Should I get a Smartphone?

[boaz]

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So I just finished a crazy application year in which I've been compulsively getting up to go to a computer ~1000X/day to check my email. It was really not conducive to efficient studying (and sanity ;-)). I'll be an MS1 in Aug and I plan on putting the ADD past me. Do you think getting a smartphone would be counterproductive?

 

[WashMe]

So I just finished a crazy application year in which I've been compulsively getting up to go to a computer ~1000X/day to check my email. It was really not conducive to efficient studying (and sanity ;-)). I'll be an MS1 in Aug and I plan on putting the ADD past me. Do you think getting a smartphone would be counterproductive?

I didn't vote because I don't have a smartphone, but I will say that you most definitely don't need one during 1st year (I just finished MS1). Probably more than 1/2 of the people in my class have them, but they aren't necessary. I'm holding off until 3rd year so I can get a brand new, really nice one when I think I'll need it (for epocrates and other reference programs).

 

[ZagDoc]

Not necessary. Things like epocrates and skyscape/lexicomp are nice with extra bells and whistles but most of the info could be found in a small pocketbook like pharmocopeia or red book.

That being said, I was anti-smartphone for a long time. "I just need a cell phone that does just that, makes phone calls." Then I got an iPhone and it changed my life. 😀

 

[sc4s2cg]

If your campus is wifi covered, I highly recommend the cheaper alternative: iPod touch. 🙂 The app store has Skyscape (free), of which I find the Davis Drug guide and Taberd Dictionary (both cost money) especially useful.

Plus the mail app is a time saver!

 

[Penner]

Get a Blackberry or an iPhone..

 

[twopint32oz]

Get a Blackberry or an iPhone..

Blackberry? That thing is going out of phase... I would suggest the iPhone or Droid phones (if you have Verizon).

I personally have the HTC Droid Incredible, and it is incredible.

 

[christina30]

I vote for Blackberry (I hate touch screens) - but they're really not necessary for MS1, I can imagine.

NYCOM gives out Ipod Touches to all their MS3s, so I'd take that to mean any smartphone wouldn't be useful until the clinical phase of your education.

 

[Pills Of Soap]

once you get a smart phone, you can NEVER go back.

so convenient, you can check ur email on the go (walking to class, etc), look up directions quickly, yelp new restaurants right outside them. and of course, always check facebook/twitter =D

 

[Penner]

Blackberry? That thing is going out of phase... I would suggest the iPhone or Droid phones (if you have Verizon).

I personally have the HTC Droid Incredible, and it is incredible.

Blackberry's are not going out of phase... No way. They are still the most professional phone and most convenient to type emails/texts with.

 

[naijaboi]

I voted yes because I have one. I bought myself a nexus one as a congratulatory present for a good application cycle. It's great for lifestyle. I can check my emails on the go, have my voicemails transcribed, GPS, etc. But, I don't think that you will absolutely need it for school.

 

[Xcited392]

Blackberry > iPhone

Seriously, how can someone type perfectly on the touch-screen keyboard? It's like you need toothpick-sized fingers!

To answer the OP's question: the average person definitely doesn't "need" a smartphone (unless your job requires an overwhelming amount of communication via e-mail/texts/bbm/etc.). I have one but it's just for fun (checking my e-mail, google maps, web browsing)--it's expensive, but it sure is fun.

 

[Kaustikos]

Blackberry's are not going out of phase... No way. They are still the most professional phone and most convenient to type emails/texts with.

Yeah, seriously. Considering they're always issued by companies and I don't think I've seen one person who uses it for business-related aspects complain about it, I'd say they're fine. Just stop making terrible phones like the Storm 1/2.

I'll say yes, but only if it falls in your budget. Don't get one because everyone else has one.

 

[boaz]

Woawa 90% vote yes. I'm starting to get convinced...I guess it sure beats having to get up and go to a computer every 1/2 hour 😳 .

 

[Zona Pellucida]

Verizon? = Droid Incredible (currently rated better than the iPhone 3G)

AT&T? = iPhone

 

[nshalaby]

get one!!! I work at Best Buy so Ive tested most of them and I can tell you that the iPhone is the BEST phone out there by far (if you like touch screen)....the problem is the coverage from ATT...the droid phones arent my favorites and arent very Mac friendly (if you have a macbook)...i dont like blackberry's but alot of Dr use them...but really i mean get what you want and like...but definitely get one. At some point in time your gonna have to anyways

 

[IndirectHernia]

Do programs like epocrates and other reference programs work for the HTC and other non-BB/iphone smartphones?

 

[addo]

I guess when the time comes when it will actually be advantageous and productive of me of getting a smart phone, then I will do so....until then Ill manage with my $40 phone.

 

[chibrown01]

I've had an iPhone ever since they came out! I love it. And typing is easy. After about a week of texting ur phone kind of 'learns' the way u text.
I have it on the tmobile network bc it's cheaper.

 

[Sesom]

I voted yes because I have an Iphone and it is pretty cool but 3G is waaaay too slow! I would wait for 4G it is suppose to be a tone faster. The first 4G coming out is the Evo from Sprint I think, it will have tethering so you can get a 3mbps + hot spot on the go. Also if you go the Iphone route there should be a new one coming out within the next 3 months. From what I have experienced so far the Iphone is the most user friendly of the smart phones and it is pretty. I would definately say Apple is the company to beat when it comes to smartphones.The new Andriod software is coming out (2.2) and they say it is faster and more shiny. In the past I do not think that it even compared to the Apple OS. Also I hear there is an awesome phone coming out that is going to run android and it has a 14mp camera on it with a 3x zoom. I saw it on gizmodo.com today. it loooked exteemely sweet .

 

[fahimaz7]

You don't need a smart phone for medical school. The email is nice, but not required. After a year, I have never used any of the medical apps that I have downloaded, for anything that we have done in school. Save your money and purchase a laptop.

 

[TexasPhysician]

A smartphone is nice once you start MSIII. MSI - smartphone is useless.

 

[circulus vitios]

Wait a few months. iPhone 4G, Droid 2, Shadow, and Evo 4G are all coming out soon.

 

[repr7840]

I have the HTC Incredible as well, and have already downloaded Epocrates, so yes, it does work for Droid phones... and the Incredible is just fantastic as far as user interface goes, and is significantly sexier than the BB... in my humble opinion 😉

 

[Lacipart]

Defiantly get something. I used to rely on my laptop for all my emails and such, but then I got an ipod touch and, wow, I really don't know how I lived without it. My gripe with smartphones is the data plans are horrendously expensive. Its like what, $70 a month? I mean, you're locked in a 2 year contract with that, thats a little under 2 grand just for the contract. 😱

Buy a iPod touch, you get all the bells and whistles of the high end smart phones. The only difference is you need to be in Wifi...which you probably always are. My roommate gave me a bunch of crap for getting the ipod touch over the iphone, but the only places I ever go are the library (has wifi), the lecture halls (have wifi), and home (has wifi). So tell me again why I should pay $2,000 for a data plan?

Smart phones also burn batteries like no one's business. My brother has a Droid and he has to charge it every single day. If he goes on YouTube for a few minutes he doesn't even make it till the end of the day before he needs to charge it. Nice thing about having an iPod Touch and a cheap standard issue cell phone on the side, is you're phone battery lasts 10 days and you can go on the internet/youtube all you want on your Ipod and not worry about killing your cell phone battery.