Thread: How can anyone justify Smartphones?

Originally Posted by HNSB

The ability to be that connected all the time is probably more addictive than crack.

plus cheaper and legal to use most of the time

Originally Posted by HNSB

It baffles me that the same data over the same network is priced differently depending on the device that's receiving it.

the good old market segmentation, eh

jack of all trades master of none. I can't justify it, some of these phones are £400! and some are even more expensive than that.

for £500 I can get a full blown GAMING laptop that can play crysis on medium settings. I have a PSP that is my ebook reader, mp3 player, movie player and games console in one and it carries out these roles fantastic (except the ebook reader, could be better but I've read 400 pages of hitchikers guide to the galaxy on it so its perfectly comfortable) and it cost me £50, it also has component ouput, so anywhere I go, I can play films on my PSP on my TV works for games as well, PSP or PS1 games played on the PSP work fantastic on the TV.

My friend has the HTC Desire where he plays crazy birds and uses it for facebook posting and it costs him £35 a month

I dont understand this obsession with pointless electronics: the smartphone, ipad, 3D TV and High definition television. A solution to problems we didn't have, until you start buying them then you have to re-mortgage...

You are starting to sound like a crotchety old fart Dylan

I used to have a cell phone. Don't any more. It was too dumb to make a call from the middle of North Dakota. Are these new, expensive, do everythings smart enough to make a call from there?

Might have to get one so I can watch videos while I drive.

It is a strange system you got over there, with the service providers giving you the phone, and the accompanying overpriced plans for data and voice.

Although we have something similar over here, most people I know buy their own phones at market price, then shop around for the provider that suits their specific needs for the least amount of money.
And guess what? That's usually a lot cheaper in the long run.

I want to freely choose the type of phone I want, and I want to freely choose a provider that fits my needs.

You basically need to buy a unlocked phone from a 3rd party for more than the cost of the new phone here to do that.

Then in addition we have 2 systems, CDMA and GSM.

It is lame.

Originally Posted by Birnando

It is a strange system you got over there, with the service providers giving you the phone, and the accompanying overpriced plans for data and voice.

Although we have something similar over here, most people I know buy their own phones at market price, then shop around for the provider that suits their specific needs for the least amount of money.
And guess what? That's usually a lot cheaper in the long run.

I want to freely choose the type of phone I want, and I want to freely choose a provider that fits my needs.

Originally Posted by Birnando

It is a strange system you got over there, with the service providers giving you the phone, and the accompanying overpriced plans for data and voice.

Although we have something similar over here, most people I know buy their own phones at market price, then shop around for the provider that suits their specific needs for the least amount of money.
And guess what? That's usually a lot cheaper in the long run.

I want to freely choose the type of phone I want, and I want to freely choose a provider that fits my needs.

Some folks do it over here in the states but the biggest problem is that we have both CDMA and GSM networks and few companies make a phone that will do either or. Not to mention that ATT, the largest GSM provider over here is trying to buy out T-Mobile (Deutsch Telecom for you Europeans) to create one giant GSM network. Which would be nice except that means prices will go up b/c lack of competition.
The other problem we have over here is getting unlocked phones. Only a few manufacturers sell unlocked phones over here. All of the providers will gladly sell you a phone for full price but it will still be full of their bloatware and locked to their network unless you do something to it. If you want an unlocked phone in the states your best bet is to pick a provider, then get on ebay and buy an unlocked one from Hong Kong or Taiwan or Korea.
There are a few good software developers who spend a ton of time hacking bootloaders and making beautiful ROMs for smart phones but then you risk bricking it and being out $300-$600 for a phone.

That being said, I have a smart phone and I thoroughly enjoy it. I use it with google voice which lets you use data for both voice and text messaging. It will also transcribe your voicemail to text and send that to you. You can also set up multiple phones to ring the same number, make calls from the computer and do international calling for around 2c a minute. It's nice when you're trying to contact friends who are in odd places and can acess a telephone but not internet.
I'm also on the go a lot so it's nice to get my work emails wherever so I can be prepared for anything crazy when I get back to the office. I can also use the GPS on google maps if I get lost or want directions. It's all stuff I could live without but it certainly is nice to have.
The best part though, is that I have Crohn's disease so it's nice when I'm stuck in the bathroom to be able to have plenty of reading material and access to YouTube.

Originally Posted by bharner

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The best part though, is that I have Crohn's disease so it's nice when I'm stuck in the bathroom to be able to have plenty of reading material and access to YouTube.

Yup, that is one of the uses I value as well
Nothing like a little SRP on Tapatalk while having a lathing session in there

I've yet to own a cell phone, smart or otherwise. Thinking about it but the trusty old landline, at home, is hard to give up.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

Then in addition we have 2 systems, CDMA and GSM.

It is lame.

Incredibly lame. And now we're looking at LTE vs. WiMAX. Pick one, make all the telco companies use it, and while I'm governing the world I'd tell the device manufacturers to pick a standard (e.g. USB) for charging and data transfer.

ONE CABLE TO RULE THEM ALL!