Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Hi-tech mobile gadgets - how dangerous?

I am amazed at all the hi-tech gadgets being constantly promoted, especially by the tantalizing ads from the cell phone carriers who want me to upgrade to a 4G "entertainment powerhouse" so I can watch movies and play games on my cell phone.

How many drivers will be watching the latest Fast & Furious or Crash as they hurtle down Route 47?

I recall going into a Sprint store a few years ago to discuss an upgrade of my phone.

The "kid" in the store asked what I'd use my phone for. When he saw from my expression that he had stumped me, he asked, "Games? Texting? Surfing the internet?" and more terms that today I don't recall.

I asked, "Can I make phone calls?"

Come on, everybody. Drag me kicking and screaming into the future...

5 comments:

Dave Labuz said...

Hey Gus –

Love my iphone for 3 years running.

Having had a cell since ’87 or ’88, I was “vanilla” like you – just calls, please, no nationwide, roaming or long distance calling, etc.

What changed my opinion was a flat tire in the middle of bumble-plop on a road trip. As some of you might have experienced for yourselves, alloy wheels can often tend to seize on your steel hubs, especially up front. I couldn’t get it off! Even so far as going under the car trying to kick it off with both feet. All for the lack of a short length of 2x4 and a mallet. Guess what I carry with me now?

I called directory assistance for any garage listing in the last real town I passed 30 miles back. Of course, it was gas-only now, but the lady behind the counter was kind enough to crack open the yellow pages to give me a list of names and phone numbers – a real sweetheart!

After a few calls, found someone who would come out. From 40 miles away. What made it relatively cheap and quickly available was that all I needed was a kid go-fer with a 2x4 and a mallet! LOL! Next step was a tire. DA helped me locate a Goodyear dealer 40 miles in another direction. Luckily, the owner was in his office after 6pm on a Friday, checked inventory and had my tire! Also lucky, he gave me the Best Western number right next door to his shop.

In summary, 2-2.5 hours, stress, and extra cell charges somewhere in the range of $70. If I had a smartphone at the time, I could have accomplished all of my arrangements within 5-10 minutes, and with my roll-over nationwide plan, no extra phone charges.

Granted, my new plan is about $10 more per month, but now I have what is in essence a small laptop always with me. I have all sorts of capabilities and the internet right in my pocket.

I also find I like texting, too. It’s far more immediate than email, yet you needn’t interrupt someone with a phone call.

All this for about $10 per month. Rollover minutes tend to reduce that extra $10 by a considerable amount.

Dave Labuz said...

I guess you could say I was kicking and screaming having not yet dragged myself into the future.

Dave Labuz said...

Another advantage to texting -

Much more acceptable and polite in an ICU setting during a time when communication is vital and difficult.

When presented with a "zero bars" or a cell call overload situation in an emergency, I've found texts at least get through when all else fails.

Gus said...

Especially in the ICU. Docs hate for the patients to hear during brain surgery that the doctor's boat payment is late again.

Dave Labuz said...

Ba-dump-dump! Chhhhh!