The Power Of Your Smartphone!
(Title image by DALL-E 3)
Hi WA Friends!
It's amazing how things seem to change, especially as we get older. I was talking to some of the Gen-Alpha kids in my family last weekend, and none of them have ever seen a landline telephone! Tomorrow, they're coming over our house to see the one we keep running because we have some elderly friends who refuse to call us on our cell phones. We also use the landline as a backup for the cellular transmitter on our home alarm system.
Smartphones have changed everything, and they made the world mobile from a social and informational point of view!
Most people at Wealthy Affiliate (and elsewhere) are surprised to learn just how much I use my iPhone throughout the course of an average day, not just for recording new guitar riffs to remember later on! Lol 😎
The majority of everything I produce for online marketing is done on my iPhone and emailed to myself for finishing on my laptop when that becomes necessary. That keeps me productive since my wife and I spend significant amounts of time out and about. During that time, I'm dictating things into my phone whenever I get a chance. I began doing this in short bursts while I was walking around the hospital to see patients during my medical rounds, and it grew from there.
There's Power In Your Phone!
Smartphones are more powerful than most people realize. If you compare them to the computers that helped NASA put the first man on the moon in 1969, you’d be amazed. Back then, those computers were huge, filled rooms, and had much less processing power than the phone in your pocket right now! The computer NASA used, called the Apollo Guidance Computer, had about 64KB of memory. Your smartphone? It has around 4GB (RAM, not photo storage memory) or more. Your smartphone has the potential to be millions of times more powerful! So, no, they're not just for friending on Facebook or posting on X while you're at a stop light in your car. Lol 😆
With this kind of power, your phone can be a powerful tool for your business. You can use it to run many parts of your online marketing, stay organized, and even use artificial intelligence (AI) apps that can make life easier.
Smartphone Powered AI Apps
AI apps can help you with just about everything, and having them on your smartphone can really help with tasks like writing content, making videos, or even analyzing data for your marketing campaigns.
The new generation of smartphones, like the Galaxy S23, Google Pixel 9 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro are being created around the concept of using AI in the easiest and most efficient ways possible at home, work, and on the go.
For more info, see:
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/frankb-1/blog/circle-to-search-streamlining-the-internet-experience
Although there are a mind-boggling number of AI platforms available, with more coming every day, I do most everything with OpenAI and my phone. Traditional Google searches have become something of a last resort after using AI.
Your Smartphone Helps You Stay Organized
One of the best things about your smartphone is how it helps keep you organized. Simple apps like a calendar or timer can make a big difference in your day. You can set reminders for meetings, deadlines, or even when it’s time to take a break. The timer can help you stay focused on tasks by setting specific amounts of time to work.
Staying organized is key to managing a successful online business. And with your smartphone, everything you need is right there in your hand, so you won’t miss a beat!
Don’t Get Distracted By AI "Shiny Objects"
AI has the potential to be the biggest "shiny object" in online marketing history because it’s so easy to get distracted by every new AI tool that comes out, especially on a smartphone! Marketers are always looking for ways to stay ahead, and AI promises to do that, but just because an AI tool seems amazing doesn’t mean it’s necessary for your business.
You need to stay focused on what truly matters: your goals and your customers. Using too many AI tools or platforms can become more of a distraction than a benefit. It’s important to make sure any tool you use actually helps your business, rather than just being the latest trend.
Plus, it can become really expensive. Many of these AI tools charge monthly fees, and if you’re not careful, those fees can add up fast.
The Big Smartphone Payoff!
The more time you save by using your smartphone when you're outside your office, the more time you'll have to do the things you enjoy! I use the time savings to be with my family, play music, and watch movies.
In this super busy world we need to be as efficient as possible to have time for ourselves!
Tell Me What You Think!
I used my iPhone to create most of the content in this post over the past few days while I was outside my home!
Are you using your smartphone to help run your business, especially during times when you don't have access to a computer or tablet?
What are some of the most common ways you use your smartphone to be productive?
Let me know in the comments, AND ...
Keep On Rocking It! 🤘
Double the Heads, Double the Shred! Lol 😂 (Pin by DALL-E 3)
Frank 🎸
~ 85% Human written content.
Recent Comments
66
Good morning Frank,
Thank you for your blog post, it's appreciated.
It's fascinating how each of us do different things and work in different ways, we have to do what works for us and what we find the most efficient. Maybe I could write a blog post about "the power of our not so smartphone!"Lol!😄
It's amazing that some children have never seen a landline, I must admit we still have one, although we don't really use it. It is amazing how times change!
I'm always surprised how much you use your smartphone, Frank, I don't know how you do it! I appreciate the speech to text must be useful. I use Dragon NaturallySpeaking all the time on my PC, I would be lost without it!
It sounds like you are very busy at the hospital if you were dictating things as you walked around, but at least that way, you can keep on top of things. I will often write down a note on my phone, if I think of a good blog post or video to create, etc.
I do find it utterly amazing how phones and PCs have changed, just in the short time that I have been using a PC. I was one of the early uptakers of having a mobile phone the calls were ridiculously expensive, how things have changed. That's an amazing example of how large the early computers were and how we have something more powerful in our pocket. I agree smartphones are great for helping us become organised, especially with calendars and notepads.
Now it's time to tell you what I think of smartphones, Frank! Most of the time, I only use my phone for phone calls, I have text messaging and WhatsApp on my computer; in this way, I can avoid using my phone. I think the problem many men have is that they have large hands, which are far too cumbersome for smartphones! When I'm working outside in the summer, I can't even see the screen in the sunlight, which makes a smartphone not quite so smart. Plus, it has lots of dust that gets inside the protective case which is due to the type of work I do!
The other day I was looking at train ticket prices on my phone, I just gave up, it was too painful. It would take me ten times plus longer on a phone and man would on a PC to book train tickets and yet some people use the phone for everything, I can't do that!
On the occasions when I have to send a message through my phone, it's a very painful experience, pressing the wrong keys all the time. I see young people tapping away with two fingers or thumbs on their phones. I would be pressing 2 or 3 letters at a time!! I don't know how they do it!
So, in other words, I do everything from the PC and avoid using a smartphone! However, probably the best feature that a smartphone has is the ability to be able to listen to talking books and YouTube, etc. This is absolutely brilliant when I'm working my off-line business or driving, as I can listen as I work.
I do find it absolutely amazing how different things work for different people, Frank but it's interesting to hear other people's experiences.
Have a great day.
Roy
PS: I forgot to mention, Frank, I use a Samsung S20 phone. I'm guessing that today's iPhone and Samsung would be similar, especially as they are in direct competition.
Hi Roy
I know what you mean about the limitations of using a smartphone, especially screen size. Luckily, they are making them bigger these days! Lol 😆
There are also definite limitations to the environment in which a smartphone can be used, and dusty, dirty, or wet conditions are far from ideal.
Have you tried turning your phone sideways (in landscape orientation) when texting? On my phone this expands the size of the keyboard!
I might write another WA blog post on some of the ways I use my phone to be more productive and have fun.😎
The landline in our home is primarily used as a backup for the alarm system, which usually transmits wirelessly via a cellular signal.
Addendum: Check out the blog post I just uploaded (while enjoying a fun day out with my wife) to get ideas of other ways to use a smartphone: Maximizing Productivity And Fun With Your Smartphone! Frank 🎸
Good morning Frank,
There certainly are limitations when it comes to using a smartphone. It's funny how phones went from being very large to almost tiny, and now they are getting bigger again! I can't think what the large Samsung phone was called, I don't even know if they still make it, but it would almost be too big to go in your pocket!
If I turn my phone sideways, Frank, then I can only see one line of text, so I can't read hardly any of the text through. I find this on many applications, like Facebook and WhatsApp, they don't allow you enough space to read what you have written and that's painful!
I don't think it is a bad thing to have a landline for backup, although I believe our phone works off the Internet anyway now, so if the Internet goes down, so does the phone, I assume! Although the router does have a mobile dongle plugged in as a backup,
I will have a look at your new blog post, Frank.
Have a great Monday.
Roy
Hi Roy
Our landline phone is still "hardwired," so it is suitable for a home alarm system backup. The alarm would send signals to our monitoring company by cellular first, which has its own battery backup, and by landline only if the cellular failed, which would be a fairly rare occurrence.
This alarm configuration meets the standards that allow us to get the valuable belongings in our home adequately insured.
Frank 🎸
Good morning Frank,
It's important that we have our homes adequately secure, Frank, especially at home like yours where you have so many wonderful toys and gadgetry, etc.
I'm actually quite a fan of hard wired gadgets as I think it helps to eradicate problems. For example, my desktop computer is plugged into the Internet, and my mouse, microphones and headset are all hardwired.
At least you can go out and enjoy yourself knowing that you are well protected, Frank.
Have a wonderful Tuesday.
Roy
Hi Roy
Yeah, hardwired desktops have more speed consistency than WiFi connections.
Properly encrypted WiFi setups are secure and we have a Gigabit connection that’s good for 4K video streaming.
We also live in an excellent neighborhood with a very low crime rate and our neighbors watch our house during our absence. 😎
Frank 🎸
Good morning Frank,
I like to kind of keep things as simple as possible Frank. However, the router is in my home office, so it's very easy to connect to the PC.
That sounds good that you have properly encrypted Wi-Fi. I do find it amazing how wireless connections work. Even when I think of the television, it's quite amazing how all those pictures are picked up, etc. I do use Wi-Fi for my laptop.
That's worth a lot, Frank, it makes such a difference to life when we have good neighbours as well.
A very happy Thursday to you.
Roy
Hi Roy
I never really use my home office, which has a hardwired desktop PC, desk, file cabinets, etc. we do everything on wireless laptops and tablets. I enjoy working in my music studio much more and my wife does her pilates on a mat in the office. Lol
I have almost 50 wireless devices connected to our Google mesh router, which has three access points in various parts of the house for great coverage indoors and outdoors. A lot of them run the home theater.
Frank 🎸
Good morning Frank,
It's interesting how, as humans, we all have different habits, Frank, I guess we have to do what works for us. I love shutting myself in my home office, even when my wife's away in Greece, it gives me that feeling of peace and quiet, no distractions! However, often on a Sunday, I will go down into the lounge and use my laptop instead. It's almost like a change of scenery. I try and keep Sunday different from the other six days.
That's amazing, Frank, 50 wireless devices, I have no idea how many devices can be connected to a standard router. I believe I have heard 9 or 10, but I may be wrong. I have also never heard of a Google mesh router, I'm guessing that it is something slightly unique, Frank. I believe my router has 3 points where I can hard wire to a computer. I just use one port which goes to my desktop and everything else is wireless, which is just the laptops and our mobile phones.
You certainly have a unique house, Frank!
Wishing you a fantastic Friday.
Roy
Hi Roy
I built my home office back in the days when there was no wireless technology, so I needed a space to set up a desktop computer. Back then, computers were connected directly from an internal modem to a phone line. Then came more powerful external modems, followed by hub units and routers to connect to the modems.
Once WiFi technology became available, I set up a wireless router with signal extenders to cover most of our home.
When mesh (panoramic) wireless technology became available, that became the ideal solution to having fast WiFi with a strong signal in every corner of the house and outside. Our encrypted WiFi signal also provides coverage for our entire 1 ½ acre yard.
We have guest WiFi, but the 5G cell signal in our area is very strong and most of our guests use that.
Here is the Google wireless mesh router I use (not an affiliate link):
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/google-nest-wi-fi-pro-6e-axe5400-mesh-router-3-pack-snow/6520782.p?skuId=6520782
It comes with three access points and you can add more to cover larger areas. Even our outdoor lighting and standby generator are wirelessly connected to it.
This router can easily handle 100 wireless devices if set up properly.
Frank 🎸
Good morning Frank,
It's interesting how much things have changed, Frank, with wireless technology and the power of the actual Internet connection. I think I have mentioned before that I was a late starter with computers, I had my first desktop in 2001. However, with the old-fashioned dial-up Internet connection, the Internet was barely usable, in my opinion. That change so much here in the UK when I had my first broadband connection in 2004. I don't know what sort of year you had your first broadband type connection, Frank.
The signal extenders sound like a brilliant idea, Frank. I have asked my wife to do this in her house in Greece, as I think it would make the signal much stronger.
It's interesting to learn about mesh wireless technology, something that I hadn't heard of until you mentioned it. That's amazing that it can work in your 1 1/2 acre yard, it must be good!
It sounds like the Google mesh router has amazing capabilities.
Thank you for the link, Frank, I was just looking up the Google mesh router as it sounds very good and may well work in Greece. The standard router that I have in my home in the UK, seems to work fine in the house and garden, but the house and garden isn't massive.
Have a fantastic Sunday.
Roy
Hi Roy
My first experience with a computer was in 1972, in high school. I was selected to participate in an advance placement class, which was conducted at the department of education for our state. We were taken there by bus.
I was using an IBM 360 mini mainframe that was generating reports for the educational commissioner, etc.
The system was card punched input using COBOL with tape storage, no internet.
In college I used a similar system with FORTRAN and we had dial-up internet using a telephone attached to an acoustic coupler.
In medical school and during my post-doctoral specialty training we had online search ability with MEDNET using MS DOS commands, still dial-up.
Tim Berners Lee had invented the World Wide Web at CERN in 1989, but it wasn’t available to use on a practical level.
The Google mesh router works totally different than adding third party extenders to a wireless router. It has “beam forming technology” that follows you in three dimensional space and assigns your mobile device to the strongest signal in the mesh network so you always have the strongest signal.
It also has an excellent hardware firewall that can be manually reconfigured to work with a software firewall, antivirus, and VPN!
Frank 🎸
Good morning Frank,
I don't know what happened, I just about finished writing my reply to you and the Chrome page suddenly closed! I think Dragon NaturallySpeaking thought that I said something else! I will start again!
That must have been quite an experience, Frank, way back in 1972, I can imagine computers must have been totally different back then! I'm guessing that 1972 must've been around the time the pocket calculator came out, which seemed like an amazing invention at the time!
What a wonderful experience to look back on for you, Frank. How you saw those early computers and now you're seeing artificial intelligence, that's quite something!
I just looked up when the Internet came out in the UK publicly. It looks like Pipex introduced it here in 1992, which was earlier than I thought. I remember my first dial-up Internet connection was with Pipex.
The Google mesh router sounds like a great invention, especially as it can reach such a large distance.
You must have learned huge amounts of knowledge over the years, Frank, and seen tremendous changes.
Thank you for the interesting conversation and have a great day.
Roy
Hi Roy
Yeah, I got my first calculator in 1971. It was just a little smaller than a cigar box and only performed the basic four arithmetic functions. It cost about $120 US.
I was not allowed to use it in high school, but it was still pretty cool for back then.
When I began at the University in 1974 I got a Texas Instruments calculator, which could do essentially everything a standard calculator can do today and was pocket-sized.
The was an amazing improvement in just three years, equivalent to the improvement trajectory of AI now.
Computer researchers were actually writing “AI programs” in the late ‘70s. They didn’t do much and couldn’t be trained. They were basically decision support algorithms.
Frank 🎸
Good morning Frank,
I'm sure that back in 1971, it must have been an amazing invention. I remember back in probably around 1974, my sister and brother-in-law had their first pocket calculator, it seemed amazing! US$120 must've been a huge amount of money back in 1971!
What a difference three years major, Frank! I think we used to call them scientific calculators, I remember that they looked pretty impressive. I had one, but I only used a few of the functions, I didn't know what most of the functions actually did!
It's amazing how technology continually grows, as the pocket calculator example shows and with your AI example.
A very happy Friday to you.
Roy
Hi Roy
Yeah, these days we usually ask one of the wireless assistive devices in our home, like Siri, Google, Alexa, Echo, or Ziggy to do mathematical calculations; simple or complex. Lol 😎
I saw a program last night that said students are simply regurgitating information without understanding it or being able to properly apply it, due to the overuse of AI.
This has the potential of surfacing as a major problem as the newer generations begin to enter the workforce, etc.
The panel hypothesized that we could eventually become a species that is totally subservient to AI-mediated robotics and likened it to designing our own alien invasion.
Interesting times ahead, for sure!
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
Good morning Frank,
It's amazing what these wireless devices can do, Frank, I know that many people use them. I kind of like the idea, but I don't like the way that they are almost spying on us. However, at the same time, it's kind of fantastic that you can ask these devices any questions or ask them to play music, etc! Which device do you use, Frank, out of interest? I must admit I hadn't heard of Ziggy!
Exactly! This is what I could see happening; it's really not clever. It amazes me how members write an AI post and then members in the comments talk about a great post, great information, etc. The fact is they haven't written the post; it's not their personal experience, it's just regurgitated AI drawl. Allowing this type of content is downgrading the quality of the platform.
I believe it's a huge problem, Frank, as we are going to think that we have people with knowledge, but they have absolutely no knowledge whatsoever.
I didn't enjoy school, but I do appreciate that we have to learn. I know that if AI was available, I would definitely use it to help me with my homework. The bad bit is that I would not have understood what I was writing using AI, but I would have been pleased to get the work out the way!! That would not have been a good principle on my part!
An interesting subject, Frank.
Wishing you a fantastic weekend.
Roy
Hi Roy
We use assistive devices by Apple, Amazon, Google, and Meta.
Ziggy is a Google device with a small spherical footprint that is omnidirectionally optimized for high fidelity sound.
It’s vital that as a responsible society that we use AI in all the best possible ways. 😎
Frank 🎸
Good morning Frank,
I hope you had a good weekend, I'm sure you did!
You certainly know your gadgetry, Frank!
I didn't know about Ziggy, we never stop learning!
I agree with you, Frank, regarding AI. I really think you are doing just that, as I can see that you are very knowledgeable and genuine on the subject of AI.
Have a great day.
Roy
Thanks, Roy
We have to do the best we can with all the new technology that comes our way. 😎
Frank 🎸
It's always a pleasure, Frank!
Yes, I hear you, I also think that you do it extremely well, Frank!
Have a fantastic day.
Roy
Hi Frank,
A great post, and I am an iPhone man too. I relied on the latest and greatest cel phones as they came to market, BlueBerry, BlackBerry, Fliphones Nextel was huge and then the iPhone came along and I have never changed since, I still don't know all of its uses, but my young helper, helps me to keep up.
When I was in the peak o my business I was craving for live video to expand my little empire, now we use it every day.
I remember how VOIP made it's appearance, and that was quite the game changer, taking your desk phone with you wherever you went.
Hi Robby
Yup, same here!
I had the first mobile analog car phone. It was housed in a big case, along with a heavy battery. I used to keep it in the back seat of the car and had to pull over to make a call. It had a long telescopic antenna for the reception! Lol
My medical office had VOIP-enabled phones in every room.
The iPhone certainly was a game-changer, and now, the newest generations of phones are being built around AI!
Enjoy Your Weekend! 😎
Frank 🎸
We're heading to Newport tomorrow before it gets too cold to spend time at the beach and on a friend's boat. On Sunday, we're going to Boston to one of our favorite museums, and we'll get our costumes for an upcoming Halloween party while we're there.
How about you?
Nice! I love boats. I grew up on Long Island and visited Newport as a kid.
Pam and I have the RV in Shipshewana, IN. If the weather cooperates, we're thinking of a bike ride. They have great rails-to-trails in the Elkhart, IN, area.
Are you going as a guitar for Halloween? LOL
I saw a Pink Floyd concert on Long Island in 1988 at the Nassau Coliseum. They recorded the show and sold it as a VHS tape, and now I have it on Blu-ray.
That bike ride sounds excellent! 👍👍
Yeah, the headless man playing a guitar. Hahaha! You just gave me a great idea! 😃
I know a few gen-Zers who I showed my old rotary phone to, Frank. You'd think they were looking at a UFO!
One more head on that monster's shoulders would turn him into King Ghidorah!
Appreciate the post! 🤘🎸
Isaiah 😁
Hi Isaiah
Yeah, ROTARY is like Smithsonian stuff today! Lol 😂
I even remember when the first three numbers on a rotary phone were called letters, like "Gaspee," etc.
Hahaha, you really know your monsters. 👍👍
King Ghidorah is also called "Monster Zero!" 😎
Keep On Rockin' It! 🤘
Frank 🎸
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I'm sure that can't be true about the Landline Phones. I mean, they go to public school, right? Or the doctor, or have any ever had a relative or themselves be in the Hospital? All places with a landline phone. I just can't believe there's already another classification of Generations. When will it slow down and let the Generations be a thing of the past themselves? You know, the naming and categorizing of them? It just started with the "baby boomers" and then X, right? My how they missed some letters in the Alphabet, and what happened to Y, we just became Millenials, I guess. Well, good article though, and you know Smartphones are amazing little gadgets that my Millenial gen are probably going to be on all the tme, as well for I lived on a telephone, literally would eat, sleep, and wake up sometimes with it on, a good thing for Caller ID, and Call-waiting. Now that's a thing of the past. And who can forget good ol' 3-way calling? Without that feature, I'd have never met my kids' father, we met via telephone through one of my bored friends calling someone who happened to be staying at their house at the time, and in came my 12-year-old, turning 13, soon-to-be boyfriend. We dated 10 days before we met, and 16 years and 2 kids after that! My phone should be more celebrated, it is in our family!