"Too Much of a Good Thing: Are You Addicted to Your Smartphone
347258
"Too Much of a Good Thing: Are You Addicted to Your Smartphone?" is a quick and easy read that makes you reflect on your cell phone usage and how it affects your daily life. Dr. Roberts makes you really think about how cell phones can disrupt relationships, safety, health, and more, and he includes research, facts, statistics, and expert opinions that are fairly interesting, even if its not exactly groundbreaking. Aside from that, I enjoyed that the book focused some attention on how we could use our phones in a healthier manner, but I also found that a lot of information in the book seemed slightly repetitive. The bonus chapter about Donald Trump was amusing, interesting, and definitely important information to reflect on. In sum, I appreciate the overall message from the book, and I particularly liked how it ended with thoughts about finding our digital sweet spot.
631154
I love Robert Green , the author, and have read all of his books Robert gives you real life Strategies that have been proven throughout time before texting mobile apps email internet websites staring at the phone not looking up, which is sadly our reality today nobody even talks to each other face to face the 500 Facebook friends are people they don't even know basically we live in a world of staring at a mobile app on a cell phone 24/7. This book is fascinating because it includes history and intelligence  for living this so-called life. if this world doesn't eat you alive. you'll go insane, taking medications for your stress and your depression and your bipolar disorder because you're racing to try to keep up with technology you will run as fast as you can right into Your Grave run run run don't stop to enjoy life and have a heart attack on the way. That's reality don't slow down keep texting on that phone get into a crash kill people, because you know you need to respond to one of your Facebook friends posts and text selfies to that new stranger online, your new boyfriend who doesn't even exist.
3229332
You can download My Medical if you have a Smartphone and you will be much more efficient.  The books were returned...my children cued me in to the Smartphone App!
2655419
This is an outstanding book that helps us better understand the impact of our smartphones on our lives and relationships. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to better understand our current technology-driven culture and how your phone is personally influencing you.
213089
The Iphone is good and clean. But the battery is not so good. When I went to Settings> Battery Health, I found it only 77%. They are terribly consumed.
2260676
I love this gadget, I watch Netflix and amazon and even played the bird game... warning addictive!  It gets sick a couple times a month and needs to be unplugged and rebooted, but once working works really great. I take it on trips where they have Wifi and can watch stuff anywhere.
1058319
it's good, just keep in mind your users and cell carriers.  Different cell carriers means not everyone will be happy.
4946826
I am a pediatrician, leukemia survivor, now coaching students from validationcoaching.com . I could not agree more with the observations in and recommendations of these experienced teacher authors.  And this extends way beyond classroom hours.
-It has been documented repeatedly, in peer reviewed literature, that long hours of recreational screen use further reduce sustained focus and motivation.  Executive functions - such as memory recall, time management, planning, prioritizing, finishing  - are all impaired by prolonged immersion in the addictive allure of video games, texting, and social media.  Adverse change in both brain structure and connectivity, perhaps permanent, have been shown to correlate with extended screen time in these still developing young brains.
1488982
I am enjoying the use of my new phone very much. Though it will take me some time to learn all it can do as I am not as electronic smart as the younger generation:) And I am certain it will remain my phone for a long time to come.
4446404
Would work great for someone who knows about these things. Unfortunately, I have been left in the dust, so to speak... LOL!
No "smart phone addiction" here. ;)
4287107
Overall the book is an interesting and quick read. Dr. Roberts took the readers time into account and I really appreciate it. I enjoyed answering the food for thought questions and I felt the book gave me some insight on how much I am on my phone. While I disagree with a few of the points on some of the scales I think as a whole the book in engaging and provides a nice resource for those who are interested in self-reflecting on their own cell phone usage.
828974
I am an phone-function nubie.  I phone, text some, but as for apps, I do not know an app from a hole in the ground.

This guide from Andrew Clare is a welcome addition to my phone phobia.  The Rough guide is a collection of some 400 apps organized
in a friendly, topic by topic format.  After reading it, I still prefer to use my phone for communication. However, my son, has found some killer apps for his android unit.

One of his favorites was Milk the Cow, and Wet Cement.

Andrew discusses:

Books and Comics
Business
Communications
Education
Finance
Food and Drink
Health and Fitness
Internet
Kids
Lifestyle
Movies and Media
Music
News
Personalization
Photography
Security
Transportation
Travel
Games
Weird

For those app inclined, please find this, and enjoy.  We live in an App focused world.
2762208
Frankly it seems like every few weeks there's a new article about how the smartest people in the world now live in Silicon Valley, and work in the business of creating technology addicts. Everyone seems to have the same advice.

"Put down your smartphone."

I really appreciated the way this issue was framed through the lense of attention. I've tried the "put down my smartphone route", and frankly thought this would be more of that. In the end Can I have your attention? is more about getting what you want out of life, whether at work, at play, or at home. Nice treatment of a common place social issue.
4568262
i have this smartphone and im in love with it !  its working good , battery  is wonderful, im talking , playing, listening music all day and its  on 20-30 % at the evening.. i recommend it really !
1992600
I like tech, but don't devote my life to it in part because I don't make enough money to afford the never ending upgrade cycle more than once every other year. I've had a Droid (Samsung Galaxy SII) and liked the phone until it started crashing and freezing after a year of use and went back to my LG Lotus Elite (tough good phone, but near neolithic in this day and age). So when my free upgrade came due (tightwad here) my choice boiled down to the HTC 8XT or Apple iPhone 5c.  The Apple Borg mentality isn't my cup of tea so I chose the HTC. I  do not regret it.

BATTERY LIFE:  This is a big one for me as I use my phone more like a tablet than for making calls.  I'm on the internet repeatedly all day and also will use Pandora for hours. I also am a text  and photo taking fiend.  I check the Facebook , the weather...did I mention I use the internet often? This phone's battery lasts!  I've gone up to 36 hours on one charge with the above usage. My Samsung could barely last 12 hours with the same usage. 5/5 stars

APPS:  I went into the HTC full well understanding that Windows Phones suck compared to Droid or Apple on app choices.  Nonetheless I've found the same or similar apps for everything I had on the Droid.  Fat Secret, Instagram BETA, Amazon Kindle, Google Mail, Pandora  - I've found them all and had no trouble using them. Actually I've dropped Fat Secret in favor of the free Bing Health and Fitness app as it tracks calories just as well, gives me macronutrient percentage breakdowns (unlike Fat Secret) and has a whole section devoted to workouts so I can keep switching things up. 4/5 stars

CAMERA:  The HTC 8XT comes with cameras front and back.  Picture quality is very good, but has limits in darker settings and occasionally my photos have come out grainy. I'm sure there are phones out there with better cameras but with the on board Photo Enhancer and Instagram Beta apps I've really got no big complaints  - I love to post to Instagram and have received likes for my pics. 4/5 stars

INTERFACE/STYLE:  I'd never used Windows live tiles before this phone and it was a bit off feeling at first compared to my little Droid Icons and swiping between screens. I'm also the kind of person who doesn't read the instruction manual and just goes at it.  The 8XT was quite intuitive to set up and get running and I quickly figured out the tile system, minimizing screens and navigating between them.  I've grown quite fond of the tile system and the phone does come with the option of an icon list format on a second screen if that is preferred.  Personally, I like being able to resize and place the tiles as I see fit and it keeps the look of the screen fresh.  One can also change the accent color theme of the tiles (as well as background) and my small complaint is I wish there were more color options! However there are several apps in the Windows Phone Store to play with the look of the tiles and background. Missing the swype keyboard from Droid is my other minor complaint.  5/5 stars

DURABILITY:  The 8XT is very slim and easily fits into a side or back pocket and even my wallet. I've never had the phone overheat doing this, unlike my Samsung. My phone has suffered a few drops in the year I've had it and been none the worse for it. I keep it in a basic cheap snap on case for protection and have not felt the need to upgrade to an Otterbox. Software upgrades have not caused freezing or slowing of the phone.  Overall I'm very impressed with toughness of this slim phone, especially since my Galaxy SII took similar abuse and came out with cracked screens on day two of its life with me.  (Sorry Samsung, maybe you've come a long way since then).  5/5 stars
498015
In today's world of smartphones and phubbing, few things are more important than taking the time to be mindful...and this book is a great opportunity to do just that. Starting with her epiphany at Glastonbury Abbey, the author has us take a closer examination of ourselves, and of what is truly importantand unimportant. This is a book to be savored and considered thoughtfully, not rushed through with iPhone in hand.
612385
I have been aware of my Facebook/email/internet addiction for awhile. I've had the internet since before high school; probably before many of my friends because my dad is really tech savvy. I remember dial-up (ugh). I've been familiar with computers since at least 4th grade. This technology starts younger now; my children know how to use iPads better than I do. I've seen 1-year-olds on their parents' phones playing games or whatnot.

This technological overload takes its toll, doesn't it? I know several friends who have fasted from Facebook (and other social media sites, but mostly that one) because they, too, are aware of the drastic pull this mediator holds over them.

That's what "Unfriend Yourself" by Kyle Tennant is really about. It's more "should the church use social media" but it applies to individuals as well. Along with reading this short book (91 pages including the notes and such), Tennant suggests to do a 3-day fast from your favorite social media platform. I chose Facebook.

Here's what I learned from this book and from my 3 days off Facebook.

1. face-to-face relationships without mediation (such as the internet or phone) allow our "joy to be complete" (2 John 12). When we meet face-to-face it's so much better than a phone call, even a letter. And SO much better than texts or a message on Facebook. Today (after my fast) I've made more phone calls than I have in months. And I've actually ran into several friends I hadn't seen for awhile - it was awesome! Made this truth stand out so much more.

2. I boast online a lot. I don't even mean to sometimes, but I'm telling the world (at least my friends and their friends) about my accomplishments, the neat-o thing I made or did. Now, I have a sort of business online, so I do need to promote those things in order to sell them. But I am so guilty of just plain ol' boasting. And the Bible says that's wrong! Plain and simple.

3. I've known this truth for a long time. We are responsible (or will be held responsible some day) for every careless word that comes from our mouths. How many careless things have I put on Facebook or my blog(s) or Twitter? How many of those have hurt someone? I'm not just responsible for the hurtful things I say in person (usually to my family) but online things as well.

4. We aren't to let social media rule us. Social media tools are not evil. They can be. They are not good. They can be. It's all in how we use them. I've been using Facebook as a community when it's a network. It's a networking site meant to connect people, not build relationships. It's a useful tool to set up for parties, get togethers, Bible studies - stuff like that! It's also useful to share pictures of my family to the rest of my family far away. I enjoy messaging missionaries and family that are too far away to talk to on the phone. It's also a wonderful platform to share our faith about Christ - the good news!

5. I need to only post whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. I also only need to think about such things.

Really great, quick read. I think this has opened my eyes to being sober about the influences of social media in my life.