The Most Common Uses of Our Smartphones

Mobile phones have become an integral part of our lives. Technology has evolved, and cell phones today are not just for making phone calls or sending texts. It is safe to say that today, our professional and private lives revolve around them, and these are the most common uses of our smartphones.

You’ve Got Mail

Remember when you had to be on your laptop or computer if you wanted to check your email? Today, we can be wherever we want and still be close to our virtual mailbox. The evolution of mobile phones has allowed us access to the internet and, consequently, our email.

Thanks to smartphones, we are always up to date when it comes to our virtual correspondence. Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks had to patiently wait in front of their computers for their romance to blossom, while most of us today have the luxury of a device that can come with us wherever we go.

Calls vs. Texting

Let’s walk down memory lane again. Remember when you were a kid, and your parents would tell you to get off the phone? It was annoying, right? But now, when you have your mobile phone, how often do you make phone calls?

Many studies have shown that these days people prefer texting. Phone calls are not history yet, but both teenagers and adults will choose messages over phone calls. Aside from sending old-school SMSs, we also use dedicated messaging apps that allow us to stay in touch and send messages to as many people as we want.

Capturing Moments

Smartphones have a feature most of us adore — cameras! Today, more than ever, people use their cell phones to capture the most precious moments of their lives. Yes, your morning walk or a coffee at your favorite cafe are precious moments. So, take a picture.

Your travel photos, taken with a smartphone, will be as beautiful as if they were taken with a professional camera (especially when you apply a filter or two). And why stop at photos? Phones are now coming out with video recording capability in 4K! We use our smartphones to record everything, from weddings and birthday parties to concerts and mesmerizing sunsets.

Video Games, Anytime, Anywhere

Video games are just for kids. Well, it turns out adults like them even more. Thanks to the evolution of smartphones, passionate players can enjoy their favorite video games anytime, anywhere. It all depends on your preferences, but some of the most popular types are puzzle and card games. Users can either play them online or by downloading an app. There are games to suit all ages and types of players, even for those keen on trying their luck at online pokies, there is no shortage of available options.

We Should Stay in Touch

Today, staying in touch with someone is just a matter of will. It doesn’t depend on the physical distance because miles are just numbers in the 21st century. The Internet had brought us closer than ever before. First, we had emails and forums, and today we have social media.

You can relocate to a different continent and still stay in touch with the people you love. You can send them text messages, photos, videos, make a phone or a video call. You can do all of that using just one social media platform, e.g., Facebook. Luckily, we don’t need computers for social media anymore. Thanks to the evolution of smartphones, we can check our networks anytime. And, yes, we do that. Often.

Benefits of Mobile Banking

Smartphones have improved the way we pay our bills. Thanks to mobile banking, people can perform all sorts of financial transactions without ever needing to step foot inside a bank.

When Surfing Became Part of the Digital World

Texting, emailing, and browsing the internet are the three most common uses of smartphones. The internet is an inexhaustible source of information. We use it every time we need something for our jobs, school assignments, ideas for cooking or movies we should watch on a Saturday night. People also use their cell phones to look and apply for jobs, research health conditions, check real estate listings, and find educational content.

Is It a Phone, or Is It a Music Player?

Listening to music on our mobile devices isn’t all that new, but it is something a lot of users still do (this writer included). In fact, listening to music is probably one of the most common uses of smartphones, but the way this is done is perhaps the most telling difference today. Just a few years ago, we had to upload our favorite songs from our computers, and now, we can use apps to create playlists directly on our phones.

Smartphone: Our Best Frenemy. True or False?

As mobile phones became smarter they changed the way we perceive and use our time. We can be just about anywhere on the planet and still answer any email or phone call. The wealth of the internet is available to us with just a few short keystrokes. While this convenience has changed the way we conduct ourselves on a daily basis, we should still be mindful of the potentially addictive nature of our devices. Remember, smartphones should serve us, not vice versa.