What Do Smart Phones (Partially) Replace?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the various everyday objects that participants believe are partially replaced by smartphones. It includes a wide range of items from traditional tools and devices to social interactions, exploring the implications of smartphone technology on daily life.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that smartphones replace traditional phones, clocks, calendars, calculators, and various forms of media such as radios and cameras.
  • Others propose that smartphones can serve as substitutes for more specialized devices like thermal imagers, medical pagers, and even bank tellers.
  • There are mentions of smartphones replacing social interactions or human companions, raising questions about the impact on social behavior.
  • Some participants note that while smartphones can replace many devices, laptops may still be preferred for certain tasks due to their usability and larger screens.
  • Several participants engage in correcting and refining the numbering of items listed, indicating a collaborative but somewhat chaotic effort to compile a comprehensive list.
  • Additional items proposed include various scientific instruments, tools for navigation, and even unconventional uses like makeshift ignition sources.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the extent of replacement or the value of smartphones compared to other devices. Multiple competing views remain regarding the effectiveness and practicality of smartphones in replacing traditional objects.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a variety of assumptions about the capabilities of smartphones and the subjective value of traditional devices. Some entries are repeated or misnumbered, indicating a lack of clarity in the list compilation process.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring the impact of technology on daily life, those interested in the evolution of devices, and participants in debates about technology's role in society.

  • #61
A smart phone hasn't even replaced my flip phone yet (or landline for that matter). RESIST!
 
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Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #62
LOL, I wondered when tricorder would appear. Mr. Spock would be jealous. Our list already far exceeds what Spock's tricorder did in Star Trek 1.

Sorry @jedishrfu , fire starter was already taken #66, and VR headset was #103.

I hadn't heard about the thing locator; that's cool.
 
  • #63
@jedishrfu's entries pruned and renumbered.

110 Tricorder
111 thing locator with trackable RFID tiles
113 Underground power locator with Bluetooth headset ie you lose the connection when crossing over one
114 doorstop
115 throwing weapon multiple use

now here's a few more I found.

116 FFT spectrum analyzer
117 Signal generator
118 Internet connection speed testerr
119 Touch screen aided ruler
120 Inclinometer
121 Color Detector
122 Color Generator
123 Tunable stroboscope
124 Data logger
125 Home automation controller

Keep going, only 75 more needed to reach 200.
 
  • #64
VR and AR headsets are different as AR uses the forward camera but VR doesn’t.

126 Music composer ala garage band.
 
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  • #66
128. Apartment buzzers
129. cookbook

I'm not going to count this one, but it destroys the sitcom plot, "The gang gets lost and separated in the mall"
 
  • #67
Various instruments
130 guitar,
131 violin,
132 drums,
133 synth ...
 
  • #68
134. News gatherer via video and audio for reporters( replaces a lot of hefty equipment )
 
  • #69
135 balloon satellite
136 world clock
137 stopwatch
138 alarm
139 sleep aid (soothing sounds like ocean waves, light breeze...)
140 sleep analyzer
 
  • #70
141 Remotely run Electric Trains, UAVs, etc.
142 Guitar Tuner
143 Guitar Chord Charts
 
  • #72
145 Gaming
 
  • #73
Not sure how many people have done "chemical" based photography, but the list of things involved with that are quite numerous.
Going through my stash of useless old junk that someday I will eventually figure out a "repurpose" for:

146 enlarger
147 trays
148 tongs
149 chemicals: developer, fixer, and water, as I recall
150 negative developer canister device
(already mentioned: 21. photo album)​
151 negative album
152 boxes to hold un-albumed photos
153 photographic negative material (I believe we referred to is as "film")
154 photographic "print" material (special silver impregnated paper)
155 little red light for the darkroom (made obsolete. not sure where mine is at, but I did have one)
156 Anyone remember what that thing that screwed into the "take a photo" button was called? It had two functions as I recall: 1. Anti-vibration device, and 2. Really long exposure thingy.

2017.11.21.obsolete.camera.stuff.png


157 flashy thingy (I'm pretty sure we just called it "a flash")
158 special effects lenses
159 color filters

I think the "lens cleaning tissue" and "air poofer + brush" device have not been replaced. Though, I've pretty much replaced them with the bottom half of my t-shirts. Wait! That "air poofer + brush" device was for cleaning off the negatives. It's all coming back to me now.

160 air poofer + brush device
 

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  • #74
All that's necessary now is an 'acceptable' way of having it ready to use without going around with it in my hand. It doesn't fit in a (slim-fit jeans) trouser pocket in a way that you can get it out when sitting down and it is too big and heavy to risk having it in a shirt pocket (easy to tip it down the lavatory or into the road when you bend down).
The 'holster' that ageing men seemed to favour a couple of decades ago, for their regular phones was a partial answer but too 'square' (a term for decades before but you know what I mean.
The watch alternative has too limited an interface. One day we will not need hands on at all, which will solve the problem.
 
  • #75
sophiecentaur said:
One day we will not need hands on at all, which will solve the problem.
I thought of that years ago, I named it "look-screen", as the computer would recognize where you were looking but it isn't as easy as it seems to code it...
161. laser thermometer (I'm getting one of those!)
 
  • #76
jerromyjon said:
161. laser thermometer (I'm getting one of those!)
I found a range sensor (dunno how I missed it) but why can't they put it with the thermometer?
 
  • #77
Here is a consolidated and renumbered list based on all the earlier posts.
  1. Phone
  2. Clock/watch
  3. Calendar
  4. Calculator
  5. Day planner
  6. Pencil & Paper
  7. Envelopes & Stamps
  8. Hand held GPS
  9. Compass
  10. Outdoor thermometer
  11. Maps
  12. Deck of cards
  13. Radio
  14. TV
  15. Camera
  16. Wallet full of loyalty cards, soon a wallet full of money and credit cards.
  17. Paper Newspapers
  18. Paper books
  19. Auto insurance cards for the glove box
  20. MP3 player
  21. Photo album
  22. Tape recorder
  23. Game consoles/board games/toys
  24. Home weather station
  25. Weather radiio
  26. WIFI hotspot and cable modem.
  27. Airplane or event tickets
  28. Sky maps/star charts
  29. Movie theater, 8mm movie camera, home film projector
  30. Video projector
  31. Records/record players/tape decks
  32. Night watchman/security guard/baby sitter
  33. Address book
  34. Pedeometer
  35. Mirrors to check my haircut from the rear.
  36. A doctor visit to look for wax in my ears.
  37. recipe book
  38. Owner's/operator's manuals
  39. DIY books
  40. Filing cabinets
  41. Flashlight
  42. Drone remote w/ video feed
  43. level
  44. laptop computer for internet
  45. Accelerometer
  46. Audio spectrum analyser
  47. Thermal imager/IR camera
  48. TV Remote Control
  49. Barcode scanner
  50. Earthquake Early Warning Network Notification Device
  51. Bank Teller
  52. language Translator
  53. Car Mechanic (OBD plug-in diagnostics)
  54. Medical Pager
  55. CPR Notifications and CPR Coach (PulsePoint App)
  56. Vein finder for Phlebotomy
  57. Human interaction
  58. land lines
  59. telescope (40x) [$18.03 @ e-bay]*
  60. microscope (100x) [$14.99 @ amazon]*
  61. EM spectrometer (1000 lines/mm diffraction grating) [$1.70 @ homesciencetools]*
  62. Waiter/waitress check pad
  63. Credit card scanner
  64. Cash register
  65. Status symbol
  66. makeshift ignition source... (fire starter)
  67. Electric blanket replacement. (single use only. Sorry! [gas mask and fire extinguisher extra])
  68. Campfire thingy, when you can't find any firewood. (Not just an ignition source, but the source of a whole evening full of fun conversation. ps. Does anyone know how long these things burn?)
  69. Reflective surface ( to get the attention of would-be rescuers when stranded without service) [Or blink SOS in morse code]
  70. Decoy (leave it somewhere and divert attention from your real location)
  71. Dictionary/ thesaurus
  72. magnetometer
  73. metal detector
  74. light meter
  75. barometer
  76. gravitometer
  77. piano tuner
  78. piano keyboard
  79. keyboard & mouse (should have put that near the start)
  80. farmers almanac
  81. expert advice on any topic
  82. Altimeter
  83. Car starter/door remote
  84. laser range finder
  85. Scale with self-adjusting geological calibration...
  86. Cigarette case
  87. lighter
  88. bottle of wine
  89. USB memory stick.
  90. oscilloscope with microphone input
  91. volt/amp meter (with external XOIO card)
  92. Arduino remote console/development system
  93. Raspberry Pi remote console/development system
  94. Wolfram Alpha
  95. Matlab
  96. Sheet music display/play/edit/transpose
  97. comfort blanket
  98. remote text alert device ( I'm breaking up with you:, or , Your fired. )
  99. easy to cut the conversation device and ignore ( Sorry - I have a call coming in )
  100. Borescope (needs USB camera $10 from ebay).
  101. Gyroscope
  102. Shopping device
  103. Academic Conference.
  104. Virtual Reality headset
  105. Robot
  106. Spreadsheet
  107. Surveillance bug
  108. Tracking device
  109. sign placard by airport limo drivers looking for their arriving client.
  110. conversational assistant as in talking to Siri or Alexa
  111. Augmented Reallity headset or viewer.
  112. Tricorder
  113. thing locator with trackable RFID tiles
  114. Underground power locator with Bluetooth headset ie you lose the connection when crossing over one
  115. doorstop
  116. throwing weapon multiple use
  117. FFT spectrum analyzer
  118. Signal generator
  119. Internet connection speed tester
  120. Touch screen aided ruler
  121. Inclinometer
  122. Color Detector
  123. Color Generator
  124. Tunable stroboscope
  125. Data logger
  126. Home automation controller
  127. Music composer ala garage band.
  128. beat box
  129. Apartment buzzers
  130. guitar
  131. violin
  132. drums,
  133. synth .
  134. News gatherer via video and audio for reporters( replaces a lot of hefty equipment )
  135. balloon satellite
  136. world clock
  137. stopwatch
  138. alarm
  139. sleep aid (soothing sounds like ocean waves, light breeze...)
  140. sleep analyzer
  141. Remotely run Electric Trains, UAVs, etc.
  142. Guitar Tuner
  143. Guitar Chord Charts
  144. Video Conferencing
  145. Gaming
  146. enlarger
  147. trays
  148. tongs
  149. chemicals: developer, fixer, and water
  150. negative developer canister device
  151. negative album
  152. boxes to hold un-albumed photos
  153. photographic negative material (I believe we referred to is as "film")
  154. photographic "print" material (special silver impregnated paper)
  155. little red light for the darkroom (made obsolete. not sure where mine is at, but I did have one)
  156. Anyone remember what that thing that screwed into the "take a photo" button was called?
  157. Flashbulb
  158. special effects lenses
  159. color filters
  160. air poofer + brush device
  161. laser thermometer (I'm getting one of those!)
Only 39 more needed to reach 200.
Remember, the question is not what smart phones do but what do they replace wholly or partially. 146-156 are a good example of darkroom claptrap that we don't need with digital photos.
 
  • #78
Psychometric chart
Ductulator
Pipe sizer
3d measurement (related to but separate from laser rangefinder)
Photo editor
Emergency beacon
'Ehem:
Telescope controller
Planetarium
Satellite finder/tracker
Tide chart
Eclipse tracker
Remote camera controller
 
  • #79
Interossiter?
 
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  • #80
Library; have to remove/reduce the count?
 
  • #81
Bystander said:
Library; have to remove/reduce the count?

along with the spirit of this... has anyone mentioned that phones can and have replaced books to some extent
 
  • #82
In flight entertainment systems (airplanes)
 
  • #83
sophiecentaur said:
Interossiter?
@OmCheeto: you are well SciFi - read. :smile:
 
  • #84
sophiecentaur said:
@OmCheeto: you are well SciFi - read. :smile:
Actually... no.
I had never heard of the "Interossiter" until this morning. But it piqued my curiosity, and I watched the movie.
I think someone needs to add destructive laser beams to a smartphone in order for it to be a proper device.

hmmm...

Oh good god.

EVO.laser.smart.phone.png


[ref]
 

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  • #85
As I updated my Android operating system today, the phone got quite warm. And it was quite cold out this Thanksgiving eve. I found myself clutching my phone to warm my hands.
 
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  • #86
Here is a consolidated and renumbered list based on all the earlier posts. The Count is now 180.
  1. Phone
  2. Clock/watch
  3. Calendar
  4. Calculator
  5. Day planner
  6. Pencil & Paper
  7. Envelopes & Stamps
  8. Hand held GPS
  9. Compass
  10. Outdoor thermometer
  11. Maps
  12. Deck of cards
  13. Radio
  14. TV
  15. Camera
  16. Wallet full of loyalty cards, soon a wallet full of money and credit cards.
  17. Paper Newspapers
  18. Paper books
  19. Auto insurance cards for the glove box
  20. MP3 player
  21. Photo album
  22. Tape recorder
  23. Game consoles/board games/toys
  24. Home weather station
  25. Weather radiio
  26. WIFI hotspot and cable modem.
  27. Airplane or event tickets
  28. Sky maps/star charts
  29. Movie theater, 8mm movie camera, home film projector
  30. Video projector
  31. Records/record players/tape decks
  32. Night watchman/security guard/baby sitter
  33. Address book
  34. Pedeometer
  35. Mirrors to check my haircut from the rear.
  36. A doctor visit to look for wax in my ears.
  37. recipe book
  38. Owner's/operator's manuals
  39. DIY books
  40. Filing cabinets
  41. Flashlight
  42. Drone remote w/ video feed
  43. level
  44. laptop computer for internet
  45. Accelerometer
  46. Audio spectrum analyser
  47. Thermal imager/IR camera
  48. TV Remote Control
  49. Barcode scanner
  50. Earthquake Early Warning Network Notification Device
  51. Bank Teller
  52. language Translator
  53. Car Mechanic (OBD plug-in diagnostics)
  54. Medical Pager
  55. CPR Notifications and CPR Coach (PulsePoint App)
  56. Vein finder for Phlebotomy
  57. Human interaction
  58. land lines
  59. telescope (40x) [$18.03 @ e-bay]*
  60. microscope (100x) [$14.99 @ amazon]*
  61. EM spectrometer (1000 lines/mm diffraction grating) [$1.70 @ homesciencetools]*
  62. Waiter/waitress check pad
  63. Credit card scanner
  64. Cash register
  65. Status symbol
  66. makeshift ignition source... (fire starter)
  67. Electric blanket replacement. (single use only. Sorry! [gas mask and fire extinguisher extra])
  68. Campfire thingy, when you can't find any firewood. (Not just an ignition source, but the source of a whole evening full of fun conversation. ps. Does anyone know how long these things burn?)
  69. Reflective surface ( to get the attention of would-be rescuers when stranded without service) [Or blink SOS in morse code]
  70. Decoy (leave it somewhere and divert attention from your real location)
  71. Dictionary/ thesaurus
  72. magnetometer
  73. metal detector
  74. light meter
  75. barometer
  76. gravitometer
  77. piano tuner
  78. piano keyboard
  79. keyboard & mouse (should have put that near the start)
  80. farmers almanac
  81. expert advice on any topic
  82. Altimeter
  83. Car starter/door remote
  84. laser range finder
  85. Scale with self-adjusting geological calibration...
  86. Cigarette case
  87. lighter
  88. bottle of wine
  89. USB memory stick.
  90. oscilloscope with microphone input
  91. volt/amp meter (with external XOIO card)
  92. Arduino remote console/development system
  93. Raspberry Pi remote console/development system
  94. Wolfram Alpha
  95. Matlab
  96. Sheet music display/play/edit/transpose
  97. comfort blanket
  98. remote text alert device ( I'm breaking up with you:, or , Your fired. )
  99. easy to cut the conversation device and ignore ( Sorry - I have a call coming in )
  100. Borescope (needs USB camera $10 from ebay).
  101. Gyroscope
  102. Shopping device
  103. Academic Conference.
  104. Virtual Reality headset
  105. Robot
  106. Spreadsheet
  107. Surveillance bug
  108. Tracking device
  109. sign placard by airport limo drivers looking for their arriving client.
  110. conversational assistant as in talking to Siri or Alexa
  111. Augmented Reallity headset or viewer.
  112. Tricorder
  113. thing locator with trackable RFID tiles
  114. Underground power locator with Bluetooth headset ie you lose the connection when crossing over one
  115. doorstop
  116. throwing weapon multiple use
  117. FFT spectrum analyzer
  118. Signal generator
  119. Internet connection speed tester
  120. Touch screen aided ruler
  121. Inclinometer
  122. Color Detector
  123. Color Generator
  124. Tunable stroboscope
  125. Data logger
  126. Home automation controller
  127. Music composer ala garage band.
  128. beat box
  129. Apartment buzzers
  130. guitar
  131. violin
  132. drums,
  133. synth .
  134. News gatherer via video and audio for reporters( replaces a lot of hefty equipment )
  135. balloon satellite
  136. world clock
  137. stopwatch
  138. alarm
  139. sleep aid (soothing sounds like ocean waves, light breeze...)
  140. sleep analyzer
  141. Remotely run Electric Trains, UAVs, etc.
  142. Guitar Tuner
  143. Guitar Chord Charts
  144. Video Conferencing
  145. Gaming
  146. enlarger
  147. trays
  148. tongs
  149. chemicals: developer, fixer, and water
  150. negative developer canister device
  151. negative album
  152. boxes to hold un-albumed photos
  153. photographic negative material (I believe we referred to is as "film")
  154. photographic "print" material (special silver impregnated paper)
  155. little red light for the darkroom (made obsolete. not sure where mine is at, but I did have one)
  156. Anyone remember what that thing that screwed into the "take a photo" button was called?
  157. Flashbulb
  158. special effects lenses
  159. color filters
  160. air poofer + brush device
  161. laser thermometer (I'm getting one of those!)
  162. Psychometric chart
  163. Ductulator
  164. Pipe sizer
  165. 3d measurement (related to but separate from laser rangefinder)
  166. Photo editor
  167. Emergency beacon
  168. Telescope controller
  169. Planetarium
  170. Satellite finder/tracker
  171. Tide chart
  172. Eclipse tracker
  173. Remote camera controller
  174. Interocitor (We have tricorde, so why not?)
  175. Library; have to remove/reduce the count?
  176. Books
  177. Darkroom (146-156 were darkroom equipment, but didn't mention the darkroom itself)
  178. In flight entertainment systems (airplanes)
  179. Hand warmer
  180. Killer laser controller
Only 20 more needed to reach 200.
Remember, the question is not what smart phones do but what do they replace wholly or partially. 146-156 are a good example of darkroom claptrap that we don't need with digital photos.
 
Last edited:
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  • #87
anorlunda said:
Only 20 more needed to reach 200.
Is 180 supposed to be Laser?
OmCheeto said:
Oh good god.

evo-laser-smart-phone-png.png


[ref]
I also have:
181: coloring books (My wife said it and I think it's unique, you can color black and white pages :smile:)
182: walkie talkies
183: puzzle books
 

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  • #88
jerromyjon said:
Is 180 supposed to be Laser?

Good catch. I edited in "180 Killer laser controller"
 
  • #89
OmCheeto said:
Oh good god.

evo-laser-smart-phone-png.png


[ref]
Rhut-Rho! @Evo has a killer laser now? We are doomed. Remember what happened when she was using that chainsaw in the back of her pickup truck? That was not pretty...:woot:
 

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  • #90
anorlunda said:
Only 20 more needed to reach 200.
Remember, the question is not what smart phones do but what do they replace wholly or partially. 146-156 are a good example of darkroom claptrap that we don't need with digital photos.
Partial replacement of Star Trek communicators, tricorders, and universal translators?
Those are part of every day life... in Star Trek. ;)
 
Last edited:

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