What Do Smart Phones (Partially) Replace?

  • Thread starter Thread starter anorlunda
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

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.

anorlunda
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Insights Author
Messages
11,326
Reaction score
8,755
[To see a consolidated and renumbered list, jump to post #105.]
Arbitrary goal of 200 has been reached.


Here's a fun thing to do on a Sunday. I was thinking of all the everyday objects that I no longer need as much or as often because I carry a smart phone. Because I'm old, I may prefer the older way of doing things or maybe the old ways were superior. Nevertheless I need the old things less often and I certainly can't carry all of them around in my pocket.

Here is a very short beginning to a list. I invite other PF members to add to the list.

Make it easier by continuing the numbering your entries, so that the last post in this thread has the highest number. I ended at 41, so the next post should begin with 42. My guess is that we can go well past 200.

  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 modem 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
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Abro Ali, Stavros Kiri, Emmytex and 9 others
Engineering news on Phys.org
42. An (admittedly small) electric torch to find something in the dark.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: M Saad and krater
The posting #1 is confusing but the title of the topic is clear.
Smartphone replaces what?
It replaces to some extent, laptop computer for internet and some other productivity purposes; other kinds of devices like flashlight, still-camera and video camera, and your cellular telephone.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Stavros Kiri
QuantumQuest said:
electric torch to find something in the dark.
That's the same as #41 :smile:
symbolipoint said:
laptop computer for internet
That is now #44... :smile:
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: QuantumQuest
45. Accelerometer
46. Audio spectrum analyser
47. Thermal imager
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Jor v nose fy and berkeman
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)
 
berkeman said:
That's the same as #41 :smile:

Oops, in some way I mistranslated "flashlight":oops:
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman
56. Vein finder for Phlebotomy
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman
  • #10
I'm afraid to say this but apparently smart phones (partially) replaced 55. human interactions, or let's say companions and chaperons...
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jerromyjon
  • #11
Useful nucleus said:
I'm afraid to say this but apparently smart phones (partially) replaced 55. human interactions, or let's say companions and chaperons...
I was thinking along the lines of social interaction or awkwardness but I felt scientifically inept and yours works too. :-p
57. Human interactions ( the numbers are getting bunched up from edits)
 
Last edited:
  • #12
Landlines.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jerromyjon
  • #13
58. Landlines...
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Jacinta
  • #14
jerromyjon said:
...
47. Thermal imager
Well, if that's allowed [ref ≈$200-$400 add-on], then I would add

57 59. telescope (40x) [$18.03 @ e-bay]*
58 60. microscope (100x) [$14.99 @ amazon]*
59 61. EM spectrometer (1000 lines/mm diffraction grating) [$1.70 @ homesciencetools]*

*Free if you're not afraid of duct tape, and have as much optical gear as I have laying around.

ps. Uh oh: The world's first phone with a built-in thermal camera is kinda hot.
hmmm...
Anyone own a "CAT" phone?
If not, I'm calling vaporware!
 
Last edited:
  • #15
OmCheeto said:
Anyone own a "CAT" phone?
I looked at it when it became available but I'm not spending $600 USD on a phone...ever.
P.S. edit your numbers, post edit additions are messing up the numbering... yours should be 59,60,61
 
  • #16
60 Waiter/waitress check pad
61 Credit card scanner
62 Cash register
 
  • #17
jerromyjon said:
I looked at it when it became available but I'm not spending $600 USD on a phone...ever.
P.S. edit your numbers, post edits are messing up the numbering...
I agree, depending on what one wants to buy and can afford IN ONE SINGLE DEVICE. Cell phone service is expensive enough. A laptop computer is far better than a 'smartphone' for the same things, other than for the cell phone capability. One can spend much less than $600 for either a laptop computer or a smartphone. The laptop is much easier to use but is also much less portable.
 
  • #18
symbolipoint said:
other than for the cell phone capability.
Laptops with cellular 4G can video chat with upscaled resolution so it's better than a cell phone IMHO.
symbolipoint said:
The laptop is much easier to use but is also much less portable.
That's the real benefit is it's size...
 
  • #19
anorlunda said:
60 Waiter/waitress check pad
61 Credit card scanner
62 Cash register

Don't blame me that your numbers are all off... :biggrin:
 
  • #20
anorlunda said:
60 Waiter/waitress check pad
61 Credit card scanner
62 Cash register
62 Waiter/waitress check pad
63 Credit card scanner
64 Cash register
 
  • #21
QuantumQuest said:
42. An (admittedly small) electric torch to find something in the dark.
berkeman said:
That's the same as #41 :smile:
symbolipoint said:
laptop computer for internet
That is now #44... :smile:
Greg Bernhardt said:
43. Level
Man, I hate being OCD and nitpicky but it's now:
42. level
43. laptop
and all the rest are one off...
44. Drone remote w/ video feed
There it's fixed :smile:
 
Last edited:
  • #22
jerromyjon said:
Man, I hate being OCD and nitpicky but it's now:
42. level
43. laptop
and all the rest are one off...
44. Audio recorder
There that fixes it, I think, I didn't make sure that wasn't mentioned...
Actually, if you go back, and spend some time analyzing each entry, it will make you crazy, as it's somewhat circular.

anorlunda said:
1. Phone

The new phone replaced the old phone, but the phone is an evolutionary device, with as many definitions as there are humans, and therefore, ahhhhhh!
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jerromyjon
  • #23
65. Status symbol
pink-iphone-7.jpg
 

Attachments

  • pink-iphone-7.jpg
    pink-iphone-7.jpg
    57.5 KB · Views: 913
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Demystifier, Useful nucleus and OmCheeto
  • #24
FIRE!

If you take it apart, you can short the batt. wires (single strand) to create a red-hot "burner". Touch some kindling, and ... FIRE!
Also, the battery itself (with Li) can be made to ignite (YouTube the topic) ... sometimes w/o help (Samsung Note 7)

160902041639-samsung-galaxy-note-7-fire-front-780x439.jpg
 

Attachments

  • 160902041639-samsung-galaxy-note-7-fire-front-780x439.jpg
    160902041639-samsung-galaxy-note-7-fire-front-780x439.jpg
    87.7 KB · Views: 855
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Z0dCHiY8, donpacino and Spinnor
  • #25
hollowman said:
FIRE!
66. makeshift ignition source...
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: OmCheeto
  • #26
jerromyjon said:
66. makeshift ignition source...
:oldlaugh:

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?)
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jerromyjon
  • #27
OmCheeto said:
Does anyone know how long these things burn?
Depending on how much oxygen you supply... no idea.:cool:
 
  • #28
69. Reflective surface ( to get the attention of would-be rescuers when stranded without service)
 
  • #29
70. Decoy (leave it somewhere and divert attention from your real location)
 
  • #30
71. Dictionary/ thesaurus
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K