iPhone a Tool Towards Minimalism?

When is a phone not just a phone? When it is an Apple iPhone.

Honestly, I love gadgets and always have, but the iPhone is something special. I believe it can be a tool towards minimalism. How? By using various apps and features of the iPhone to replace other things.

First off, it is of course a phone. This is something I would carry with me anyway. I also read email, send text messages, and surf the internet. All of these things are common uses of almost all smart phones. However, I am able to do even more with the iPhone.

The iPhone has a GPS which allows you to navigate to different places while in the car. The same GPS features allowed me to use it as a replacement for my Garmin 305. It is an incredible tracking tool for running. The app I use is called RunKeeper. It does everything that my Garmin used to do.

I also use it as a food diary and fitness tracker. I plan to discuss this topic in more depth in another post, but this alone has made a huge difference in my overall health and fitness.

In addition, I have replaced my iPod, PSP, alarm clock, and wallet with the iPhone. How did I replace my wallet? I use the case-mate ID and credit card case.

When approached with a minimalist mindset, the iPhone can replace:
• iPod
• Garmin sports watch
• cell phone
• GPS
• PDA
• food/fitness journal
• alarm clock
• wallet (using case)
• camera
• portable game system

Overall, it is one of the most versatile products available easily doing the job of 10 different things! Since I got my iPhone my pockets have become so much less cluttered. Now if I can only figure out a way to open doors with it…