Where Does Your Device Live?

[Jon Westfall]

<p>Back many years ago, it was quite cool to pull a Batman-esque utility belt look by slapping your expensive phone to your hip. These days that look has mostly gone out of style in favor of more discrete ways of carrying your electronic gizmo collection. Pockets, however, can be a bit dangerous for a device. Briefcases and purses keep devices safe, but require one more thing to carry. And lastly, the shirt pocket (My preference, see below) may keep the device at hand but looks uber-geeky in the way only a pocket protector could ever envy. But hey - a man has to put his device somewhere!</p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/ppct/auto/1233018487.usr7.jpg" style="border: 0px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p><em>The Omnia Peeks Out while the uniball gel pen confidently stands.</em></p><p>So now that we're mostly out of the utility belt era, where do you keep your device during the day? And do you protect it with a case or cover of some sort? I normally don't, but then again - I live dangerously (as the gel pen sans pocket protector above indicates).</p>

[Twain]

I must be "out of style" since I still carry my phone in a case attached to my belt. Maybe I'm not fashion conscious enough. I will say that since I no longer schlep around my iPod, a separate pager, a separate PDA, compact digital camera, aspirin pouch, keychain, swiss army knife, sunglasses and energy bars, I can't pull off that Bat-belt look anymore!!

[ctmagnus]

I've ditched cases for the most part as well. The exception is cases such as Incase Sliders for the iPhone 3G (http://goincase.com/products/detail/slider-case-cl59068) that add minimal bulk yet do not inhibit use of the device at all.

As for carrying, if I'm outside, the Treo/iPhone (depending on mood) is generally in a jacket pocket. If I'm inside, it's in a pants pocket. Generally a hip pocket but possibly a cargo pocket if I'm wearing cargo pants.

[Stinger]

Back many years ago, it was quite cool to pull a Batman-esque utility belt look by slapping your expensive phone to your hip.

I don't think that was ever cool. At least not in the traditional sense of the word. :)

Mine always goes in the left-hand side pocket of my pants. I never use a case since it adds to the bulk and I tend to buy a new device every six months anyway.

[paschott]

Don't really care if it's cool or ever was, but the case attached to the belt makes it really easy to carry the phone, get to it when I need it, then put it somewhere I don't really need to worry about. It also provides a little extra protection in case that case flies off for some reason. I don't want to try to put my PDA in my pocket - too inconvenient to get at a lot of times, especially if I'm sitting and forgot to take it out prior or worse, driving with my seatbelt blocking my pockets.

I'm open to better ways to carry it, but will stick with my belt pouch/case thing for now and remain with the "uncool" crowd. :)

[SteveHoward999]

I think only Americans ever thought the utility belt look was cool ...

My phone is in my left, front jeans pocket. Safe, secure, easy to reach, and out of the way of knocks and scrapes.

[halljames]

, driving with my seatbelt blocking my pockets.


You shouldnt even by thinking about a phone or pda when driving. Shame on you.

[tregnier]

I abandoned cool quite a few years ago and have thrown myself into the briar patch of function over form. I put it on my belt.

[rlobrecht]

My phone lives on my belt. Wallet in front left pocket, keys, chapstick, and Gerber Eclipse (http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Total-Eclipse-22-48478.htm) in front right pocket.

I'm not too worried about looking cool.

[Craig Horlacher]

It's always in the front left pocket of my khakis. The touch screen faces my leg (candy bar) and top is down.

This protects the screen from things my leg may brush against and also puts it in the correct orientation for my to hold it when I take it out of my pocket.

I've never been a fan of cases. To me they take up too much room and sometimes get in the way.

[normaldude]

I keep my AT&T Tilt in my right front pants pocket, with the screen facing my leg.

I also have a small leather keycase in the same pants pocket, stacked flat against the AT&T Tilt, and it provides some extra protection from any bumps & impacts from the outside world.

[Dyvim]

Either front pants pocket or inside coat pocket. I use a slipcase type cover on my iPhone when it's in a pocket or bag but slide it out and use it naked. It seems tough enough that even the slipcase probably isn't necessary (just a precaution in case it goes in the same pocket as my keys).

I used to carry my PDA's around in the faux leather belt pouch that my iPAQ 5555 came with. It also fit my Toshiba e800, e830, and even the HTC Advantage (without its keyboard) since it was expandible. Great for those old-school PDAs that were too big for a front pants pocket.

[doogald]

Right front pocket of my pants, though I'll also carry in the breast pocket of my fleece jacket if I have that on. I have a Zagg Invisishield on my phone so I do not worry about scratches, though my keys are in my left front pocket anyway.

[yawanag]

I'm one of those that orders a new case as soon as I get a new device. I don't care about adding bulk. I'd rather not crack the screen if I dropped it (and I've done that often enough.) Being a woman, I find myself shopping for purses that have a front pocket for my PDA. Most purses have a cell phone pocket but they are never large enough for me to put the PDA in it.

I find myself doing a U-Turn in the middle of the street after leaving it over to someone's house if I don't attach it to my belt. I'd really like a cord similar to the one store clerks wear around their necks so I know where it is at all times. I had something like that with my first Motorola cell phone. Don't see them anymore.

[Nurhisham Hussein]

In my neck of the woods, it's very rare to find someone carrying a smartphone without a case. I think it has something to do with having to pay unsubsidized prices on handsets - when you drop that much money on a device, it's uncool not to buy some protection.

[burtcom]

I'd rather keep mine safe in a leather case -- but the problem is I can never hear the damn thing ring when its locked in there.

Lately I've been keeping it in a shirt pocket -- Of course I have to be careful when bending over.

May go back to the case, if I can carefully cut out a couple of holes so the speaker won't be covered.

[BevHoward]

Think my brother has the best "don't carry" story... he has a construction company in Charleston, SC and his company has become specialists in restoring historic churches.

he _used_ to carry his pda in his shirt pocket until he leaned over the steeple stairs to call to a workman... his palm went all the way from the bell platform to the ground floor.

...the good part of it was that was his impetus to switch from palm to winmobile ;-)

Belt pouch is not cool, but often the best option. Slick PDA's fly out of most pockets when the opportunity arises and they are vulnerable riding in pants' pockets... many stories of broken screens plus a few about coins in io slots.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

[Jon Westfall]

You shouldnt even by thinking about a phone or pda when driving. Shame on you.

I feel I should point out that the dangers of using a phone or PDA while driving is completely based on the responsibility of the user. Some users should probably avoid devices while driving, while others may have absolutely no problem adequately dividing their attention between driving and communication. Situational factors also play a large role (e.g. weather, time of day, traffic flow). Personally I do check my phone and talk on a bluetooth headset while driving, and I drive an average of 600 miles a week. My driving record is clean - so should I feel shame?

[BevHoward]

>> if I can carefully cut out a couple of holes so the speaker won't be covered. <<

Have found that using a hole punch is the best option... doesn't need a large opening to allow audible alerts if it's directly over the speaker.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

[hummingbirdhill]

I'm one of those that orders a new case as soon as I get a new device. I don't care about adding bulk. I'd rather not crack the screen if I dropped it (and I've done that often enough.) Being a woman, I find myself shopping for purses that have a front pocket for my PDA. Most purses have a cell phone pocket but they are never large enough for me to put the PDA in it.

I find myself doing a U-Turn in the middle of the street after leaving it over to someone's house if I don't attach it to my belt. I'd really like a cord similar to the one store clerks wear around their necks so I know where it is at all times. I had something like that with my first Motorola cell phone. Don't see them anymore.

Yawanag:

I wear my Fuze in a leather case attached to a long, adjustable leather cord which hangs around my neck. (I purchased the case from the Nokia website to use with my beloved Nokia 3650 with the round dial, but this case has fit each of my cellphones since the 3650 became outdated.)

Most people stare at the back of my case hanging at my waist, but don't recognize it as a cellphone case, hence, less chance of its being stolen or even asked for borrowing.

The case is open so that all of my phone buttons are accessible. I have both hands free for teaching, shopping, driving. Totally convenient!

I do carry my iPAQ 211 in an inner pocket of my purse; it's too large to hang around my neck. ;-)

[yawanag]

Yawanag:

I wear my Fuze in a leather case attached to a long, adjustable leather cord which hangs around my neck. (I purchased the case from the Nokia website to use with my beloved Nokia 3650 with the round dial, but this case has fit each of my cellphones since the 3650 became outdated.)

Most people stare at the back of my case hanging at my waist, but don't recognize it as a cellphone case, hence, less chance of its being stolen or even asked for borrowing.

The case is open so that all of my phone buttons are accessible. I have both hands free for teaching, shopping, driving. Totally convenient!

I do carry my iPAQ 211 in an inner pocket of my purse; it's too large to hang around my neck. ;-)


THANKS! I'll look that one up.

[TopDog]

My Samsung i780 lives most of the time out in the free, but out and about it's often housed in my Piel Frama case:

http://www.gauteweb.net/images/pielframa-i780.jpg

[hummingbirdhill]

Although I totally love my leather hang-around-the-neck case for its convenience, I have thrice attempted to purchase a flip-down leather case for my Fuze from Sena; however, I have never received a reply to my email, website order, or phone call. :(

[Damion Chaplin]

I used to be into that whole bat-belt thing, mostly because at that time I worked the floor of a hardware store and literally needed everything to be within reach at all times. So cell, PDA (yes, both - can you tell how long ago this was?), multi-tool and keys always hung from my belt.

Then it got narrowed down to just the smartphone (wasn't on the floor anymore so didn't need the knife or keys), but I found it just loved to jump off my belt and onto the ground every time I sat down in a car (or any chair with arms).

So I just said 'forget it' and just started carrying it in the front right pocket of my jacket. No protector or pouch or anything. Turns out it's pretty darn safe there and is always there for me to pull out when I need it. I just have to make sure my keys go in the left pocket.

Of course, that's only when I'm out and about. 85% of the time my phone is either sitting on its charger at home or on my desk at work.

[Jason Dunn]

I feel I should point out that the dangers of using a phone or PDA while driving is completely based on the responsibility of the user. Some users should probably avoid devices while driving, while others may have absolutely no problem adequately dividing their attention between driving and communication.

Has anyone ever heard of a study where a percentage of users haven't had negatively impacted reaction time due to the distraction of checking email, texting, etc.? I genuinely don't know - every study I've heard/read about says that anything that divides your attention between the road and something else is extremely deterimental to safety. But maybe in those studies there are a small precentage of users who can safely do two things at once?

I tend to think of myself as an advanced multi-tasker, but I know that if I'm checking anything on my phone that requires me looking at the screen while my vehicle is moving, I'm a significant danger to others on the road - so I very rarely do it. If my wife is with me in the car, I'll hand her my phone and instruct her on what I want to do - including dictating text messages, emails, etc.

Talking on the phone using a BT headset is a different sort of distraction - it's a mental distraction, which might be hard for some to deal with, but as long as you have both hands on the wheel and are looking forward, it's a heck of a lot safer than texting, etc. Hell, dash-mounted GPS units can be just as dangerous - you're watching them, trying to figure out what it's telling you to do, etc...

I drive an average of 600 miles a week. My driving record is clean...

Famous last words. :D

[Jason Dunn]

I have thrice attempted to purchase a flip-down leather case for my Fuze from Sena; however, I have never received a reply to my email, website order, or phone call.

Hmm - that's quite surprising! I've dealt with SENA a fair bit over the years and have always found them responsive. Send me a private message and I'll give you the email address of someone to contact there.

[Jason Dunn]

I tend to wear a jacket most places I go (hey, I live in Western Canada!) and as such my phone and wallet go in my coat. Lip balm stuff goes in the left front pocket of my jeans, Swiss Army Knife/USB flash drive combo goes in the right pocket. If I'm someplace warm (including my home city, some months of the year) then my Samsung Blackjack II (sans case) goes in my left front pocket, and my car keys go in my right front pocket.

A key criteria for me in any device purchase is how slender it is, because I'm not going to put a case on it.

[r90a22]

normally i keep my device in my pants pockets. and when i'm driving i keep in my shirt pocket. as for cases or protectors.... not for me i like my device naked.

[CeluGeek]

I prefer a holster or pouch with belt clip. Screw fashion, I don't want the extra weight in my shirt pocket and carrying my device in a briefcase is too much hassle - and has the risk of not hearing the phone ringing.

[Brad Adrian]

Maybe we need to qualify or define how some of us are using the word "cool" or "stylish" when talking about things like the BatBelt Look. Six or seven years ago, my teenage kids would have crossed the street rather than be seen walking with me with multiple devices on my belt. Very "uncool."

BUT...

Among other technophiles (say, at a Microsoft MVP conference) six or seven years ago, it WAS decidedly "cool" to have at least a couple of bricks hanging at your midsection. Just ask Dale Coffing.

[BevHoward]

>> Has anyone ever heard of a study where a percentage of users haven't had negatively impacted reaction time due to the distraction of checking email, texting, etc.? <<

Personally, after a lifetime of flying where using a radio and communicating verbally was part of the process, I made the assumption with my first cell that the experience would assure that I would be safe... NOT!

It was a damm hard decision to not use a phone in a car, but the circumstances are different... driving takes full time, and any cellular conversation is not related to the control of a vehicle and absolutely reduces the driver's attention to controlling the vehicle and being fully aware of what's going on around the car.

When I was commuting, I did an informal survey for about a month, noting what I could about other drivers who were using a phone in motion.

Most drivers held the phone to their right ear and it was noteworthy that almost everyone doing so had their heads "down and to the right" They were visually aware of the road directly in front of the car and 45 degrees to the right.

Drivers not on the phone will almost always give some indication when you appear on either side of their car with a glance or a slight head movement... those on a phone, never do.

As a motorcycle rider, I've become acutely aware of this reduced awareness and seen it increase dramatically over the last decade. Some cellular drivers are better than others, but anyone who thinks that their ability to drive is not impaired when on a phone is not being honest with themselves.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

[mmidgley]

I bought a belt case and do wear it on my belt, or on a side pocket when I don't have a belt. With as small as the devices are getting now, it really isn't a problem. I don't think it looks batman at all. Function (device protection) is my first concern, but that doesn't mean I'm not aware of how I appear. A tshirt normally hangs right over it and you can't even see I have it on my belt.

Now, back in 1997 when I had an Apple Newton 2100 it was definitely a bigger challenge to keep it protected (it did have its own screen lid cover, but still needed general protection--I spent a fortune on that thing!). The case I used looked a bit smaller than a sub-notebook case you'd see today, but my wife still called it a "man purse". She's glad its long gone.

m.

[Jon Westfall]

Has anyone ever heard of a study where a percentage of users haven't had negatively impacted reaction time due to the distraction of checking email, texting, etc.? ...
Famous last words. :D

I never said anything about RT - it's pretty evident from the bulk of the reports out there that cell phone usage does impact reaction time negatively. However so does a myriad of other things we do in cars, yet hardly anyone jumps up to limit things like eating in cars with laws like they do for cell phones. My original point was simply that there is a lot of variability in cell phone usage while driving. Some people insulate themselves to the point of dangerous driving for certain, while others can remain aware of the road better. My point of contention is the knee-jerk reaction to throw out individual differences when it comes to things like this.

As far as my "famous last words" go - what better indication of future events than past performance? :D