Eight Things That Were Replaced By Smartphones

Technological advancements have changed virtually everything about our lives over the past two centuries. Automobiles, electricity, and other innovations have made our lives before these advancements virtually unrecognizable.

One such innovation that has changed the way we all communicate and function and has replaced an unbelievable amount of products is the smartphone. Here are eight things replaced by smartphones.

Processes at your church have even changed, too thanks to new technology like a church giving app. When technology advances, it usually makes an already existing product obsolete.

1. Landlines, Answering Machines, and Payphones

One of the most obvious things replaced by smartphones is landlines. You likely know someone who does not have a home phone, opting to use their smartphone instead. A 2013 survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that over 40% of all homes in the U.S. use only mobile phones.

Because so few people have landlines these days, old-fashioned answering machines have been replaced by the much more convenient voicemail systems on mobile devices. And while payphones were common in the past for making emergency calls, they are now rarely used due to widespread smartphone adoption.

2. Traditional Cameras and Camcorders

Although you can still purchase a digital, film, or video camera, these products aren’t utilized nearly as often now that smartphones are on the scene. Since most mobile phones have built-in cameras that take quality photos and videos, many people have no use for a separate device.

Admittedly, you still will want a different type of camera if you work as a photographer and your goal is to get high-quality images. You also will want a higher quality video camera for certain situations. However, in large part, your cell phone’s options work just fine for everyday use.

3. Alarm Clocks

At the end of the day, before we fall asleep, most of us use our smartphones to surf social media or catch up on the news of the day. Therefore, we generally keep our phones right beside our beds while we sleep.

Since smartphones have a built-in alarm clock feature, having a separate alarm clock is no longer a necessity—unless you have a habit of sleeping through your phone alarm.

4. Pagers

Pagers were all the rage in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, though, you probably can’t find many people under the age of 35 who even know what a pager is.

Because you can now call or send a text message to someone using your smartphone, pagers are almost entirely obsolete.

5. The Walkman, The Discman, and MP3 Players

Not only do our smartphones provide us with a way to take photos and communicate, but they also allow us to download and play our favorite music at will. Gone are the days of carrying a clunky cassette player on your morning jog or traveling with a Discman in your car.

Even digital music players like iPods are quickly becoming outdated. Unless you have a massive music collection, you likely don’t need an mp3 player anymore if you have a smartphone. You may not even purchase or download music at all, thanks to mobile apps and streaming services.

6. Calculators

Another thing replaced by smartphones is the calculator. When was the last time you used a physical calculator instead of the feature on your mobile phone?

Scientific calculators are still needed in some academic or professional settings, but for simple calculations, your phone’s calculator does the trick.

7. Maps and GPS Devices

Traditional, paper maps are rarely used for their original intended purpose anymore, thanks to technology. Today, not only can you view maps on your smartphone, but you can also get turn-by-turn directions using an app.

You no longer need to keep an Atlas in your car, or even rely on a detached GPS device. A fully charged smartphone is all you need.

8. Replace Outdated Giving Methods with a Church Giving App

Another thing that you might not think cell phones have affected is church giving. Your place of worship still passes the offering plate, and you still see cash and paper checks turned in during service.

The offering plate will likely never disappear for good. But other so-called modern giving solutions, like kiosks and text-to-give, are already on their way out. Most of your members now carry smartphones with them at all times, both in and outside of the church.

With the most up-to-date option on the market, a church giving app, you can provide another way for your members to give, all from the convenience of their smartphone.

As technology continues to advance, will your church be able to adapt? Many churches are keeping up with these changes by offering a church giving app.

To keep up with the needs of your members, modernizing your methods is imperative to your church’s success. What would you add to our list of eight things replaced by smartphones? Let us know in the comments below.

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