Actually, I am one of the people who doesn't have a smartphone (and doesn't really want one). I see that smartphones are awesome toys, but the reasons I don't wan't one are simple. First is cost. €200,- is way too much for a phone and that is a cheap phone. And secondly, I have a perfectly fine phone. When it stops working, I'll have a look at another one. I am getting a bit tired of the "I must have the latest and greatest thing" culture which is developing. I mean, lying in front of an Apple store just to get your hands on the latest iPhone while you bought a new one 6 months ago. It is madness.
I agree, it would be strange to buy every single iteration of a device just because it exists. My wife is still using an iPhone 3Gs and it works fine. I use a 4g but it has to do with when our "plan" allows us an upgrade at a discounted price. We are both "due" for an upgrade now and are waiting for the iPhone 5. Since we get a hefty price break, I think we'll both get one. I equate it to adult toys. (no not that kind)
Smartphones: Toys for when you are bored on the toilet, in bed or even in public!
I was out with some friends last night sitting around a table and at one point someone needed some useless fact that only tangentially contributed to the story at hand. Immediately, 4 of them busted out their phones and began searching for the answer. My pal Will turned to me and said, "what did we do before smartphones" and I responded, "we actually had conversations".
That is pretty much what happens nowadays. Instead of thinking or forgetting about a small fact, we now look them up. Try imagining you would look everything up in the encyclopaedia during a conversation. Takes the speed out of it.
My grandparents always had an encyclopedia and a dictionary within arms reach of their dinner table. I recall them using it several times a meal during conversations. Great memories.
Seriously? My grandparents also had an encyclopaedia near the dinner table, but they never used it. And I mean never. I think I was the only one who opened it at all...