It’s Use Less Stuff Day today - a timely reminder that we should try and make do with what we’ve got.
We're actually using a lot less products than ever, thanks to the mighty smartphone. It’s replaced quite a few household items in the space of a few short years.
You want a few examples? Okay. Take a deep breath...
We’re talking about things like cameras. Camcorders too, remember them?
Radios, portable CD players and CDs.
Phrase books, encyclopedias and dictionaries.
Address books and personal planners. Enormous filofaxes.
Calculators, calendars and alarm clocks.
Handheld games consoles (and the games that went in them).
DVD players, DVDs, TV boxsets (thanks to things like the new Chromecast) and remote controls.
Sat navs and road maps.
Letters, stamps and envelopes.
Dictaphones (although we’ve never actually met anyone that used one).
Make-up mirrors.
Torches.
Telephones, even - who needs a land-line any more? Okay, maybe Lionel...
But that’s not quite the end of the story. In the not-too-distant future, your phone will replace even more stuff. We expect the following new technology to become commonplace:
If you’re not a fan of wallets and purses, then you’ll be able to ditch them. Your smartphone will let you pay for everything, so you won’t need credit cards or cash. And apps like Mobile Pocket already let you use your phone to flash your store loyalty card, so you won’t miss out on those precious points.
If you’re fed up of stuffing your house keys into your pocket or bag, guess what? You’ll be able to leave them at home, and unlock your smart door lock with your smartphone, thanks to to the likes of Danalock.
And finally, with a little help from Microsoft Continuum and the Microsoft Display Dock, your phone could even completely replace your laptop or PC.
Has your smartphone replaced something that we haven't mentioned above? Send us a comment below and tell us what we've missed.