How can anyone justify Smartphones?

[holli4pirating]

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.

[HNSB]

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.

[BKratchmer]

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

I bought new tires last Monday!

[HNSB]

I bought new tires last Monday!

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

Apologies to everyone for the

[Shoki]

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.

[teemus]

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.

[cpcohen1945]

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.

Charles

[hoglahoo]

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

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

[gugi]

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

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

[justalex]

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...