What’s in a phone? A phone is what I have on the wall in my house. The thing I carry around in my pocket is a device that takes and/or transmits photos, a portable computer that can do...

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

A phone is what I have on the wall in my house. The thing I carry around in my pocket is a device that takes and/or transmits photos, a portable computer that can do many of the basic things that computers can do through software applications, and it can make basic phone calls just like my wall phone does. I haven’t figured out what to call it other than a cell phone, or just phone. I tend to call it my camera/phone but that doesn’t really do it justice. Your thoughts.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

gvarner wrote:

A phone is what I have on the wall in my house. The thing I carry around in my pocket is a device that takes and/or transmits photos, a portable computer that can do many of the basic things that computers can do through software applications, and it can make basic phone calls just like my wall phone does. I haven’t figured out what to call it other than a cell phone, or just phone. I tend to call it my camera/phone but that doesn’t really do it justice. Your thoughts.

It’s called a smartphone.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

All I know is it's far less satisfying to slam down the "receiver" of a cell phone than a wall phone. And "dial" is more descriptive than "push buttons."

Red in Colorado

Fredrick wrote:

It’s called a smartphone.

That's funny.
In the OP comment, I hear a bit of wistfulness for a simpler time.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Has anybody tried to ask Siri to dial the number?

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

What's in a phone?
A lot of technology.
(Most of my working life was in the telecommunications industry, as a tech.)

Nowdays I just call it a phone - and it can be a magical device for keeping in touch, both in good times, and in bad times.
Think about the phone calls you have made or recieved.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

gvarner wrote:

A phone is what I have on the wall in my house. The thing I carry around in my pocket is a device that takes and/or transmits photos, a portable computer that can do many of the basic things that computers can do through software applications, and it can make basic phone calls just like my wall phone does. I haven’t figured out what to call it other than a cell phone, or just phone. I tend to call it my camera/phone but that doesn’t really do it justice. Your thoughts.

SmartPhone.

Specifically, Samsung Galaxy Note 8. ("12MP, OK toy camera")

A mongrel Samsung TAB 8 (B?).

I also have a Cordless Phones (system) w/Answering Machine,
one wall Phone so I can inactivate landline when need be.

I have Real Cameras too:

4 DSLRs
4 SLRs (35mm film)
1 DMRFC (fuji X100T; Hybrid EVO/OVO)
2 P&S
2 Huge-ass View Cameras that use actual 4x5" film!
4 vintage cameras not really used.

And Two Real Computers:

2 Dell Towers; Inspiron 4-core i5, XPS 9800 8-thread i7.

For Calculating:

several HP C12, C15, C11, C10 Calculators.

Ratskinner Loc: Copalis Beach WA

My cell phone is a necessary part of life that is at the same time a useless distraction that does not complete our lives but keeps us from true fulfillment. The internet is a wonderful source of information and at the same time a diabolical trap to sell us items and services of dubious value. I find myself in the position of being both advocate and critic.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

When my wife and I refer to "my" phone or "your" phone, we mean the cells, not the house phone.
A phone, all the other things it does are extras.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I am retired and spend many of my days at home. Since we have a "land line" (through the cable company) I don't use the smartphone much. In fact, it is off when I'm home and my friends know to try the house phone first. It is not an all purpose computer thing to me, I have a capable desktop. What should I call it? My sleepy smartthing??

Bill_de Loc: US

I left my wall phone hanging in the kitchen for years because it looked better than the plate behind it. A couple of weeks ago I took it down and hung a picture.

--

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Bill_de wrote:

I left my wall phone hanging in the kitchen for years because it looked better than the plate behind it. A couple of weeks ago I took it down and hung a picture.

--

Good one.

1Feathercrest Loc: NEPA

Fredrick wrote:

It’s called a smartphone.

It is a "smartphone" for self indulgent, anti-autonomous people who feel that they are so important that they need a $1,000 gadget so they can keep abreast of the world's peccadilloes. No thanks. I have a landline for nearly ALL phone calls, a flip phone for emergencies and find no need for instant contact with the worlds non-entities.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Bill_de wrote:

I left my wall phone hanging in the kitchen for years because it looked better than the plate behind it. A couple of weeks ago I took it down and hung a picture.

--

1Feathercrest Loc: NEPA

Lovely Linda, thank you for your lament.