Why do I own a smartphone?

So I own a Verizon Droid Eris smartphone.  I bought it as Verizon turned down the iPhone all those years ago when Apple offered it to them.  While I understood the reasoning behind Verizon not wanting to give a cut of their billing to Apple, I thought back then that they under estimated Apple’s grasp on what the public want.  I even blogged about it back in July 2007 saying that I was going to get one when I moved to Mass as I’d be able to get AT&T service.  Fast forward three and a half years, I’ve owned an Android for over a year.

There are a lot of articles that refer to the loyalty of iPhone and Android users to their platforms.  Only 28% of Android users say they would stick with the platform while 59% of iPhone users say they would stick with theirs.  Now I wonder if this is because of the app market place.  With all the apps that iPhone users have bought, I think they would be hesitant to not carry them over to their next phone.  While I believe people like myself has filled their Android with free apps, we aren’t as worried about swapping platforms.  I wonder if that is true or not.

Most articles though are with the reasoning that people who want an iPhone on Verizon and can’t get one have instead got the “next best thing” with the Droid phones.  I fall into that category.  I refuse to leave Verizon whom I’ve had service with for over 13 years just to get a different type of phone.  Heck until recently, I only wanted my phone to make calls and send text messages.  Until I got my first iPod Touch I didn’t really see the need for a smartphone.  I still don’t see the “need” for it, but its instant access and no waiting with portability is a really nice thing.  Not to mention I like the GPS and Pandora apps on my Android and I don’t think I would want a phone without those now. 

I still carry 2 devices with me at all times.  My Droid and my iPod Touch.  I do so for one VERY simple reason, Battery life.  When I enabled all the features I use on my iPod on my Droid the battery only lasted about 12 hours at best.  When I turn on only the phone features, including 3G so I can get a few things like the weather and a few apps, I get about 4 days to the charge.  My iPod on the other hand goes for probably over a week, maybe 2 without needing to be charged.  I use my iPod as my primary email reader and Facebook interface these days.  So its not like it sits there unused on the wireless connection. 

In the end though, I think if Verizon DOES announce the iPhone in early 2011 like almost everywhere is predicting I think I might jump ship and pick one up when my contact is due to renew.  Maybe then I’ll be able to justify owning a smartphone as I’ll actually use its features.