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Updated: Feb 6, 2023 60 Comments · by

Open Thread: Let’s Talk Tech

Fashion· Lifestyle· Tech |

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Maybe this is a boring subject, but we're obviously a bit on the techy-side, so we're curious: what technology do you carry with you on a daily basis? How does it affect which purse you carry? Do you have any fun tech stories (e.g., trying to figure out how to carry your Blackberry while at a black-tie gala)? What devices do you love? What do you wish were different? What are your questions about the other devices?

Pictured:  April 8, 2009, originally uploaded to Flickr by Amanda Niekamp

Initial thoughts on our own questions, after the jump…

  • At one point this author carried a Blackberry (provided by work and using the T-Mobile network), a Sprint cell phone, a Palm Pilot, and an iPod. (I *think* that was it.) When I got the BB it definitely did affect which purse I carried — a lot of the ones I already owned were smaller and already at capacity, so (oh noes!) I had to go buy new bags. I've since combined the cell phone and Palm Pilot via the (fairly unfashionable) Treo 755p, primarily because the iPhone wasn't available for Sprint — and annoyingly, my Treo doesn't fit in the convenient “technology pocket” that so many bags offer these days.
  • In terms of “fun tech stories” it isn't really work-related, but hey: the alarm on my Treo went off during my wedding ceremony. I'm one of those annoying sorts who likes to schedule things very far in advance, and so as soon as we set the date and time for the wedding I thought it was cute to schedule it in my Palm Pilot. I neglected to turn off the alarm function, for which the default setting has the alarm going off 5 minutes before scheduled events, repeating every five minutes unless someone stops it. So, cut to the wedding day, when I was worried guests would be calling me with transportation/direction difficulties — so I gave the Treo to my brother (and man of honor) to hold. Sure enough… five minutes into the ceremony the Treo went off, and everyone heard it. I knew what it was, immediately, and started to laugh; I'm told by my guests that they all started looking around trying to determine who the @#$ was who'd left their cellphone on. My brother held the Treo high for all to see — “It's hers — and it says WEDDING!!” After everyone stopped laughing we went back to the ceremony.
  • Everyone I know seems to love their iPhone, and as soon as it's offered for Sprint I can't wait to check it out. For those of you who've used both the Palm and the iPhone, how does it compare? Which applications are your favorite?

About Kat

Kat Griffin is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Corporette. You can read more about her here.

Comments

  1. Lauren

    My boyfriend has used both the iPhone and now has the Palm Pre from Sprint, so I think I have a good take on how both phones function. I am FINALLY upgrading to a smart phone this fall and plan to get an iPhone. The Pre has some slight advantages (far better GPS navigation, much more affordable, live TV from Sprint, can run multiple applications, just to name a few) but the iPhone is far easier to use and much more fun!

  2. anon

    Anybody have links to a good blackberry case? The one that comes with the blackberry is too bulky, and I don’t like those skins, I just want something to slide it into so that it’s fully protected but easy to get out of the case when I need it. Any ideas?

    • s-k

      Amazon has a million cases of all kinds. They’re typically sold by other sellers for low “prices” such as 1 cent plus shipping and handling that is usually more expensive then the listed item price.

      I’ve ordered several and they all came out under $5, were shipped quickly, and were of the same quality as the ones that cost $20 if you buy them from the official sources.

  3. Anonymous

    I carry my cell phone (motorola razr) and a Nikon DSLR every day. My old employer issued blackberries but, thankfully, my new employer does not and I prefer not to have one :) I am not fond of large purses so I purchased the smallest one that would still hold my DSLR.

  4. C

    Oh, my camera — yes — I tend to carry that frequently also. Knew I was forgetting something! (Although mine is just a Canon SD-630.)

  5. Jenny

    I carry my phone, a point and shoot, and my dslr everywhere. I carry my Kindle when I’m driving any significant distance as well.

  6. jcb

    I carry the blackberry, an old-school phone and an ipod nano. Here is something I wish for – that iPhone would figure out a way to keep the fun apps capability but still have a fully encrypted device so that law firms can use it. It would be nice to be able to carry one PDA (I don’t like the bb as a phone).

    And, that bags would come with at least 2, preferably 3 pockets for electronics. It is so annoying that they usually just have one side pocket for cosmetics and one tiny electronics pocket that the blackberry barely squeezes into. It’s like the designers have no concept that women actually use their bags. It doesn’t really affect which bag I carry, though, sice they are all about the same (except Cole Haan bags, which I love for their many varied pockets) and the bb and phone are going to be crammed into whatever I happen to be carrying, regardless of whether anything else fits.

  8. Dasha

    I always have my trusty BB 8800 on me, and an Ipod. My favorite application on my BB is the Google Maps which always tells me where I am and how to get to where I want to be, whether I am in the US, Europe, or Canada. For someone as directionally challenged as I am, this is priceless, and I don’t have to haul maps around.

    I know there have been lots of die-hard BB fans switching to iPhones and not regretting it (or at least saying that), but I use my BB for email quite a bit, and I am pretty fast on the keyboard and don’t think i will ever be able to compose decent emails on an iPhone. (Any BB to iPhones converts- was it a problem for you?)

    The only thing that may ever make me want to switch is I hear that Skype has come up with an application for iPhone which allows one to use an iPhone to skype people. As a heavy Skype user with friends and relatives around the world, I am hoping that Skype will come up with a BB application for it pretty soon!

    • KZ

      i’m fairly certain the iTouch has a skype app so you can effectively turn it into a phone if you have wireless and a mic (I’ve never actually tried, but rumor has it). I don’t know if it will work on the iphone, but I’m guessing if it doesn’t now, it will soon.

    • Delta Sierra

      I’m looking at maybe buying Sony’s new bare-bones pocket e-reader, for $200. Anyone have one, and liking/not-liking the screen? Thanks.

    • mm

      Yes–I bought one a few weeks ago and I carry it around everywhere in my work (currently MZ Wallace Jane) and weekend (Longchamp large pliage) bags (along with my iphone). I LOVE it–it is sort of heavy, but not heavier than a book and it’s certainly less bulky than a magazine or newspaper. I’ve been impressed with how fast new materials, from books to newspapers, can be downloaded. It also holds a charge for a surprisingly long time. I bought a plain leather cover for it, which I think is necessary to protect it from getting bounced around in my bag and also makes it easier to hold.

      • SV

        Ladies, you MUST look into getting the Kindle app for your iPhone! It is the BEST thing ever. It is a reader for any/all of your Kindle books on your iPhone that is so easy to use. And the app is free. This way you don’t even have to carry your Kindle with you!

        The only downside to reading your Kindle books on your iPhone is that it drains the battery if you’re at it for a long time.

        See: http://tinyurl.com/laotpz

    • C. Z.

      Those purse organizers are useful for switching bags and keeping things organized. I don’t like them and my bags generally have enough pockets for everything, but I know people at TPF rave about them.

    • A

      I have one of these and think its great. It keeps me from digging in my purse and looking unprofessional. It fits in all different types of bags, and does make it easier to switch bags.

      I ordred mine online from this company — they have a couple different sizes and lots of fun patterns.
      http://www.purseket.com/index.php

  11. Karen

    I do have a Kindle, and I carry it to and from work in a mid-sized purse on a regular basis. It’s heavier than I’d like, but makes waiting for the subway less tedious. The Kindle has a case that adds some weight, but it gives me something much more solid to hold onto as I’m getting jostled in the subway.

  12. Kathryn

    I have a small old school phone. I have a MacBook for when I absolutely need to be connected. I like a big bag just to balance ME out, and I keep a journal to write in in it, but otherwise, it’s pretty empty.

  13. MamaJD

    I carry two BlackBerry phones – one for work and one for personal use – and an iPod Classic. As soon as my Verizon contract expires for my personal BB, I plan to switch to an iPhone (cannot wait!). My everyday bag has a large pocket w/ zipper on the outside front that fits all three of these gadgets; luckily, a flap containing a very fashionable piece of hardware covers the pocket so that my bag still looks very sophisticated.

  14. t

    I carry my personal iPhone and my employer issued Blackberry. I try to find purses with interior pockets, and usually have good luck. I also have a charging station/valet in my office which comes in handy.

    On a related note, I am in love with Mobile Edge’s line of laptop bags etc. They have a compartment for your wireless devices that supposedly blocks unwanted wireless access. It may be a bit paranoid, but it makes me feel safer.

  15. Emily

    I carry my Blackberry in a Coach wristlet. It’s all the bag (and all the phone) I want or need. Since I travel a lot, and never check luggage, I’m at the two bag limit with suitcase and laptop tote. I just toss the wristlet in there. Then, when I am just out running errands or whatnot, I just carry the wristlet. It holds phone, money, ID/credit cards, and a lipstick. Perfect.

    If I’m traveling or going to/from work, my laptop tote also holds my iPod which I always travel with and more often than not go to work with.

    I’ve got no use for the iPhone. My take – iPhone is for play, Blackberry is for work. (Although incidentally, there are a ton of cool apps for BB, which greatly narrows the supposed iPhone advantage in that department. Many people aren’t aware of this).

  16. A Different Liz

    I had a BlackBerry when I worked at a law firm and liked it. No other gadgets because the BB also worked as a personal cell, which was authorized by the firm. I changed jobs and had to give up the BB. I got a regular phone, which did not compare, and traded it in for an iPhone several months ago. Love It. I really like not having to carry an iPod and cell phone around. Of course, when I return to firm life, I’ll be stuck w/ a BB and iPhone, since they don’t support the iPhone, but I am not giving up my baby. *strokes iPhone*

  17. housecounsel

    I carry a Blackberry only. It is employer-issued but authorized for personal use. Some of my colleagues carry two cell phones, which just sounds miserable to me. My husband has an iPhone. It looks cool, but intimidating. I have doubts as to whether I could figure it out.

    I tote around the Blackberry, along with my access card for the office, in a Coach wristlet also. The name is embossed in the leather, but it doesn’t have a logo. I kinda love it.

    • Marla

      Iphones are easy to adjust to, and this business about security mentioned above is no longer a concern. The iphone security is good enough for Skadden and myriad other firms/corporations/state and local governments. (I have no idea about federal government.) My firm IT people tried that line on me and another attorney and I asked for back-up of their claims it wasn’t safe. Within a week they had reversed their policy. Now I’d bet more than 75% of my firm uses iphones for work.

      • spacegeek

        We use our iphones to generate spacecraft files for review. Security used to be an issue, but I concur, is no more.

  18. operaghost

    I have a decent-sized Coach hobo bag and usually carry my smartphone and my iPod nano (I take it with me to the gym in the a.m.). I have a Samsung Saga and every day fantasize about crushing it beneath the wheels of my SUV. It is the worst phone ever.

  20. archcomm

    Old employer issued blackberries; new employer does not– thankfully.
    I carry around my plain cell phone (no internet, no camera) and that’s it. I’m glued to a computer most of the day, using various programs or doing research, so I don’t like carrying much tech with me.

  21. Ashley

    I have an iPhone and am the IT manager for my law firm. I have all the attorneys on the iPhone and security is not an issue. Although it has been said that iPhone is for play, BB for work, I tend to disagree. Try the iPhone. Give it 7 days. I suspect you will find their keyboard very user friendly, if not more so than the BB. Further, it fully supports exchange and, for those not on MS Exchange, it offers the .me account which equates to the same thing.

    I have a bag for my MacBook, my iPhone, my D40X, wallet, keys, handlotion, and sunglasses that looks something like these: http://toko-kecil.com/KateSpade.aspx

    • jcb

      That is the best news I’ve heard in a long time. Our IT people claim that becuase the entire device can’t be encrypted, it isn’t secure enough for a law firm. I don’t know enough about tech stuff to challenge them on it, but if other firms are doing it then there must be a solution. Thanks!

      • Ashley

        It depends on what they mean by encrypting the entire device. And it depends on what kind of server you guys are working from. You can set a password on the phone that will restrict access to the phone until entered. It can even be set to erase all data if entered incorrectly 10 times. Further, there is a ‘remote wipe’ option through the MobileMe application that allows a lost phone to be completely wiped out. They can also set encryption up through Microsoft Exchange. There are lots of solutions. I hope your firm thinks about it… the iPhone is awesome!

        • Emily

          This is interesting because it was my understanding that the reason iPhones aren’t supported for work email at my firm (Big 4 accounting) is because they couldn’t be wiped remotely, which is a huge concern.

          This is just the word on the street; I haven’t researched it fully because I just can’t be bothered with the iPhone. The BB has all I need and more.

  23. K

    I carry a smartphone for work (neither BB nor iPhone although both are approved at my firm), old school cell for personal (people at work do make fun of me for having 2 phones but when I hear it ring, I want to know which phone it is…), my iPod classic, and occasionally my digital camera. Add in my sunglasses (which I’m never without) and I tend to carry pretty big bags. Formal events usually involve me loading up my boyfriend’s jacket pockets with some of this stuff so that I can carry a clutch.

  24. shellytheattorney

    I need a new phone. Looking at both BB and iphone. But can’t bring a camera phone into courthouse. What do other attorneys do?

    • Anonymous

      No courthouse security guard/xray screener has ever commented on my camera phone (not a BB or iphone, just a standard cell with camera).

    • Canadian

      There is one blackberry (the World Edition) that doesn’t have a camera because it is intended to be used as a business phone. That is what all law firm-issued blackberries are in Toronto I believe… they must be available in the States somewhere?

    • NB

      As Canadian said, the BB Worldwide (I think mine is the 8830) is the non-camera phone option. At federal court in at least the Central and Southern Districts of CA, my experience is that you have to check your cameraphone or leave it in your car, but other districts are less strict. I am not willing to leave my email behind, so the 8830 is a good option.

  25. JR

    I have a BB Bold which is work issued and a personal HTC smarphone that has a slide out keypad. The HTC is the heaviest phone ever made. I only got it because it has a touch screen AND a pen like the old Palm Pilots and I didn’t want to give up my personal cell number. After dragging it around for a year, I plan to give up the personal phone when the contract runs out. It’s just too much.

  26. em

    I have a BB Curve, which I absolutely hate – the system frequently lags and locks up, and it’s just not as much fun and doesn’t have the capabilities of some of the others. Should have gone for the iPhone (and will definitely switch once I have some income). (I’m a law student – this is my personal phone) I usually just carry the BB and my MacBook, but can also be carrying my iPod classic, Garmin GPS, and/or Sony Powershot camera at any given time, too.

  27. Stephanie

    I use a Treo issed by work. I used to also carry around a personal phone but don’t anymore. The Treo is fine except I wish it had a bigger screen. I can technically download documents but who can read them? I also carry my iPod Touch. Love it. I download SpongeBob so anytime I have an emergency need to keep my son occupied, I am ready. When he has to come up to the office with me after school he can watch movies. I think the iPhones are cool by the keypad is hard to deal with. I also carry my camera. I have a big Kate Spade bag that could carry a small horse.

  28. divaliscious11

    BB Curve – work issue and use only for work, iPhone – personal, and Kindle, although if I forget my kindle I can use my kindle app on my iPhone. Toyed with idea of no personal phone, but then realized I didn’t want to ‘jump’ everytime my phone rang wondering if it was work or personal. One of my favorite bags has two electronics slot, one slightly thinner so I slide my iPhone there, and my BB in the other. Other bags, I swap out which device gets the slot depending on the time of day and where I am…so if I am at a conference, then the BB because its still the workday etc…

  29. L

    I carry an oldschool cell phone (razr I think), my 1 liter bottle of water, and my wallet. So I need a pretty big bag for those – I could never do fancy evening bags bc where would I put my water? I am always on the computer it seems, so I wouldn’t really have use for a smartphone – I never travel etc where I would ‘need’ it.

  30. Christine

    You may want to check out Popgadget.net. It’s technology news of interest to women, including things like laptop bags and other accessories. Not affiliated, just enjoy reading it (almost as much as Corporette).

  31. Ms B

    I carry a work-issued AT&T 8525 Smartphone that has a touch screen telephone and a slider keyboard. I love the big screen, the dedicated keyboard, and the fact that I can log in to my firm’s terminal server and do anything that I can do with my office desktop (except convert to pdf). I have internet access, email, the ability to edit documents in Word and Excel, access to our time entry system, the ability to open pdfs and jpegs, and the ability to make written notes in handwriting with the stylus, plus a phone, a camera and a couple games. The smartphone is somewhat bigger than an iPhone, but it gives me a lot more functionailty and allows me to do 1 to 2 day trips without a laptop. Our office manager got all of the women really cute Italian leather cases (mine is royal blue so I can find it in my purse, but it came in red, orange and black as well) that hold the phone with a covered keyboard protector and have a small slot that can hold a driver’s license and a couple business cards at conferences.

    I also have an iPod classic that I bring along daily, with earphones and generally a tape adapter to use if I have to drive DH’s old car (it does not have an adapter plug for the iPod). I keep the tech in the side pockets of a Longchamp Roseau triangle bag. The bag is larger, but it has a long enough strap that it can be used as a shoulder bag even when wearing a blouse, a suit jacket, a winter coat (even a fur!), and a scarf in the dead of winter.

  32. Amelia

    I have a new iphone which replaced my Treo. I miss the Palm. The calendar and contact applications are much more user-friendly. That is not to say that the iphone isn’t fun! I love the maj jong app. A great thing to do when the movie is too long, the red light lasts for ever or you are waiting in Court for your case to be called. As soon as the Pre goes to ATT, I’ll probably give serious consideration to switching, if the apps and the calendar/contact programs are still as good as they used to be. I keep my Treo in the office just in case.

  33. Amelia

    I have a new iphone which replaced my Treo. I miss the Palm. The calendar and contact applications are much more user-friendly. That is not to say that the iphone isn’t fun! I love the maj jong app. A great thing to do when the movie is too long, the red light lasts for ever or you are waiting in Court for your case to be called. As soon as the Pre goes to ATT, I’ll probably give serious consideration to switching, if the apps and the calendar/contact programs are still as good as they used to be. I keep my Treo in the office just in case.

  34. Anonymous

    Reading about everyone’s tech habits makes me feel old-fashioned. Aside from the essentials (wallet, cash, credit cards, etc), all I carry around in my purse is a plain jane cellphone with no email and no internet. It has a camera, but I rarely use it and don’t know how to download what few pictures I have on there off of it. There are a few pictures on there from, like, two years ago.

    I’ve found myself not being able to get into the whole Kindle craze. I’m old school, and still like the feeling of turning the pages of a good ol’ fashioned spine book.

    However, I just recently entered the 21st century when I purchased my first iPod shuffle almost a year ago. I carry it around in my purse constantly. Nothing beats listening to some commercial free music while I’m stuck in traffic on the freeway or I’m cruising down the aisles of a supermarket.

    The one thing I don’t like about technology is that it’s constantly changing, and oftentimes I can’t keep up.

  35. Yasmin

    I don’t have a business phone (holla to the in-house!;)) but still carry my cell phone, electronic dictionary (I live in Asia), camera, and Kindle nearly everywhere with me.

    I got the Kindle so that I could stop being ashamed of all of the chick-lit and romance novels cluttering up my shelves. If I want to read something quality, I will still buy it in hard copy. :)

  36. nathalie

    For the longest time, I was toting around my Blackberry for work, my Iphone for personal use, and for extra special occasions I’d carry my Nikon Coolpix because the picture quality is better than what you get from a Smartphone (which speaks volumes- my Iphone takes really great pictures). It was really getting to be a pain- most handbags aren’t suitable for carrying that many tech devices, and when I’m out at a gala or company dinner or dining with clients I don’t like having to lug around this massive bag just so that I can carry my “tech toys”.
    Needless to say I was absolutely ecstatic when our IT techs gave us the green light to nix our Blackberries for work. (There were days when I felt like running over my BB with my car, backing up, and running over it again- it was always really slow!). At least now I only need to carry my Iphone and, occasionally my camera when I’m at the office or going out.
    When I’m out at a gala or a corporate event, I usually just skip the oversized shoulder bag and opt for a wristlet instead; nice and small, and I can still fit my Iphone, my bank cards and my keys. SO much more convenient.
    Having used both the BB and the Iphone, I have to say that the Iphone is the only smart phone to have- I would never even think about going back to the Blackberry.

  37. AnnaK

    Hi, I’m Anna. My friend told me about this site so I’m just checking it out to see if I can meet new friends.
    I’m a very outgoing girl, bubbly personality and I just like to enjoy life.

    Hit me up if you want to cheat; I mean chat chat. You can also check out my personal website, you’ll get
    to know a little more about me and my sick sense of humor. lol

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