Diamondeye wrote:
See that thing at the bottom of your message about how it was sent with Tapatalk? I refuse to have that..
DE, i only included that to show you that I was posting with it. Have you ever seen that in my posts before? It's completely optional in the settings.
I don't post much from tapatalk, but I do read the forums with it when i'm out to lunch or have a few minutes of downtime and I'm not near a computer. It makes reading the forums so much easier than trying to deal with a browser, and zooming in and all that...
I used to be right there with you regardin 'the cloud' and streaming audio apps. They were just so much clutter.
My attitude towards dropbox (one of several decent cloud storage options) has gone through several phases... "Don't bother me with that CRAP", "Ok, show me what this thing can do", "wow, that's pretty cool", "OMG I love this thing!" and "YOU'LL PRY THIS APP FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS!".
Seriously Dropbox is the epitome of integration when it comes to smart devices, and PC's etc. I have mine set so when I take a picture with my phone (something I rarely used to do for the hassle of getting them off), it automatically uploads to dropbox. And I have the dropbox app on all of my computers (home and work). I stash files there all the time. It integrates completely seamlessly into your windows explorer and just becomes another folder. That picture you take with your camera is on on your PC.. ALL of your PC's.. and you can right click that picture and 'copy public link' and paste it anywhere to share that file with anyone. It's so much more simple than dragging it off over USB, or even emailing it off.. especially if you are talking about lots of pictures. And the best thing about it.. its FREE! (up to 2G or so).... with paid services available for more space.
That flashlight app is REALLY handy. Maybe not when your out in the field, or otherwise equipped with a real flashlight, but I use mine every single day as a flashlight when I'm walking through the dark house. No need to turn on lights.. just open up a the phone and its enough light to see by. I don't bother to actually use the app, I just use the ambient light from the device add a little light to dark places.
I have also replaced my $300 GPS in my car with a dash mount for my phone, and I use my phone as my GPS.. I've also stopped using a traditional alarm clock.. My phone is kind enough to wake me every morning, and since I always have it within earshot, I also use it to remind of things (appointments, work tasks being due, etc..).. I also use the audio recorder quite often for various things... There are also lots of great grocery list apps, and 'find a good place to eat in a strange neighborhood' apps...
The streaming music has replaced local radio stations when I'm in the car. I have a bluetooth enabled car stereo (not necessary, and Aux jack works too), and I either stream my music collection using Google Music (i have several albums stored locally for those times when I'm not in a service area), or, if I'm in the mood to listing to something different, I use Pandora to stream a channel of whatever I'm in the mood for. Johnny Cash? yup, got that.. Andres Segovia? Yup, got that too. Rolling Stones? yup.. Vince Gill? uhuh.. Derek Trucks? Every song from every album, right at your fingertips . I still have a few gripes about Pandora's free service, and I'm not sure it justifies the cost of the subscription to solve those problems.. yet.. but I'm getting there.
Even security companies like ADT, etc.. are integrating their home security systems into your device, and many daycare centers allow you to keep an eye on your kid using apps... every bank has an app to allow you to do things like deposit a check from anywhere at any time (just take a picture of it!).
Want to take a quick scan of the headlines while you are sitting in the waiting room? Check the score of the game? Check The Glade ? Email? Whatever.. It's all at your fingertips..
I could go on and on... That smartphone has a ton of potential to simplify your life.. if you just let it.. Use it to its full potential.. get your moneys worth out of it.. justify the expense...