Digital Phantasy
Digital Phantasy

I don’t want a simple phone!

Posted Tuesday, May 30th 2006

I just came across an article over at Wired about modern mobile phones and how complex they are. Apparently, people are complaining that the phones have far too many features and that they are far too complex for them to use.

Which, I can understand. Really. Neither of my parents is very tech-savvy, and for them, learning to type and send a simple text message was quite a success. So yeah, I agree that phones have become a bit too complex for the senior generation. I bet they miss the days of the simple rotary phone dial, or even the very simple button-dial phone. Cell phones have become increasingly complex. And mind you, my parents don’t use very expensive or feature-ladden phones. My father uses a Siemens A75 and my mother uses a downright ancient Ericsson T20.

I on the other hand, probably couldn’t live without the extra features that my phone offers. I got a Sony Ericsson K750i and probably couldn’t manage all my obligations without the excellent organizer, my communication would be limited without GPRS, not to mention without Bluetooth and Infrared. Furthermore, because it’s easy to synchronise with the PC, I can make sure that my appointments are never missed and so on. I don’t really use the mp3 playback functionality, because I do have an mp3 player, but I do use the 2 mpix camera quite a bit, even though the flash is somewhat lacking and night pictures come out grainy. And my brother is looking into getting the same phone.

I guess it’s a generation thing. And even though I will agree that phones have become quite complex and feature-ladden, there are people, such as myself that need them and use them.

3 Responses to “I don’t want a simple phone!”
0k0 Says:

Just one question: How did you managed your life before you get your phone? :)

0k0 Says:

No really, regarding my last comment, I didn’t agree with you. For me, the basic impact, the reason why would I buy the phone is because of the design not because of the features on it. So, you can have two groups of phones: lovely and ugly, not “simple” and “full of shit equipment”.

These features like Bluetooth or Infrared are used to exchange files, like ring tones and pictures between your mates, which is the reason for buying my phone. Mp3 player and fm radio are the features that I use every day. For example, I listen music on my phone during my car drive (I do have radio, but it’s old, and comparing to my new phone, no chance). Or in the coffee bar (don’t like the music that is on). Organizer ????? To Do List functionality on you phone ????? At last, one of the most important parts is the the “Camera”. The real reason that I haven’t buy a new phone yet, is because new Sony-Ericsson and Nokia phones have 3.2 mega pixel camera. Can you imagine, what resolution they will have (nowadays, basic cameras on the market have more that 3.2 and cost less than 100 Euros, why do I necessary need 3.2 on my phone)?

So, to sum up, I have Sony CMD-Z7, three and a half years old, with great design that looks quite a bit newer. It has the wap (top feature in those days) functionality that I never had used. I often use the features for talking, sending sms, alarm, calculator and the phone runs perfect. Should I change it?

zeroSignal Says:

Well, that’s you. I personally weigh features much more over design, however, yes, design is important. I still regard the T610 to be one of the best phones ever made, and I still have it. It has great features, and has an overall great design. Simple, slim and easy to use. However, it started to get old, and that’s why I got the K750i.

Features like Bluetooth and Infrared are usefull. I can easily connect my phone to any IRDA or BT-enabled device. Synchronising with the computer would be much easier to do via Bluetooth, but XP SP1 does not support bluetooth nativelly, and I’m too much of a lazy ass to upgrade it.

I guess it’s a personal issue. Design is important, indeed, but features are what make me buy a certain phone. I like a nice screen, and mp3 playback, and such - it makes the phone more fun. Plus, I can have various applications and games running on it. I can use a ‘normal’ web browser instead of wap, and check my e-mail when I need to, etc. It’s quite useful.

And in regards to your first question - I got a decent phone when I needed it. The T610 was my first full-blown full-feature phone, and I got that at the end of 2nd level at uni, when I started to need my organizer and reminder. I wouldn’t remember anyone’s birthday if it weren’t for the organizer. :)

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