How can anyone justify Smartphones?

Unless you use one for business or are on the road all the time or don't have a computer and internet at home?

I was looking at upgrading my cell phone. I still have a V3c (Razor) from... six or seven years ago?

If I get a smartphone, I have to get an unlimited data plan for $30 per month. That is a requirement with Verizon. On top of that, I have to have a voice plan, the cheapest of which is $40.

a) Why do I have to get unlimited data?

b) How is 450 minutes of voice (costs $40) MORE EXPENSIVE than unlimited data?

c) Given that free internet phone calling is available, why do I have to have a voice plan at all in addition to a data plan?

d) How is it that anyone can spend $70 + fees per month on a cell phone? Seriously. I spend less than that on FOOD.

The devices themselves make sense. They are phone, internet, mp3, video and still cameras all rolled into one, but the cost is INSANE.

Get one, and you'll never ask that question again. ;)

It's one inflated expense in life that I'll never give up. In fact, awhile ago I did make a choice between satellite TV and my smartphone; I haven't had a satellite in over three years. It would be tough to go three days without my phone.

It doesn't take long to get used to being totally connected to everything. I have my email, my social networks, internet, SRP, news, RSS, EVERYTHING available instantly, any time I want it. The ability to be that connected all the time is probably more addictive than crack.
That's not taking into account the financial apps, the entertainment apps, the utility apps... My phone is a functional personal assistant. There are lots of things that I don't worry about, because my phone takes care of them for me.

Heck, my phone even got me to Mike Blue's without ending up in any snowbanks. ;)



That said, some of the prices from wireless companies are ridiculous... This isn't about smartphones, but another example of wireless pricing that makes no sense: For $30/month I have unlimited data on my phone (truly unlimited, not unlimited with bandwidth restrictions). With a USB air card I only get 5 gigs for $50.
It baffles me that the same data over the same network is priced differently depending on the device that's receiving it.

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Originally Posted by HNSB

Heck, my phone even got me to Mike Blue's without ending up in any snowbanks. ;)

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I bought new tires last Monday!

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Originally Posted by BKratchmer

I bought new tires last Monday!

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Are the zip ties still holding that whatchamajigger happily in place?

Apologies to everyone for the :HJ

My smart phone is supplied by work but I would never pay to own one. A nice $10 cell phone and $100 bucks worth of minutes and you are set for a year. Spend the rest on a iPod Touch or and iPad 2 or a laptop.

$200 plus 50 a month for 2 years is silly if you ask me.

Yeah, my phone plan expired back in August and the provider was pushing smart phones on me, offering free data for the first two months and other gimmicks. It would be nice to have all bonus things that come with a smart phone, but I just could not justify it, even if I did have the money to spend on it.

Right now I've got a $25 bill and my phone does everything I need it to.

they justify them because that is what smartphone commands them to do

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3irf4IAv9U

I've been mulling over the same question.

I'm tempted to get a smartphone just to keep my technical skills up. It bothers me when I'm handed a phone to take a picture and have to ask:

. . . Which button do I press?

But that's a poor reason to spend lots of money. I'm retired, not working.

I recently bought an Acer notebook for $300, about what a smartphone costs. The Acer has a gigabyte of memory, an Intel N550 chip, and a real keyboard. It's a perfect 'travel computer'.

But it isn't pocket-sized, and it isn't "always-connected" (though I could arrange that, for a price).

Different charges per byte, depending on what device the data is sent to? Marketing, marketing, marketing.<g>

Charles

I could almost go without a cell phone. I can't hear it over the grinder anyway :roflmao

I have one. I got talked into it by the salesman after he explained all the problems I would have if I took either of the 'phones of my choice. After I stated that I didn't want to spend anymore than $50 a month with no upfront cost, only to read in the welcome letter I received a few days later, that I would be paying a total of $70 a month due to some other non disclosed fee, I was a little bit irate. Needless to say I've taken them to task over it, and it now looks like I will have the fee structure I wanted in the first place and still keep the mobile 'phone they sold me...Rightly so I think too! Considering the option given to me was, "Oh, just bring the 'phone back to the store sir, and we will replace it with a cheaper option and re-contract you.' Like hell sunshine! I thought. All my contacts and information was already in the 'phone and what would be the most likely thing that would happen to it once it was return?! It would be (hopefully, can't trust it to happen) wiped of all data and on sold. But what if it wasn't done properly?! Or what if the weasel of a store manager decided to scan through my data for his own purposes?!...
My 'phone just sits on the table and uses up battery power mostly, although it is nice when I'm out in the sticks that I can log into SRP of course. So it has it's advantages.


Mick

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Originally Posted by HNSB

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

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plus cheaper and legal to use most of the time :)

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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.

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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.

:dropjaw:

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. :thinking:

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Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

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

It is lame.

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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!

I pre-ordered the first iPhone and have used one ever since. The biggest thing I have noticed: I use my home computer maybe about once every 2 months! Sure, you can buy a netbook for 2-400 bucks, but you basically have a computer that runs on a cell phone chip. With a smartphone, you have a computer that runs on a cellphone chip, that fits in your pocket. You can even use a bluetooth keyboard for most of them if that makes you happy!

Here are the daily or near daily things I use my iphone for:
-RunKeeper: Tracks the stats of all my runs ($100 bucks to buy a Garmin)
-Google Maps: Lifesaver. I don't know how you drive in a large city without (Another couple hundred bucks to get a sort of comparable gps unit)
-iPod, Napster, Pandora: Powerful music and internet radio capabilities. Hooks into the aux jack in my car ($200 bucks for iPod, I'll compare this to Sat Radio, so another 15 bucks a month
-Golf GPS:I don't play golf every day, but when I do, this keeps my score and gives me my approach distance ($200+ for a comparable golf toy)
-Mobile Office apps: view PDFs from an internet account like Dropbox, edit word docs, excel sheets, powerpoint presentations.
-Kindle ebook reader
-Ebay, Amazon both have amazing mobile apps. I can take pics on my phone and make a listing, or browse, bid, and pay for things.
-"Gas Cubby": tracks my fuel consumption and car service dates
-Camera: The iPhone takes 5mp pictures and 720p video. I don't own a point and shoot, just the iPhone and a DSLR ($200 for another camera)
-Find iPhone: Also not an everyday thing, but if it is ever lost, i can get on my wife's iphone and track it down, send it messages, or wipe the data.
-Word Lens: not everyday usage, but it uses the camera to translate spanish text to english in real time! It is amazing.
-Epicurious: Cookbook app. Amazing!
-The Internet: Weather(including satellite views), buying movie tickets, everything, just everything. (Priceless)


I can even VNC to my office computer and control it remotely! It easily replaces over a thousand dollars in equipment. After 4 years, I couldn't live without this thing.

It's all a matter of what you need your phone to do. For those that just need a means to make phone calls, a simple cell phone meets their needs. For others, there's a need for the functions of a smartphone. I stay pretty busy with my son's baseball league and am also in the US Coast Guard Reserve. Because of this, the e-mail and scheduling functions of my BlackBerry are paramount. We just did a refinance on the house and having quick access to email was very helpful when our mortgage broker needed something.

I also use BB's internet connection for work (and also for going on SRP and following my White Sox). There will be times I'll be in the field, tracking down a hard to locate witness on one of my cases and I can access certain databases right there, rather than having to wait til I get back to the office.

It all comes down to whether or not you need the extra lights and sirens on your phone. If you truly don't need the extra functions, then I think it would be hard to justify.

I had to upgrade my dying old flip Phone. The guys at Verizon were on me like jackels to upgrade me to a smart phone. I didn't bite. I really don't like to see people more engrossed in a device than learning and trying to communicate with real live people. Besides, I leave my cell in the truck, or behind at home as much as possible. But don't take my word for it Dylan, I won't wear a wristwatch, and avoid looking at clocks as much as I can in this life.

I started thinking about the evolution of phones and thought that there are a lot of similarities to the razor.

A straight razor is a basic simple tool that does its purpose well and nothing more. Early phones made phone calls, they didn't give you directions to your freinds house. You probably knew the directions already but if you didn't you gave him a call and he told you.

Early phones had party lines, everyone heard and knew what was going on in the neighborhood. Men used to go to the barber shop to get a shave catch up on the gossip and know what is going on in the neighborhood.

You had to learn how to take care of your razor and it took a little effort but it would take care of you the rest of your life. Your phone took a little more work also. You had to remember the number and dial it yourself. The phone couldn't do it for you. Your phone would last you 30 years. If you moved, died, or lightning struck it would be the only reasons you had to change.


The razor and phone manufactureres didn't like this as things are lasting to long so they said, "Lets make a cheap handles for the blades/phones and make them buy the disposable blades/programs and we will make lots more money.

These things did no better of a job than the origionals and maybe even worse. So the manufacturers got their marketing people involved. Lets put 2 edges on a razor, They can only use one at a time but they are to dumb to realize that. Or lets add text messaging, its slower and easier to miscommunicate but we will convince them its cool.

This has evolved into razors with 5 blades that don't do a better job than with one and cell phones that can tell you how much tea is in China when you don't drink tea anyway. These modern versions don't last more than a year and are obsolete when you buy them. Don't worry though, just toss them in the trash and spend a lot of money on a new one.

I can think of many more examples but I am off to hone my new straight.


Tim

I got one for business about six months ago and I've found it to be indispensable. All the functions I've needed for work for a long time now in one handheld device: GPS, Digital Camera, Email, Phone, Tape Recorder, Calculator. Internet is nice too.

For personal use, to me it's like all other similar related technology: Once you get it and use it regularly, you think you can't live without it. But, of course you can. The internal fight is whether or not you want to live without being plugged in constantly.

My one fight I'm still winning is that I have yet to start a Facebook account for myself. M'eh.

Chris L

I would like to find a $70 per mos plan...Verizon is $130 plus taxes in DC area for unlimited voice and data for iPhone

I just got an IPhone and use it to stay in touch with my kids. Dylan, if I told you my cell phone bill you would......well crap yourself. I do every time I see it. My kids do over 10,000 text messages a month!!

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Originally Posted by Birnando

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:)

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I have Taptalk and the coolest FARTING app I use to annoy my wife while in a restaurant. My favorite is "I'm Fartacus."

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

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. :thinking:

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Still have my land line, required by the job.

I got rid of my land line and switched to a Cell phone just because I was so busy at the time and didn't want to miss calls or have to call people back at midnight all the time. Also due to my wife and daughter's health conditions it also makes it more of a necessity than just wanting to have.

I tried the Iphone about 2 years ago and it was Ehh.. all the apps that would have helped me cost to buy as well as monthly fees after that. I switched to an Android based phone and have not looked back.

The problem here in the US is that even if you pay retail for the smartphone the companies use the ESN numbers to flag the account with a data plan. Since all the smart phones are always connected and transferring data I can understand to a point but I did a test where I only used the data pieces of my phone over wireless for a month to see how much data transfer I had.. it was less than 5 MB. The only way around this is to modify the phone ie.. buy a T-Mobile phone that allows the use on an AT&T network ( like the original G1 ) where you can use it for calls but must use Wireless to do anything else that requires data transfer ( until the merger is finalized at least ).

The other nice thing I can do is since I have modified my android phone I can use it as a Wireless hotspot.. so instead of paying for a DSL line or cable I just plug my phone in and turn on the hotspot and then connect my laptop to it through Wireless.

The only other option here is to go to someplace like Metro PCS or a similar provider that offers a flat rate no contract service that you buy the phone and then just pay your bill. I know here it is 40 bucks a month for unlimited talk, text, and web (taxes and fees not included) usage on their smartphones though they do not have a large variety of them currently.

I cut the cable TV and the home phone.
We only run broadband at home and 2 iPhones.
I use my laptop about 50% less since I got my Smartphone.

With my phone, Daily I:

Control my work computer and handle customer calls(remotely)
control all my computers at home (remotely)
Post things like "HI IM on SRP right Now" from my backyard
Instant Messaging
Email work and personal
Find locations with GPS
Surf Yelp for great local food options
Take Photos of jerky fans
do video calls with my wife and talk to my son from anywhere
Play chess and words with friends with about 14 people
read some comments on Lamebook
check my orders for the jerky
use paypal to by shaving gear
use netflix so my son can watch thomas the tank engine
razor pr0n
Actually make phone calls (if AT&T lets me :banghead:)

yes i seriously use my smart phone all the time and get my money's worth.

I could not justify paying $60+ for cable TV which I dont watch.

Smartphones are brilliant, they keep everything at hand so you can really stay connected to the fast paced lifestyle that makes you forget what's really important in life.

Anyways, for those who find that smartphones are expensive, just wait until the marketing departments find something bigger & better. Then smartphones will be obsolete and a smartphone plan will cost you peanuts.

In the mean time, enjoy the freedom you have when you can just walk down the street with nothing in you pocket except enough loose change to walk into the next pub you cross & enjoy a cool beer. :beer2:

Well, what you are seeing is the hardware that is finally bringing the internet to fruition.

The potential that was there in all those little things scattered all over--cellphones, TVs, computers, cameras--are now unified.

I've been waiting for the iPhone since I had my first internet connection...total connectivity, anywhere (almost, getting closer every day), anytime. The pricing plans are just the same old business folk trying to figure out how to preserve their old business model in a new business world.

How does that need any justification?

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Originally Posted by JimR

The pricing plans are just the same old business folk trying to figure out how to preserve their old business model in a new business world.

How does that need any justification?

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Good point.

If people are willing to pay these prices, it only makes sense to charge them. They're not there to make friends, they're there to make a living.

I couldn't be without my iPhone now that I have it. Everything everywhere at my fingertips. And to be honest it doesn't cost me anymore than my old cell phone did :)

My computer right now is full of viruses so it is pretty much unusable, so until I get a new one I'm glad my phone does every thing my computer does.

-dan-

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Originally Posted by Glenn24

Good point.

If people are willing to pay these prices, it only makes sense to charge them. They're not there to make friends, they're there to make a living.

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Thanks, but that wasn't actually my point.

My point is, the companies that have been providing cellphone service are now dealing with a different beast, and are trying to hammer a square peg (smart phones-basically a device to funnel the entire web into your pocket) into a round hole (their old voice-based service). The fact is, the smart phone has changed the market but the phone companies are still trying to figure out just how. So you get stupid (e.g. voice-plan centric) service contracts.

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Originally Posted by JimR

So you get stupid (e.g. voice-plan centric) service contracts.

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That is my greatest annoyance. Google, for example, lets you call land lines for free. (Maybe just in the US, I dunno). Google can be accessed through your data plan. Why force a voice plan when a data plan includes voice via data.

As a side note, if you can get unlimited data via your phone for, I forget but I think it was $30 a month with decent speed, why does my home internet, via land line, cost $50. Yea, it's faster, but it should be because a land line.

Dylan, yes, exactly. In Japan, they have had to restrict Skype to Wi-Fi use on iPhones because of a similar issue to Google, and they didn't want to kill their voice market. Stupid, stupid--trying to preserve an obsolete business model when the new model could be so much more robust.

Bump up the price on data just a tad, use the money to boost 3G bandwidth so more people get faster speeds and are thus not so apt to complain about the higher prices, and start offering pure data plans, et voila--new business model for a new communications market.

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

That is my greatest annoyance. Google, for example, lets you call land lines for free. (Maybe just in the US, I dunno). Google can be accessed through your data plan. Why force a voice plan when a data plan includes voice via data.

As a side note, if you can get unlimited data via your phone for, I forget but I think it was $30 a month with decent speed, why does my home internet, via land line, cost $50. Yea, it's faster, but it should be because a land line.

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Have you read the AT&T press releases? Starting 5/2011 they are going to be metering all DSL and Uverse lines. 150GB for DSL and 250GB for Uverse with 10 dollars extra a month for every 50GB after the initial. Also better make sure you have software to monitor your connection as the metering software AT&T uses has been shown to inaccurate.

I would love that deal. I currently pay $10/gb over 5 gigs; before that I was paying 5 cents / megabyte over 5 gigs ($51.20/gig).

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Originally Posted by sinnfein

My computer right now is full of viruses so it is pretty much unusable, so until I get a new one I'm glad my phone does every thing my computer does.

-dan-

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And what will you do when your smart 'phone suffers a similar fate?! I have a smart 'phone, but I'm no fan. I think I was better off with just my old basic mobile. I was actually better off without any mobile, but years of being on 24 hour call meant I had to have one for the job. It also meant I now think I can't live without a mobile...Blatently un-true. I could live with out one. I doubt my friends and family would like it too much though. Unfortunate, vicious circle in todays world.