Often when it comes to gadgets, complexity is the result. Too many features that aren’t useful stuffed into devices that we don’t really need. That’s not going to help us live a simple life. So why do I say that an iPhone can help you live a simple life? For one, chances are pretty good that you already own a cell phone. If you don’t, congratulations! I’m in awe that you can live without one, and wish you the best in your simple life. For the rest of us, cell phones are necessary, for the most part. Getting rid of one usually isn’t very feasible.
Remember the power of multifunction devices
I’ve always been a fan of devices that do more than one thing – multi talented gadgets, if you will. As long as the combination is done smoothly and elegantly, there’s potential. And that is where the iPhone shines. Not only in its ability to perform an absolute ton of functions, but also the way that it combines the functions. Very simple, very elegant, but very powerful.
Let’s take a look at the main functions of the iPhone:
- Phone ( obvious, but its the main purpose of the device after all )
- Text messaging device ( with threaded conversations for organization )
- Camera
- Voice memo pad
- Notepad
- Music player
- Calendar
- Phone book
- Weather channel
- Alarm clock
- Maps in your pocket
- Evernote for easy access to all your notes
- Twitter Client
Some of the functions are very obvious. But when you start combining a very solid camera, ideal music player, note pad, voice memos, and easy access to Evernote, then you’re talking. Since getting my iPhone, I’ve already gotten rid of two devices – my iPod and my alarm clock. Since the iPhone performs these two functions just as well as the standalone devices, there’s simply no reason to have them anymore.
Get an iPhone, and get rid of redundancy
Don’t buy an iPhone if you’re going to keep the rest of your devices. If you’re willing to part with some other things, then an iPhone can help you simplify your life. In addition to the iPod and alarm clock, you can also get rid of paper notepads, point-and-shoot cameras ( fancy cameras are still fine for serious pictures ), and anything else you might have that duplicates the features of the iPhone.
Don’t complicate your iPhone
The App store is world-famous, and for reason. It’s the best solution ever invented for adding features to a smartphone. That said, don’t go and install 100 apps. You won’t use all of them, and all they will do is clutter up your phone and distract you. We’re going for simplicity here, remember? Choose your apps wisely. Make sure you have a real use for an app, or don’t download it. Every few weeks, go through your apps and purge the ones that didn’t turn out to be as useful as you thought.
An iPhone is a fantastic way to reduce stuff, as long as you are vigilant. It’s a great tool that can help you in your quest to simplify your life. There are other great smartphones out there though, just in case the iPhone doesn’t do it for you. Though I don’t own one, I’ve heard plenty of wonderful things about the Sprint Palm Pre. The idea isn’t necessarily to buy yet another Apple device, but rather to consolidate. Less stuff equals more time – and we can all use more time.
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Nice post. We all need to simplify our lives and iPhone definitely does that. Many of the apps offered for the iPhone can even simplify your life further. But as you stated do not go overboard with downloading apps because you will make things more complicated.