Do you own a smartphone or a dumbphone?

[Susan Unger]

In a recent facebook chat with high school friends, some of us came out and publicly stated that we still only had "dumbphones" or "stupidphones" and then defended our position

This article [Our mobile society] made me curious to know which of my naznet buddies were like me or like my fb friend.

So which do you own?

[Peggy Gray]

Way back--15 years or so--I got a Motorola bag phone to keep in my car for emergencies. It was as big as a bucket loader. A few years ago, I traded it for a flip-style dumbphone. I load it up with minutes once a year; it costs me about $8.50 a month. It lives in my purse. I don't leave it on, and I use it about six times a year. I don't go very far these days, and I'm seldom overwhelmed with the desire to call somebody from the grocery store. A smartphone would be fun to have, but it's not an expense I can justify--just don't need one.

[Diane Likens]

The purpose of my phone is to make and receive telephone calls. I got it free 2 years ago when I extended my Verizon contract. I still have the "new every 2" plan so I'm due for another new phone. The one I have still works, though, and I don't see the sense in getting a new one. In any event, I refuse to own a phone that's smarter than me!

[Craig Laughlin]

I use my smart phone as an office away from the office. I can schedule appointments and my secretary can see them within a few minutes vise versa. I have access to all my contacts, I have gps, Live Seattle traffic info, and internet access... Oh yeah, I can call and be called. (So old fashion )

[Steven Burton]

I only get a new phone when I am up for the free one.

[Nate Pruitt]

A few years ago my wife and I went out and got smart phones. There was a barrage of ongoing situations that led to this choice, including the ability to perform business tasks while on the go. One of the top reasons was that our schedules are often in flux. Currently our calendars are synced on our phones, so when I go to schedule anything I can see if my wife has something for her job, or if the kids have something scheduled. Considering how often we are setting up future events while at the current ones this is a tremendous blessing. Not to mention that with kids on the Autism Spectrum that can get easily overwhelmed in crowds, pulling up a video or movie on youtube or netflix can prove to be one of the biggest life-savers ever! I can't even express how many doctor visits this has salvaged, too!

[Paul DeBaufer]

I got my first smart phone, the iPhone 3, four years ago. I got it because I wanted it. No excuses, no apologies, I simply wanted it. I currently have the iPhone 4S.

[Rich Schmidt]

I got my first smart phone, the iPhone 3, four years ago. I got it because I wanted it. No excuses, no apologies, I simply wanted it. I currently have the iPhone 4S.

I was given my original iPhone in 2007 as a gift. I'd never had a smartphone prior to that.

A couple years ago, I upgraded to the iPhone 4. Now I'll probably upgrade to the 5.

[Ryan Scott]

I have a smartphone. I got it free from my carrier. It is advantageous in some areas (we don't have a data plan, so wifi is a must) - but I think it's too much of a distraction. I'll likely not get another (although I imagine soon there won't be any other options).

[Sarah Smith]

Um--maybe I should have checked smoke signals had it been available.

No cell phone at all.

[Jim Chabot]

I've just gotten my second smartphone, while I could easily do without it, I can't justify the cost of doing without it.

When your working on something and you really could use the manual. Presto, many times you can find one.

For common products that I use in my houses, I keep copies of the manuals in my phone, comes in real handy.

I keep frequently looked up sections of the building code in there as well.

When I go out to look at properties, I can use the gps function with the county GIS maps and see exactly where I'm at on the property.

There's a calculator in there, yeah, I know they are in every phone now but this one is easier.

Need to send someone a picture of something, take the picture and press the share button, off it goes.

Need to send someone a document, take a picture and send it.

Ordering something complex over the phone while on the road. No problem, talk then exchange emails, then talk again.

There's a level app in there for quick checks. And a flashlight. And a laser level where you use the camera as a sight.

It would cost me far more than the $30 per month fee to do without these things.

Non work?

I made it up to John Reilly's church and back with the gps function today.

On a snowmobile or a four wheeler and your not sure where you are, google maps comes in real handy.

There's a compass app as well.

I have a pitch pipe app which will either sound a pitch or detect one, makes it real easy to find what key something is in.

There's a tempo app. Sing the song at the speed you want to and tap it in. Play the soundtrack and tap it in. Now you have the numbers to speed it up or slow it down, one shot.

Sound Pressure Level meter, it's in there.

RTA Analysis meter, it's in there.

Bibles, lots of them, all in there.

Wesley, Wiley, Bresee, and a bunch of commentaries, in the phone.

Yes, I've got a copy of the Manual and a song list for Sing to The Lord in there too.

This month we are doing the "engage the word" 40 day bible reading program, I've got the sermon outlines and some other stuff for that in there.

These things will do everything except slice bread. And you can make phone calls!

[Nate Pruitt]

These things will do everything except slice bread. And you can make phone calls!

I think the Droid Razr does slice bread... or maybe I have failed to understand the name.

I should point out that my wife does a business that travels to homes and uses the GPS constantly. She pumps the directions through the van sound system and I greatly prefer that to her trying to read a print out or hand written directions like she used to do. When she gets to the places she does spas she uses the phone to play relaxation mp3s. She is a big reader and will use the phone to read books via the Kindle app, especially while nursing the baby to sleep as a means to keep herself awake so she can return to help me get the older two kids in bed.

Like Jim I keep the Manual, multiple Bibles, and other ministerial tools on my phone. I also play Scramble with Friends to hand out with Ryan Pugh- who keeps beating me by the slimmest of margins. His smartphone must be smarter.

[Susan Unger]

I like how some of y'all say "my phone does ____, _____, _______, _____ oh, and it all makes phone calls!"

[Susan Unger]

Way back--15 years or so--I got a Motorola bag phone to keep in my car for emergencies. It was as big as a bucket loader. A few years ago, I traded it for a flip-style dumbphone. I load it up with minutes once a year; it costs me about $8.50 a month. It lives in my purse. I don't leave it on, and I use it about six times a year. I don't go very far these days, and I'm seldom overwhelmed with the desire to call somebody from the grocery store. A smartphone would be fun to have, but it's not an expense I can justify--just don't need one.

A friend of mine had the bag phone about 18 years ago or so. That was a scary thing!

[John Kennedy]

The purpose of my phone is to make and receive telephone calls. I got it free 2 years ago when I extended my Verizon contract. I still have the "new every 2" plan so I'm due for another new phone. The one I have still works, though, and I don't see the sense in getting a new one. In any event, I refuse to own a phone that's smarter than me!

That I can relate to. I used to tell people that I tended to regard a computer as a typewriter hooked up to a TV (and I didn't like the program selections all that much). It may be a bit better than that - I pay all bills online and probably spend an inordinate amount of time online (including NN).

Anything smarter would be too much - I still can't remember what to do when a call comes in while on my cell (my son keeps saying, "Push send, DAD!)

Used to have a pickup that required knowing the lodge handshake to get the key out of the switch.

I've come to the conclusion that much of technological advance is pushed by an elite that wants to lower the self-esteem of the rest of us. When the revolution comes, they, along with the people who put up directional access signs on streets and highways will be the first ones up against the wall. Power to the people!

[Jon Bemis]

I have a dumb phone that is so old the rep at the AT&T store said "I didn't know any more of these were still out there." As long as it keeps working, I'll keep it. My wife, on the other hand, has an iphone which is a necessity for her. It allows her to do group emails, respond to emails, and generally keep up with things in the church. Since she takes care of a lot of that stuff and we are out and about much of the time this really helps.

[Marg Shurtliff]

I just got my first cell phone the end of August . To me its " smart " but I checked " dumb" as I knew what you were getting at in the poll. Like Peggy its for emergencies only but I pay more than twice as much . $ 20 plus 13 % tax for 50 minutes a month . Was interested in one for $ 100 a year and 100 minutes but because of my mobility problems I'd have had to get someone to get it activated at some outlet and renew for me every year . This one I got at the phone center at the grocery store and they are available for questions both by phone and whenever I shop . A decided advantage . My phone does lots I don't know how to do and the only directions that came with it was how to charge and how to change the battery! Got a $ 25 gift card for the store I didn't expect and the phone was free . My choice of many models . Its a Samsung Galaxy Ace .

[Rich Schmidt]

I just got my first cell phone the end of August . To me its " smart " but I checked " dumb" as I knew what you were getting at in the poll.

...

Its a Samsung Galaxy Ace .

Guess what: You own a smartphone!

[Gina Stevenson]

Noticed that at the time of my voting, the smart & dumb phones were tied (10 each).

ETA: mine is one of those that could be "smart," but that costs too much, so I asked for an i'net block, as the buttons are close enough I was accidentally hitting the i'net one, quickly backing out, yet getting i'net charges when first having it over a couple years ago. It's a Nokia. The one before this one, I had about 4 yrs & the one before that about the same, so they're getting off cheap, not eating the cost of a new-every-2-yrs deal, yet I am paying the same bills as if I had taken the new phone every two yrs.

Anyway, just call & text on this, & that is nice, as texts do not cut into the limited daytime minutes (that last until 9pm! But it would be another $10 to have them end at 7pm!) Now it is $35 for the calling & 200 texts/month that I don't know if I have ever reached. BUT the $5/mo for texting is cheaper than the 20c/ea text was getting to be!

[Marg Shurtliff]

Guess what: You own a smartphone!

Wow , Rich . I had no idea ! Can hardly believe it ! Told you I was new at this .

[Paul DeBaufer]

I like how some of y'all say "my phone does ____, _____, _______, _____ oh, and it all makes phone calls!"

Phone calls? What are they?

[Nate Pruitt]

I like how some of y'all say "my phone does ____, _____, _______, _____ oh, and it all makes phone calls!"

Oh, that's not the point at all! What I'm saying is that my phone has now made phone calls obsolete.

[Susan Unger]

Phone calls? What are they?

Oh, that's not the point at all! What I'm saying is that my phone has now made phone calls obsolete.

Oh, Heavens!

[Susan Unger]

Ok, so who marked other??

[Jim Chabot]

Oh, that's not the point at all! What I'm saying is that my phone has now made phone calls obsolete.

Not me! While I'm excited about the swiss army knife capabilities and I try to use my phone for maximum productivity, my "phone" use remains strictly stone age. I do not have texting enabled, not going to send a text, nor am I willing to receive one. Voicemail? Say what? So far so good and no possible way am I doing voice mail. If my phone rings I answer it, if I can't answer it I call right back as soon as I'm free. Same as texting, I don't hide behind voicemail and I don't so business with folks who do, I generally don't leave messages. If someone doesn't have the time to answer their phone, I don't want to be a bother.

And yes John Reilly, when my phone rang in church yesterday, (sorry) I called my mom right back after I got out.

[Shea Zellweger]

I had a Huawei ascend on MetroPCS while living in Boston. Since moving to KC, and living outside of Metro's officially covered area, we've switched to Ting, and I now have a very dumb phone, which I've made dumber by not allowing it to connect to the pathetic thing it thinks is the internet. It has a camera, which I've used once, and other than that, it can text and make calls.

[Cam Pence]

Not me! While I'm excited about the swiss army knife capabilities and I try to use my phone for maximum productivity, my "phone" use remains strictly stone age. I do not have texting enabled, not going to send a text, nor am I willing to receive one. Voicemail? Say what? So far so good and no possible way am I doing voice mail. If my phone rings I answer it, if I can't answer it I call right back as soon as I'm free. Same as texting, I don't hide behind voicemail and I don't so business with folks who do, I generally don't leave messages. If someone doesn't have the time to answer their phone, I don't want to be a bother.

And yes John Reilly, when my phone rang in church yesterday, (sorry) I called my mom right back after I got out.

Yikes Jim! Why would you not leave someone a voicemail? What if it is important? I am not tracking your here. I would seem simply letting the phone ring until they give up would be more hiding than voicemail. (although truthfully I don't think either is really "hiding") Plus didn't I see that you got a Droid Razor the other day? Do you use your email and internet capabilities?

[Nate Pruitt]

Not me! While I'm excited about the swiss army knife capabilities and I try to use my phone for maximum productivity, my "phone" use remains strictly stone age. I do not have texting enabled, not going to send a text, nor am I willing to receive one. Voicemail? Say what? So far so good and no possible way am I doing voice mail. If my phone rings I answer it, if I can't answer it I call right back as soon as I'm free. Same as texting, I don't hide behind voicemail and I don't so business with folks who do, I generally don't leave messages. If someone doesn't have the time to answer their phone, I don't want to be a bother.

And yes John Reilly, when my phone rang in church yesterday, (sorry) I called my mom right back after I got out.

Well, we also taught my mom how to text.

[Jim Chabot]

Yikes Jim! Why would you not leave someone a voicemail? What if it is important? I am not tracking your here. I would seem simply letting the phone ring until they give up would be more hiding than voicemail. (although truthfully I don't think either is really "hiding") Plus didn't I see that you got a Droid Razor the other day? Do you use your email and internet capabilities?

Listen here Cam! My car gets 42 furlongs to the hogshead and that't the way I likes it!

Generally if I'm to do business with someone, they or someone at their place of business needs to answer the phone. I'm looking to employ them, they need to be on my schedule and not the other way around. Hope this doesn't sound too severe, pretend Romney is saying this in a kind voice and you'll get a better picture. Answering a business phone still gives you the advantage over the next guy.

Sorry about the "hiding" comment. I think that we all know people who look at their phone when it rings and then hit ignore when they can't be bothered. And again, I'm talking about business calls, I rarely talk on the phone otherwise. Unless it's my mom who is in Florida.

Ok, what if it's important. How important? If it's real important, I'll drive over and just plain find the person. Or I just might call back over and over and over again until I annoy the person into answering. Or I need to call someone else who can get to it? If it's real important, leaving a message and then patiently waiting for a call back that may or may not happen isn't an option. People I do business with know that they can get me, and they know that I fully expect to be able to get them.

Yes I use the internet capability quite often actually. I use the email rarely and I keep a separate email address for the phone that I use only when I need email by phone. Otherwise I use my regular address which isn't linked to the phone. It's a personal preference thing, if it's day to day stuff and you want to communicate by email, then you need to know that calling is much faster. And I answer.

It's a business thing and it's a time management thing. My subcontractors are trained to deal with me the way I like it. After all, I do pay them the way they like it.

[Steven Burton]

There should be an option for you have a dumb smartphone. Because mine is technically smart but it is also pretty dumb.

[Susan Unger]

there should be an option for you have a dumb smartphone. Because mine is technically smart but it is also pretty dumb.

[Cam Pence]

Hope this doesn't sound too severe, pretend Romney is saying this in a kind voice and you'll get a better picture.

OOOOOHHHHH...Now I get it

[Marsha Lynn]

I just got a new phone - a Samsung Brightside. It's by far the smartest dumbphone I've had.

[Gina Stevenson]

My dumb phone put on airs of really being smart. Said it had several times my previous phone's memory (8-12+ times? forget now, and that you could even add a memory chip, etc. So, I did that, thinking I now had much more memory use for notes, etc (keep track of all sorts of things in my phone's "Notes" section!). Doggone if I did not soon learn that it still only allowed something like 30 separate notes, same as the old, which also will not let you alphabetize! (tho't w/more memory, hence more notes (not!) this would surely be allowed)

Also, calendar does not appear to hold anymore than the old before slowing down, telling you it is full. What does it do? Allow for more name/phone numbers than old, but the memory chip seems to be only re keeping more pictures! This phone's seemingly false advertising bummed me out, wanting more notes/keeping-track-of-life's-details space, not to use its camera all that much! Ho-hum . . . .

BUT not going to get a reeeeally smart phone, which would require a data plan, so I can have all the carry-with-me notes, etc, that I would like. Guess we'll have to just make do w/the "Notes" space it allows.

[Hans Deventer]

My first smartphone was a Nokia 9500, which was a further development of the Symbian OS that I had used before in my Psion NetBook. Think I got the Nokia some time in 2005. Have been using a smartphone ever since.

[Bob Hunter]

I am a perennial dumb phone user. I have a bad history of abusing phones and I'm too cheap to buy the insurance plans. One of my cell phones ended up in the bottom of a paint bucket, another took a dip with me in the hot tub. I've dropped them off of ladders, and left them out in the hot Arizona Sun. I know I should be more responsible, but smart phones are for people that have a real job. So, it looks I'll have a dumb phone until my employment demands I change. Until then, my cheap LG Verizon plan will suffice.

[Marsha Lynn]

In a recent facebook chat with high school friends, some of us came out and publicly stated that we still only had "dumbphones" or "stupidphones" and then defended our position

This article [Our mobile society] made me curious to know which of my naznet buddies were like me or like my fb friend.

So which do you own?

The article said 55.5% of all cell phone users have smart phones. Looks at the moment like NazNet pretty much reflects that trend.

[Houston Thomas]

I have a smartphone. I got it free from my carrier. It is advantageous in some areas (we don't have a data plan, so wifi is a must) - but I think it's too much of a distraction. I'll likely not get another (although I imagine soon there won't be any other options).

how is this possible? They force me to buy a data plan with the phone. I would love to keep the smartphone but ditch the data plan.

[Jim Franklin]

Would any of you want to take up the challenge to explain the difference between smart and dumb phones or is that only for the gifted and talented which I am neither. Jim Chabot's list makes me feel like a t-ball player to his MLB. Or is that what smart phones are for divisiveness?

[Susan Unger]

Would any of you want to take up the challenge to explain the difference between smart and dumb phones or is that only for the gifted and talented which I am neither. Jim Chabot's list makes me feel like a t-ball player to his MLB. Or is that what smart phones are for divisiveness?

Smart phones have a lot of gizmos, lights, bells, pretty pictures and screens to touch. It costs more to have one so those who do, tend to not have a landline. It leaves one with the feeling "this phone is smarter than me." Dumbphones just let you give and receive phonecalls and maybe have voicemail or text messaging. It leaves you with the feeling "this phone is dumber than me." They are cheaper than smartphones.

I don't really see this as a divisive issue other than for people my age or younger you get to hear comments from one's peers such as "I can't believe you haven't gotten into the 21st century, Sus!" But those who know you well and those in your peer group wouldn't have those expectations and thus would not say that to you.