Are you keen on specific-purpose devices?

[DaveinJapan]

I'd prefer to have just one device, but until they figure out that graphene thing so monitors can be resized on the fly, they just ain't there yet.

Soon they will be, though.

[elemenoP]

Yes, I love them! I have an e-ink Kindle, an iPod Classic (no worries about filling it up EVER), two different cameras for different purposes (a pocket point and shoot -- NO I don't want to use my phone for that -- and a hefty DSLR). Each of these has advantages over my iPhone for their own purposes. Also, think of the battery life on the Kindle and the iPod Classic, measured in weeks and not hours.

I hope companies continue to make these unitasking gadgets for a long time.

eP

[DrNefario]

Multi-function devices are always a compromise, so it depends how much the function means to you. If you're a keen photographer, you're going to have a separate camera. If not, then a phone camera will probably do. As a keen reader, I like to have a dedicated reader (or three). Reading is important enough to me that I don't want the compromise solution of a tablet or phone. Although I'll still use both if I need to, just as the photographer will still take phone snaps if it's all they have with them.

In reality, the phone part of a smartphone is one of the least useful to me. In fact I currently use an iPod Touch, which doesn't have a phone part, and have a separate old-school Nokia phone which is hardly ever switched on. The wifi, audio and app capabilities are more important to me, although I would kind of like to have a proper mobile internet connection some day soon.

[BeccaPrice]

In general, I like the idea of multi-purpose units, except that I find myself using my iPod for music and audiobooks, and my Kindle for reading. I really don't like reading on my phone, and the phone doesn't have the battery life that my single-purpose units do. My phone needs to be recharged at least every other day, and I charge my kindle and iPod maybe once a month.

[Ekaros]

My laptop is a portable laptop. My desktop is a powerful desktop with large screen.

My ereader is ereader. And my smartphone is a smartphone...

Though I might accept combining smartphone and reader, though I'm not sure if there would be rigidness for one hand use...

From these the smartphone is multi-use device and so is desktop. Still different areas for both.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by BeccaPrice

In general, I like the idea of multi-purpose units, except that I find myself using my iPod for music and audiobooks, and my Kindle for reading. I really don't like reading on my phone, and the phone doesn't have the battery life that my single-purpose units do. My phone needs to be recharged at least every other day, and I charge my kindle and iPod maybe once a month.

I think you're the first one who's mentioned battery life. That was also what I thought of as a drawback with multipurpose devices.

[cfrizz]

While I truly didn't need a smartphone, I finally got my Note 2 just so that I could consolidate down to one device.

I get very good battery life since I keep the phone in airplane mode most of the time, but it's nice to know that I have it with me when I want to make a call. To take care of the battery I keep a charger at work, and a few at home. Once I get home I promptly put it on the charger until the following morning. I really don't see what the big deal is there, that's what chargers are for.

My Note 2 mostly gets used for reading, with every once and a while playing a game.

For me it all comes down to being flexible. I won't lock myself into just doing things one way without being willing to change MY behavior to something that can work just as well.

So I have four different devices, all of which can satisfy my desire and ability to read, and three of them can do other stuff as well if I so choose to utilize them in those capacities.

[NickyWithNook]

When I got my first iPad, it was because I wanted an e-reader but thought it would be better to get a multipurpose device, but I find that they don't work for me when reading books as well as an eink e-reader. I like the idea of one device that does everything, but that hasn't worked in reality for me so far.

[Tizzalicious]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

I prefer specific purpose devices. I like that my phone can serve as a substitute for other things in a pinch, but it could never replace those other things (my camera, my ereader, my iPod, etc).

Exactly this.

I used to read on my iPad, but it was not all that nice on my eyes. I definitely prefer using my e-reader to read on.

[theducks]

Dedicated for regular use.
My phone is just above basic, Has a camera and a browser but both are snail slow to activate.
My PEz for reading (besides the batter lasts for WEEKS)
My TAB for browsing and color documents and tunes
A Sansa clip+ for Audiobooks
My Melita for Coffee

[DiapDealer]

I'm keen on both (maybe not a smartphone per se, but a multipurpose device just the same).

Though admittedly ... my homework days are long gone.

[BeccaPrice]

I sleep with headphones on, and my ipod attached - I use the sleep timer to turn the ipod off after a certain length of time. The audible app on my phone doesn't have a sleep timer, so I can't use it for that, so I use the iPod. I prefer to read on my kindle paperwhite rather than my phone, for various reasons - so one multipurpose device doesn't fit my needs.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by BeccaPrice

The audible app on my phone doesn't have a sleep timer, so I can't use it for that, so I use the iPod.

The latest apps for Android (v1.5.2) and iOS (v2.0.7) have sleep timers. Which version are you using?

I prefer specific purpose devices, but a general purpose computer.

That is to say that I'll pay for a specific device if it is for something that I care about, but I also want a computer that will do anything that I ask of it.

[calvin-c]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I think you're the first one who's mentioned battery life. That was also what I thought of as a drawback with multipurpose devices.

Why? I read on my phone (Samsung Note II) 8-10 hrs some days. No problems with battery life-because I always carry a spare battery or 2. Lots, lots easier than carrying a second device plus it doesn't matter whether I'm reading or talking for that 8-10 hrs, the batteries support both.