How Smart Should Your Phone Be?

Jennifer
April 28, 2010

My luddite self has finally entered 2008 and purchased a smartphone. Something that’s held me back from being slow to adopt technology is that sense of constant attachment to the real world. I do not want to be available to co-workers and clients 24/7; I like knowing that work stuff can wait until 9 a.m. But I’m not a freelancer. My questions to you are: Can you really conduct your business on a smartphone?

Is it a challenge to work on a smartphone or a relief to be free of a computer? I’m on Facebook and Twitter all day, so forgive me if I’ve wanted to escape technology during nonwork hours. But a desire for access to maps and archived e-mails prompted me to trek down to my service provider, plunk down my flip phone and ask for an upgrade. With one eyebrow raised, the fellow behind the counter replied, “Yeah, you weren’t kidding when you said, ‘upgrade.’” But now that I possess a touchscreen phone with a bunch of bells and whistles, what do I do with all those bells and whistles? I’ve blogged before about tools and apps that allow freelancers and others to be mobile workers. “What Tools Can You Not Live Without?” mentioned Fotografix, FileZilla Portable and ToDoList, while “Tips for Taking Your Business Portable” included Caliper, ColorExpert, OpenOffice.org Portable and 7-Zip. In theory, these applications make sense – you can work while on public transportation or on vacation without lugging around a bulky laptop. But, especially when it comes to graphic designers, can you really address detail and recognize colors on a phone screen? In the week I’ve had my smartphone, I’ve managed to clear the homescreen of frustrating Facebook and Twitter apps, yet I can’t get the darn thing to stop beeping when an e-mail comes in; my smartphone has succeeded in making me feel dumb. There are at least 40 preloaded applications on my phone – and I’ve explored about a third of that. Am I the exception? Would I feel different if I worked out of my home or at a café? Check in with me a few weeks, a few months, a year from now to see if I’m cruising down the touchscreen and conducting all my business on a hiking trail.

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About Jennifer Moline

Jennifer Moline writes for the PsPrint Blog as well as maintains its Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Plus and Pinterest presences. She also guest-blogs for such notable graphic design blogs as Fuel Your Creativity and Inspiredology. She’s previously written about technology and small business for news websites, magazines and newspapers. In her off-hours, Jennifer can be found roughing it in the mountains or tucked away in a movie theater.

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January 07, 2016 03:21 am #

[...] devices are becoming an increasingly popular way to surf the web. Is your website viewable on a mobile device such as a Blackberry, iPhone or [...]

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The PsPrint Blog is a resource for graphic designers, freelancers, small business owners and fans of print marketing. You'll find helpful techniques on printing everything there is to print, including business cards, postcards, brochures, stickers, invitations, greeting cards, door hangers, magnets and more. The PsPrint Blog shares creative ways to improve your design and layout skills, and useful tips for marketing your business in any medium. We also like to have a little fun, sharing design inspiration and spotlighting some our favorite customers' printed pieces in our "Hot Off the Press" series.