Twelve things your smartphone has replaced

NNew technology always replaces older tech (that’s kind of the point of ‘new’ technology). But there’s nothing quite as versatile when it comes to making things obsolete as the smartphone – or, should I say, phone/ internet browser/camera/music player/alarm clock/reading material/calculator/photo album/gaming device/flashlight.

1. Phones

The smartphone is, first and foremost, a phone, so it makes sense that it would replace other phones, such as landlines and pay phones.

2. MP3 Players

Guardians of the Galaxy nailed it: the only reason anyone would have a separate portable music player these days would be if they were abducted from Earth in 1988.

3. Cameras

Smartphone cameras can’t really hold a candle to a digital SLR (though they are certainly getting better), but they’re better than no camera at all. Which is what you would have if you didn’t have your smartphone with you, because who’s going to lug a DSLR around to cool outings, hikes and parties? Not you, or anybody who owns a smartphone.

4. Portable gaming consoles

Why would you spend around £170 on a Nintendo 3DS XL when you can play Nintendo-esque games (in the form of Pokémon GO) on your smartphone?

5. Alarm clocks

Your smartphone can set 16 alarms at once and it’s too fragile to throw across the room. In other words, it’s the best alarm clock ever.

6. Remote controls

Your handset isn’t just a remote for Android TV and myriad set-top boxes. It’s a remote for everything. Your lights. Your car. Your thermostat. Let’s hope you never lose it.

7. Watches

You no longer need to look at someone’s wrist to know if they have the time. They have a smartphone.

8. Photo albums

Instead of boring people with the usual five or six pictures of our kids, we can now show them hundreds or even thousands of pictures saved on our phones. Lucky them.

9. Books

You might think electronic reading devices such as Kindles have replaced books, but you’re wrong. Your phone can display the same e-books and play games and text friends when you get bored of reading.

10. Calculators

Did smartphones replace calculators, or did calculators on smartphones replace our brains? I feel like we used to be able to calculate restaurant tips in our heads before smartphones came along.

11. Wallets

Now that shops actually support Android Pay, there’s no need to carry a credit card around. And with apps such as Venmo, there’s no need to carry cash, either. If only the police would accept a photo of your driver’s licence.

12. Torch

Hey, the LED flash on the back of your phone isn’t just there to make your night-time pictures look horrific.