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-   -   How Do You Use Your Smartphone? (https://thetfp.com/tfp/general-discussion/154302-how-do-you-use-your-smartphone.html)

snowy 05-03-2010 07:24 AM

How Do You Use Your Smartphone?
 
I was reading an article in the NYTimes this morning about people watching television on their smartphones, and how the industry has been surprised by how many people really will watch television shows and movies on a tiny screen.

Quote:

It might be hard to imagine watching “The Office” on a screen no bigger than a business card. But tens of thousands of people — by the most conservative estimate — are already doing just that.   click to show 

We don't have a smartphone but we do have an iPod Touch, and we do watch video on it. Joost has an app that we've used to watch several episodes of Bleach together while laying in bed. However, access to that is free (for now). I actually really like using the iPod Touch for watching video; despite the screen size the picture quality is very good.

Do you use your smartphone or similar to watch television shows? Would you rent a movie to watch on your smartphone? Blockbuster's price point for renting a smartphone movie for 24 hours seems a bit ridiculous to me (given that there are Redboxes EVERYWHERE these days), but at what point are we willing to pay for content simply because we want it NOW?

I can't wait to get a smartphone. What else do you do with yours?

SecretMethod70 05-03-2010 07:48 AM

I currently have a Palm Centro running PalmOS that is nearly 2 years old. When I bought it, the iPhone 3G had just come out and Blackberry had some good phones to choose from as well. I got the Centro precisely because of my approach to what I want my phone to do.

My priorities for a smartphone are as follows: 1) Productivity/Information Tool, 2) Social Device, 3) Entertainment Device.

This summer, I will be getting the HTC EVO 4G on Sprint, which will probably be the most powerful phone on the market when it's released. It will have a relatively gigantic 4.3 inch screen, and you know what? Watching movies on my phone is the least of the things I'm looking forward to doing with that screen. It's not that I'm not interested in it, but the features that excite me are things like augmented reality, widgets so that I can have a number of different pieces of information instantly at my fingertips, and PIM applications.

After using my phone as a tool, the next thing is to be able to use it to socialize. There are the obvious features, like Facebook, Twitter, and chat integration, but the HTC EVO 4G will also have a front-facing camera for video calls. Since onodrim will also be getting one, it will be a nice feature to use when calling each other.

The entertainment features - 720p HDMI output, relatively large screen for mobile video - interest me, but I'll probably get the least use out of those. I don't need a phone that will keep me entertained where ever I go, I need a phone that will empower me to be productive whenever I want.

warrrreagl 05-03-2010 08:01 AM

Grancey and I each have a Motorola Droid. When I first got it, I downloaded apps like crazy (always free ones) and tried out every possible thingy. Now, I've whittled it down to these few basics:

Calling and Texting (obviously)
Weather
Stock quote
Taking pictures
Checking e-mail
Calvin and Hobbes daily comic
Playing Bejeweled
Identifying songs played around us

The funniest thing happens when Grancey and I go out to eat. She will pull out her Droid at the table, and when I see her do that, it makes me think of something I wanted to check on mine. As soon as I start to pull out my Droid, she stops me and tells me that we both can't have our Droids out at the same time, because it looks too stupid.

Daniel_ 05-03-2010 08:03 AM

I use mine for email, twitter, as a camera, and before I got an iPod I used my phone as a portable music platform. I browse the next, and text people.

In an emergency, I have even been known to TALK to people with it.

LordEden 05-03-2010 09:27 AM

In the order as follows:

Texting
Phone
Email (I like being able to check all 4 of my inboxes at once)
Ipod (Music device)
Social Networking (twitter and the like)
Video Games (Risk and Civ Rev)
Proving people wrong at bars

Very Last:
Watching Media of any kind

It's nice that I can watch youtube videos on my phone or any kind of movie I upload to it (I've got a few), but I don't want to do that. Like smeth says, outputting it to another TV or LCD would be nice, but I just don't care enough to do that. It really does hurt my eyes after awhile. If I want to watch a movie on the go, the netbook is perfect for that.

levite 05-03-2010 10:19 AM

My wife and I both have iPhones, which we LOVE!

We use for:

texting
email
phone
reading (with the Kindle app)
text study (Torah, Talmud, and other sacred text apps)
playing games
calendaring
notes
listening to music
taking pictures
Facebook
Weight Watchers (great app)
GPS/directions
movie listings/ratings
recording classes/events
travel alarm clock
coordinating travel/flights
reading newspapers
getting out of unpleasant/boring situations (Fake Caller app, we love you!)

The above were in no particular order.

telekinetic 05-03-2010 10:51 AM

In order for me:

Emailing
Texting/chatting
Quick Google Searches on some discussion or curiosity point
Facebook
Calls
Surfing Craigslist and reading forums
E-book reader
Navigation with Google Maps

Push-Pull 05-03-2010 11:48 AM

Jeez, what don't I do with my Droid.......

In as close an order as I can muster,

Text
Phone
Calendar
Alarm clock
Weather
Games
Reading material (RSS feeds, Ebooks, etc.)
Reference (Dictionary, Unit Conversions, GPS data)
Study (flashcards)
Music player (Last FM, Slacker)
Podcast player

There's plenty more, just can't think of it.

Charlatan 05-03-2010 04:50 PM

I have a work issued Blackberry. It's fairly limited in what it can do.

Email
SMS
Gmail
Twitter
GChat
Google Maps
Photos


Very limited Internet for searches and the occasional Facebook update.


I am hoping for an updated version so I can have apps that do things that a regular phone can't (beyond email).

drag0nmanes 05-03-2010 07:21 PM

Other then use it for a phone? Play music, play games, take pictures, surf the web when I can leech someone's wifi. The main reason I got a smart phone was that you can do all the things I want to do easily without worrying about having to convert something to make it work. I bought a CD I want to be able to put that on my phone, not have to download a ring tone or convert it to a usable format. I want to be able to connect it to my computer to back everything up in case I lose it or buy a new phone, not have to have my carrier do it or be sol if it gets lost etc. Convenience is why I have a smart phone.

Fremen 05-03-2010 08:33 PM

I don't have a smart phone, but I watched most of Iron Man on my friend's iPhone. It was a great picture. Very clear, so-so sound.

If I had one, I could see myself lazing in bed while watching, or watching one in the Dr's office.

Plan9 05-03-2010 08:38 PM

Crotchety jerk says:

"TeeVee on my phone? Heck, I remember when people read newspapers and books."

...

I'm a cranky old man, so I'm glad all my phone does is talk and text. I have no desire to check email on my phone; I'm already tired of my techleash.

...

I miss payphones that take coins.

...

I guess I can understand see the appeal in being able to email people while riding a bus or sitting on the crapper, but I don't have anything in my life that requires that kinda now-now-now. It can wait until I unpack my laptop at skool (university wireless) or when I get home and fire up the desktop.

Daniel_ 05-03-2010 10:58 PM

Oh! I forgot Google Maps. I use my phone to find places I supposed to be meeting people.

GPS enabled phone plus unlimited internet = win

noodle 05-04-2010 03:28 AM

Everything. I lurve my iPhone.

Checking prices (LOVE red laser)
Emailing
Texting
Calls
iPod including books on CD
GPS
Maps
Identifying songs
Solitaire
Scrabble
Camera
Surfing the net
Finding places to eat/drink/shop (layar, ftw!)
YouTube
Work stuff
Definitely for winning arguments.

Plus, it's great for weirding people out when the Hospice social worker's phone rings "Don't Fear the Reaper."

Glory's Sun 05-04-2010 03:55 AM

Blackberry Bold

Emailing
Texting
IM
Word Docs
Excel Docs
Talking
Camera
Music
GPS
Maps
occasional web surfing
I don't do the videos because well, blackberry phones don't support very many codecs, and it just doesn't seem right to me to watch a video on such a small screen.

I can't wait for Verizon's LTE technology to start blanketing more markets. It's going to make Sprint's 4G (it's not even true 4G..liars) look like grandma walking through molasses.

AquaFox 05-04-2010 07:15 AM

htc touch / windows mobile

in order of use:

internet/ facebook
text messaging
camera
email
weather
tom-tom application
paperweight
youtube, flash video sites
phone

SecretMethod70 05-04-2010 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guccilvr (Post 2783903)
I can't wait for Verizon's LTE technology to start blanketing more markets. It's going to make Sprint's 4G (it's not even true 4G..liars) look like grandma walking through molasses.

*ahem* LTE? You mean the technology that doesn't meet the International Telecommunication Union specifications for 4G? ;) (Semantics, as that has nothing to do with speed which is what consumers care about, but it's silly to call Sprint liars for calling WiMax 4G while LTE is not.) Plus, LTE won't be fully deployed until 2012, which is when Intel expects WiMax 2 to be deployed. WiMax 2 will make up for any current advantages LTE might have over WiMax, and the current WiMax towers are upgrade-ready.

/threadjack

Glory's Sun 05-04-2010 12:45 PM

Verizon already has LTE in several larger markets. While that means that it won't be fully deployed until 2012, it's hardly going to be unable to be upgraded. While this has nothing to do with cell speeds, Verizon is already testing it on home based internet with speeds of 50Mbps+. They're expecting it to mean double the current 4g speed for cell users.

Either way, I'll never go to sprint because they suck huge donkey dick that was fucking goat ass. :D

SecretMethod70 05-04-2010 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guccilvr (Post 2784060)
Verizon already has LTE in several larger markets. While that means that it won't be fully deployed until 2012, it's hardly going to be unable to be upgraded. While this has nothing to do with cell speeds, Verizon is already testing it on home based internet with speeds of 50Mbps+. They're expecting it to mean double the current 4g speed for cell users.

Either way, I'll never go to sprint because they suck huge donkey dick that was fucking goat ass. :D

Pfsh, maybe if you live in the middle of nowhere... I haven't actually been on Sprint yet, but looking at CNet's independent coverage map, Sprint is very good for urban markets, and it also allows for roaming on Verizon for free, so there's really no disincentive. Unless, of course, you prefer to be on the most expensive carrier instead of the least expensive ;) They did suck quite a bit years ago, but they've gotten their act together. People just have long memories when it comes to cell carriers - probably because of the 2 year contracts.

While I like WiMax for 4G, I certainly like GSM over CDMA, so Sprint and Verizon both lose there.

Glory's Sun 05-04-2010 01:30 PM

CDMA > GSM

CDMA is better for reliability as far as calls go. GSM is a lot less complicated though and allows for better battery life etc but I'd rather have a phone on a charger with reliability than better battery life and dropped calls.

And, maybe Verizon is more $ in Chitown, but here, AT&T is by far the most expensive carrier.

snowy 05-04-2010 01:38 PM

Having used both Sprint and Verizon, Verizon wins in terms of customer service and reception in my market. Sprint has changed some of their pricing and packages since I stopped using them, but they basically said one thing to me in the store (oh yeah, you can buy a text message package for $5/mo, and that's it, no other charges) and quite another when the bill came ($5 for the text message package, another $15 for their "Vision" package, which they then claimed was required if you wanted to send a text). Haven't had any problems with Verizon so far, and the minor issues we have had have been dealt with quickly.

Anxst 05-04-2010 08:01 PM

I just finally got an HTC Incredible last week, and I love the thing.

I use it for:

Email
Twitter
Facebook
Camera
Camcorder
Texting
Phonecalls
GPS Navigation
Workout Tracking (with the Endomondo app)
Calendar/Reminders
Taking quick notes (Evernote app)
Wikipedia while on the go
Shopping comparisons (with Shopper app)
Budgeting (Mint app)
Police Scanner

I used to do all these things on my desktop...now I can easily do them on the go.

SecretMethod70 05-04-2010 08:41 PM

Anxst: If you use Dropbox, the Android app for that was just released tonight too :D

---------- Post added at 11:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:11 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowy (Post 2784083)
Having used both Sprint and Verizon, Verizon wins in terms of customer service and reception in my market. Sprint has changed some of their pricing and packages since I stopped using them, but they basically said one thing to me in the store (oh yeah, you can buy a text message package for $5/mo, and that's it, no other charges) and quite another when the bill came ($5 for the text message package, another $15 for their "Vision" package, which they then claimed was required if you wanted to send a text). Haven't had any problems with Verizon so far, and the minor issues we have had have been dealt with quickly.

The big difference with Sprint now is Dan Hesse. He's the one responsible for turning Sprint around both in terms of physical service and customer service. He's only been CEO for about 2 years now, but he's responsible for the Simply Everything plans (which, with free mobile-to-mobile regardless of network, blow everything else out of the water in terms of value) as well as improving customer relations. One of the things I came across repeatedly while researching carriers over the past month or so is that Dan Hesse gets that Sprint's customer service sucked ass, and he's doing what he can to change it. Two years ago, when I signed up for my current AT&T contract and phone, I wouldn't even consider Sprint. Even now, before I put more research into the carriers and the upcoming phones they're offering, I was pretty set on switching to Verizon. It wasn't until I started to seriously look into the carriers - their coverage, their pricing, their attitude toward phones (Verizon is especially known for demanding control over the phones they sell, which is part of why the iPhone initially went to AT&T since Apple are also control freaks ;)) - that I realized Sprint is worth giving a shot.

As for lying sales reps, that is unfortunately something that you're likely to experience no matter what carrier you choose: Verizon: Here’s the Truth About Sprint 4G

Anyway, I think Verizon is also good service, just pointing out that Sprint is better than they used to be and still improving. It no longer deserves the extremely negative reputation it earned in the past, while AT&T's reputation ought to be even more negative than it currently is. I really can't wait to get off their network!

Gucci: AT&T and Verizon are the same in Chicago, and both much more expensive than Sprint's Simply Everything plans. The two main things I like about GSM are SIM cards and world compatibility. When I went to England last summer, I had no problem getting my phone on the Orange network so that I could use it abroad. It's just a matter of buying a pre-paid SIM card from a store and popping it in. With CDMA, there is no unlocking your phone. It's specifically made for the Verizon or Sprint network, so even though they both use CDMA you can't bring your phone with you. Contrast that with AT&T and T-Mobile, where it's just a matter of typing a code to unlock your phone and you can use it on whatever GSM network you want. Of course, generally speaking, the European wireless technologies are way less restrictive than ours in pretty much every way. I don't remember exactly where it was, but when I read about the prices they pay across the pond, it's pretty clear that we're getting ripped off here.

snowy 05-05-2010 07:26 AM

That may be true, Smeth, but it still doesn't change the fact that in Oregon, Sprint's reception sucks balls.

World's King 05-05-2010 08:13 AM

I love my Blackberry. I use it for pretty much everything. I don't watch media on it though. If I need to watch a video I use my netbook. It's faster and much better quality.

Jove 05-05-2010 10:48 AM

IPhone 3gs

Texting
Facebook
Twitter
IMDB
Moviefone
Camera
Weather
calcuator
Where

lurkette 05-13-2010 04:24 AM

I got an iPhone about 2 months ago after my blackberry was stolen (not happy about having to replace it, but it was a blessing in disguise...I liked the qwerty keyboard and the shiny red color, but very little else about it...LEAST intuitive piece of hardware I've ever owned)

So: how do I use my iphone? In chronological order:

- alarm clock
- weather
- calendar
- email
- calls
- texting
- facebook
- games
- book reader

Also for:
- google google google google google (seriously, the day they offer neural uplinks I'm first in line...nearly instantaneous knowledge? I'm such a junkie.)
- gmaps
- photos

The usual. It's my remote touchpoint with the rest of the world, and my toolbox for managing my day. I find I hardly ever use my iphone for music, though - I haven't had time enough to transfer everything I like to it. I still mostly use my ipod for that.

MexicanOnABike 05-13-2010 02:04 PM

phone & text. sometimes notes and I barely use the camera. I only have this phone because it was mega cheap.


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