Studying the use of mobile phones these recent weeks, I began to assess my own use of Smartphone technology. I was initially sceptical about the myriad of uses I would find when I switched from my five-year old flip-phone to a Smartphone, but examining my phone use with a more critical lense has shown me just how much I have come to rely on this single tool. While I probably do not represent the majority of Smartphone users, it will be interesting to see how I compare. So, without further ado, here are the top ten uses I have for my Smartphone.
Surprisingly enough, I actually don't use my phone to make too many phone calls. With the variety of ways to keep in touch, I do not always use this particular avenue of communication. I tend to reserve social voice calling for family or especially close friends. More often than not, I use voice calls for professional services such as arranging appointments.
9) Miscellaneous Applications
I clumped the other applications I use into one grouping to represent seldom used programs that are still worth mentioning. I classified GPS navigation, weather, android market, clock display and battery estimator in this category. Each has a self explanatory use that I either use infrequently or do not rely heavily on. Still, these applications have benefits in my life.
8) Contact Book
The contact book application is often overlooked as an application on its own and not just as an add-on to the phone. However, with the use of new contact book applications, I can create my own personalized yellow pages as well as my own personal phone book. When I was in public school, I memorized the phone numbers for many places – not just my friends and family. I learned numbers by heart and muscle memory, but now I only know a select few. Using the contact book has allowed me to transition from carrying all that information in my head to carrying it all in my phone, freeing up my mind for its more creative uses such as writing, choreographing and teaching.
7) Evernote
This handy little program is great for any lists or notes you might be taking on your phone. Personally I use it primarily for shopping and to do lists, but it's voice and picture note services can also be handy for when you don't have the time to describe something and want it captured for later commenting. It's particularly good for group projects or anything that requires more than one person's input to create notes or lists, since one account can synchronize amongst more than one device.
I actually don't know many people who own digital alarm clocks anymore. Since I charge my phone at my bedside and it has a reliable clock, there's just no need. Not only that, but my alarm times are stored wherever I go and I am not limited to only having one or two like a regular alarm clock. Beyond the convenience are also practical reasons. Many alarm apps now offer “smart alarms” alarms that gradually increase in volume to wake the sleeper gently and not abruptly. Lastly, naming my alarms helps jog my memory when it goes off to get me going on the next task.
5) Browser
The first time I used my phone to search Google I was hooked on the convenience of having the world wide web at my fingertips. Just about anything I need to double check now is available by using the web interface on my Smartphone. When you combine fast Internet services with Google Scholar, academic work can be taken to bed when I'm tired, or my backyard when it's sunny.
4) Text-Messaging
I have a sneaking suspicion that my text messaging habits are not the measure by which to judge average text messaging use among students. While I do use the service to make arrangements with family and friends, I actually find myself using it primarily with my employers in the arts. My studio director and I will frequently text message regarding results of competitions or changes in class schedule as examples. In general, I tend to send longer text messages to individuals involved with the studio. Some text messages I have sent have been about the same length as a short email.
3) Calendar
With so many dates to remember nowadays, I use my calendar to keep track of everything. Academic due dates, work hours, class times, professional appointments, family get togethers, social gatherings, holidays, everything. I use my calendar religiously, and couldn't be without it.
I depend on this application too much for it to occupy anything less than top 3.
2) Email
I am a huge fan of email, and use it far more frequently than text messaging. I use email to keep in contact and communicate with my professional and social circles primarily, however there is another reason I use email more often on my phone than text messaging. I like email because I can receive news and updates from sites that I enjoy reading. I enjoy perusing emails at my leisure, knowing that when I check my email that I'll have time to read some of the blog updates in my inbox. Reading a quick blog post on my phone is a great way to take a break between tasks.
Since I check my email so regularly, and have so many uses for it, I've placed it as the #2 use for my Smartphone.
1) Dropbox
If you haven't heard of Dropbox yet, it's high time you have. Dropbox is a user-friendly cloud server service for a reasonable price. Even better, it allows me to have a full list of all my files at the touch of a finger on my Smartphone. Any file I need can be downloaded and used in seconds.
For me that translates into being able to keep all of the studies I need to read in my pocket. It means that I can keep all my notes and work synchronized between my mobile device, my desktop at home and my laptop. In my arts profession, I am able to carry all of my choreography and teaching notes in one hand, as well as all my music. Every file I have ever made for either of my jobs, I have access to all the time. I use Dropbox more than any other application on my phone, and most of the time I barely even realize I'm using it because it integrates so seamlessly with the Android interface.
For both the benefits Dropbox provides and the sheer amount of time I spend using it, it deserves the #1 spot in my Smartphone use list.
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