Smart phones seem to be a common trend amoungst any age range of people in today's world. My one year old nephew loves my brother's cell phone, my girlfriend's grandfather has an iPhone 4S, my 50 year old mother has one, I have one, all my friends have one. But does that mean that everyone needs one?
If someone talks <1000 minutes a week, doesn't text, and doesn't currently use the web (even though they have a simple phone now). They don't actively use the internet at home except for e-mail. Does this person need a smart phone? Probably not.
People like this in today's age get the short end of the stick. Most carrier's charge $39.99 for your basic talk plan which includes 450 minutes, maybe has free mobile-mobile, no texting, and no data. If you add texting and data, you are looking at $79.99+. That is about $2.60 a day. For simple phones, that $40 comes out to $1.80 a day. Now, that being said, do most people 'get their money's worth' for their smart phone? Let's find out.
Smart phones are incredibly powerful devices. When you purchase one, you essentially get these basics with it:
-Calender
-Calculator
-Alarm Clock
-Camera
-Address Notebook/Phonebook
-MP3 Player
-GPS
-Movie Player
-Book store
Now that doesn't take in to consideration any applications you download, which unlock the true potential of your device. Let's go over some other things you can do to increase the value in your precious investment.
1. A Flashlight Application
Already having your arsenel of things your phone can do, adding the ability to be a flashlight will prove more valuable than you think.
2. Do your banking from your phone
You don't have to be paying bills from your phone and such (although it is incredibly easy and convienient), but most banks today have an application that allows you to securely check your account balances. For credit card companies, you can check your balance and available credit as well.
3. Download applications that are made to save you money
Things like Google Shopper and GasBuddy are made to save you money. Google shopper will allow you to enter or scan in a product and it will search every local brick and mortar store and online retailer for the lowest possible price for you for that item. This has saved me well over $100 throughout it's life time when I shop at places that price match like Walmart and Best Buy. GasBuddy will ask you to enter your zip code (or if you have GPS on, it will auto-locate you) and find you the cheapest gas station within a reasonable distance from you. You would be surprised that prices fluctuate about .10 cents within 5 miles.
4. Get applications that will increase your productivity and ability to do your job at work
For some people, you can get a large range of applications related to your job field. For example construction workers can get an app that works as a bubbl level for seeing how level something is, or a notepad application to jot down the total cost of a job thus far in materials. Search aroundd the market to find something that will benefit you in your job and increase your odds for success.
5. Make it yours
With Android, you can change the background wallpaper, the lock screen wallpaper, the look of your UI with things like GOLauncher, and even icon packs and fonts with special apps from the market. Make your smart phone look different and unique to you. Get a custom case (iPhone's have tons of cases available for them), get your own custom background, and go to town on custom icons.
6. Use the basic functions as often as you need them
The list above (calculator, alarm clock, etc) is an amazing set of tools already at your disposal on almost any smart phone. Use those things on a regular basis and incorporate the things like a calender in to your daily life. You will increase your self-efficiency and productivity and overall be more focused and organized.
That's it for now... expect article #2 soon with more ways for you to get your moneys worth out of your smart phone!
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