A conversation in the forum got me feeling somewhat defensive of my iPhone. I used to think they were a huge extravagance, and I suppose when they first came out and the price was sky high, they were. I think has time has passed, though, the price has dropped dramatically but many people still have the image of them being hundreds of dollars. So when you see someone who may not have a lot of money sporting a smart phone, you might think they are blowing money that could be going to better things.
Assuming you already have a cell phone plan with AT&T, you can get an iPhone for $49 and the cheapest data plan for $15/month. That's hardly a wild purchase for most people, even folks with relatively modest incomes. $180/year for the service isn't likely to make or break anyone's budget.
So why get a smart phone anyway? Here's the list I posted on the discussion thread:
My phone is:
A telephone with free long distance
A computer with full Internet access
A camera for still photos
A video camera
A video game player
A tv and movie viewer
A radio
An mp3 player
A calculator (regular or scientific)
An educational device
A GPS unit
I think that used intelligently, a smart phone could actually eliminate the need for various other devices, thus saving money overall. We don't need GPS in the car - we have our phones. We don't need a video camera - we've got our phones. We don't need iPods - they are built into our phones. You get the idea.
Certainly, if someone is truly struggling, a smart phone remains a luxury item, but if someone is doing basically okay, having or not having a smart phone isn't going to be the deciding factor in whether or not they are making it financially.
In Defense of Smart Phones
April 28th, 2011 at 09:08 pm
April 28th, 2011 at 09:23 pm 1304025780
As I said in that thread, there are certain things that just are the *symbol* of bad spending, in our society, whether that's right or not. Usually stuff that most people buy just because everyone else has it, or because they are susceptible to marketing.
April 28th, 2011 at 09:23 pm 1304025789
Realistically, most people spend more on eating out or cable per month than on their cell phone plan. Unlike those expenses, however, the iPhone is right there shouting "I'm a big spender!" True or not, its mere presence is enough to spark discussion over whether or not its owner can actually afford it.
For the record, I'd love to have an iPhone someday. While I'm thankful for my TracFone's low cost, its feature set is definitely lacking in comparison.
April 28th, 2011 at 09:25 pm 1304025933
I've often thought, "You have got to be KIDDING me!" Yes, I made a $500 or a $1000 purchase, but since I don't have a car payment, or a GIGANTIC mortgage, then I think it will be okay. I think I can afford it.
April 28th, 2011 at 11:25 pm 1304033159
April 28th, 2011 at 11:50 pm 1304034621
In the interest of full disclosure, I personally spend more than $15/month. I got my iPhone while they still offered the unlimited data plan. That is $30/month. When the iPhone 4 came out, they dropped the unlimited plan. Now there is a $15 plan and a $25 plan with set data usage (and a fee schedule for overages). They grandfathered in those who wanted to keep their unlimited plans. We'll see how long that lasts.
April 29th, 2011 at 01:25 am 1304040347
Then of course there are the times where we need the cliff notes for a book - just look it up on the net. Or, when we're doing vocab and need to make up a sentence -- just look it up. And SO much more! Thanks to the 3g capability, I am able to use it with students where it would not be possible to have a Wi Fi connection. It also eliminates having to carry a bunch of different reference books. A few weeks ago one of my students had an assignment where she had to look up some verses in the Bible. There were no Bibles available ... but I had one on my phone. I even was able to find the verses for her in Korean so she could understand them better.
Like I said ... I really don't know how I'd do tutoring without it.
April 29th, 2011 at 03:15 am 1304046936
April 29th, 2011 at 08:15 am 1304064931
April 29th, 2011 at 05:19 pm 1304097546
April 30th, 2011 at 08:00 pm 1304193646
Jerry
April 30th, 2011 at 08:45 pm 1304196342
There are a ton of medical apps. I use Medscape and MPR all the time. You can also get Epocrates and lots of others. I wish I would have had an iPhone when I was an intern and resident. Would have been a whole lot better than carrying pockets full of books and guides and a calculator.