From Panasonic to Pixels: My Digital Awakening

I received my first smartphone when I was 18 and had just joined college to pursue my BTech in Mechanical Engineering back in 2015. My first phone was made by Panasonic.

The reason I got the phone wasn’t because my friends had one; it was actually a requirement from our class coordinator. We needed to be active on WhatsApp to stay updated with notifications and group discussions.

This wasn’t an uncommon situation, as many of my friends were also getting their first phones around the same time. 

It’s interesting to think about how smartphones have become such an essential part of our lives, especially during significant transitions like starting college. 

Having that phone helped me stay connected with my classmates and manage my academic responsibilities more effectively. Looking back, I can see how that experience shaped my social interactions and learning journey. 

Do I have any memorable experiences or challenges from that time related to my first smartphone? Absolutely!

I installed WhatsApp for the first time and connected with my friends. 

I also installed Instagram for the first time and followed celebrities, artists, and many fellow college mates. 

I got my first SIM card and a personal number. 

Although I was already on Facebook, I installed the Facebook app on my phone and used it. (That's when Jio first launched in India, but I wasn't sure about their schemes, so I didn't buy a Jio SIM card.) 

I told my parents about WhatsApp since it was the first smartphone in my small family. 

I was proud to own my smartphone. 

Later, I even recommended that my dad buy a smartphone, as he loved using it. It was hard for my parents to understand how to use it at first, but slowly they learned how touch screens work, how to call someone, how to answer a call, how to mute a call, and even how to use WhatsApp. 

Many assume that using WhatsApp is easy, but it's not. One has to be very careful while using it, especially when deleting messages, as there is no way to undo that action. Deleting messages on WhatsApp has been a nightmare for many: "Delete for me" — the UI's worst decision to have that option for the sender as well. 

It was a whole new world, and the revelation it brought was immense, introducing a completely new lifestyle. This technology was a milestone for millennials, as smartphones became more accessible and affordable.

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I do own a smartphone, but these days I just use it for payments and watching movies.

I rarely catchup on WhatsApp.

I use less of Instagram.

I am active on Blogger and LinkedIn, but I access both on my laptop.

So what do I do on my "PHONE"?

In 2022 when I started working in publishing industry I actually wanted to switch to using the old phone set. 

I had Nokia in my mind.

I love this type of clickable phone; they have excellent FM capabilities. There are newer versions of these phones that support dual SIM and 5G connectivity.

The experience of using these phones is so enjoyable that modern smartphones still can't quite match it.

However, this doesn't mean that smartphones provide a bad experience. They offer a different feel and enhance the overall functionality of a phone.

The journey of communication, from dial phones to landlines, then to wireless landlines, followed by mobile phones, and now to smartphones, is quite fascinating.

Smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives. They are so integral that the traditional call functionality has evolved into video calls, allowing for more face-to-face communication.

Smartphones are not just for calls and messages; they can also serve as mini-computers. With internet access, they can perform most of the functions of a computer.

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Core Functionality:

1. Calling 
2. Receiving calls
3. Sending messages
4. Receiving messages

What most do on a phone?

1. Making calls: Reach out to friends or family to invite them to an event, congratulate them on an achievement, celebrate a special occasion, share a moment of sadness, or simply have a chat.
2. Receiving calls: Answer calls from loved ones, customer service representatives, or even unexpected calls from telemarketers.
3. Text notifications: Stay informed with messages about bank transactions, such as debits and credits, pending bill payments, disaster alerts, or promotional offers from nearby malls, theaters, and events. Don’t forget the all-important OTP (One-Time Password) for secure transactions.
4. Sending messages: Use quick replies like "I'll call you later" or "I'm busy" to gracefully divert calls when you can’t talk.
5. Calculator use: Utilize the calculator for quick calculations, whether for budgeting, shopping, or any other numerical needs.
6. Social media and apps: Engage with social media platforms and other applications to stay connected, share experiences, and access a variety of services.
7. Cashless payments
8. Googling questions and ideas
9. Listening to music
10. Capturing photographs and videos
11. Sharing moments in life
12. Authentication and OTPs
13. Fidgeting when bored

Basically, smartphones have become an essential part of our lives; they function like a second brain. With AI advancements like Gemini and ChatGPT, they are more personalized than ever.

I often wonder if I’m using my phone to its full potential, as I don’t rely on it much without specific use cases. I find myself using my laptop more, getting deeply involved in my work, studies, blogging, and reading online articles.

Yet, I observe those around me using their smartphones as if they were extensions of their minds. It seems that everything is influenced by mobile phones, with people copying each other and trying to keep up with trends. I see individuals proudly showcasing their expensive phones, which often serve the same basic functions as any other device.

This leads me to ponder: if I’m not fully utilizing the features of my low-budget smartphone, what’s the point of spending money on a pricier model that offers the same capabilities?

Is it that I genuinely have a NEED for a new phone?

Will a more expensive phone bring me greater HAPPINESS?

Will it help me make more FRIENDS?

Will it lead to a better JOB?

Will my new phone cook better FOOD for me?

I question whether the smartphone I use today is truly a necessity or if it’s something that has been ingrained in my mind as essential. Perhaps it’s just another psychological trick to sell more phones.