Sitting here without my laptop inhibits me somewhat in my day to day activities which I mostly conduct online. I mean, yes, smartphones are very handy and its abilities to create most online things are almost limitless, but I do like typing on a keyboard at least when a lot of words are required.
And, I like using a mouse. 🤷♀️
But I didn’t pack up all my electronics on my trip back to the city from the burbs. It was supposed to be a short one, but now it’s been extended for a thing with a kid.
That’s ok. I have access to a laptop if need be. In fact, I’m taking a class today, a webinar, which means I’ll need someone to pair my headphones to their device I’ll be borrowing so I can participate without interrupting noises.
All this makes me think about how electronics have dramatically changed our lives since my highschool days. But the question is, has life become easier? Or more complicated?
I have a friend who struggles with her kids’ constant need/want to stare at screens. She’s particularly disturbed/bothered by the endless scrolling, which she considers a time-waste.
Can’t argue with that.
The smartphones and various associated apps can be addictive in their own way. I freely admit that I like having a smartphone. But rather than scroll aimlessly, which I also freely admit to doing probably more often than I should, I also use it for other, positive and productive things.
Let me tell you about them.
Reading books
I read more books now than I did before I had a smartphone. I’ve always been an avid reader, but now, with my library app and Kindle thingy, I read a lot more. Can’t say this is a negative aspect of smartphone ownership.
Creativity
I love how the apps synch between mobile and desktop apps. Say I’m creating a slideshow or a YouTube short or a tarot TikTok, I can easily begin creating it on whichever device I’m using and switch at anytime. I use Canva, mostly, and it syncs seamlessly. Same with Evernote, which I use for writing, saving drafts, jotting notes and the like. I call up whatever suits my fancy on any device and it’s there in its most updated version, ready to be dealt with.
Money
Banks all have mobile apps which were more heavily relied on once the pandemic started. A lot of people, mostly generations older than GenX, were quite hesitant to even load their bank mobile app on their phones (if they had a phone, or one young enough to accommodate such apps) but it became a non-brainer for most of us. I like that I can check the balance quickly before taking a teen shoe shopping, for instance. I also like transferring cash to them electronically when they need to top up their bus passes.
Blogging
Well this post was created in WordPress ‘s mobile app. I sometimes use talk-to-text which may or may not make things easier/faster. It depends on how fast you talk and whether or not you are the type of person who likes to re-read and edit before publishing. I also read and comment in WP Reader more often than on laptop, but it depends and varies from day to day or week to week.
There are other things phones are handy for, obviously, such us connecting with friends and family via text apps across the globe. Time zones become less important when texting than during traditional phone calling. Maps via the built-in GPS has made me a much less apprehensive driver when navigating unfamiliar routes. And, for the hearing challenged peeps like me, the phone has made me less introverted, more social as well as more confident in certain situations. And let’s not forget shopping, photography, music, podcasts and how-to videos which have saved the day for many of us probably too many times to count.
So there you go. Validation that the phone in our hands is more than just a mere distraction. 😉
Did I miss anything?
Thank you for reading my post today. See you in the comments.
Writer of Words etc 
I also prefer typing on a keyboard, especially when there are more than a few sentences involved. I also prefer desktop to laptop, though this was initially founded when I was heavily into graphic design and found that laptops didn’t have the power I needed to complete design projects. Whenever my current desktop transitions to the afterlife, I’ll consider getting with the times and getting a laptop. 🙃
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Graphic design? Interesting. Only thing I know about that is what I can do with the free version of Canva. 🙃
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I’ve never used Canva but I’ll check it out.
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I should have it embedded in my arm so I don’t have to carry it around all day! It is my life and it will be the death of me! You nailed most of them but I especially love the way it connects us all. Hugs, C
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Same. 😄
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Ahh, the ongoing “screen-time” debate. It’s tricky. As you and others have pointed out, Smart Phones are so damn handy. Books! Music! News! Weather! Random facts galore! And that’s not even mentioning the phone itself. They’re truly awesome.
Yet sometimes it’s hard to feel fully present when everyone has their own device in front of their faces. It’s the perfect “out” for uncomfortable situations. And I think it’s important for us to be uncomfortable sometimes—be that a family reunion, an awkward dinner, or even just a meeting—it’s in those moments that we’re truly human. 🕊
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The fully present thing is an issue. Even when we all have our phones down and talking happily, inevitably someone wants to verify something or search up something etc and next thing you know, the phones are back in our faces. 😀
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Yep! 🙂
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I’m so lucky to have a happy medium. I don’t get internet or WiFi or on most days cell reception at home. I love it that way! There’s a lot more to focus on. Sure it’s annoying when someone makes a comment (that I somehow receive) but I can’t respond back to. Or it can be frustrating when I want to make a blog post and I have to drive into town to do it, but this just forces me to schedule my screen time around living my life. I can still download books and audible to listen to while doing farm chores. Yet I’m forced to focus on the important things and that’s a blessing I hope isn’t taken from me for a while.
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Some people are perfectly content to be without devices. Some people wish they could return to those days… I have a friend who would envy you for your wifi -freedom. 🙂
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It is rather freezing and I’m forever thankful for it!
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It definitely makes creative writing easier when I can instantly look up the day of the week back in 1985 or find out the weather in a different city. I also have been reading more, but I’m not sure I retain as much when I read on a screen. I’m all for it though ~ I text with my daughters daily and we wouldn’t be in contact nearly as much without that. Plus I get instant pics of my grandkids and granddogs all the time too 🙂
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I too stay in touch with my European family more easily now than I did before smartphones.
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I use mine to Apple Pay at the pump instead of fumbling with my wallet and debit card.
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Yes, this is quite common place nowadays…
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I do everything on my phone. I think my favorite thing is the ability to get answers to random questions when my fried brain just won’t give me the answers. Goigle (misspelled on purpose cuz that’s me🤷🏼♀️) is my friend!
Ben spends all his time on YouTube or the movie streaming apps… “Nef-fix” or Disney, Hulu… I think between about 3-4 of use sharing access we have them all.
I even make occasional phone calls😲 Not often though… talking on the phone (except to a daughter) is 😱
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No one I know likes phone calls. We do them if we have to but we’d rather text or email. 🤷♀️
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What’s funny is in my teens, I’d spend HOURS on the phone.🤣🤣🤣🤣 I guess between that, and being on the phone ALL the time at work, I’m just DONE talking on the phone😂
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Talking on the phone in the 80s was a thing. Now? Not so much…
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I write and read everything on my phone too, using WP mobile, Google Docs, and Word. My phone and its mobile data served as my computer when I didn’t have Internet service for two years after I retired, and I just got used to it.
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Habits…right? We do get used to things…
I find with all the back and forth I travel it’s easier to just grab my phone than to pack up the laptop each time. But for some things, I prefer a proper keyboard.
I like the choice and versatility my phone provides me with.
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My tech devices definitely make my life easier. I think the key is the human being in control of the device use rather than the device controlling the show.
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Agreed.
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