I would like to dust off and revisit a moldy old topic from a few years back. You may recall to what I am referring when I mention, very proudly, that I have been without a cell phone for three years. That is correct. For the past three years, I was reachable only via landline.
In fact you may recall, with something of a smile, the downfall that was perpetuated upon my mobility. There I was, in the midst of an important business call, when the line suddenly hiccupped, and then went dead. Curses - a dropped call. This was by no means the first. Thanks to the particularly dreadful day I was having, and the sledgehammer within arms' reach, well, there is still a Motorola shaped divot in the concrete shop floor.
Do you know what it was like to call my provider to cancel my plan? Do you know what it was like to leave my house and know that I was technologically disconnected and thus unreachable? It was, in one word, liberating.
I have to say; being without a cell phone for the past three years has had numerous other effects, all unexpected. For one, my memory has improved. I can remember phone numbers that previously were simply stored in a device. For another, going about my day I found myself lost in thought, my mind exploring topics that otherwise would have taken a back seat to incoming text messages or missed calls. And most notably, when spending time with friends or my wife, I found myself engrossed in actual conversation, rather than absent clicking.
After three years, the time had come - time to get reconnected. There is, after all, validity in being able to be reached. I was simply tired of the inconvenience of having to borrow someone else's phone. I was sick of running late, or having to change plans, and not have a convenient means of phoning out. Plus, the new Apple iPhone had arrived.
Mobile devices have changed dramatically since my little Motorola failed its durability test. I could now purchase a single gadget capable of placing phone calls, sending text messages, and checking email. The new smart phones are also a camera, game console, and with proper programming, a radio and GPS device. Thus, after three years in the dark, it was with a little trepidation that I strode into the Apple Store in Madison. I was about to infiltrate the geek fortress.
A spiffy young gentleman who was practically a cyborg met me at the door. He cradled a tablet with Moses-like fidelity; a neat Bluetooth headset was perched in one ear, while a scanner hung from his belt. "Welcome to Apple - how may I help you?"
The conversation that followed convinced me that I truly was an anomaly. I politely replied, "I'm here to get a phone; preferably the new iPhone 5."
He lit up, "Sure. Do you currently have a contract?"
I replied, "No - I do not have a contract. I do not even have a cell phone."
He looked at me quizzically, as if in a state of disbelief. "So who is your current provider?"
Enough games, I decided to level: "I do not have a provider, no contract; I don't even have a cell number. I haven't had a mobile phone in over three years."
The gentleman looked at me, "I didn't even think that was possible." By this time, a bubbly, college-aged saleswoman had arrived on scene. He turned to her and placed his free hand on her shoulder in the comforting manner one does when they are about to break shocking news. He motioned in my direction, "This man is here for an iPhone 5. He does not currently have a contract, provider, or cell number."
She reached out and touched my arm, as if to see if I was real. In the way one might speak to an abandoned puppy she looked me in the eyes: "It's OK. I can help you." She motioned toward a display of new phones. "Let's go over here and discuss options."
Within minutes a device was activated, pertinent information entered, and my new smart phone was set up. I checked my email and even placed a phone call right there in the Apple Store.
Particularly for someone who has been out of the loop for three years, my new iPhone was nothing less than a work of art. All of the main features are voice-activated. I can, with my Bluetooth earpiece, place and receive phone calls. I can dictate, edit, and send email and text messages without actually touching the phone. Thanks to my data plan I can check the weather, search for restaurants or hotels - and make reservations therein - and even file a flight plan with the FAA.
Have you ever heard of Angry Birds? It is a game that is the electronic equivalent of eating a bowl of sugary breakfast cereal mixed with an energy drink. Angry Birds is a colorful, explosive, noisy and, above all, highly, highly addictive game.
My new smart phone is certainly serving its purpose. I can now get a hold of anyone, at any time, for any reason. I no longer have to memorize directions or contact information; I do not even have to read a map. I can send emails and texts in lieu of actual conversation, and should I get bored I can simply blow up some more pigs on Angry Birds.
My only question is, do smart phones really make us smarter?
- Dan Wegmueller of Monroe writes a column for the Times each Monday. He can be reached at dwegs@tds.net.
In fact you may recall, with something of a smile, the downfall that was perpetuated upon my mobility. There I was, in the midst of an important business call, when the line suddenly hiccupped, and then went dead. Curses - a dropped call. This was by no means the first. Thanks to the particularly dreadful day I was having, and the sledgehammer within arms' reach, well, there is still a Motorola shaped divot in the concrete shop floor.
Do you know what it was like to call my provider to cancel my plan? Do you know what it was like to leave my house and know that I was technologically disconnected and thus unreachable? It was, in one word, liberating.
I have to say; being without a cell phone for the past three years has had numerous other effects, all unexpected. For one, my memory has improved. I can remember phone numbers that previously were simply stored in a device. For another, going about my day I found myself lost in thought, my mind exploring topics that otherwise would have taken a back seat to incoming text messages or missed calls. And most notably, when spending time with friends or my wife, I found myself engrossed in actual conversation, rather than absent clicking.
After three years, the time had come - time to get reconnected. There is, after all, validity in being able to be reached. I was simply tired of the inconvenience of having to borrow someone else's phone. I was sick of running late, or having to change plans, and not have a convenient means of phoning out. Plus, the new Apple iPhone had arrived.
Mobile devices have changed dramatically since my little Motorola failed its durability test. I could now purchase a single gadget capable of placing phone calls, sending text messages, and checking email. The new smart phones are also a camera, game console, and with proper programming, a radio and GPS device. Thus, after three years in the dark, it was with a little trepidation that I strode into the Apple Store in Madison. I was about to infiltrate the geek fortress.
A spiffy young gentleman who was practically a cyborg met me at the door. He cradled a tablet with Moses-like fidelity; a neat Bluetooth headset was perched in one ear, while a scanner hung from his belt. "Welcome to Apple - how may I help you?"
The conversation that followed convinced me that I truly was an anomaly. I politely replied, "I'm here to get a phone; preferably the new iPhone 5."
He lit up, "Sure. Do you currently have a contract?"
I replied, "No - I do not have a contract. I do not even have a cell phone."
He looked at me quizzically, as if in a state of disbelief. "So who is your current provider?"
Enough games, I decided to level: "I do not have a provider, no contract; I don't even have a cell number. I haven't had a mobile phone in over three years."
The gentleman looked at me, "I didn't even think that was possible." By this time, a bubbly, college-aged saleswoman had arrived on scene. He turned to her and placed his free hand on her shoulder in the comforting manner one does when they are about to break shocking news. He motioned in my direction, "This man is here for an iPhone 5. He does not currently have a contract, provider, or cell number."
She reached out and touched my arm, as if to see if I was real. In the way one might speak to an abandoned puppy she looked me in the eyes: "It's OK. I can help you." She motioned toward a display of new phones. "Let's go over here and discuss options."
Within minutes a device was activated, pertinent information entered, and my new smart phone was set up. I checked my email and even placed a phone call right there in the Apple Store.
Particularly for someone who has been out of the loop for three years, my new iPhone was nothing less than a work of art. All of the main features are voice-activated. I can, with my Bluetooth earpiece, place and receive phone calls. I can dictate, edit, and send email and text messages without actually touching the phone. Thanks to my data plan I can check the weather, search for restaurants or hotels - and make reservations therein - and even file a flight plan with the FAA.
Have you ever heard of Angry Birds? It is a game that is the electronic equivalent of eating a bowl of sugary breakfast cereal mixed with an energy drink. Angry Birds is a colorful, explosive, noisy and, above all, highly, highly addictive game.
My new smart phone is certainly serving its purpose. I can now get a hold of anyone, at any time, for any reason. I no longer have to memorize directions or contact information; I do not even have to read a map. I can send emails and texts in lieu of actual conversation, and should I get bored I can simply blow up some more pigs on Angry Birds.
My only question is, do smart phones really make us smarter?
- Dan Wegmueller of Monroe writes a column for the Times each Monday. He can be reached at dwegs@tds.net.
