A while back some friends and I were out in the pub talking about all sorts of stuff and we got onto the subject of social web applications. This particular point of the conversation was induced by the fact that I kept twittering and facebooking from my phone.

We all know the merits and fun that are brought about from social apps such as facebook and twitter but have we ever stopped to consider the bad points. I’m a geek, I’ll happily admit that, many who know me would say I’m addicted to my phone and the internet. This statement is probably true, I’m sad to admit, that but being without my phone or some form of connection would be for me, quite bad. I’m not going to turn into a gibbering wreck sitting in a corner rocking back and forth but I don’t doubt that I’d probably be a little less content than usual and maybe a little be grumpier. That is not specifically down to social apps as such but they are one of the things I use on the go be it in pubs, restaurants or just down in the park having a kick around. The issue is however that when I am concentrating on my device or whatever geekery it is, I am not paying my full attention to those with me. I am prioritising my “virtual” life over my “real” life, I am choosing to interact with people I only know online before I interact with the people next to me.

That is the issues that our group of pub goers identified as the biggest problem. With a connected life comes some interesting decisions, when is a good time to send a twitter, or when is it ok to check facebook. You also need to assess your company, if they are a bunch of geeks who understand this “constantly connected” ethos then they are likely to be more tolerant. Get with a collection of technophobes or non geeks and you’ll soon be perceived as rude for constantly tapping away on your phone. In Japan a country renowned for it’s high tech and mobile phones, people see it as very rude to use your phone on trains or buses. Here however it’s par for the course. What I have been dwelling on though is, how right is this mentality. After debating this point with the guys and gals in the pub I came to the conclusion that they were indeed right and that using social apps on a mobile device while out being “social” with friends/relations/colleges is “anti-social” and thus surely that makes the application being used anti social to a certain degree.

I’m certainly going to try to cutdown on my usage while out in social situations.

What’s your feelings on the subject.

A

So as I sit here on a train bound for London, heavily laiden with business folk I can’t help but notice the abundance of iPhones both old and new but predominantly new.

Infact it’s been very hard to ignore the new iPhone as my house mate (Dave) has got himself one. I have had a play and there is no whay to deny it, the device is stupendously good. The speed, UI and looks are challenged by none. I do indeed like the iPhone and now with 3rd party app support and office/exchange capability there is little to stop me from purchasing one.

However I am going to refrain from getting one, and here’s why. It’s been exactly 1 year and 13 days between release of the iPhone and the iPhone 3G. With those calculations in mind let’s assume it’s gonna be 1 year 1 month before the next one makes an appearance. At that time my contract with my current mobile provider will be coming to an end. Next on the list is the well documented failings of the device. The camera, bluetooth, video capabilities and lack of interchangeable battery all cause me to stop and think “why would I pay £99 for this device”.

If I had an abundance of cash sure i’d have one in a flash but sadly I don’t and as a result the device has been priced out of my market. So that’s that I love the device but it’s few short comings and price tag (albeit improved) stop me from getting one.

A

(I wrote this while on the train yesterday. I am not on the train as I post it.)