DocAndersen
One of the things that have been the case for me for a long time is I use my cell phone a lot. Back in the original Pocket PC phone days, I had a lot of add ons. I still have a lot of adds on for my iPhone. Back in the days of the PPC phone, I traveled. I can tell you that, for the most part, I had between 2 and 4 hours of batt3ery life. When you are stuck on a phone and listening to music, that didn’t work, so back then, I also had a media player. I added a kindle at one point in the mid-2000s as well. Now, everything is on two devices: my iPhone and my iPad. But I still chase add ons. I realize that, for the most part, when it comes to technologies, I tend more towards the outlier.
But there are some interesting technologies that you use with your phone. Mosure is a digital measuring tape that connects to your phone. It allows you to measure something and store it on your phone quickly. ARRIM is a device that allows you to take a picture of a space and convert that picture into an Augmented Reality view. Finally, the last one for today is FLIR, FLIR lets you take a thermal image of a space. The reason for the conversation today is something I often get questions on, why do I need these things. The easy answer is honestly; you don’t. But, many things are now available on your cellular device that changes how you move around.
- A few years ago there was a portable television you could take with you on trips. Now, you can use your cell phone for that.
- I used to carry a portable GPS and a portable media player for my music and my directions. Now my cell phone does both of those things.
- I used to carry a portable SiriusXM receiver. Now, I can use the easy application on my smartphone.
- In the days of a PPC phone, the concept of having voices translated wasn’t even an option.
Things have changed. While most of you will not ever have an AR scanner like ARRIM, you may add a 360-degree camera to your phone. You may no longer use the magnetic stud finder but instead use the wonderful Walabot product (it shows you what is on the other side of the wall). You may not ever use a FLIR device, except, if your house is cold in the winter and hot in the summer. You may use an infrared camera to see if you need new Windows. The funny thing is, I used to carry a bag filled with the adds one for my phone. Now, it all fits in my coat pocket.
You may never use any of these things. But someday if you have to go to the phone store, and you see one of these devices, you will be able to tell the salesperson why you don’t need it. I know what it does, I won’t ever do that!
-
Question of
Do you still have a portable GPS?
-
Yes
-
No
-
-
Question of
Do you know the history of cell phones? Cameras, GPS, Cellar Data were all added in the 2000s! only 12-15 years ago did you know that?
-
Yes
-
No
-
-
Question of
fDo you remember the days before we had cell phones?
-
Yes
-
No
-
Interesting apps. we may not use them always but they could come in handy sometimes. However I hate slowing down my phone with a huge number of apps
a huge number of apps won’t slow down your phone. It won’t even slow down your computer. Worst case, shut your phone off, which clears the onboard memory. When you turn it back on it won’t matter how many apps you have!
It’s crazy how natural smartphones feel now.
I am shocked by how much more they do.
the first smartphones allowed for applications but other than a small data connection (2g and 3g) no gps no camera.
Many times I wonder how we lived and especially how we drove when there were no cell phones ….
i remember those days! i was literally landing in the middle of the night, driving by map to a place I have never been.
we got lost a lot!
I remember I even had a box of maps …. on the bus, local guides were very helpful
I vividly remember a time without cell phones. I have been against these phones for a long time. I do not know why.
i think that they present a new way of lots of things, and new isn’t always better!
I agree. The more new it is, the more complicated it is.
it can be, sometimes I turn off my cell phone for the entire weekend!
Amazing to look back over the years and see how technology has changed. I remember the huge cell phones that were in a case, like a camera bag, very bulky. But it was cool if you had one.
ah the bag phone, I had one!!! it had a horrible battery (less than an hour).
That was it. People were so proud to have those in their cars.
i had one for a year. It was cool, but the problem was there was no such thing as a speaker so I pulled over to answer the phone and talk!
That is so funny to think about. Makes me feel old.
i do feel old sometimes.