I saw a headline the other day that read: Things the iPhone Has Killed. It immediately piqued my interest. When I hear about new features or roll outs with an upgraded iPhone version, I often think how neat or awesome that is. I’ve never stopped to think about the ramifications for other separate devices when the push is to roll it all into one.
A powerful computer you could slip into your back pocket, the iPhone chipped away at paper maps, point-and-shoot cameras, voice recorders, watches, hand-held game consoles and MP3 players like Apple’s own iPod line.
I remember buying maps for our trips up until about 10 years ago. It’s funny that I never really intentionally phased it out, it just kind of happened. I no longer needed a paper map. I do miss being able to hold a map in my hand, trace our route with a Sharpie and see the big picture of our trip. But I’m the first to admit, the map on my phone has made my life so much easier!
And that camera thing. Since getting a new phone this spring, I haven’t even picked up my beloved Cannon camera. It’s so shocking to me that my phone can take pictures that rival that of my Cannon. I never in a million years would have thought that was possible 10 years ago. But since I already carry my phone everywhere, it doesn’t make sense for me to lug my big camera out unless it’s a super special occasion.
It really is kind of weird when you stop and think about all the little things the iPhone has replaced. It’s also pretty sad, too! While I love the handiness of all of it and the convenience just like everyone else, there will come a day, probably in the near future, when a phone is all we’ll need. No ID, no credit card, no separate camera, no watch, no wallet, no Nintendo, no gift cards, no paper maps. Just your phone. It’s a little mind-blowing to me.
Think back on the last 10 years or so. How many fewer devices {or items} do you use now because you own a cell phone. How much does your cell phone do that duplicates what other devices you already own were purchased to do? Do you think it’s awesome or do you, like me, feel just a little bit of sadness for those point-and-shoot cameras gathering dust in the closet?
~Mavis
Pamela says
I can honestly say nothing. I use a pay-as-you-go phone and I do not use it for anything except the occasional call and lots of texting. That probably labels me as backward or out of touch. But so what. I keep seeing all the money I am saving because at this point I don’t need my phone to do anything else.
Stacey says
I don’t have a smartphone, either. My husband and I have thought about it, but can’t justify the cost. We have constant access to a computer except when we are in the car, so why do we need one? We may go modern at some point, but we’re just not there yet.
Stephanie says
4 fewer things. I no longer use my point and shoot camera, or my iPod. My phone and tablet have replaced our newspaper subscription. I no longer have a laptop, but still have a desktop. I still like having a watch on my wrist, and we still use our atlas on our road trips, supplemented by our car and phone maps.
mable says
I have a cell phone that costs me $10 a month and my husband another $10. Really, how many times is it essential to look up something on Google, or could you wait until you got home to a computer. And I don’t carry my cell phone unless I am driving and might need it if my car breaks down. I don’t want people to be able to reach me everywhere I go. And since I am not a brain surgeon or a heart surgeon, it is not crucial for people to reach me. If someone died, they will still be dead when I get home…when I see what people spend on their cell phones I am staggered. I would rather put those pennies toward going to Europe or Asia.
Deborah E says
AGREED!!!!!!!!!
Sasha says
I agree with Mable and Pamela. I’ve always been sceptical about technology for some reason and resent that it takes over everything, like the ability to work things out for yourself. Where I live (near Hamburg, Germany) we still have a local bookshop, bakeries, Butcher, Chemist, Florist. Each place knows me and I get greeted by name at the Chemist! Prices are very reasonable, sometimes cheaper, books ordered by 5pm are there by 10am the next morning, and I’m glad these people have jobs and these small businesses can still run.
Stephanie says
I have a smartphone that costs me $10 a month (Airvoice Wireless). I don’t use it much since I’m home most of the time and we still have a home phone. But it’s nice to have the option of looking something up on my phone when I’m out and about.
Deborah E says
I don’t think it is a bad thing that you feel nostalgic – We live in a remote location in the Northern Vermont mountains – 140 acres in the midst of 10,000 acres — we do not get cell coverage. It is perfect for The UN-Chained Gang – and Eden Ethical Dog Sledding – many guests come from all over the world to visit with our rescues and home bred international sprint race champions – — – some guests complain because of the lack of cell coverage – others feel relieved to be away from tech for awhile – – and many inquire about renting our home-away-from-home two bedroom cottages just to unplug, read, hike, play board games, cook and just hang out in nature
. I carry only a basic cell for when I am on errands and road trips – even as a psychologist on call – only my clinics knew how to reach me directly – – I felt from the early nineties that the cell phone was going to really interrupt life – – –
The smart phones that our educational adventure, tour guests bring with them give very incredible videos and photos – but I still like my canons – from pocket to DSLR and lens. I work on mac laptops and desktops – -and appreciate the bigger screens. Our internet is limited – so I cannot spend time online or streaming – but that is okay – too – – I just have to save up time and when I have enough – drive to the library for highspeed to send photos and videos
I am not a Luddite – – I really love my Vitamix, full size food processor, top of the line blender stick, small food processor, TWO!!! Intantpots – big food dehydrator – – I use most of them daily! And I do love my computers and cameras! And for watching a video with the many dogs of the UN-Chained Gang – – I love the big flat screen!!! We are too far from movie theaters so this makes movie night at home a fun time!
Some friends and I were reminiscing about how far tech has come – – growing up in the fifties with rotary dial phones and most people only had one! Friends were on party lines with all the neighbors and farms listening in! One did not call during supper time – and unless it was an emergency – never after 8 or 9. Long distance was prohibitive, so two minute calls to grandparents Sunday evenings, with everyone all standing around, was what we did! When the phone rang late – it usually meant it was a very dire emergency or a death – – I still remember the phone ringing at 10 pm when I was six – our beloved cousin Tim had been hit and killed by a train.
What my friends and I do – – and what as a Jungian Analyst I support clients to do – – is think about technology. What serves us – as individuals – and what maybe we can really do without. Technology -less vacations can be a good thing – – –
Thanks for bringing this up! I love your blog!!!
Mavis Butterfield says
One of my biggest pet peeves is the phone ringing after 8pm. 99% of the time I refuse to answer it. Thanks for reading Deborah E.
wendy says
I still have a dumb phone, an LG EnV 3, which is on its last legs and can only take calls via speaker phone. It only makes calls and texts as I am too cheap to buy apps or a data package. That said, my dumb phone has replaced my calendar, my notepad, my camera and my alarm clock.
Jumbe says
DVDs, CDs, dictionaries, alarm clocks, calendars, cameras, video recorders, flashlights, language books, chess clock, cookbooks, answering machine, all gone. I still have jeans though. There isn’t an app for that. Maybe someday, holographic pants.
Mavis Butterfield says
Funny Funny!
Lisa Millar says
I never thought of all the things that a smart phone was replacing – we still don’t have mobile phones as we don’t have the need or budget for them.
One thing I do wonder about is books. I love real books – have quite a collection of them. More and more I see books only coming out as ebooks, which excludes me from the market.
So far I think most eventually come out as tangible books, but I wonder how long that will last?
Melissa M. says
My family and I just got back from a 12 hour (one way) driving trip and I was thinking I was so grateful not to have to navigate with a paper map. We took a few wrong exits and ramps and was grateful the GPS (not on my phone though) navigated us back to where we were supposed to be.
Julie says
Ironic that technology is decommissioning technology yet we still call it a phone.