Ask HN: Do we really need access to cell data(aka smartphone) all the time?
However, I have been having this discussion w/ a friend for quite a while that we do not really need a smart phone and a feature phone can take care of most of our daily needs. The only time we need a smart phone is when we are outside our normal routine like traveling to an unknown city or country and may need a more capable device for maps/search capabilities.
Otherwise a feature phone and text messaging capability can take care of most things ... Entertainment, emails, browsing, gaming can wait and if someone needs to get a hold of you very badly, they can call/text you. Also, I can always look at transit schedules before I leave work or home and will have access to one once at the bus/train station too. As a SF resident, Uber/Lyft is the only service that comes to my mind that I might need to access when I am in the middle of the town which is currently(AFAIK) smart phone dependent, but can also be implemented purely using SMS. (It feels like an PDA[say iPod Touch w.o WiFi] w/ just phone/text capabilities will work for most people.) Smartphone seems like a convenience and not a necessity.