The Need for Smart Phones

When I went to Japan, there was a plethera of awesome smartphones - in fact, the entirety of Japan has phones all with similar functionalities and it was even more amazing because although the phones were made by different manufacturers or had a few different functions or designs, they were all meant to work together and interact with each other. For example, they all had infrared capabilities, where you could transfer entire profiles with numbers and all by clicking a button and putting the devices near each other. This was so much different than the US, where all the manufacturers try to outdo eachother, adding functionalities only for the individual, but not so much with the entirety of society.

When I came back to the US, about 2 years ago now, I was sad about the fact that our phones don't do nearly as much as theirs can, with the exception of Blackberry, but that even wasn't very widely used -- it was more for business professionals who need to be connected at all times. Today, these Crackberries are more widely used, especially for professionals, but also just by normal people, who just need that connection to the internet 24/7. And, sadly, the US has been overtaken by the iPhone. Though the iPhone does have some very cool functionalities, it still has so much growing to do. It makes me sad that the entire US society is so immersed in this sea of iPhone love when they really don't need that kind of technology right now. I don't believe that it actually does all that much for you. Maybe I'm just not understanding how useful it is because I don't own one, but the most I've seen people do with it is the ability to look up certain random facts while talking at a bar, or use their makeshift GPS system while riding in the car. But I ask myself, do I need something like that? I have my own GPS system that works better than it... I sometimes like the fact that I don't know random facts - it gives me an excuse to talk to someone else about it later or figure out the answer myself which actually helps me remember better. What else is it used for? Apps.. that you have to pay extra for...? I would not like that. If I don't need it 24/7 I wouldn't pay any extra for it, not to mention you have to pay more to be connected to the internet all the time. I can easily come home and use the computer for what I need. You get to watch YouTube all the time?? Who effing cares... I use YouTube as a time filler, and I don't need it all the time. When I'm out of the house, it's usually for a reason. Like seeing real people, face-to-face. And interacting with them. Plus, there's no way in hell I would trade my wonderful Verizon service for AT&T to get things I don't need.

I've been reading some articles recently about technology that they are trying to create on iPhones to unlock cars or use barcodes directly from them to scan things with. Something like that that I could use on BART by placing the phone directly on the entry gate to automatically pay for my ticket, now THAT would be useful. And I don't want to have to pay extra for it (minus actually paying for the ticket...). So far, I'm not impressed with the iPhone, and it seems like a lot of people are buying into the hype just because they want to follow the crowd. The people I have the most respect for have not yet fallen for the craze either, so at least I know I'm not missing out on something that's truly useful, or I feel like the people with sense in the world would all have them. My entire family still uses Verizon. I don't need to be another Apple fangirl. And until they really blow me away, I will reject every app, every fangirl or boy that they throw my way.