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?
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.
Ideally, I’d love to cap at two devices, and one widget.
Device #1: Computer. Something ultralight, with a decent touch-typing capable keyboard.
Device #2: Ubiquitous mobile access/media device. Something pocketable that I can use as a phone, media player, web browser, camera, email device, and day planner. Basically, a smartphone with gobs of storage.
Widget: External battery, just in case. The pocketable gadget will NEVER have enough battery life for my needs, because whenever battery life improves, so does functionality, and I end up using the device even more often.
In reality, I’ve ended up with a nastier loadout:
1) Sony UX for portable web browsing, email, etc. Anything shy of a full blown desktop browser just tends to suck, and I’m looking squarely over at the Nokia Internet Tablets.
2) Sony TX for input-heavy computing. I’ll happily use an ultralight over a handheld for composing longer emails.
3) iPod nano. It’s enough iPod for *me,* dammit.
4) Blackberry. Great for carrying Exchange, which is my lifeblood, but it’s got a shit camera, shit media player, shit storage capacity, and I don’t even have a word in English for the web browser.
5) Cradlepoint CTR-350. Not really a necessity, but 3G is a pain to set up on each system, what with the connection management software.
6) 881U HSDPA aircard. Works on everything, targeted at the Cradlepoint.
7) 4xAA battery pack. For the CTR-350.
I could *probably* get away with an Eee 90x, an iPhone 3G with Jailbroken internet sharing, and a backup battery pack. Probably.
I’ll be touching on this in the next Mobile Tech Manor feature as Kevin teases.
>>>Eee 90x
No, don’t do that to your fingers! Really, the 1000H loves your fingers long time!
http://mikecane2008.wordpress.com/2008/08/02/fondle-asus-eeepc-1000-jr/
(Note: Your fingers, not mine, alas!)
Did you ever suck it up and buy an Eee, or the like, Mike? Or are you still just fondling them in the stores?
P1620 – Main productivity machine
Palm Treo 800w – underworked smartphone
SanDisk Sansa e260 – for use with the Rhapsody subscription I have
Rarely taken out of the closet:
Apple MacBook
HP TC1100
RIM Blackberry Curve 8320
…and of course the desktop: a custom-built media vault. There was a time when I was bouncing between all of them. I suppose part of the issue was that when I tried to sell them, I’d always run into some sort of trouble. At one point I guess I kind of gave up. Frankly, I think the P1620 is a little overkill for me…
Two devices is too many for me. When I go out anywhere, all I’ve got on me in my keys, my wallet, and my trusty iPhone 3G. There’s nothing that I commonly need to do on the go which my iPhone can’t cover until I’m back at my desk. If I’m headed off to class I’ll bring my TC1100 with me (soon to be an X200 Tablet, whenever that comes out…). However, I really think that the fewer gadgets the better.
Hey Stuart,
I don’t think we mean that we’re lugging all of these devices with us all the time. I know I don’t.
For me, the only thing that I, for sure, always have on me is my smartphone. The rest is on an “as needed” basis.
1) Mac mini (home office computer)
2) MacBook Air (primary computer)
3) Nokia N95-3 (voice, text, camera)
4) iPhone 3G (email, web, navigation, music)
I also generally carry whatever phone I’m currently reviewing (Nokia E66 right now), and sometimes a Nokia N810 (blog, IM).
I also keep a netbook/UMPC of some kind around, like my Vulcan Flipstart (which is currently eclipsed by the Asus Eee 901 I’m currently playing with).
At work I use a powerhouse quad-core/RAID PC desktop with dual monitors.
1 Motion M1400
2.Palm Treo 650
3.Dell d620 laptop for work
3a. Blackberry for work
4.HP Dual core Desktop for heavy computing at home
5. Nokia N800 for Couch/Bedside Websurfing
In the closet – Various other stuff that I got cheap or was given to me to play with
1 Motion M1400
2.Palm Treo 650
3.Dell d620 laptop for work
3a. Blackberry for work
4.HP Dual core Desktop for heavy computing at home
5. Nokia N800 for Couch/Bedside Websurfing
In the closet – Various other stuff that I got cheap or was given to me to play with
>>>Or are you still just fondling them in the stores?
The Asus 1000H fondle taught me not to settle for the smaller KBs, since the difference in unit size isn’t a killer (altho the hp 2133’s *weight is* — the 1000 is lighter). So, I’m waiting to get my fingers on the MSI Wind. J&R said they got it in, but I haven’t been able to get there yet. Maybe this weekend.
For me it is:
1) Dell Latitude XT: main workhorse machine for everything I do at work.
2) iPhone (had the 2G; just got the 3G): hope to get software for thethering to my XT
3) Sprint Mobile Broadband express card (for everywhere internet access).
4) iPod, 80 GB
I therefore adhere to Mike Cane’s 4-device “law”
Mike,
If you’ll remember, that’s what I was telling you a couple months back. When I switched to the 2133 from the Eee, the keyboard is what was the deciding factor. The Eee was killing my wrists and forearms.
I think a lot of people don’t realize the physical toll these tiny keyboards can take.
New setup as of this week…
Dell XPS M1330 (Penryn 2.5 4Gig (3.6 whatever usabe with 32bit) Ram 320 GB HD Vista Ultimate) moved to this from Macbook – LOVE IT
Sprint Mogul WM 6.1 loaded with TomTom 6.0 with GPS viewer to utilize internal GPS chip.
Ipod Classic 160GB (primarily used in car with aux jack)
Dell Axim X51V (don’t know why I still have this)
BlueAnt Supertooth Speakerphone in Car.
I am starting to really love Live Mesh –
I guess I am becoming a Microsft fanboy again.
Mac has been passed on to the kids
For me, its all relatively simple.
In the office at home, 24″ iMac 3.06Ghz which runs everything I need, both OSX and Windows XP.
On the road, and I’ve been through a few setups here, but this is by far the latest and the best.
HP Mini Note 2133 – Windows XP
Microsoft Wireless Presenter Mouse (Bluetooth – no dongle!)
3G Express Card Modem (one of the main reasons for choosing the MiniNote was the express card slot)
I Sync my working data set via a 8G SD Card in the mini note, and carry just a small USB card reader should I need to transfer data between machines, I also use my mobile me account (working fine now!) to sync all contacts and data.
My iPhone does everything else, music player, phone, mobile internet, email etc. I also have it charging from the mini note, so battery life is rarely a problem, though I do have a Sony Ericsson w990i feature phone in my bag just in case!
All of this mobile stuff packs into my Waterfield Hardcase, again for me this is the perfect bag, big enough for all the kit, but light and no excess baggage.
It took me nearly a year to get to this perfect (for me!) setup, I’ve bought and sold many devices on the way, but I should be settling on this now.
Well that 16G 3G iphone looks tempting …..
I have been slimming down a bit but just a bit;
15″ MacBook Pro for my personal laptop
15″ Dell Latitude D830 for my office laptop
..yes I often travel with both of them
I could probably go entirely Mac and set up entourage and a VPN client etc, but I have not dedicated the effort to that.
iPhone 3G
I now usually leave the Samsung Q1 UMPC at home or with my son, I almost never carry a GPS like my Garmin or the TomTom flavored iPaq that I have, unless its a long road trip.
iBook G4- home laptop
Q1b – mobile laptop
iPod 80GB – music/audiobooks
Palm Tungsten E2 – ebooks, expenses, calendar
Blackberry curve – phone, ebooks, mp3s.
I agree that there doesn’t seem to be a device out there that “does everything” well enough to negate having individual devices for specific purposes.
Also, I like my phone to have most of it’s battery available for phone calls, so I try not to use the extra features much.
The Palm is starting to feel like the “book” that I carry around for reading, and it happens to have a little extra functionality on top.
It’s totally up to you how you use a device, in the same way that a pianist decides what style of music they are going to play on their piano. Just because it *can* edit excel documents, doesn’t mean you *have* to do that…
Thinkpad X41 Laptop – Lightweight, long battery life (8 cell), small laptop.
iPhone – Quickly check gmail, web, ipod and calls.
Old School iPod Shuffle – Small. No cable required. Simple buttons. Charges via USB. Use it for workouts and runs.
C2D HP Media Center – Home workhorse PC. Hooked up to HDTV and monitor. On all the time. RDP via Hamachi. Raid 1+0.