You're right that lots of people simply don't want or need the newest stuff- no problem. I also keep older stuff working for me as long as I can before upgrading it.

But as far as my main computers and phone- I want the best I can currently get. Right now, a Sandybridge system gets my work done perfectly, and rendering times for video are faster than the system it replaced. A newer Ivybridge would be incrementally even better, but I have no real need yet.

Like I said, my new phone fetches info for me quicker, reacts quicker to my input and therefore saves me time. Not everyone needs these things, because a lot of consumer tasks don't require a hardware speed increase- but many of us do need to stay current.

 

[Yongsta]

Weather & Traffic, GPS, News, Sports Scores, E-mail, Check Bank account balance, Check stocks (E Trade), sometimes games and listen to music when I'm bored. Also very convenient when you're having an argument with a friend over some trivial question / random fact, make a friendly bet and you can instantly search google for the answer.

I still remember when you had to wait for Sportscenter / News or the newspaper to get the sports boxscores or weather. Before google / wikipedia, friendly bets with friends used to have to lookup almanac or encyclopedia.

 

[kyrax12]

I would get the Galaxy SIII but the phone is just too big.

It must be a pain operating it with one hand.

 

[shortylickens]

I would get the Galaxy SIII but the phone is just too big.

It must be a pain operating it with one hand.

Depends on your hands.
I'm a little guy and I can use the Titan just fine. I prefer a larger screen for viewing emails and calenders and stuff.

 

[zerocool84]

i think its already happening. i too never buy high end pc hardware anymore. its just a waste of electricity and money.

and why buy a galaxy sIII for $500 when i can find a used exhibit II for $75? the price difference is gigantic yet both phones do most the same thing.

Why do people buy a car costing $30k when you can get a car for $13k? They do the same thing but the more expensive one does the same things better, faster, more efficiently, more comfortably, etc etc just like having a top of the line phone compared to an older smartphone.

 

[wirednuts]

Why do people buy a car costing $30k when you can get a car for $13k? They do the same thing but the more expensive one does the same things better, faster, more efficiently, more comfortably, etc etc just like having a top of the line phone compared to an older smartphone.

most people i know would never buy a new car. why pay $30k for one when you can get the same model similar condition 3 years old for half the price?

 

[pm]

In priority
1. Email - work + personal
2. Calendar - work + personal
3. Alarm clock - every morning, it's my alarm
4. Navigation - particularly with traffic conditions
5. Music player + podcast player
6. Weather
7. Stock prices + very occassional trading
8. Tracking Exercise - Endomondo mostly
9. Web browsing
10. Camera - my phone is my primary camera and video camera
11. Gaming - mostly strategy and puzzle games.
12. Flashlight - I always have it with me... the camera flash makes a decent flashlight

I never need the latest and greatest and prefer to be one generation or so behind... it's cheaper that way.

 

[shortylickens]

You should consider carrying a small Photon or eGear light on your key ring. Its brighter than a phone and lasts longer. And you'll always have it available, unlike a phone that can die in the middle of the work day, or be turned off cuz you aint allowed to use it and turning it on takes too darn long.

http://www.amazon.com/eGear-PICO-Zip.../dp/B002M26NC8

I keep it hooked to a tiny knife with a tiny carbiner.

 

[Zaap]

most people i know would never buy a new car. why pay $30k for one when you can get the same model similar condition 3 years old for half the price?

Sidetrack issue I know but:

I used to do this as well, but when I did the math on my last two new cars; started out hardballing the price 'take it or leave it' low at a time when dealers were practically begging for customers, factored in rebates, warrantee, less need for servicing, eventual resale value without the previous owner-added miles etc- my last two cars purchased new have been a big net savings over buying used.

 

[kaerflog]

Well, you ask why people need to to spend $500 on a GS3 why a $75 Exhibit can do the same thing.
The thing is most people don't buy phones off contract here in America.
They walk into a store and see the latest and greatest phone for $200 vs something else for free.
The thinking is if I'm stuck paying the same amount every month for the next 2 yrs, $200 is really nothing.

I remembered 2 yrs ago when the IP4 first came out and it was the best phone at the time.
This guy at work signed a new contract and bought a Sony Siraz for $69.
He said the IP4 was too much at $200.
I told him he will be stuck with the same phone for 2 yrs paying the same monthly fee, which phone would he rather want ??
He went and exchanged the phone the next day.

 

[Zorander]

I use mine mainly for IMs, calls and web browsing. It replaced my previous combination of a Nokia phone and iPod for phone and music purposes respectively. I only occasionally use it for GPS, weather checks, etc probably because my network is woefully slow with them.

It's been 3 years now. Something with bigger screen estate would be nice but my current phone is still doing fine.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

1) Social networking:
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Foursquare
- Google+

2) Pictures (linked with social networking)

3) Email (personal and work)

4) Calendar reminders (especially for work meetings)

5) Communication (text/calls/IM/gchat/whatsapp)

6) Maps/GPS

7) Music/Video/Entertainment

8) Modding (new ROMs/custom kernels)