[Peroni]

It’s handy to have all these things in one device, but for now, the pros outweigh the cons for me.

The pro's listed: You call people more & you don't worry about damaging your phone anymore. Personally, those pro's don't even come close to outweighing the inconvenience of not having instant access to maps, music, camera and email for me.

[w1ntermute]

Saying that smartphones make you unproductive and then making a big announcement online about how you're giving up your smartphone is just a hip thing to do right now. The truth is that smartphones are just another tool. It's like saying you won't drive any more because you could get in an accident and die.

Just as I drive as carefully as I can, I avoid being engrossed in my smartphone the whole day. But that doesn't change the fact that when I need to fire off a quick email, check my calendar, or find out how to get where I want to to go, having a smartphone makes a big difference.

[checker]

If anything, the traffic monitoring and rerouting capabilities of a smartphone were worth it for me. I broke my iPhone and downgraded to brick. After the first traffic jam I got stuck in, I decided to grab a used iPhone on eBay. I could use a GPS, but why get one when a smartphone offers so much more?

[evandijk70]

I think the main pro is that you are not constantly distracted from your surroundings by your phone.

[ljf]

I had a similar situation for 2 months, and was pretty happy - I now have a Nexus 4, but am no where near as plugged into it as I used to be with my Note. At first the biggest killer was waiting for people, snake on my fall back phone was dull! But pretty soon I just got used to using the time to think through problems, make mental lists (that I actually trained myself to remember) and recall good times.

I found myself properly engrossed in the TV I was watching (this coincided with getting netflix, so we only watched what we were interested in, not filler TV), as I wasn't half watching everything while studying my phone.

My comments on the points you mention:

Maps: I'd either study an online map, print a map off, bring an A to Z map, or best of all, just head in the general direction and ask people. Talking to people is not scary!

Music: When I was at my PC I had music, but then the time I spent walking was spent actually thinking, not just 'thinking I'm thinking'. Silence is brilliant, and I now don't carry headphones. Also others are far more likely to approach YOU to ask for directions etc.

Camera: I've always hated people that spend gigs and festivals glued to the camera, so I've always tried to enjoy the moment without worrying about capturing it as social proof. There's been times that I've missed the chance to snap something cool - but now I just tell my friends about it in person down the pub, rather than post it to facebook. If I'm going somewhere cool, I'l take a real camera and get far far better pictures.

Email: I'm far more productive between 9-5 if I keep my emails to 9-5. If someone needs me they can call or text, but generally - and email doesn't need answering for at least a day. In the office I now only check my emails 3 times a day, any more and I know that I'm just 'making work' for myself, rather than doing work.

Anyway, I understand why they these might all be a loss for others, but for me, they've freed me up, and let me enjoy my life a bit more, than trying to feel like I'm cramming entertainment or 'work' into every second.

[ljf]

I'll add to this that it also totally killed my Facebook/Twitter addiction.

I totally realised that I was was 'addicted' to posting and sharing likeable content, which wasn't really developing me or actually improving my relationships with friends.

[Joeboy]

> inconvenience of not having instant access to maps, music, camera and email for me.

I have two phones. I mostly use my trusty Nokia 6021, which lasts a week or so without charge and I find more pleasant to use as a phone. If I think I might need maps, camera, connectivity etc I also take my £40 Android phone, which does all those things well enough. If I could get a week's battery life from a sub £100 smartphone, I'd probably make the switch but for now this is fine.

[OGinparadise]

"the inconvenience of not having instant access to maps, music, camera and email for me."

If you are glued to them, whether you admit it or not, it's not doing you any good. The sun will still rise if you unplug for a few hours and have a normal conversation.

[bussiem]

This is a non-sequitur - He said nothing about being glued to it, or using it in lieu of normal conversation. He simply stated that it's extremely useful in situations where access to a searchable map that gives directions could save you time money and frustration. Also, if you're a big music fan, having to carry an mp3 player and these Nokias everyone brags about is just extra weight. Also, having access to email is a huge thing, especially if you have a job that communicates primarily by email (in other words, any corporation or consultant) These things are not "distracting you from normal conversation". I realize that we did without these things for years, but we have them now, and we shouldn't be demonizing them. They do as much good as you allow them, but they also give you enough rope to hang yourself as well.

This shouldn't be about your phones causing you to waste all your time and lower your quality of life. It's simply a lack of self control, whether people want to admit it or not.