I personally am against the modern day "smartphones", or as I like to call them--"Dumbphones." First off, I personally feel that they just embody too much technology in one place. This I think is not good. While this can be a blessing, there is, in my opinion too much junk on these. Smartphones are too convenient; they are too easy to get into trouble with. First of all, they cause people to become so horribly rude and inconsiderate. How many people have walked into the store recently, just gabbing away as though there were no one around? First of all, it might not be so horrible if it was not for the fact that most of them use the bluetooths. This makes it seem as though there is no one else around, and they are talking into the air. We used to not allow you to talk to invisible people! If I cannot see the person that you are talking to, you can't talk to them! We used to lock people up for crazy talk like that. Secondly, I have seen all too many times people that ignore all of the people around them, and are staring at the tiny little screen looking at the next comment on facebook or twitter. So let me get this straight, the real people around you, you choose to ignore, but you are going to be consumed by that little screen? It's not as though it is a big screen tv! Shoot, the big screen tv is battling the smartphone for attention! I feel that this much technology has made people...well...less smart than the phone. Why learn to read a map, when you can use the app to navigate anywhere you want to go? Why bother opening a real book when you have kindle? I think the smartphones have made people dependent on technology, making them not only less able to do things for themselves, but also more inconsiderate of those around them. I myself have a standard open up phone; but even this is not simple enough for me. It has useless things on there like internet and music and whatnot. I just want a simple phone where there is no texting, no internet, no insensitive inconsiderate disorder, just a simple plain old conversation. I really would like to get that plain jitterbug phone that I have heard about. I am sure that I will run into some mixed opinions on this one, so be sure to reply.

I understand what you mean, though I am somewhere in between. I will never get one of those basic phones because based on what I am using the phone, I need internet and a touch screen. Though I guess I never had a true smartphone, never had an iPhone, or a Samsung, I have really one of the simplist smartphone that you can have and for me, it works as a perfect balance.

I avoided getting a smartphone for a very, very long time.  My students would always make fun of me because I got a flip phone and held onto it for years. I didn't really use it for anything other than making calls to my parents.  (I don't have any real life friends.)

Well, the November before last...I finally broke and got one.  Like you, I was of the opinion that they were dumb, pointless, and addictive.  I never, ever thought I would enjoy one.

I found out I was completely wrong.

I LOVE my smart phone. It does so much for me, and as you said...it's convenient.  It helps me do a lot of things and keep everything in one place.  This is really useful for someone like me who is -constantly- running around and busy... for people that have so much to do, it's hard to keep track of.

That being said, having everything in one place IS extremely dangerous.  It makes the phone something more valuable than most possessions, and creates an illusion of 'need'.

I don't think that the SMART phones are the problem... I think it's people's addiction to them, and allowing them to take over your life.  I can hardly walk down the street or sit in a room without seeing EVERY person with their nose buried in their phone, and I agree with you: it's really, really sad.  I might love my phone, but I don't use it very often.  If I'm standing outside a building waiting on a ride, I might pull it out and play a game or check the weather. When I'm exercising, I'll use it to listen to music and to count my calories.  I also use it to take and store pictures because photography is something I really enjoy (though some day I'm hoping for a real camera).  I use  it to listen to sermons while I'm walking somewhere.  I also use it to study and learn Spanish in my free time.

These uses are infrequent... but they're NICE.  The people are the problem.... not the phones.  Addiction to technology and social media is very real.

I do not blame you for ranting about this topic.

It is very obvious that you see everyone with smartphones and so addicted to them. I don't really use my smartphone as much unless I really need it like calling, texting, or checking when my bus comes when I am outside. The fact that people has been so adapted to their smartphones are making them not see the real picture, reality. Smartphones are giving more "purposes" in a phone than the original usage like calling. This causes people to want them and use them more often like it's their treasure or something. The thing is that we cannot stop technology from advancing which means there will be more upgrades in the future and sadly marketing and business is involved with selling smartphones. We cannot stop popular items from growing as they are the hottest items on the market and everyone wants them.

I do find it sad that people have lost personal one on time talking since they would rather talk to each other through phones instead.

I love technology, so yes I do have a smartphone.  I've got one of those big ones.  I've chosen a big one on purpose since I take notes at church, bible studies, general reminders etc.  It has a great quality camera so it comes in handy at my workplace and of course in my private life to send pics of the kids to grandma and grandpa.  I try to use the smartphone for what it was intended for.  I have never used Twitter and although I do receive Facebook notifications on it, I hardly ever post on Facebook from my phone.  I have a PC for that purpose.  I also have a flashlight app on the phone so it really comes in handy for the night time feeding of mah babes

Singelli :  Of course you have real life friends.  This is not a robot typing this message

SoL@R : awww, that's so sweet.  And though I'm sure you know what I meant, I don't have any friends nearby physically, whom I can physically hand out with and do things with.  ^.^ (And we don't need to talk about how I define a TRUE friend, anyhow... lol)

I used to take notes at church on my phone, but I stopped because I feel too self-conscious about it.  I always feel like people will think I'm goofing off and not paying attention, and that's the last impression I want to give.

Although I did forget to mention: sending pics to my mother is probably one of my favorite uses for my phone, and I know it makes my mom's day / week.

(I've never used twitter, and I don't get notifications for facebook.  I used to, but when I got a new phone, that changed and I wasn't interested enough to find out why.  However, I've maybe posted on facebook from my phone.... TWICE.  I agree with you about using a computer to do that. XD)

I don't have one. Which, believe it or not, is somewhat of a weakness. Besides the convenience aspect of it, I don't really have a knowledge of all the apps and tricks of a smartphone such as "jailbreaking". What's funny is that I'm a college student, studying IT management as my major. I still have a "dumb" phone, and the only reason why I haven't upgraded it is because my current phone still works. Once it kicks the bucket, then maybe a smartphone will be a consideration. 

Smartphones are one of the most incredible things that has happened. Whether it be an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or LG, or whatever - smartphones help people. You can get Skype (or Hangouts), and see a real person. Yes, I know that might be too much for you. Also, if someone is on a social networking app, some people use it to get touch with family members. Smartphones also help is in entertainment. These app stores have tons of apps! I don't like how you feel that they are "dumbphones". They aren't. So, maybe next time you go to a store, look for a demo phone, and try it! (Don't pick it up; the theft alarm will go off.)