Take a walk with me through the woods while I debate whether having a smartphone and data plan are worth it for me. While trying to simplify, cut down distractions, and lessen the noise in my daily life, I am unsure if having a web-enabled device in my pocket at all times is necessarily a good thing.
For some, it’s a requirement. But I work from home or wifi-enabled public locations. If I’m neither of those places, I don’t want to be working or tempted to work. I want to be catching fish, focusing on my family, or just enjoying whatever moment is presented to me.
There are three main areas where I question whether having the web available at all times is good for me:
- I want to spend less time on the internet, not more. By subscribing to a monthly data plan, I’d feel like I was wasting my money if I wasn’t using it.
- I’m trying to reduce the number of “in-boxes” in my life and the number of times I check my email daily. Mobile web/email would add at least one more.
- When I’m not working, I want to focus on not working. If I’m in my canoe, going for a hike, or out on a date with my wife, I want to enjoy those things for what they are at that moment, not how they’ll sound in a Twitter update.
What do you think? If you use a web-enabled smartphone, does it simplify your life?
We’re all different and what works for one person might not work for another. I’m just debating what makes sense for my lifestyle today. Smartphones are everywhere and I even had one for a short while a few years ago. I realized it didn’t make sense for me then and I’m still not sure if I really need one. I’m the AnywhereMan, not the EverywhereMan. 
And yes, I will probably change my mind on all of this next week.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=9d6de318-0e34-4010-af8f-0d699330c9ea)
My want for a smart phone, or even an iPod Touch went away with the purchase of my Macbook and my obsession with photography. One of my biggest problems is separating being in the moment and taking photos – it's not easy. Especially when my kid does something or we go somewhere. I want to experience it, but I'd also like to document it. Hard to do both sometimes. Great perspective Dave!
You bring up an important point here. Technology can create a strange situation where you have to choose between experiencing a moment, or documenting it. There's got to be a balance struck, or you'll literally stifle the events in your life.
I just really try and be conscious of “media gluttony” …I like chocolate, but the aftermath of eating too much really sucks. I try apply that thinking to my photography, if that makes sense. I feel better when I can sense the 5 or 10 seconds I want to use my camera to capture something and then put it away.
…Sorry to say have not managed to do the same with e-mail. I check it an unhealthy amount. I bet one day they'll classify that as a true addiction.
First of all, Jimmy I have to give you credit for the “EverywhereMan” phrase from our conversation a few weeks back. Ha!
I agree with you on the balance between taking photos and experiencing the moment.I think it's a bit easier with regular photography though versus snapping pics with your phone and instantly sharing them with the world. In the smartphone case it's almost like you're not disconnected from everything else, but with what you're doing it's just you, your camera, and the moment. There's a happy balance with that I think.
Keep doing it,by the way. You're motivating me to get out and do that more!
“Media gluttony” – that is exactly what it is. Good call! I had a case of it last night during a stretch of boredom and ended up just sitting down and doing absolutely nothing until the urge to post something pointless on Facebook passed.
Even my blogging becomes a form of media gluttony and I have to limit myself.
Like you said, just to be aware that those tendencies are there helps keep things in moderation. Great insight, Scott!
Unfortunately, I'm not able to watch your video right at the moment but your post was quite thought provoking. My smart phone has made my life more flexible. Given, I am more connected but I don't have to be sitting at a desk waiting for that email. I enjoy the flexibility of it. Also, it won't limit the number of times you check your email (because it pretty much checks it constantly… push). That said, it does allow you to view all your inboxes in one place. Along with calendars and other things. I love that ability.
As for the addiction aspect, I think that's always a self-control thing. You can always shut the phone off or download an app that easily silences everything for a period of time.
I can see the reasons for not having one and for having one… it really comes down to personal preference.
That's key: Flexibility. I totally agree that it definitely helps keep you from being tethered to your desk all day. Excellent point, Jeremy. And I think it really depends on what your profession is. Guys like us definitely need to be away from the desk more. As for self-control…I suck at that so if I do ever go the smartphone route again I'll definitely be getting your recommendation for a good silencing app.
I am an avid smartphone (BlackBerry) user and always have been (had a Palm for years before they were phones too). For years my life-style has been based around always having my contacts, calendar, and task list handy (never liked the Franklin planner idea though). — When smartphones hit the market combining all of these aspect with a camera I was hooked and actually enjoy the heck outta of each device I've used.
On a side note: Some time ago we did cancel our data plans for around 6 months. We didn't even have texting. Obviously I survived, but didn't enjoy that time very much.
And now, all of my PIM data is synced wirelessly over that very data plan, so in reality I turn off the notifications of my device (except phone calls) and only use it when mobile if truly needed.
Nice post, as expected from you Mr. Anywhere Man
Thanks, Dave! I know you are the BlackBerry wiz. Good to know you've got a plan in place to make sure that your productivity tool (smartphone) doesn't become a productivity killer. If I ever do make the leap to a smartphone plan again (which I'm sure I will), maybe we can have you share some do's and don'ts with us. Start working on your list.
We need some more females around here. With a title like “AnywhereMan,” this place should be crawling with ladies!
You make some great points Dave… I know some people can't get off their phones and it would probably help them FOCUS more, by doing LESS
For someone like me, I'm traveling a bit more and need the constant connectivity. For someone who may not want to be as connected as I am, it could be a great way to save a couple hundred bucks, be more productive in other arenas and not have a physical attachment to a device.
Right on, Jason. For what you're doing a smartphone is a MUST. It's an essential part of your business model. I'm interested to see how your business evolves over the next few years, especially if wife and kids enter the mix. Who knows? Maybe you'll be a family of professional shirt-wearers.
By the way, some of my thoughts in this video came up as a result of reading Leo Babauta's “Power of Less.” (He's writes ZenHabits.net) I'll probably do a review here but much of what he says in that book falls along the focus more, do less way-of-thinking. Really great book.
Love the video Dave and you raise some excellent points. I abandoned my smartphone a few years ago when I left my Treo 650 for a Samsung Alias. The Treo used to crash too much and I figured instead of a smartphone I could just just my phone smarter! After switching from Outlook to Gmail I was able to check my mail and calendar using the WAP interface on my slim phone and enjoyed that.
About 2 years ago after some constant drooling my wife bought me an iPod Touch for Xmas and I must say I absolutely love the device. I don't travel all that much but do move around my house a lot and the wifi keeps me connected but as you mentioned I have turned off the PUSH notifcation for email and only check it when I want (although I leave push on for DMs and mentions on Twitter). Honestly if the iPhone was available on Verizon I would probably own one but I agree with you that it's a matter of control and flexibility.
I just today was commenting that I am way too distracted and need to focus more on core tasks so not having a smartphone is probably a help in some ways.
Thanks for instigating the dialogue. It's been great to read all the comments and see others thoughts on this topic!
Phil
I have had a Blackberry for a few years. It was handy when I was doing a lot of roadwork, and wifi wasn't as ubiquitous as it is now. But after going to more of a homebase, and not driving all over the place, I found I used the internet on the phone so little, it was a waste to have it. And yes, I hated being pinged at dinner on datenight (the old Nextel PTT noise still makes me wake up in cold sweats from a job from the 90's).
I was debating the want for an iPhone, but realized that the only time I will be in places I can't get wifi, I will be in a kayak or camping — somewhere I don't want the damn internet, anyway. So I ended up with an iTouch. It costs nothing to use it, I can still use it on any open wifi just like an iPhone, and I still have the phone service I am happy with.
Phil I've got the Touch too and I agree that it's a very useful device. Whenever we travel I'm always typically around wifi so it's nice to be able to check email and look things up if needed. When I first got it I remember saying, “It's like a $200 ultra-mini touchscreen laptop!” As a web developer, it's been nice to have as well to test sites on the iPhone browser without having to actually have an iPhone data plan or AT&T account.
Agreed – some great comments on this one. Thanks folks!
Thanks for the comment, James. Yes if a person does more working from home or a wifi-accessible location than they do on the road, it definitely makes sense why a data plan is a bit of overkill. Now that so many of the smartphones have wifi as well as the mobile data network access, I wish we could have the option of getting the phone without the data plan. I guess we do, but I'm not paying $600 for a phone!
Having it be “wifi-only” would probably help me from going overboard on usage.
Sweet blog, by the way! Everyone check out http://www.livecollarfree.com
I see more and more people doing the social media sharing thing with their smartphones. The whole narcissistic aspect of it bothers me. I think, as you said in the video, it's great to document your life. I do — in my journal. To do it in real-time, to the entire world is a bit too much. The self-importance of feeling that people need to know what you're doing at any given time is, frankly, sad.
I think there's a fine line there between documenting versus sharing (i.e. bragging) and I agree, it can get pretty easy to get narcissistic about it all. Thanks for stopping by, Mike!
Dave, you make some great points. I especially like your comment about being in the moment. I rely on my iPhone to stay connected but I make a conscious effort to put it down when my friends and family are around and I check e-mail and text less often than I used to.
Great point, Lisa. Whether or not a person is a smartphone user, the important thing is to limit usage so that it's not affecting the important moments and people in your life.
Hey anywhere man!
I am new to your page so i am catching up on some of the old videos and articles. Nice work. As for the mobile phone. I am running on blackberry. Its awesome. I am a freelancer. Just starting out. So it makes it easy for me to catch things on the fly. What i hate is when i am out on a dinner date with my future wife… and a crazy client starts to send me tons of emails. Thats when i turn my phone off. But now i notice that is better to not have it at all. I work from home. but i am always online on my macbook. So why need a phone? hmmmm.. you have a point here!
actually i am so inspired by this i am most likely going to disconnect my phone, since i have voip phone for home office. thanks!
Thanks for stopping by! Since I posted this last year I actually switched to a smartphone and the principle of leaving it off or ignoring it during the important moments has stuck with me. Enjoy the moments in life for what they are, not by what people will think when posting about them on Facebook.
Really? it all sounds good. I am actually going from smartphone to ipad. Its a smart transfer. I will be able todo everything i could do on a smartphone, plus more. You should look into it. I am actually watching new Freelance Jam. NIce work guys. I agree on the apps for apple in general. I am running things both on macbook and ipad. works perfect! I also get calls, emails, and text!