My iPhone getting spoilt was the best thing that ever happened.

[Flhusky]

I send Owls to people, or if I need to get a message overseas, a note in a bottle usually works.

WoW that is modern, I still use drums and in a pinch will use a primitive bird call/s. In a pinch i walk 10 miles up hill both ways to use the party phone @ Jims general store(he leaves the key under the mat).

 

[Compile 'em all]

The OP makes some sense actually. But that won't fly here on these forums.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

I must admit to having considerable sympathy with the OP's sentiments!

A few weeks ago, the contract on my Samsung G600 expired and O2 informed me that I was due for an upgrade! I thought little of that because I was quite satisfied with my existing 'phone - it was relatively small, easy to text with and enable me to speak to people plus receive the occasional MMS from my daughter containing photos of her kids etc.

However, a few weeks ago, my daughter asked me if I had upgraded my 'phone. When I said "No" she said that as I was an Apple fan (I've has iMacs and ipods for some years) she was surprised I hadn't considered an iPhone.

That galvanised me into a certain amount of action! - I Googled for reviews, studied the specs and read threads on sites such as this. I even visited my local O2 shop and had a look!! Yes! it was a typical Apple product - beautifully designed, packaged and presented, and, like all Apple products - very easy and intuitive to use. The O2 rep thought it was better than sliced bread! Obviously I was impressed!

The trouble was, it didn't really set my pulse racing! "After all" I said, "it's only a 'phone and it's pretty large". "Oh no it's not!" he said "in addition to being a 'phone, it's a mini computer - it plays music and games and has GPS etc etc". I explained I already had a proper computer and an iPod plus the fact that I didn't get lost very often! The straw that broke the proverbial camel's back was when I learned that it didn't even receive MMS messages - I'd have to wait for the upgrade in May/June for that facility!. I must admit that Safari is a definite plus point and would be useful when away from home - the ability to sync my Address Book would be great too. In contrast, threads on Forums such as this describing horror stories of switches falling off, screens cracking, backs scratching etc have not boosted my confidence in the product!

So, as far as I'm concerned, that's the situation at the moment. Come June time with the launch of the new OS, I more than likely, will be persuaded to take the plunge! However, that's not a certainty - as far as I am concerned, the Jury is still out!

Buddy you are waaaay too energetic for this early in the morning. You seem pretty excited about NOT buying a phone...

 

[Lazy Cat]

this iphone nonsense!

You know, they say the reason that rich nations are so unhappy is because their people have every other basic need fulfilled. We don't have to worry (for the most part) about hunting for food for basic subsistence, and we don't have to worry (generally) about dying on a daily basis, and so we find other, less tangible things to focus on, like the concept of happiness. As a result, we are the least likely to be happy, because we're in the privileged position to search for what we are arguably unable to define in the first place. And so, we bitch about a variety of things - like our cellphones. In fact, we even observe the paradox of how the cellphone, or any other piece of technology, simplifies and complicates our lives so profoundly... Just a thought.

hit the nail on the head there. i agree with stanny, was really attached to my iphone, always making sure was no marks or scratches- keeping it clean etc. i dropped mine and was initially pissed off and worried. then actually just realised its only a phone and shouldnt determine how i bloody feel!
dont get me wrong its a brilliant phone in terms of intuitiveness and technology - but, i think i can personally live without all the little distractions it conjurs up so well! do waste my time with it, and i think if you got one and say that you dont let it take up your time and use it like another phone then youve wasted your money because thats what there for, half of it is an entertainment device.
i love how angry some of the people on here are!

 

[cellocello]

Buddy you are waaaay too energetic for this early in the morning. You seem pretty excited about NOT buying a phone...

Time zones and all that. It wasn't morning everywhere in the world when he wrote that

But ya ... loads o' exclamation marks for not buying an iPhone.

 

[Next Tuesday]

So what you are really saying is that u messed up your iPhone, couldnt afford to buy another one, so u went with the cheap "free" replacement and tryin to make yourself not feel so bad by making a dumb post. If you cant set your phone down to interact with people and whatnot, You my friend have issues.

 

[Tenorsaw]

The OP actually makes a lot of sense. I'm not saying everyone should give up their iPhone, but sometimes it's good to give technology a rest and enjoy life.

I was just thinking about this yesterday, simply turning off all my devices so no one can reach me even if it's only for one day.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I'm not saying everyone should give up their iPhone, but sometimes it's good to give technology a rest and enjoy life.

Agreed. Way too many people become slaves to the technology. Seems like the OP was one of them. End result is the iPhone is just a tool to serve your needs. If it doesn't, then it is time to get rid of it and get what does.

 

[Primejimbo]

I don't know how people can let a phone control them. I don't let anything do that to me.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

Time zones and all that. It wasn't morning everywhere in the world when he wrote that

But ya ... loads o' exclamation marks for not buying an iPhone.

Must be the American in me thinking we're the only country in the world...



You make a valid point though. I hadn't considered that.

 

[chrmjenkins]

The age of technology we leave in is both a hindrance and a blessing. While device and internet connectivity causes us to shy away from real world connections, the new connections we forge creates relationships that weren't simply possible before. On the internet, we can meet new people who share our common interests that we may otherwise never be able to share. We can even make "real life" friends by using this medium. Cultural connections are also a significant advantage. With our unlimited access to different cultures and belief systems, we can enrich our own beings and gather a greater appreciation of the people who differ from us.

The bottom line is the same as it always has been, you are directly responsible for managing your quality of life and the relationships in your life. Before these devices and the internet, it was just as easy to sink into obscurity with books, TV, or many other diversions. You can't blame technology for your own failings. Personal character development is, and will always remain, important for us to be healthy, functioning individuals in our society. You may feel like an indulgence is dragging you down, but that's only likely because you've allowed yourself to over-indulge. You've neglected other aspects of your life for the sake of the indulgence. It's always about balance.