Smartphones no doubt have their uses, but not everyone chooses to own one. They're expensive and if you're not particularly interested in technology, what would be the point? It's not unusual to see people walking along the street, gazing at their phone intently so that you have to take steps to avoid them, or to see people at a gig recording their favourite band playing, instead of actually watching them. You can send messages and get a response instantly, so that you can have a live chat, but what's wrong with acually just having a real chat over the phone or in person? Obviously, that's not the 'in thing' these days!
Not everyone wants their lives to revolve around technology. Of course, you can feel left out when people start talking about the various 'apps' available that can help you with this and that, but if you have regular access to the Internet via a computer, you can do the same kind of things. Smartphones might be useful if you travel a lot and are always on the go, but if you spend most of your time at home or at work, why would you want to spend so much time staring at a tiny screen and using a small keypad to type messages to friends and family or for browing the web?
Some people are really interested in technology and want to own the latest gadgets and gizmos. Other people want to fit in with their friends, and when all your friends have a smartphone, it may be hard to resist the temptation to get a smartphone of your own to keep up with the times. For some people, smartphone technology is essential for work. There may even come a point where ordinary mobile phones become obsolete and people are forced to upgrade, as has been the case with other technological innovations. Take the humble video recorder, for instance. It was eventually displaced by the more reliable DVD player and now many people don't even bother with DVDs, as more individuals turn to online streaming. Thus, there may be people who eventually end up owning a smartphone, just because it is either that or nothing.
I already have a laptop and latest iPad, so find a smartphone totally unnecessary. I carry a basic pay-as-you-go phone in my bag for emergengies when I'm out and about... Hate to hear people on their phone when in the street or in shops.
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