Smartphone Smart...I Am Borg

A while back I posted about my impression of the current (and growing) trend towards augmenting one's reality with a tiny electronic "significant other" in the form of a little computer called a smartphone. Then as now, I still feel that humanity is losing something and civilization will suffer just a smidge in the nouveau fascination with constant connectivity via smartphones.

So of course, like a hapless Star Trek Universe victim, I've been assimilated to the hive-mind and have gotten myself a modern-day Borg implant.

Seriously though, they really do come in handy. Having a mini computer at the ready at all times is rather like some Star Trekian vision of the far off Utopian future where the realm of augmented reality (computerized assist in analyzing experiences on the fly), universal translators and even to some extent transporters, tricorders and phasers are available in a flash. Oh, yeah. And you can use it as a phone (ST Speak=Communicator) too.*

* "Wait a minute!" you may say. "Transporters, tricorders and phasers? Are you crazy?" Well, think about it...they have GPS aided maps including voice-assisted realtime directions making transportation from one locale to another, even in alien environments, a snap. They provide immediate information via medical and diagnostic apps including support for devices like heartrate monitors, blood sugar testers and nutrition evaluation apps using that funky code thingy...it's like the Voyager's holographic doctor in your pocket, but without the smarmy attitude! And phasers...well, they have panic alarm apps and instant 911 calling so they can help defend you in an emergency. Or you could just throw it at your stalker and it might put out an eye?

And after hemmin' and hawin' over the very timely debate: iPhone or Android, I decided on the "neither" option and went with Windows Phone (Nokia Lumina 520). With its colorful tiles, it looks down right Next Gen anyway, right? The clincher in the deal though? The price. $57. Yup. And no contract. Plan is AT&T Go Phone at $25 a month. Only 250 minutes (which is more than enough for me) but unlimited text. No data, but WiFi is everywhere, and it's free.

You'll have to excuse me now, I'm going to search the app store for more crap I don't really need to load on this thing. I have to be a good Borg drone now, don't I? Don't answer me directly! Text it. I don't care if you're only a foot away. Text it. "That's better." I'll text you back...

Resistance is Futile!