Comments on: The Benefits of a Smartphone in a Writer’s World http://blog.litcentral.com/2009/06/14/the-benefits-of-a-smartphone-in-a-writers-world/ Technology, entrepreneurship and everything in between. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:47:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Gnorb http://blog.litcentral.com/2009/06/14/the-benefits-of-a-smartphone-in-a-writers-world/#comment-867 Gnorb Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:40:12 +0000 http://blog.litcentral.com/?p=90#comment-867 Thanks for your opinions, Frank and Robin. Both AT&T and Sprint have pretty good coverage in my area. (I currently have AT&T and other family members have Sprint.) What concerns me are the 3rd party apps. The phone itself is a bit of an afterthought because I find both a physical keyboard in a phone and an on-screen keyboard about the same: I'm not particularly fast/comfortable with either, but can deal. Finally, thanks for reminding me about a 30-day trial. THAT'S important. Thanks for your opinions, Frank and Robin.

Both AT&T and Sprint have pretty good coverage in my area. (I currently have AT&T and other family members have Sprint.) What concerns me are the 3rd party apps. The phone itself is a bit of an afterthought because I find both a physical keyboard in a phone and an on-screen keyboard about the same: I’m not particularly fast/comfortable with either, but can deal.

Finally, thanks for reminding me about a 30-day trial. THAT’S important.

]]> By: Robin http://blog.litcentral.com/2009/06/14/the-benefits-of-a-smartphone-in-a-writers-world/#comment-866 Robin Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:23:29 +0000 http://blog.litcentral.com/?p=90#comment-866 Gnorb - I have to follow in line with what Frank has said. Choose your carrier first and choose the best - not according to rates but rather coverage. Smartphone technology will only drive you crazy if you don't have the network to support the device. Second, a keyboard is essential...for me. On-screen keyboards like the BlackBerry Storm and the iPhone can be difficult to master because the technology eliminates the sense of touch that comes with a tactile keyboard and thus, no motor skills are employed. Thumb motor skills help you type faster, just like with a regular keyboard. If you can "feel" the key placements you can look at the screen instead of the keyboard. I have heard a lot of good things about the new Palm Pre, but you won't have access to as many 3rd party apps as the iPhone or a BlackBerry. Make sure you have a 30-day trial period so you can return the device and choose another if it's not to your liking. Gnorb – I have to follow in line with what Frank has said. Choose your carrier first and choose the best – not according to rates but rather coverage. Smartphone technology will only drive you crazy if you don’t have the network to support the device.

Second, a keyboard is essential…for me. On-screen keyboards like the BlackBerry Storm and the iPhone can be difficult to master because the technology eliminates the sense of touch that comes with a tactile keyboard and thus, no motor skills are employed. Thumb motor skills help you type faster, just like with a regular keyboard. If you can “feel” the key placements you can look at the screen instead of the keyboard.

I have heard a lot of good things about the new Palm Pre, but you won’t have access to as many 3rd party apps as the iPhone or a BlackBerry. Make sure you have a 30-day trial period so you can return the device and choose another if it’s not to your liking.

]]> By: Frank K. http://blog.litcentral.com/2009/06/14/the-benefits-of-a-smartphone-in-a-writers-world/#comment-863 Frank K. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:24:11 +0000 http://blog.litcentral.com/?p=90#comment-863 I tried the iPhone and gave it my best shot. The lack of keyboard hardware and the terrible AT&T coverage was a deal buster for me. Don't know much about Palm Pre. I tried the iPhone and gave it my best shot. The lack of keyboard hardware and the terrible AT&T coverage was a deal buster for me. Don’t know much about Palm Pre.

]]> By: Gnorb http://blog.litcentral.com/2009/06/14/the-benefits-of-a-smartphone-in-a-writers-world/#comment-860 Gnorb Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:09:14 +0000 http://blog.litcentral.com/?p=90#comment-860 Great article. You haven't by any chance done comparisons between phones, have you? I'm currently debating between the Palm Pre and iPhone and would love to hear from other writers what their preferred phones are and why. Great article. You haven’t by any chance done comparisons between phones, have you? I’m currently debating between the Palm Pre and iPhone and would love to hear from other writers what their preferred phones are and why.

]]> By: The Writer’s 10 Essential Gadgets for Airline Travel » The Write Network http://blog.litcentral.com/2009/06/14/the-benefits-of-a-smartphone-in-a-writers-world/#comment-811 The Writer’s 10 Essential Gadgets for Airline Travel » The Write Network Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:57:48 +0000 http://blog.litcentral.com/?p=90#comment-811 [...] to computers, smartphones are the greatest invention since sliced bread. I always have my itinerary emailed to me, as well as directions, and car rental and hotel [...] [...] to computers, smartphones are the greatest invention since sliced bread. I always have my itinerary emailed to me, as well as directions, and car rental and hotel [...]

]]> By: Robin http://blog.litcentral.com/2009/06/14/the-benefits-of-a-smartphone-in-a-writers-world/#comment-753 Robin Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:23:31 +0000 http://blog.litcentral.com/?p=90#comment-753 Chung - I used a voice recording software several years ago when I owned one of many Treo smartphones. Thanks for adding that feature, because I had completely forgotten. That's a great tool for writers who work that way. Having a voice recorder, MP3 player, GPS, camera, video recorder and phone all-in-one gadget really condenses the size of one's gadget bag. And when it all works perfect, it makes life that much sweeter. I'll have to do an article on smartphone applications for writers. I've heard a lot of good things about GooSync working for BlackBerry/Mac users as a workaround to the lack of synergy between the two OS. Chung – I used a voice recording software several years ago when I owned one of many Treo smartphones. Thanks for adding that feature, because I had completely forgotten. That’s a great tool for writers who work that way.

Having a voice recorder, MP3 player, GPS, camera, video recorder and phone all-in-one gadget really condenses the size of one’s gadget bag. And when it all works perfect, it makes life that much sweeter.

I’ll have to do an article on smartphone applications for writers. I’ve heard a lot of good things about GooSync working for BlackBerry/Mac users as a workaround to the lack of synergy between the two OS.

]]> By: Chung Nguyen-Le | The Write Network http://blog.litcentral.com/2009/06/14/the-benefits-of-a-smartphone-in-a-writers-world/#comment-752 Chung Nguyen-Le | The Write Network Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:57:24 +0000 http://blog.litcentral.com/?p=90#comment-752 Hi Robin Great article on introduing smartphones for writers. I love using pen and paper, but sometimes a smartphone is needed and I use my Nokia e61 for all those points you mentioned above (Google Reader for feeds). One thing I would like to add is using the note recorder on a smartphone. I was commenting on an article over the weekend on <a href="http://nouveauwriter.blogspot.com/2009/05/this-tape-will-not-self-destruct-in.html" rel="nofollow">NouveauWriter</a> about using the voice recording feature on a smartphone as an invaluable tool for recording memos, notes and capturing thoughts in those moments of inspiration. I don't have a Blackberry but I find that GooSync is a great tool for synchronising my Google Calendar with my phone. Smartphones are great and if anyone is interested, I actually have some pictures of what I call my 'ultra-portable office' on my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnlifeasitis" rel="nofollow">cnlifeasitis Flickr account</a> Hi Robin

Great article on introduing smartphones for writers.

I love using pen and paper, but sometimes a smartphone is needed and I use my Nokia e61 for all those points you mentioned above (Google Reader for feeds).

One thing I would like to add is using the note recorder on a smartphone.

I was commenting on an article over the weekend on NouveauWriter about using the voice recording feature on a smartphone as an invaluable tool for recording memos, notes and capturing thoughts in those moments of inspiration.

I don’t have a Blackberry but I find that GooSync is a great tool for synchronising my Google Calendar with my phone.

Smartphones are great and if anyone is interested, I actually have some pictures of what I call my ‘ultra-portable office’ on my cnlifeasitis Flickr account

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