A Life Less Smartphone-y
August 11, 2009 12:47 PM Subscribe
Have you ever downgraded from a smartphone to a regular cellphone (even temporarily)? What did you miss?
My first generation iPhone is circling the drain, and I'm less than thrilled about how much more the current AT&T plans cost for the same lousy AT&T service. I'm starting to feel nostalgic for my old Sony Ericsson T637. It would be difficult to lose email functionality; on the other hand, I'd almost welcome not having the distraction of the internet at my fingertips.
If you have relevant experience, I'd love to hear it.
My first generation iPhone is circling the drain, and I'm less than thrilled about how much more the current AT&T plans cost for the same lousy AT&T service. I'm starting to feel nostalgic for my old Sony Ericsson T637. It would be difficult to lose email functionality; on the other hand, I'd almost welcome not having the distraction of the internet at my fingertips.
If you have relevant experience, I'd love to hear it.
Yes, without a doubt my iPhone has revolutionized the way I poop. I know they make t-shirts that say the same and everyone is all ha-ha, but it's bloody true. I can't go without it.
posted by kbanas at 12:57 PM on August 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by kbanas at 12:57 PM on August 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
for the same lousy AT&T service.
Well I'm not one to glorify at&t, but it isn't the same service, because your gen 1 iphone is edge only.
posted by advil at 1:02 PM on August 11, 2009
Well I'm not one to glorify at&t, but it isn't the same service, because your gen 1 iphone is edge only.
posted by advil at 1:02 PM on August 11, 2009
Response by poster: A different lousy AT&T service, then.
I'm mainly concerned about voice calls dropping, which I don't think is effected by the hardware/plan upgrade.
posted by roger ackroyd at 1:05 PM on August 11, 2009
I'm mainly concerned about voice calls dropping, which I don't think is effected by the hardware/plan upgrade.
posted by roger ackroyd at 1:05 PM on August 11, 2009
Best answer: I went from a Blackberry Curve to my old Samsung mumblemumble after I got a new job that wouldn't pay for even the BBerry data plan. My new (old) phone actually has a better interface for managing contacts, and I'm no longer plagued on my long commute that an important email might be just...out...of...reach. I text more. Also, Blackberry was EDGE, new old phone is 3G, so that's nice. Or would be, if I had anything other than texting that I did with it.
On the other hand, the Blackberry sucked at Web access, so giving that up wasn't a big deal. I imagine it's harder to give up Metafilter-to-go!
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 1:19 PM on August 11, 2009
On the other hand, the Blackberry sucked at Web access, so giving that up wasn't a big deal. I imagine it's harder to give up Metafilter-to-go!
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 1:19 PM on August 11, 2009
I've been getting along just fine as a geek with a non-smartphone; it's a Samsung A717, and it runs mobile Gmail, Google Maps, Opera Mini (tons better than the built-in browser) and I can tether it to my laptop via cable or bluetooth and use it's 3G+ data connection for internet access. I have a $20-a-month unlimited data plan through AT&T, I only have to charge every 3-4 days unless I'm doing a lot of data transfers, and more often than not I can find info online faster than my friends with their iPhones. I think the phone cost me $100 new with no contract extension.
posted by bizwank at 1:32 PM on August 11, 2009
posted by bizwank at 1:32 PM on August 11, 2009
I used an old nokia for my recent trip to Australia, and I missed my email and the calendar sync to a ridiculous amount. Also sucked not being able to use the internet to check google maps, bus timetables, etc.
Have you considered the option of a smartphone on another carrier?
posted by jacalata at 1:34 PM on August 11, 2009
Have you considered the option of a smartphone on another carrier?
posted by jacalata at 1:34 PM on August 11, 2009
I left my iPhone at home when I studied abroad in Europe. I would have killed for a phone with Google Maps (though I probably would have been killed while trying to use it on my bike).
posted by martens at 1:48 PM on August 11, 2009
posted by martens at 1:48 PM on August 11, 2009
Losing my AGPS/google maps was a pain for the short time I tried it
losing easy access to NextBus means I took more cabs (costing as much as the missing service)
posted by bottlebrushtree at 1:53 PM on August 11, 2009
losing easy access to NextBus means I took more cabs (costing as much as the missing service)
posted by bottlebrushtree at 1:53 PM on August 11, 2009
Best answer: I did the extreme. When my contract was up I went from an iPhone (1st-gen) to a Motorola F3, which is about as basic of a "just a phone" as you can get. Calculator-like E-ink display, very limited text messaging, etc. No customizable ringtones, no apps, no Internet.
It does what I need a phone for - it makes and receives calls, and I can receive text messages that say "SERVER XYZ IS DOWN AT 5:23PM".
Sure, I miss the iPhone and the apps and gadgets and games and maps, but I don't miss that minimum $70/month charge.
posted by mrbill at 1:53 PM on August 11, 2009
It does what I need a phone for - it makes and receives calls, and I can receive text messages that say "SERVER XYZ IS DOWN AT 5:23PM".
Sure, I miss the iPhone and the apps and gadgets and games and maps, but I don't miss that minimum $70/month charge.
posted by mrbill at 1:53 PM on August 11, 2009
Best answer: Pre iPhone I had one of the TMobile Smart phones, forget the non-intuitive name. I went back to a regular phone, and what I missed most was the web. You come to rely on being able to be on whatever web page you want whenever you want to. Out and want to see a movie? Let me go to Fandango and see times. In a strange city and want to eat out? Let's Google for local flavor.
Then even on a day to day basis, the ability to have access to private e-mail at work or web pages without the work firewall and loggings was so nice and much missed. While the phone I went to had that pseudo-web surfing capability, it was 90% text and so few web sites optimized for it that it was ridiculous.
The other thing I missed was easy music. Putting music on non-smart phones is a non-trivial task and more of a PITA than anything so I ended up carrying 2 devices again, a phone and an iPod.
iPhone gives it to me all and I don't know that I'd go back again if I had any choice in the matter... but the idea of being somewhat unplugged from time to time IS tempting.
posted by arniec at 1:55 PM on August 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
Then even on a day to day basis, the ability to have access to private e-mail at work or web pages without the work firewall and loggings was so nice and much missed. While the phone I went to had that pseudo-web surfing capability, it was 90% text and so few web sites optimized for it that it was ridiculous.
The other thing I missed was easy music. Putting music on non-smart phones is a non-trivial task and more of a PITA than anything so I ended up carrying 2 devices again, a phone and an iPod.
iPhone gives it to me all and I don't know that I'd go back again if I had any choice in the matter... but the idea of being somewhat unplugged from time to time IS tempting.
posted by arniec at 1:55 PM on August 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
I am a super late adopter of smart phones (<>
I had never been bothered by lack of features in a phone before and don't even do much calling or texting, but it was pretty miserable and I felt like I couldn't "stray" or "explore" for the several days I went without the iphone.
Pre smart phone I would make myself little throwaway maps if I was going to a new part of town, plan contingencies, numbers for cab companies, etc., and abandoned all that when I switched, so if you are ok with doing that or "not knowing" when you are out, you'll probably be fine.
posted by shownomercy at 4:05 PM on August 11, 2009
I had never been bothered by lack of features in a phone before and don't even do much calling or texting, but it was pretty miserable and I felt like I couldn't "stray" or "explore" for the several days I went without the iphone.
Pre smart phone I would make myself little throwaway maps if I was going to a new part of town, plan contingencies, numbers for cab companies, etc., and abandoned all that when I switched, so if you are ok with doing that or "not knowing" when you are out, you'll probably be fine.
posted by shownomercy at 4:05 PM on August 11, 2009
Best answer: I lost my iPhone two (2!!!!!) months (!!!!!!) ago. Google Voice had just opened up so I registered myself a number. People could send me txts, leave voicemail, and I returned them about as promptly as I would have otherwise. When I needed to meet someone, we would arrange a time and place, then both just show up. Like magic. I looked out windows more. I followed through on plans more. I never got lost. I borrowed a friend's phone at a bar when I had to reactivate my credit card and he didn't mind at all.
Yesterday I finally replaced my iPhone. Spent the entire subway ride giving the friend I was meeting updates about where I was, checking Facebook, and reading Reader. Despite knowing exactly where I was going, muscle memory forced me to confirm on Maps I'd turned the right way.
WHATEVER!!!! It's cool. I'm driving X-country and will feel safer. But man I felt so good walking around with that empty pocket.
posted by miffed at 5:57 PM on August 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
Yesterday I finally replaced my iPhone. Spent the entire subway ride giving the friend I was meeting updates about where I was, checking Facebook, and reading Reader. Despite knowing exactly where I was going, muscle memory forced me to confirm on Maps I'd turned the right way.
WHATEVER!!!! It's cool. I'm driving X-country and will feel safer. But man I felt so good walking around with that empty pocket.
posted by miffed at 5:57 PM on August 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks for the input, everyone. I caved and bought a 3GS today. Downgrading my monthly plan evens things out.
You win this one, Steve Jobs.
posted by roger ackroyd at 11:14 AM on August 12, 2009
You win this one, Steve Jobs.
posted by roger ackroyd at 11:14 AM on August 12, 2009
Being Canadian, I was used to everyone having a Blackberry. Moved to a non-Canadian company that makes phones, so fully expected to get their BB-equivalent. Not so; it's reserved for VP level and above.
Stuck with a crap voice only phone. No apps you'd want to use. No calendaring. No GPS. Might as well die.
posted by scruss at 11:40 AM on August 17, 2009
Stuck with a crap voice only phone. No apps you'd want to use. No calendaring. No GPS. Might as well die.
posted by scruss at 11:40 AM on August 17, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
On the other, you don't have internet access all the time.
Going back and forth between various Nokia Smartphones (N75) dumbphones (6682) iPods Touch and iPhones, I find myself less distracted when I'm at work or home with the wife, but desperately in need of carrying a second device when I'm commuting or on the can.
posted by Oktober at 12:51 PM on August 11, 2009