Note: This is the first of two posts on the same subject, each in the author’s traditional style from our two bloggers Carrie Keenan and Paul Salzer. Today, in part one, Carrie discusses what she learned from the man in the police box.
First off, when Paul suggested we co-write a blog based on Doctor Who, I thought, ‘oh dear am I ready to admit this to the world?’ Well here we go. Yes, yes I am ready. I am a fan of Doctor Who. Ahhh, I feel my inner Nerdist is proud and free! I am a recent fan of the series starting with the 10th Doctor, David Tennant. The first episode I saw was ‘Blink’ and, while I may be behind a season or 3, I have been hooked ever since. There is also an old fashioned phone booth in my back yard that I keep threatening to paint blue & try to fly. Now that you have my (brief) Whovian back story….
My lesson – Always Have the Proper Tool for the Job:
The Doctor’s most famous tool is his trusty TARDIS,the blue “wibbly wobbly timey wimey” police box that allows him to travel through time and space. Think about the Doctor’s other notable tools, remember thepsychic paper? One flash of that and the viewer would see whatever was needed. Possibly, the most useful tool, the sonic screwdriver, could fix just about anything. For me, parts of those tools roll up into one with my smart phone. Ok, yes, I admit that there are no time or interdementional phone apps or capabilities yet, but I am pretty sure Steve Jobs might just have one up his sleeve.1
The smartphone has become a tool many can not be without for work and or personal applications. (Read “Out of Office” on the Thill Blog) I use mine to be active with the Facebook & Twitter communities for myself, Thill & our clients 24/7, but it is so much more then that. My hardworking little EVO (named Johnny, in case you were wondering, after Johnny Number 5 for my constant need for input) is my first (and often only) go to tool for information.
Besides the obvious, phone calls 2, texting and email – what else does this magical tool do?
- Shopping – Whether you are researching a product, buying something you saw on an infomercial, buying a car on E-Bay or picking up the newest Threadless tee, your phone is the gateway to a never ending shopping mall. You can even pay via phone at places like Starbucks.
- Lost? Turn on one of the many navigational apps to find where you need to go.
- Photography – Instagram, Retro Cam, Lightbox, there are too many photography apps to mention. With the camera in your phone you never have to miss another photo op whether it be a pic of a current work project, baby’s first steps or you run across a guy dressed up as Elvis 3
- Financial Questions? Check your bank account, balance your checkbook, create an expense report, pay your bills: all on the phone.
- Manage your calendar & keep track of all your contacts – Let’s be honest, when is the last time you had to remember a phone number? Meetings, birthdays, anniversaries all ping you a reminder.
- Shopping/Saving money – Scanning a QR code or checking in on Foursquare are just two examples of ways using your phone can get you coupons, discounts or freebies.
- Fitness – Whether you use it as a pedometer, count your calories or log your fitness activities, your phone can help you with your diet or fitness training.
- Winning arguments – Have Google – will travel. Having in-hand access to the internet means never having to say you are wrong.
- Entertainment – Whether it’s watching videos of dancing cats, streaming music, or frantically & re-playing the same level of Angry Birds over and over until you pass that one level you can never solve 4
Lifestyle –
I feel this one is too general to be a bullet. Pop quiz, when I say “alarm clock” what is the first mental picture you get? I bet it was your phone wasn’t it. I did a quick Twitter quiz about what apps that people could not live without and got answers back that ranged from CNN to Shazam, Facebook to Phone Dialer. I also asked what people had that they considered to be the weirdest app, and had some fun replies.
There are so many handy dandy things you can use your phone for – want to see what you look like with a moustache? Done. Track your ovulation cycle? Easy. Check the weather? No brainer. Can’t find your keys in the dark? Flip on your flashlight.
The smartphone and whatever form it ends up evolving in to, will forever on be a necessary tool for both business and pleasure. Now, lets get someone on the time travel app – and go!
How do you use your phone? What tools and tricks do you have that some people have yet to discover? Please share below!
1 – I am currently an Android girl, but would happily go over to team Apple for an iTARDIS.
2 – It was actually physically difficult for me to list phone calls first. This basic function is actually the last thing I learned how to use when I got my phone.
3 – This happened (warning, this was not one of my most mature moments)
4 – I truly hate those little green pigs.
Photo via http://twitter.com/#!/doctorwho_bbc
* The other valuable life lesson I have learned from Dr. Who – If you live in London and see a blue police box pop up out of nowhere on Christmas day – run like hell.
Click here to read Paul’s post.
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