OPINION AND EDITORIAL Blackberries: Boon or Bust? Pro: Technology absolutely loves excess Andrew Sztein Like a well-known insurance commercial tells us, “life comes at you fast.” Isn’t it nice to have a portable device that helps you keep up with the furious pace of our day to day world? Blackberrys and other devices of the same ilk make life easier and more convenient than ever before, all without being chained to a desk or a computer. With these wonderful devices you can check your e-mail, surf the internet, make phone calls, listen to music, take pictures, play games, and essentially become more productive. All thanks to a handy little device that fits into your pocket. As far as students go, the time has never been more right to get a smartphone. Nearly every student already has a cell phone, so why not pay an extra $5 a month and stay as connected as possible? That’s only one less beer at the Observatory. Several carriers are even giving the devices away for free in exchange for a three year contract. Think about it. You’re out with friends, but can’t remember what your assignments are for the week. Pull out your handy smartphone and log onto Blackboard and find out. No Wi-Fi or laptop connection required - just two minutes of your time. Besides, maybe I’m just a gadget fiend, but the kind of wireless device you carry around plays a large part in defining your style. Granted, these devices shouldn’t define you as a person, but specific ringtones, colours, and wallpapers make every smartphone as unique as their users. Yes, these devices can be addictive, but like everything in life, moderation is the key. Smartphones have an off button just like any other phone, and anyone who complains of the dreaded “Crackberry” syndrome simply has no willpower. There’s a time and a place to use your smartphone, and it doesn’t take a whole lot of common sense to figure out those moments. For example, do you feel like using it a granny’s funeral or your own wedding? Then you may have a problem. If you find yourself in the market for a cell phone, why not consider a smartphone? You may not exactly need it, but do you really need that extra beer either?
Con: 'Smartphones aren't even that smart' Joe Mathieu The new sickness around campus is extremely contagious, be sure to wash your hands. Since everyone is shuffling around like the undead, staring downwards with glazed eyes, it’s certain the smartphone fever is here. Because now phone companies are gearing their ads to student life, and what was once a powerful mini-office for CEOs has become a glitzy toy for materialists. Don’t get me wrong: a Blackberry serves a career-saving purpose when you receive an average of 60 priority emails a day. But if all you are waiting to find out is who did what at the bar last night, it’s a distraction and a waste of time. Companies have tailored their images to attract us young, impressionable folk with sexy style. Don’t have enough bling? Get a Blackberry Pearl. Want to be a high roller? Go for the Samsung Blackjack. The gossip in all of us wails for the Rumour by LG. Unfortunately, owning an LG Rumour does not make you a better communicator, just a more frequent one. It’s an absurd equation: talking more, saying less, gaining nothing. Smartphones aren’t even that smart. They still stay on in movie theatres, they still interrupt conversations and ruin punch lines, and they still remain vain accessories. These social bothers have actually intensified with the appearance of the addictive Blackberry and iPhone. It’s the onset of an epidemic when there are already dozens of websites devoted to helping Blackberry addicts. Older age groups have already succumbed to the Crackberry and now go to therapy sessions on how to keep a computer from overtaking their lives. How difficult will it be to shake our dependence?
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