Could you live only on…..

Question!

Could you live daily, only on your smartphone, if push came to shove? Or, you were literally stuck on an island with only it?

Me: Possibly

Web browsing it would be ok, but very frustrating. Especially, needing to pinch to zoom for many things. Also, having to use mobile friendly websites.

Videos, it would be alright, especially with my nearly 6 inch display. I could output videos to a second display through USB- C or Miracast.

Gaming: There are lot of fun, well rounded games like Fallout Shelter, Angry Birds, and even a ported Gran Theft Auto Vice City. You can use a controller to play them. However, gaming on a phone, is not nearly as great, as a laptop, desktop or console.

Word Processing, PowerPoint, and Excel: With a Bluetooth keyboard, it would be ok. It would definitely be a far cry from using my Windows laptop and desktop.

Video Editing and photo editing: There are simple photo and video editing apps, but are woefully inadequate. They are not nearly as feature rich or powerful as premiere or photoshop.

Other professional work like web design: Not possible, unless there was a powerful web design app, equalivilant to Dreamweaver.

Conversation 10 comments

  • Paul Thurrott

    Premium Member
    29 January, 2018 - 10:17 am

    <p>I couldn't. If I were literally stuck with only one device on a desert island, I'd choose a PC.</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      29 January, 2018 - 10:50 am

      <blockquote><a href="#241239"><em>In reply to paul-thurrott:</em></a></blockquote><p>To sort of further this, phones are popular today because they are mobile. If you're stuck on a desert island, that is no longer a need, and the phone's issues—small screen, no keyboard—become liabilities. </p>

  • wunderbar

    Premium Member
    29 January, 2018 - 10:28 am

    <p>I couldn't in a professional context. My work requires the use of a proper PC.</p><p><br></p><p>But outside of work context: yes, absolutely. And most people already can, and largely do.</p><p><br></p><p>Most of the things you listed above are not something that most people do outside of work. there might be the occasional casual game, or running a photo through a filter, but other than that the average person really doesn't do many of the other things.</p>

  • RealDarrenCohen

    29 January, 2018 - 10:33 am

    <p>It would not be easy, but it is doable. If I could use a bluetooth keyboard and a remote access app (server admin) I could prob get away with it.</p><p><br></p><p>I do have Note 8, is Dex allowed with attachments? </p>

  • PincasX

    29 January, 2018 - 11:05 am

    <p>What kind of Island are we talking here? Is it tropical with nice beaches? If so then I'm ditching all technology and hanging on the beach. </p>

  • wright_is

    Premium Member
    29 January, 2018 - 11:08 am

    <p>No.</p><p>I have a Nexus 5x, which will be replaced by a Huawei Mate 10 Pro (6.1"). The screen is too small for me – I am used to either 3 x 24" FullHD or 34" 3880×1440 displays with multiple windows and a proper keyboard.</p><p>For on-the-move quick messages with WhatsApp or SMS, the smartphone is fine. Reading emails is more painful, but doable, at least to ascertain whether I need to respond immediately or whether I can read it in comfort when I get to a "real" screen.</p><p>Likewise, listening to audiobooks / podcasts on the go, great.</p><p>Quickly checking a website for information in an emergency, yep. Non-emergency? I'll wait until I can get to a "real" screen.</p><p>Camera? OK in an emergency, but I prefer to use my DSLR or system camera. It is good for quickly photographing documents or serial numbers etc. of equipment in the server room for logging support tickets when I'm back at my desk.</p><p>Watching video? I'll wait until I can get to a "real" screen.</p>

  • Oasis

    Premium Member
    29 January, 2018 - 12:11 pm

    <p> First I would have to buy one, and NO, if it doesn't have a 24" screen it is too small. I don't even like using laptops(15.6") So, a small screen is out of the question. </p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      30 January, 2018 - 2:19 am

      <blockquote><a href="#241283"><em>In reply to Oasis:</em></a></blockquote><p>I have a company laptop, a ThinkPad L470. The screen is okay if I have to use it when out and about, but it spends 99% of its time attached to a 34" display.</p>

  • hrlngrv

    Premium Member
    29 January, 2018 - 4:17 pm

    <p>Nope. Certainly not at work. For leisure? Not happily.</p>

  • Clarkb

    Premium Member
    30 January, 2018 - 2:33 am

    <p>"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">literally stuck on an island with only it? " Not thinking there'd be a lot of web-browsing going on… cause, if there was connectivity, then you could Skype someone… wait… never mind, we're talking life or death dependability of communications, so scratch that, you could email someone, to get you off the island. </span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"><span class="ql-cursor"></span>So… I'll take a laptop, so I could chronical my life as a castaway, get a huge book deal on my return, then sell the movie rights. Or, post chapters of it on a web site and rake in the advertising $$. You know, like Thurrott.com.</span></p>

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