[img]958|left|Alex Campbell||no_popup[/img]Dateline Boston — Technology is supposed to make our lives easier, right? What a bunch of hooey. I am a master multi-tasker, but with so many choices of things to do in my spare time, I’m overwhelmed. I’ve got dozens of channels in my cable TV box. I’ve got a flat screen computer on my desk, with the internet at my fingertips. And, oh,yeah, I’m now the owner of an iPhone.
I have a lot of high tech devices, but using them doesn’t come naturally to me. I had to ask S.O. which iPhone I had. I hang out with lots of iPhone users. When smart phones first came out, I held out getting one because my flip phone worked just fine. It made such a cute sound when I flipped it closed. Plus, I liked the ringtone. It sounded like someone was sprinkling fairy dust on me every time I got a call.
Then came texting. It became a challenge to use my phone’s keypad for a text, especially outside during the winter. When my contract expired, I bit the bullet and got my first smartphone; a Droid. I refused to get an iPhone back then because it would mean I’d have to switch carriers. I wasn’t about to do that (but that’s another story). I chose the Droid for one reason—it had a slide out keypad. It was almost like having a little tiny computer right in my pocket. Also, the little green mascot was adorable.
Two Years of Love
Had that cute little phone for two years, then my contract was up again. And the iPhone was available with my carrier. I had to make a choice: re-Droid, or get the iPhone, like my S.O. and all my friends? Again, I bit the bullet and got the iPhone 4s. I was so happy to get the last phone that Steve Jobs created. I was excited to use the phone’s super camera. I couldn’t wait to pick a cover for my phone. That was about it.
The phone came all by itself, with no manual. I guess the iPhone is supposed to be so “user friendly” that you just play with it and figure out how it works. I’m not the kind of person who plays with technology. I don’t want to find out what happens when I “do this.” I’m afraid I’ll erase or damage something. My friends who hadn’t upgraded asked me again and again if they could play with my phone. Go crazy, but don’t you erase my contacts! And don’t read my email.
Texting Is So Easy
They told me all the apps I would love, and the games, etc. Uh, no thanks. I was worried about the texting. Would I be able to navigate my fingers over a touch screen?
Well, guess what? Turns out texting is easy, and fun. Now my texts have little speech bubbles. Apps? I don’t have many. Angry Birds? Silly. I use a weather one, and a news one, but that’s about it.
Uuntil this week. This week I discovered Words with Friends. That’s the Scrabble-like game people play on their smartphones. You can play with multiple people. You take a turn, then wait for your opponent to make a move. The game continues whenever the two players check their phones. I’ve started checking my phone about every two minutes or so. I currently have a game going with twelve people; two games going with the same person.
As I sit writing this essay, I am doing the following: Watching Say Yes to the Dress, playing Words with Friends during commercials, writing this as an episode I’ve already seen comes on, checking my phone, writing, making a move, writing, checking my phone, etc. And I haven’t even cracked open my current issue of People magazine yet! Technology has not made my life easier; it has made it more crazed. My phone has great tones, though. When S.O. calls, my phone makes a duck sound. My text tone is called “Sherwood Forest.” I feel like important news is coming to me whenever I get a text. At the very least, it will remind me to check my Words with Friends.
Ms. Campbell may be contacted at snobbyblog@gmail.com
