Can You Downsize Your Gadgets?
Posted on September 4, 2008 by LJ Earnest
Categories: Productivity,Simplification
When my husband decided to get a new phone, he wanted one that would do phone, PDA functions (calendar, tasks, password management with sync to PC) and music. He ended up getting one that did the phone, some PDA functions, and music. With a recent software purchase, he was able to put in passwords, and proudly announced he was ready to get rid of the PDA. It was a sad moment for me, because this marks his transition away from Palm into Windows Mobile.
I thought about if I could downsize my gadgets. I won’t get rid of my current mobile phone – it’s an old model that does exactly what I need it to do: make calls, nothing more. My iPod is currently carrying my schedule and contacts, and some of the games I enjoy on my PDA. Can I get rid of the PDA?
I’ve thought about it, and I’ve decided that for everyday use, I need to keep the PDA. I do so much on it for day-to-day functions: to-do list, project planning, timesheets, checklists, shopping lists, password management. I’ve even gone away from my weekly planning sheet…I plan the week on paper, but then move the tasks to the planned days in the PDA and work from there.
But on trips, where I don’t need the day-to-day stuff, I can easily leave the PDA at home.
Is it possible to consolidate some of your gadgets? Tell me what gadgets you carry everyday.
Photo by Gudlyf
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Comments (5)
I use an HP 614c as my daily tool.
Its a mobile phone, an mp3 player (with 8gb cards!), a camera, sat-nav with built in GPS, alarm clock, organiser, games emulator, and I surf on it through wifi.
I got rid of my old mobile, psp, ipod, tomtom and pda.
This is the only thing I carry apart from pocketmod.com, which just simplifies information entry (using a plain old pen).
Wow. I am really impressed. I would love to get to that level…
LJ, I went with the Palm – first the Treo and recently to the Centro. It handles the PDA, phone function, music and podcasts, within the Palm OS (which I personally still prefer). While AT&T was selling the Centro for $135, I found WalMart was selling it for $18 for the same terms and conditions – two year committement, new customer or qualify for an upgrade. Keys, thin wallet and Centro are all I need when I leave the house.
Greg, I may have to check that out. My Zire 72 is old, and while not even close to death, I live in fear of its death. My old Nokia is approaching the 5 year mark, and I fear its time is coming soon as well. I’m not sure I could switch to something that wasn’t a Palm OS. I really like it, and I equally dislike Windows CE.
I got an iPhone last year, which replaced my phone and iPhone, but also replaces my laptop on short business trips (where I can get by with checking email, and not “working” on projects).
But the iPhone also replaces an alarm clock, a flashlight (with the flashlight app), and toy (music and games for my daughter). Still use the GPS in my car b/c I have an old iPhone w/o GPS … but a new one could do that too.
(if it just had better battery life …)
~ ElizabethPW