New Year's Resolutions for an iPhone User

As noted in a previous blog, I received an iPhone this past August and initially had some trouble getting used to the thing. Now that I've gotten comfortable with it, I find myself needing to establish a few New Year's resolutions so that I can control my obsession with it, and find new ways to put it to better use.

1. I will become a better touchscreen typist.

With my old BlackBerry, I used to be a rapid-fire phone typist. That little keyboard was no match for my quick brain and faster thumbs. However, I still haven't been able to master typing upon the iPhone's touchscreen. I'm okay, but I find it to still be too much of a challenge for my gigantic hands. I don't have the luxury of having girl-sized nails and therefore need to work much harder to compose anything. In 2012, I shall strive to type faster, and better than any perfectly manicured woman.

2. I will fight the urge to take the phone to the bathroom.

Everyone does it, and anyone who claims otherwise is a liar. I still feel a little strange when I do it, and wonder how I've gotten to the point where I can't leave the device on the other side of the door. In 2012, I will keep my iPhone in my pocket, or in separate quarters, when using the facilities. I will stop being gross.

3. I will not allow my solitaire app to dominate my free time.

Most people play highly interactive, truly imaginative and eventful games on their iPhones. Me, I've become addicted to solitaire. Not some really cool tricked-out version of solitaire that has some type of animated character dancing around on the screen to a techno dance beat as the cards are doled out, just straight-up, card-to-pile, card-to-pile solitaire. My eyes get blurry as I attempt to beat previous scores, and my blood pressure begins to rise as I find myself unable to get that damn 10 of spades that I need to reach the podium. I have a problem, and I need to find something more 21st century. In 2012, I shall stop being boring and find a game that makes me look cooler to people who snoop at my screen and wonder why something better isn't upon it.

4. I will begin to appreciate the late Steve Jobs a little bit more.

Steve Jobs was a revolutionary figure that the world lost way too soon. However, I'm rarely the type of person to put someone on a pedestal, especially someone that I don't know. Admittedly, I got tired about hearing about Jobs, even though the months of tributes and reflections about his life, following his death, were a worthwhile exercise. I just happen to be someone who gets sick of anyone and anything that gets overexposed. Maybe in 2012 the media, the society, and those in the industry will begin to do what Jobs seemingly did best with his technological advancements, and that's look ahead instead of looking back. Just maybe, I will then have the chance to reflect on what he's done, and how much of an effect his inventions have had on my life. In 2012, I will develop a deeper respect for the late Mr. Jobs.

5. I will put my iPhone through its paces.

I'm admittedly a very nuts-and-bolts iPhone user. I don't have a billion apps that have a billion different functions and purposes, and I don't blast through lots of GBs of data. In some respect, I find that I'm wasting the wonderful piece of technology that's in my hand. If all I'm doing is reading articles, playing solitaire, and texting, I'm certainly not being as in-the-know about the iPhone's capabilities as I should be. In 2012, I will go to town with my iPhone, and visit as many digital destinations as I possibly can without losing myself in the process. Wish me luck!