Smart tab + dumb phone = future of the smartphone?

digitalnirvana

As the topic title says, I am asking if increasingly with the launch of bigger and bigger smartphones and "phablets", has the time come for us to switch to combination of a *smart tablet* and a *dumb phone* instead of carrying a smartphone AND a tablet?

• Cheaper

• use your data plan only on your 3G + wifi 7" or 10" tablet, avoid double data bills on tablet and phone
• dumb phones are cheap to buy and maintain

• Easier

• a tablet is easier to use than a smartphone - bigger screen, better hardware - better user experience
• maintain all your data and use it on-the-go on one device (after all, convergence is the key!), no headache of keeping 2 (or more) devices synced
• Our good old Nokia phones were rock solid as only phones! No need to charge everyday, no need to worry about touchscreens getting scratched, no worry about dropping them! They worked great without pampering - something we cannot imagine with smartphones

Already in countries like the USA where wifi is everywhere and free, this trend is beginning to start. A quick google search shows many articles >> http://bit.ly/TQvfqU.

Opinions?!

Cina

And while we're at it, let's merge MP3 players and phones into a singular dev... no, no, that's just crazy talk, don't mind me.

Mr Anderson

I'll just stick with my S3 and laptop thanks.

digitalnirvana

^
It's called the iphone Cina. ipod + phone! With that, I'm off to the android thread...

ciderman9000000

Load of shit.

Cina

Oh suuure, what next, the i - pad, fuck sake man, get a grip.

digitalnirvana

Yeah, tbf this is more of a problem for those with a tablet plus a smartphone #firstworldproblems

ciderman9000000

How is carrying two devices, one which is too big to even fit in your pocket, more practical than having an S3 or an iPhone?

ciderman9000000

Sell the tablet, it's clearly unnecessary.

digitalnirvana

Why? Some tech editors are thinking along similar lines...if it's ridiculous let's debate

I heard they're doing an ipad mini too

Eboue

I've got a dumb phone, the one that came free when I renewed my plan. I've got an iPod touch and I have wifi pretty much everywhere I could want it except for on the bus. And there's no way I could justify paying those prices just to have it on the bus or in a car or wherever.

digitalnirvana

The phablets with 5" screens e.g. the Note or Note 2 are also too big to carry around...the point was more about having 2 smart devices or having 1?

For many, the tablet offers more screen real estate and is a productivity tool. While they also continue to have a smartphone.

I'm not talking about me. I've got 2 smartphones and use both. Don't have a tablet (bought one but gifted it).

ciderman9000000

They fit in your pocket.

It's all gonna be a moot point when phones with folding out screens are released anyway. I don't know anybody who carries a tablet and a smart-phone around with them so this isn't really my area of expertise.

digitalnirvana

Well, that's true.

And it's not my area of expertise either (I don't carry a tablet), I just read it on Google as an emerging trend and thought why not discuss this on redcafe!

Colin129

This sounds like fancy sales brochure or marketing seminar speak.

Are you...................................a foreigner?

If it's got a bigger screen just say so, eh?

digitalnirvana

I'm just inspired by the Monster thread.

Jonno

No, because simple things like wanting to use Spotify in the gym on my phone, wanting to take pictures when on a night out, on my phone, wanting to update facebook, twitter whilst out and about. None of these would be possible, I dont carry my iPad around with me everywhere I go, just at times when I may want it specifically.

I do see what you're saying though, I pay for 3G on both devices, which is quite often pointless, but its about ease.

rcoobc

Dumbphone + laptop is a lot easier for me than a smartphone at the moment.

My Dumb phone has a weeks worth of battery, a fantastic camera, a flash light, loads of memory for messages, etc. My laptop has free applications, a keyboard, etc.

I have no need for a smart phone right now. If I spent hours out and about every day it would be different, I'd probably want an Iphone. Or if I was sat on a train for hours every day I'd want a netbook (not an ipad because I'd want to program)

Vato1979

I don't have a smartphone or a tablet. That's how old-school*I am.

*poor

peterstorey

I don't get the tablet thing I've got smartphone for out, laptop if need be, and desktop for work.

amolbhatia100

It's a flashy toy, really. It does some things really well but it's not very good practically. It doesn't extinguish the need for any of those devices you mention.

Grinner

Is my Sony Clie worth anything to anyone?

Wibble

Except people love their smart phones so most likely they will have both. I do and carry both most of the time but just the iPhone when driving (mounted of course) and other times when carrying the pad is inconvenient.

Pexbo

Grab yourself a nice manbag and you'll have no trouble lugging your tablet around.

Wibble

I prefer to be manly and drop it all the time.

botond

my uncle does this , uses a nokia 8800 and the new ipad
when were on road trip , his phone battery lasts longer then mine and he can browse better then me on my htc hd

Dave89

Didn't they invent the reverse a while ago? A smart-phone that you docked into a dumb tablet?

Dave89

Bingo http://www.gizmag.com/asus-padfone-2/24577/