How many mobile devices is too many?
I had an interesting video chat with James this morning and he’ll likely be blogging about the main topic in the near future. I don’t want to steal his thunder so I won’t even delve into the details of the conversation, but obviously it had to do with mobile technology; in particular: multiple devices and multiple client apps that hit at cloud or server data. That begs the question: how many mobile devices are too many?
At one point, I was switching between no less than five or six devices on a daily basis between notebooks and phones. Over time, through no conscious effort on my part, I’ve slowly moved to a less-complicated environment. My MacBook Pro is my home "desktop" that gets used in the home office, while my Q1UP and iPhone basically travel with me everywhere I go. Various other notebooks, phones and Tablet PCs are relegated to the closet for now.
While my recent web-based challenge has actually made it easier to use more devices, not everyone wants to use a browser for everything. And here’s where more devices, especially across multiple platforms, gets interesting. You’ll likely hear more from James on this topic, but not every client works with server data in the same way and that can create data integrity issues. I’m especially thinking of Entourage and Outlook with Exchange, POP and IMAP support (there, I tipped my hand on the conversation). In any case, as much as I love to use many devices, I’m leaning towards the current situation I have: one fixed notebook / desktop replacement, one very mobile computer and one phone. Don’t get me wrong: I’ll play with and review any and every mobile device that comes along. I just find the daily experience much more satisfying now that I’ve simplified.
Have you bounced back and forth between more or fewer devices and if so, why?
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I think more than 4 devices is sick, if not tech obesity:
1) Desktop unit (can be big notebook)
2) Traveling notebook (or UMPC)
3) Cellphone
4) MP3 player (if you must)
Of course, you can also have a digicam (still and/or vid).
Oh, one exception: Sony Reader or (groan) Kindle for ebooks is also OK.
Seems like I just had this discussion on GottaBeMobile… but anyway…
I use 3 devices… my Tablet PC (soon to be replaced by a Dell Latitude D630 for better or worse), my Sprint Mogul, and my Zune.
I could use my Mogul as a media player, but I choose not to kill my phone battery by listening to music.
This is a question I ask myself fairly frequently. I go back and fourth on what my ideal number.
Today, it seems like four devices is about right. Anything more is overkill, and something has to go.
I use my notebook (HP 2133) for real work. I use my smartphone (Centro) as my go to device for just about anything. My MP3 player (Creative Zen) is for entertainment. My tablet (Nokia n800) is my couch surfer.
Just last week my iPod Touch hit the chopping block. It was stepping on too many toes. It had a good browser, but not as good as the Nokia Tablet. Obviously, the MP3 player was great, but for the price, you really don’t get enough storage. Without a wifi hotspot it was useless, and those can be difficult to come by in my area.
For me, five mobile devices was one device too many. So one had to go. The touch is so close to being a be-all-end-all device, and maybe someday it will be just that. But as it stands, it’s not close enough.
I’d love to get down to two devices, but as it stands, using a smartphone as a primary media player and tablet just isn’t there yet. Even the iPhone falls short.
1. Eee PC 1000h
2. iPhone
3. iPod Nano
4. (Desktop needed)
My 1000h is becoming my main computer (Just got it and love it) but it would be nice to have a big 14-15 inch widescreen when I get home.
The nano is for music because the batter life sucks on the iphone and I can use it to jog with. Rather not take the iphone jogging, too big of a risk. Also nano easier to use for jogging.
Not related to article question:
Did you happen to receive the Richard Solo iphone battery yet? Is the review coming soon? I’m thinking about buying it. Either James or you mentioned that you had ordered the battery.
Thanks
I deliberately chose a high-clarity, non-PDA cell phone and a 9″ Tablet PC to avoid carrying multiple specialized devices. This combination meets my mobile needs well. I also use a desktop for more involved tasks.
See, I deliberately left space there for #4, MP3 player because I just knew smart people wouldn’t want to run down their phone battery!
4 seems to be the consensus. It’s agreed then. This shall henceforth by known as Cane’s Law: “Anything more than 4 devices is tech obesity.”
ROTF…
the problem is the amount of overlap between devices, and the lack of data simple data sharing between them.
microsoft and others are hellbent on building vertical silos that could match or rival apples “whole widget” concept.
basically, any kind of data sharing outside of their proprietary ecosystem should be hard to set up, riddled with flaws and easy to break.
only by sticking to a single brand should you be able to have a addressbook, work files and other things that can be accessed with equal ease on both handheld and larger devices, with instant sharing of data between them.
when one can use the phone to write a note to the desktop/laptop so that when one sit down in front of it the note will be there to jog ones memory about what one was planing when writing it, one really dont need to drag 3-4 devices around any more.
but until that happens, tech obesity is the order of the day.
oh and on the topic of battery power and using ones phone as a music player, grab one of those backup batteries with a usb port so that it can power just about any portable device if needed.
1.Centro for phone and contact info (e-mail in pinch).
2.i-touch for WiFi, books (Audible and read), Music e-mail at *Star$’s.
3.Use when needed (planning in advance), Vaio SZ for heavier mobile computing, have WiFi phone card for WiFi anywhere (hotels when traveling) and serious writing.
4.Desktop
In closet Sony UX 180, OQO-2, HTC advantage 7510 Nokia n810 (trickle down to kids)
Lets see, since I am still building my house I have no home office to speak of so my current device list goes something like this:
1. 15″ Macbook Pro that serves as my desktop replacement and as my portable laptop. I don’t think that it is too big to carry around and when I need a notebook it is nice to have everything with me.
2. Nokia N800 for my quick access device for web surfing and as a way to connect to my office SIP phone system. Also acts as a portable media player.
3. Blackberry Curve as my work provided cell phone and PDA. It also doubles as my ebook reader thanks to mobipocket. We are looking into moving to iphones now that they have exchange support so that may lead to some overlap with my N800.
That’s pretty much it. My iPod has been pretty much confined to my car as part of the stereo system there and is only removed for roadtrips on different vehicles.