Upgraded Technology

A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I decided to take the plunge into getting smart phones. I've always been the "get whatever is free with my contract" person - needless to say that hasn't been a smartphone in the past.


Who needs a smart phone? I'm around a computer 90% of the day, and when I'm not it's usually because I'm driving. I do not need to be updating my Facebook status when I'm driving - I don't care how bad the traffic is. That is another rant for another day though.

Well my husband and I decided to purchase the Blackberry Bold 9700 mostly for the calendar functions. I was also hoping for the new device called the square which allows you to take payments by credit card on your phone. Then I found out it's not available in Canada, and not available on the Blackberry. Needless to say, I was very disappointed. It just goes to show you that I should have done more research before I decided to buy.

I found the Blackberry hard to use at first - so many buttons and so many things to do. Typing was also a challenge. I'm a fast typer on the computer and I'm super fast on T9word, but I had a lot of trouble getting used to the small buttons. I still prefer the buttons to the touch screen, I have a lot of problems using the touch screen and having it sense my movements. It's been a week and a half and I've slowly but surely gotten use to it.

I also have downloaded some Apps - after all, what’s a smart phone without Apps? My favourite app is a calorie counter by fatsecret. It is way easier to use than the one I was using on my computer and it's at my fingertips all of the time. I don't religiously count my calories but I do use it to keep track of what I'm eating or look up what is a better choice when we are eating out. Using a calorie counter has helped me lose almost twenty pounds in the last year. Now it's even easier that I have access to nutritional information on the go.

I also really like being able to use the internet. I don't go on the internet very often but when my husband and I are out driving around and we want to go somewhere, I can look up and find the closest location or any other interesting information. It's been helpful for Christmas shopping and avoiding the malls!

I guess my thoughts on having a smart phone are changing. I get to do all I mentioned above as well as make phone calls! It also has a 5 MP camera that I can take pictures of my dogs on - which is just awesome. Then I can upload them to Facebook right then and there.

As long as your not walking and looking down at your phone, or driving and looking down at your phone, they might not be so bad. Just remember you need to keep in touch with everyday life and you can't live through your phone - no matter how juicy the latest Facebook gossip is.