The Classroom Conservative: My iPhone, My Time Saver

My iPhone, My Time Saver

I resisted for some time the idea of a smartphone. Right from the top, I will admit to being prudent, and the commitment of another seventy dollars a month was a considerable deterrent. Over the past couple of years, in fact, I weaned myself off my cellphone, and I really kept it for emergencies and the occasional call home to be reminded what I was supposed to buy at the grocery store. Most of the meetings I attend require phones to be powered off, and so I was not sure about the practical application of a new gadget. But its gadgety appeal was, ultimately, what sold me.

You see, I always knew it would be an iPhone. I was relatively quick and enthusiastic in adopting the iPod, and I have ten thousand songs ripped and ready. The idea of one device was very appealing. So, when I decided to move, I knew what I was going to do.

I cannot believe it took me this long.

Most importantly, the thing is a legitimate time saver. I do not need to be on email all night, but I found, over the years, that I would be curious about who fired off an urgent request after hours, and I would log on to see. And, having logged on, I'd take the time to poke around -- a process that, itself, took far more time than that. On the road for the university, I'd have to go through some trouble to check in with the office, a humiliating scrounging for internet hotspots and hotel business centers. Now, I can quickly and easily monitor email, and -- so far, at least -- resist replying to all but the most pressing missives.

But the iPhone, itself, is fabulous. Other than mispronouncing my wife's name, the voice control is very responsive and saves the problem of dialing. I was always bad with updating my saved numbers, but this gadget does that for me, and it also downloads immediately updates to my calendar. I cannot quite get used to typing with my thumbs, but I peck pretty quickly, and the display gives me excellent access to mail and web browsing. Once I figured out how to discard weather reports for Silicone Valley, I grew to love forecasts and real time GPS mapping. I do not mind the little speakers for phone and music; I can play podcasts, at least, to a reasonable standard without the ear buds. A square, through and through, I play sudoku and yahtzee apps. And, unlike the rubber sheath I bought for my "brick" -- my affectionate name for my second generation iPod -- my lightweight case is almost like having no case at all.

We will see if roaming charges and long distance rates curb my enthusiasm, but -- for now -- I'd say that no academic should be without one. I love my iPhone.

Posted on September 02, 2009 at 08:07 PM in Education, Zeitgeist | Permalink

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September 02, 2009

My iPhone, My Time Saver

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