At what point will you consider your smartphone to be your primary computing device?

My smartphone will probably continue to be an amazingly useful tool for backup in my mobile mode. in terms of time, when simple communications - voice and otherwise - are considered, it will command a big chunk of time.

But, for serious work content - not to mention sheer readability and useful, functional access to data and files - the device will likely remain frustratingly limited. And, time is not the measure of "primary" to me, content is.

Others' priorities and roles may be different, but the smartphone will not ever be my primary device - and may become more cumbersome, and therefor less useful if too much (limited) functionality gets crammed into it.

Never. It is the "quick and short" piece of my technology arsenal. The need for workspace is a given. But this brings to mind what I like to call "microwave society". I think it is dangerous path for us to go down as a society where we don't put in the time to do the job properly. My one big issue with social media and smartphones is that it encourages shortcuts and lack of thinking. I am not saying there isn't a place for this - but I am seeing an alarming trend in the fresh new faces to rely on the short term solution.

My short anwser to this question is NEVER. While smartphones can do a lot of amazing things. Thinking that they can replace a tradiitional PC is a mistake I seen companies have made over the last ten years. Which is not understanding that any mobile device is only part of your over all IT system. That system is supported by your Database, Security, and CRM systems. And I have yest to see a mobile application that can do the same thing a full blown system can do. At most a smartphone app can do interface with a network app and make small changes. Not system wide changes nor can they develop new changes to the network that can only b done with a full network app. I know that many companies that have had the mistaken belief that smartphone can replace all of the PC have found out to their horror that this will never happen. When the device is lost or stolen and there was no network backup. So if you are thinking that it would be cool to become all smartphones beware.

Never!

When will I consider my smartphone my primary computing device? Just as soon as I can get 240 square inches of fast display, the equivalent of a 4 core Phenom or i7 processor, 5 TB of data and 16 GB of ram with 10 day battery life and universal recharging. Oh, yes, and it has to fit in my belt holster without making me lean way over.

Since I can do this on a desktop (such a laptop would be too pricey, the battery technology is not up to 24/7 running without charging) plugged into a UPS, I believe it WILL be possible, even if it isn't today. Today such a system can be built for a grand or two but it won't fit in my belt holster and I would be likely to walk funny 8^P

I still don't have a smartphone, and I'm as organized and efficient as ever. I don't want to feel tethered, and being able to go out with my husband and even sleep at night without one next to my bed is heaven. I think I have more of a balance with my regular cell phone.

With the exception of a need for larger screen for many applications and a tactile keyboard for rapid data entry, my iPhone is almost there now. I coordinate data between my office computer, my home computer and my phone with a variety of apps. Pinboard & Delicious keep my bookmarks the same on everything, Mint keeps my personal finances up to date on all, Evernote is my filing system and data sharing that bridges all devices instantly, and of course there's the email, social networks, etc already mentioned. Frankly you can never overcome the keyboard & monitor problem, and if you start carrying a foldable keyboard & a compatible tablet, you may as well carry a laptop. Other than that, we're closer than most people think. I can sign a document, scan it with an iPhone app into a PDF, share it with others in the cloud or email or fax it, without leaving my car. Who would have predicted that even 5 years ago?

On my desktop or laptop I typically have multiple browsers open each with multiple tabs. Also, I might be doing some Photoshop work or spreadsheet work. This is not easily replicated on a small screen of smartphone. For this reason hard to see smartphone becoming primary computing device. But, in terms of share of time, the smart phone can easily become the primary device. Smartphone being on hand during most waking hours can easily become the primary device for email, weather, traffic, yellow page, scores, etc.

I think it's the future. A smartphone with access to a docking device is all people need. Carry your computer in your pocket. Upload to the cloud. Think of a cell phone ten years ago and compare it to a smartphone of today, then jump ahead ten years into the future and you can see my point.

@Mike, "Once more robust, meaning more full-function productivity app(lication)s are available more dependency will skew to the smartphone." I agree in principle but the user interface from a smartphone in the foreseeable future seems to be a limitation. I have seen presentations on projectable touch screens, and glasses to give a heads up display, but those things are far from working well for mass market.

Smart phones are very useful, especial if you are mobile, and are great connectors.

If, like me, you do a lot of computing, extracting data, performing statistical analysis, reconstructing data, operating with several tabs at one time and you hate squinting at small screens you will probably do as much as possible on your PC/laptop.

I love my iPhone for what it is, but primary device? Unlikely. Screen is too small, connection is too slow. iPad, maybe; smartphone, no. I love my iPad, but without a tactile keyboard, touch-typing is, literally, non-existent. Once you attach a keyboard, it's no longer a mobile device but a clunky kluge, for which a laptop is a better solution. The instant-on nature of iPad (vs. laptop boot-up) makes it ideal for checking email, getting directions, making a reservation, etc. But unless I have the dock with me (a cumbersome prospect) it's a stopgap until I get to my MacBook or home to my iMac.

I think it depends on who you are asking this question. For personal use of checking email, accessing social networks, posting on YouTube or Twitter, and text messaging, the cell phone has for all practical purposes already become the replacement.

I see the smart phone, tablet PC, and notebook PC merging into a mobile appliance that, when combined with cloud computing, will serve the functions of the PC for most users.

Software developers, gaming enthusiasts, etc will always need the high end PCs.

Never. Smart phones are devices designed to connect people but, in fact, keep us disconnected. I was having dinner at a restaurant bar recently and noticed that all the other patrons sitting at the bar were on their smart phones. Where a few years ago, patrons would have engaged in friendly conversation with one another, that opportunity is lost now. I opt to keep my computing device securely in my office, my mobile phone stays either in my car or in my purse out of site, and I focus instead in / on the moment.

Flawed question. It doesn't take into consideration the different roles that we play (see Adam Smith, the Wealth of Nations and the division of labor, 1776). If I am a mobile salesperson, dependent on social interactions and lightweight access to data, then a smartphone probably already is my primary computing device. If I am a graphic artist, then it never will be.

There is no universal everything fixit widget. It requires an adapter.

As with most answers: It depends on the level of detail and decision making you have to do. For upper middle management, the smart phone can actually become the single most computing tool you need. At this level, most of the functions are coordinating work teams and quickly reviewing contracts and processes.
Productivity Apps: The smart phones now come with several business Apps that make it easier to complete tasks on the go. For instance, you can use your smartphone with OneNote to record meetings and link them up to online suites such as OfficeLive for your team to review.
Communication: It is much easier to check emails from several email clients in less than the time it takes to login to your computer and sign into your preferred email client.
Collaboration: Smart phones are getting much faster and as a result, you can use it to collaboratively review information on-the-go. You can review sales graphs and other useful information.

NEVER. Small, limiting, slow, not secure enough for some uses.

For me - next year. For most everyone else - in the next 3-5 years. There are four key elements: 1. processing power, 2. applications, 3. screens, and 4. input. The mobile device itself will serve purposes 1 & 2 (and 3) and you will be able just to plug into different size screens + input devices wherever you are (work, home, airplane, hotel, etc.). You will have the ability to input via voice, keyboard, mouse, and tablet/drawing (and something else??). My set-up next year will be a "mostly mobile" scenario: I will carry a Galaxy Note with me as my primary computer, which has a big enough screen for most things (+a Stowaway BT keyboard which is also pocketable), and hook into a monitor + keyboard/mouse inputs both at work and at home. Because the technology/apps aren't 100% there yet, I will remote desktop at high resolution when necessary into a computer at home (Mac) that has all of the more specialized apps I may need that are not yet available for mobile devices. Otherwise I will use apps and Web services (like Google Docs, etc.) for the majority of what I need to do.

When I can do every aspect of my work on a phone and it is convenient, then I'll naturally use that instead of a laptop of desktop. But I can't right now and don't envisage a time in the near future when I'll be able to. Its documents really that never seem to work out and the size is always the limiting factor.

I love my smartphone, but the answer here is "Never". The smartphone, although is much more powerful than many desktop devices out there, is and always will be an accessory for use whilst mobile. The interface is way too small to make it your main device and how many times have you lost your phone?

The smartphone will become my primary computing device when it comes with 23-inch display and full-size keyboard and fast, unlimited storage. :-)

Al Shultz
www.alshultz.com

Great answers everyone! I very much appreciate each and every perspective.The one universal anecdotal comment that I get from everyone I encounter when I ask them "could you imagine surrendering your smartphone?" the answer is a unanimous "No!". We have much to look forward to over these next few years to observe, and experience, a whole lot more from them.

I guess not too far from today.

I remember when I first got computer at my home, around 12 years back. It had 8MB RAM and 640MB Harddisk. It had a classic "Turbo" button :)

Need not to mention, today my blackberry is ten times smarter than that. Technology always evolves around how it is used among masses. It is always easier to carry light cellphones over heavy laptops. There is no reason smartphone wouldn't replace computers in near future. This is how the evolution works in modern technology era.

In past few years, amazing advancement in cloud technologies would definitely facilitate this process. And rest is done by web already :)

Thanks for your answer Howard. I will say, however, that it is myopic. Progress in the world is not based on what is, but on what can be. Your answer certainly encompassed the enterprise world and its concerns, but the majority of people don't exist is the enterprise world. Most people have no IT department, whose concerns are legitimate of course, but not where individuals are concerned. Nobody needed anything more than an MP3 player either until the iPod came out.

I agree that there are more and more devices that are at our disposal today than ever before, and all have their place and function. But try taking away a smartphone from someone - ain't gonna happen. There is no single variable that determines the reason I choose one over the other. I have many tools in my toolbox, and for 24/7 on-demand ability nothing beats the smartphone. It already is to some, and will be to others over time, their primary device. As a result, more and more applications with robust functionality will be demanded for them.

Thanks Rob. Yes, as mentioned previously we are today a multi-device culture, at least in economically robust countries. Having said that, economically deficient countries do not have this luxury. From that standpoint then it is economically determined. Further, regardless of the economic condition, it is base on what your primary need is: For Photoshop, sure, the desktop is best. The mass market however does not use nor need Photoshop and other similar products. For those who are primarily relationship-centric, and whose business revolves around that, the smartphone represents the best (primary) device because of its 24/7 accessibility.

Consequently, there will be increasing demand for more than just simple apps as you present them, useful as they are. Once more robust, meaning more full-function productivity app(lication)s are available more dependency will skew to the smartphone.

Thanks Art. The world is a big place with all sorts of needs. Agree, to you, "time" does not determine priority. To others, though, "convenience" (which can save time, our most valuable asset that can't be delayed nor recaptured) could make it so.

Appreciate the time you and others have taken to reply. Maybe another way to ask this question is: Would you be willing to give up your smartphone before any other device?