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Mobile Phones?

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
We keep hearing that mobile phones will replace the wristwatch - there's a thread here about it somewhere. I'm curious - is there anyone there who doesn't use a mobile phone?

I don't use one in my personal life and never carry one with me. I don't see a reason to have one as I have no interest in ongoing conversations and texts interrupting my day. I have one for work (which is issued to me) but it is switched off and popped in a drawer when I leave. I'm 44.

I'm not against technology but I don't understand the need many peope have to always be available. But then I'm more or a Howard Hughesian retiring type.

Any comments?
 

Jesse Jack

New in Town
Messages
29
Location
Butte, MT
I have a cell phone, I'm attached. But as to the argument that they will replace a wrist watch, I don't buy it. Personally, I just started wearing a watch again specifically so I wouldn't have to look at my phone for the time. It is more convenient than digging in my pocket and it looks sharp, giving an impression that you're take being on time seriously.
 

Doctor Strange

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,228
Location
Hudson Valley, NY
I have a cell phone, but it's turned off 80% of the time. I only turn it on when I'm out of reach of my home and work landlines. I hate the damn thing, but there are times when it's convenient.

Anyway, I have definitely NOT embraced the I-always-have-a-phone lifestyle. And I absolutely refuse to send text messages. With two active email adresses, I have plenty of text correspondence as it is...
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,796
Location
London, UK
I love my mobile phone. Wouldn't have a land line at all but for the fact that it's still the best way to get broadband internet access at home. Using the phone, whether for email, text or voicecalls is a tremendous convenience for me. If I don't want to answer it, I don't. I don't understand why so many people complain about mobiles taking over your life, to be honest - you're in control of your own phone, not the other way around. Wouldn't be without a mobile now. Nor would I be without a watch (most commonly wrist, but sometimes pocket).
 

Cobden

Practically Family
Messages
788
Location
Oxford, UK
I don't have a mobile; there's no one I need to talk to that urgently. There is an old one in the family I occasionally use if I'm going on a long drive (my car isn't exactly what one would term reliable), but it's only a pay as you go jobby and I think I've only topped it up once in the past three years
 

Lokar

A-List Customer
Messages
383
Location
Nowhere
I love my mobile phone. Wouldn't have a land line at all but for the fact that it's still the best way to get broadband internet access at home. Using the phone, whether for email, text or voicecalls is a tremendous convenience for me. If I don't want to answer it, I don't. I don't understand why so many people complain about mobiles taking over your life, to be honest - you're in control of your own phone, not the other way around. Wouldn't be without a mobile now. Nor would I be without a watch (most commonly wrist, but sometimes pocket).

The problem I have with having a mobile phone is that if I don't pick up, people assume something is wrong (because they _always_ pick up). I've had frantic voicemail messages left by people thinking I've gone and died because I've not picked up my phone for a day.

I have one, I will admit it has convenience, but could quite easily go without one as well. Probably would, except it would upset my wife & her MIL.
 

scottyrocks

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,161
Location
Isle of Langerhan, NY
My cell will not replace my watch but nowadays I can forget my watch and not have to run back home for it. Before cell phones, if I left home without my watch I definitely had to go back to get it.
 

djd

Practically Family
Messages
570
Location
Northern Ireland
Before my iPhone I wasn't that bothered about mobile phones- I used the camera on them more than anything. Since my iPhone i do 90% of my web browsing and shopping on it. It's a wonderful bit of technology. I have a crappy old thing that I also have to carry for work...
 

RockyNomad

Familiar Face
Messages
71
Location
Denver
I believe EVERYONE should at least carry a cell phone for emergencies. You don't have to have cell phone service activated to make a 911 call.
 

Jesse Jack

New in Town
Messages
29
Location
Butte, MT
I think if you're not going to answer it you shouldn't have one. I swear my wife leaves hers on the seat of the car 90% of the time. When it gets stolen I'm going to replace it with a car phone.
 

Pompidou

One Too Many
Messages
1,242
Location
Plainfield, CT
Considering a person can still buy a pocket watch, I don't think mobile phones will ever become the only option for telling time on the go, but watches will become a niche commodity and the price will reflect it - like hats. I use my iPhone 4 for everything. I wear a watch, but only because it's an impressive looking one, imo.
 
Messages
10,883
Location
Portage, Wis.
I always wear a wristwatch myself. I am never without my phone. I've got a smart phone and am always connected and always have people texting me. I couldn't imagine being phone-less again.
 

Pompidou

One Too Many
Messages
1,242
Location
Plainfield, CT
I always wear a wristwatch myself. I am never without my phone. I've got a smart phone and am always connected and always have people texting me. I couldn't imagine being phone-less again.

My family says the same thing you just did, but for every technological upgrade. We didn't need a microwave once. Couldn't live without it now. Didn't need a computer once. Didn't need internet. Didn't need cable internet. Didn't need cell phones. In regards to cell phones, I was an early resister too. I thought, "If I'm not home, that means I'm busy." But now, my phone and I are inseparable. I'd sooner live without a redundant kidney. What was I thinking all those years? I'm in the process of having my own place built, and it won't have a land line.
 

Jesse Jack

New in Town
Messages
29
Location
Butte, MT
In regards to cell phones, I was an early resister too. I thought, "If I'm not home, that means I'm busy." But now, my phone and I are inseparable. I'd sooner live without a redundant kidney. What was I thinking all those years? I'm in the process of having my own place built, and it won't have a land line.

I'm the same. My wife and everyone had cell phones and I was like "nah, I don't see the big deal." Then she just went and got me one and brought it home. Now I can't leave my blackberry in the other room even. Went without a landline for months when I moved into this place until I realized that with the package deal our cable company has it was an extra $2 a month or something.
 
Messages
10,883
Location
Portage, Wis.
I have my own place and no landline, I would like one because I collect antique telephones, but my cell phone can do so many things that a land line can't. I'd rather just invest the money in that. Not to mention the fact that I am seldom at home.

My family says the same thing you just did, but for every technological upgrade. We didn't need a microwave once. Couldn't live without it now. Didn't need a computer once. Didn't need internet. Didn't need cable internet. Didn't need cell phones. In regards to cell phones, I was an early resister too. I thought, "If I'm not home, that means I'm busy." But now, my phone and I are inseparable. I'd sooner live without a redundant kidney. What was I thinking all those years? I'm in the process of having my own place built, and it won't have a land line.
 

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