One Week Without The iPhone

In September 2007, I acquired the first generation iPhone from a former co-worker. After a month of ownership I was so moved by how this little device affected my life that I decided to write a three-part-series about my experience. At that time, my opinion was that the iPhone was an irreplaceable device. Fast forward almost a year and you’ll find that I no longer own an iPhone.

Wait? Where Did Your iPhone Go?

Thanks to a wonderful site, Craigslist (More on them in a future article) I sold my iPhone to a nearby entrepreneur for $200. If I knew then what I know now, I should have demanded a much higher price tag. You see, because of my successful sale a co-worker promptly sold his for $325 and received offers tipping the scales at $400. I’m still befuddled by this, but I can’t complain. I sold my iPhone for what I thought it was worth and it’s new owner seems incredibly eager to play with his new gadget.

So Why Did You Sell It

I decided that the iPhone was too much for me. It provided too many distractions in my everyday life and am now happily using a more basic phone, the Nokia 6120. My iPhone was actually viewed with so much distain by loved ones that it became unaffectionately nicknamed Natasha - My Mistress.

I’m Not Buying That. What’s The Real Reason?

If you actually believe that I would give up my iPhone for a lesser phone then you haven’t been following this blog closely (the Natasha nickname is true, however). I’m a self-proclaimed techno-nut with an overflowing closet of technological goodies. I sold my first generation iPhone to make room for it’s successor.

On July 11, 2008, Apple opened it’s doors around the World (in 21 countries to be exact) to throngs of Apple FanBoys, all eager to get their hands on Apple’s newest product: the iPhone 3G. Possessing neither the time nor desire to stand in these long lines, I have decided to try my luck as the week progresses. In the meantime, I really am using a Nokia 6120 to make phone calls, and am nowhere near as happy as I previously eluded.

How Has The Lack Of An iPhone Impacted Your Daily Life

I feel disconnected. I miss my marimba ringtone. I find myself stopping at ATMs just to get my touchscreen fix. I can’t wait to return to my “normal” technology-filled lifestyle.

As an Internet Entrepreneur, I rely largely upon the Web to keep me plugged into the World around me, and am frequently “checking in” via my iPhone to see what’s developing. The majority of my World news came from Social Media sites like Twitter and it’s expansive community, but I am back to checking CNN, Engadget, Techmeme, and TUAW from my computer to stay in the know. My involvement in Social Media sites has dropped off drastically, as I used to only participate in them from my iPhone.

Lack of Internet activity is just the tip of the iceberg. I used to use the iPhone to take notes, compile wish-lists, and look up random things that popped into my head that would otherwise go unanswered. It had become my technological security blanket and I can’t wait to get that back! I had 8 email accounts setup on my old iPhone and now I’m limited to accessing only 1 of my accounts for 75% of the day.

In addition, the iPhone doesn’t store your address book on the SIM card. So transitioning to my Nokia was even more of a pain than initially anticipated. In my geeky snobberish ways I am refusing to spend the time it would take to input my address book into this phone, plus I don’t want to concede to the fact that I may actually have to use this phone for more than a week. I have a total of 5 numbers memorized, and if you’re not one of them, then there’s a really good chance that you won’t receive a call from me this week.

The Wrap Up

Being without my iPhone has me flabbergasted at how little I had access to before. It’s impact on my life is felt many times through out the day. Sadly, I may actually have to give in and stand in a line for my new iPhone with the rest of the eager public. I’m tired of feeling like an addict going cold turkey in recovery…I need my fix!