Mobile Computing

It seems like more and more we are turning to our mobile devices to handle all our online needs. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc. are all easily available through smartphones. Complex tasks like document and photo editing are easily possible. Heck, I even wrote this entire post simply using my Palm Pre. So with all this intense mobile computing, is it time to leave the traditional PC behind?

Perhaps not. At least, not according to this guy. The author of this article spent 30 days using only a Palm Pre for all his computing needs. He actually took the idea of pure mobile computing and put it to the test. His conclusion? There is a space for mobile computing, but it doesn’t work well for everything. There will always be a space for the traditional desktop computer or laptop – even with the iPad or other tablet-sized devices.

So why do we want mobile computing so much? According to the article:

The world might say that they want a mobile device that can handle all of their computing needs, but they’re really just lying to themselves. They just want something new, and it just so happens that the newest ‘things’ are coming in the form of mobile devices.

I love all the things I can do with my smartphone, but I recognize that it has it’s place. Mobile computing will definitely improve our lives – but it won’t replace all our computing needs.

Data Overload

Ever since I got a data plan with my Palm Pre, I have been a happy camper. I love having the answer to almost any question available right there in my pocket. It has become so useful that it’s basically replaced my laptop and desktop for home computer use. All my social networks are easily accessible, along with email, web, and a host of fun little games. It has kept me entertained for hours and hours.

With a phone that can do so much, you’d think I’d keep in touch more with my friends, right?

Not so much…

It’s not that I don’t keep in touch with them — I do — it’s just different. I’ve found I hardly ever use any of the minutes on my phone. Now, I’ve never been much of a phone person before, but I remember trying to keep myself within 300 anytime minutes on my old phone and struggling. My new plan is better (as far as minutes go), but I’m not sure I’d break my limit even without the unlimited night/weekend minutes. Why?

Because I either text or Facebook stalk or tweet at them.

Apparently it’s not just me either. We are turning more and more towards data usage over actual calls. More towards using the Internet to communicate instead of in-person communication.

There’s always two sides to this issue: It’s a good thing because we are more in touch than ever before, but bad because that type of communication can be pretty impersonal. The good can be pretty convincing though: I can keep up with all my friends that have moved away from Provo in a way I couldn’t before (+1 Internet). If I want to share something with all my friends, it’s easy to do (+1 Internet). Planning and event organizing is simplified (+1 Internet). I could mention several more.

Not being able to actually talk to my friends when I actually see them? Not cool (-10000 Internet).

What is it about being so connected and in touch with each other that inhibits us from being able to actually communicate?

It’s easy for me to forget that the Internet is a tool. Like phones, or old-fashioned letters. They are meant to help us communicate with others, but not for actually replacing them. If we let it, Facebook can quickly define a relationship, instead of supplementing it. Texting becomes the way to communicate instead of a way to communicate. And that warps our perceptions of people. Because too much is hidden by these communication methods.

The bottom line? Sometimes you need to actually visit these people you follow on Twitter or Facebook. Have a non-virtual chat. It’s pretty neat.

(Also, I write stuff like this a lot. Is it getting annoying? Does anybody still read this?)