Are you keen on specific-purpose devices?

[Tarana]

I like both multipurpose and single purpose. The biggest advantage of the single purpose device is that the battery power lasts. Try going to the ER for 13 hours (you spend most of your time waiting for tests to come back) with a tablet. Mine turned off after about 4 hours. Yes, it drove me nuts. I normally always have my Kindle in my purse for this reason AND I make sure to keep it charged.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by calvin-c

Generally speaking I prefer single-purpose devices because you don't lose (or have to replace) everything when a single device fails. The exception is 'pocket' devices-then I prefer a multi-purpose device because I only have a few pockets & most of those are full with other things. (OTOH my brother likes cargo pants. If I liked those I might carry multiple single-purpose devices even while walking.)

I'll also second QuantumIguana. Multiple single-purpose devices allows you to choose the best device for each purpose.

I'm with this bunch. I love the versatility and convenience of my smartphone, but find that dedicated devices often do the job better.
Even if one device did several things ideally well, having discrete devices gives you flexibility. For example it lets you use them separately. Not just if one part breaks, but say if you want to use two of the functions at once, in different rooms.

[4691mls]

Yes, I have separate devices. Basic flip cell phone, eink reader (don't like reading on LCD). If I ever decide I need internet use when I am out and about, I would probably get a tablet for that purpose.

[caleb72]

I always wanted a supreme multi-purpose device - one device to rule them all...until I got my first Kindle. My smartphone is still many things to me, including an e-reader when appropriate, but I wouldn't replace my Kindle or my laptop with it even if I have replaced my mp3 player and camera (I'm not a serious photographer).

Just on that mp3 player replacement, one of the things that ticks me off about smartphones sometimes is that if the company also makes specialised media devices, I find that the volume coming from the jack isn't as loud as I know they could make it. When I had a simple blackberry, the volume was quite satisfactory. When I got the Galaxy Note, there was a noticeable drop in volume even though I know that Samsung have made media devices based on Android.

It sometimes feels like they market the smartphones as a replacement for everything and then make sure that it's somehow inferior to the specialist device.

Has anyone experienced this with smartphones - eg. iPhone, Samsung etc..?

[AniaR]

If someone ever came up with a multi-purpose device that would be good for all of its purposes as individual dedicated devices are, I would be all for it!! I certainly wouldn't mind a tablet that would be as light and small as my Kindle, let me read on e-paper and play movies on an LCD screen... LOL But for now I have my Kindle, my tablet and my iPod

[theinfamousj]

Originally Posted by calvin-c

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.

I was under the impression that the Note series of phones and tablets had non-user-replaceable batteries.

I carry a spare battery at all times for my Samsung Galaxy S2 and invested in a stand-alone battery charger (I own three batteries in regular rotation), and while I admit that user-replaceable batteries are nifty, they are indicative of a bigger problem: devices require more power than they are equipped with. Unacceptable. The device should have a large enough battery to make it through a full day of average high schooler use (more use that my phone gets) with its on-board battery.

[calvin-c]

Originally Posted by theinfamousj

I was under the impression that the Note series of phones and tablets had non-user-replaceable batteries.

I carry a spare battery at all times for my Samsung Galaxy S2 and invested in a stand-alone battery charger (I own three batteries in regular rotation), and while I admit that user-replaceable batteries are nifty, they are indicative of a bigger problem: devices require more power than they are equipped with. Unacceptable. The device should have a large enough battery to make it through a full day of average high schooler use (more use that my phone gets) with its on-board battery.

Note II at least is user-replaceable. And I disagree, FWIW, about a device needing sufficient power for a full day of use provided the battery is easily replaceable & pocket-sized. BTW, have you seen the ginormous battery that's available for the Note II? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWT-mmVufOw I don't necessarily recommend this but if you want a battery that lasts for a full day of heavy use I think this would do the trick.

[cfrizz]

Originally Posted by calvin-c

Note II at least is user-replaceable. And I disagree, FWIW, about a device needing sufficient power for a full day of use provided the battery is easily replaceable & pocket-sized. BTW, have you seen the ginormous battery that's available for the Note II? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWT-mmVufOw I don't necessarily recommend this but if you want a battery that lasts for a full day of heavy use I think this would do the trick.

Agreed. The Note 2 has plenty of power to last me until I can get home to charge it if I choose. And it is user replaceable.