Ahh yes, the joys of being caught up as a member of Gen X, stuck in the middle between the technophobe boomers and the technophile Gen Ys... (yes, I'm stereotyping here!

I was writing in my Moleskine journal with my Waterman fountain pen while playing with/listening to my Apple iPod Touch... I thought some of you might appreciate the irony in this!



Edits were to make my image appear...

Congrats! We're a Mac household, and I'd get one of those if I ever need one.
Here's what I said in the thread about going back to a paper lifestyle:

For years I used a smartphone that featured a PDA filled with apps, mp3 player, internet access, voice recorder, digital photo display, etc. I enjoyed the gadgetry and felt it was essential. Last year the device died. While deciding on what to get next I bought a basic but excellent LG flip phone and went back to carrying a pocket hardcover notebook in my briefcase and using 3x5 cards for daily to do lists housed in a leather pocket briefcase. I soon realized that I could do without all of the bells and whistles of my smartphone, and for my circumstances, this retro system is at least as efficient, much less expensive, and much more pleasurable. Now I use my pens, ink, and paper instead of a toothpick stylus on a tiny plastic screen and hand out my engraved calling card instead of beaming my info into another device. I no longer care about the latest software/hardware upgrades, crashes, batteries, and recharging. Some folks do need high tech smartphones in their lives, but I am very happy to discover that I don't.

I should add that I got about 5 years out of my smartphone - a relatively brief lifespan for an expensive device compared to a well maintained pen or watch. That's another reason why I'm glad I don't use one anymore. But some folks really need them, and others don't but enjoy them. That's fine too! Just sharing my experience.

I work at Apple, so the irony isn't lost on me.

NOOOOO, not the iPhone!!!!!!! That is just evil, teasing me like that! They aren't even available in Canada!!!

We only have one GSM cell provider in Canada, so it may be a while yet... If only Stevie would make a CDMA version, for which we have oodles of competitors here, millions of iTunes-crazed Canucks would flock to them! I would gladly trade in my Palm Treo for one of those, for the coolness factor, if nothing else!

On a side note, the big craze here is hacked/cracked iPhones that can be signed up on the local GSM provider's network, even though they don't officially support them. I thought about it, but... didn't want to take a chance on them suddenly cutting them all off. Of course, with the extravagance of our digital plans in Canada, it would mean that only someone worth a small fortune could actually use it here. Lucky for me most of the downtown core is one big free WiFi zone.

But alas, my marriage to an iPhone is not "meant to be", at least not any time soon. I'll survive with my cool "iTouch". My Palm Treo is nearing the end of its life span (i.e. contract is up! ;-) and I am likely going to jump on the Crackberry bandwagon, for simplicity purposes. Network Nitwits still don't like supporting "alternate" device types and have "standardized" on the Crackberry platform. Those luddites.

Thanks for getting my juices flowing again for the iPhone anyway...

Chris

I actually got it mainly for the music, and paid a bit extra for the WiFi features. There are a bunch of other "nice to have" applications that were just gravy. Being able to synchronize my calendar, contacts, mail, etc., with it from work is really helping me with digital phone costs, since I don't need to sync my phone over the digital cell network as often.

As for going back to paper, my wife and I have tried that route. My problem is always having the information I need with me. With notebooks, I would always have the note or calendar event I needed in "the other book", and my wife would face the same issues. We are very busy people - We both work full-time, both have busy social schedules, both working toward a Master's in grad school, and we have two young children... On the plus side, we rarely watch TV...

A few years ago, I picked up two smartphones that we can synchronize with our work schedules, use to share appointments and contact information, etc. Because they are also cell phones, they travel with us all the time, so we always have the information we need on hand. Neither of us "books" any social events without checking the schedule, etc. Some people call it uptight, we call it survival in a busy world. Believe it or not, moving to this system has helped create more free time for the kids, since we actually block time off for family events, skating and swimming lessons, family games nights, etc.

My only issue now is that my wife's phone has basically gone to the phone graveyard (compliments of planned obsolescence on the part of some engineer I am sure), so we are back in that boat again where we decide how to deal...

However, although I spent enough on the "iTouch" (my word, not theirs! ;-) to buy several very good pens, I really am a techie at heart and it fulfills its place in my heart as much as a good pen would!

Chris

Not really a point, imho -- might as well keep your existing phone and get an iPod Touch, because many of the cool features (e.g. visual voice mail) won't work with other carriers.

I don't want to answer to speculations about other things: I don't know anything, but the last thing I want to start is a rumor.

Not to mention that the sole GSM provider in Canada has poor coverage/service in a lot of places. Their network is iffy in most large buildings and away from the urban core of the main cities or major commuter corridors.

That's a large part of why GSM is so limited here.

I agree, with both your statements! :-)

Well, I didn't want to bash them too hard, but... I don't deal with them for a reason... :-)

Telus is considering a move to GSM; however, there is a "newer" technology that is due out in a couple of years that may converge all the carriers, so the network wars (at least as far as compatibility) may end then.

Chris

Not to mention that they look rather good together. My iPhone enjoys hanging out with a couple of Visconti's and a Montegrappa from time to time.

Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who color-coordinates pens and PDAs...

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Do you ever find yourself about to use your FP as a stylus?

This is slightly random, but I'm one of those fellows with a "hacked" iphone. It works GREAT!! I can do everything except the voice mail... but then again, I don't have voice mail anyway, so I don't need it! Other than that... it's always funny to see people stare in awe when I pull out what appears to be an ipod touch and then speak into it.

It's just a phone,guys!!

All the time!

I'm also an iPhone junkie. These are two things I carry daily (actually the Con law treatise under them usually comes too these days).

Is that a dual pen -- FP and stylus IN ONE??? please give more details! If you've made a review on it, kindly post link

Never fear... i am right there with you... i am often found with my iPhone, MacBook Pro, Moleskine, and FP at a local coffee shop.

The spledor of paradox...