Like most young people these days, my cellphone is my lifeline. Not only is is my preferred form of communication, but I have my entire life scheduled in my calendar and countless apps keeping track of everything from my calorie intake to spending habits. I love being organized and my Crackberry (err…Blackberry) helps me take that to the extreme. Regardless, when I agreed to spend one day without my cellphone (and share the experience with all you text addicts), I thought that it would be no big deal.

Boy, was I wrong.

In the mornings, I usually wake up and grab my phone from my nightstand to see if I have any new texts or emails. After going through those, I get ready for school/work and periodically check my phone for any happenings. Instead, I woke up and just started getting ready. Surprisingly, I was all set for work about 15 minutes earlier and able to pop open my computer and browse the headlines that way.

Once I got to work, I had to explain to my boss that she wouldn’t be able to text or call my cell for the day. She thought the idea was neat but it quickly became clear that my lack of cellphone would put a dent in our day. I work in an office setting and sometimes have to run errands, which the cellphone is handy and/or necessary for. No one could touch base with my when I was outside of the office and while this wasn’t the norm a decade ago, now you’re expected to be available at all times. One perk (at least from my perspective) was not being disturbed on my lunch break. I could eat and read my book in peace!

After work, things became a bit more complicated. I wanted to check with my boyfriend and see if I should come by his house. I know his phone number by heart and gave him a call, but he didn’t answer. He was hanging out with his friend that day, so I figured that they were gaming and he didn’t notice his phone ringing. I tried again and still no answer. With my cell phone, I can text him and know that he will eventually get the message and respond when he can. Using a landline, I had to call him 4 times before he actually answered, which was frustrating. And then I started missing my phone.

I also missed the constant contact with my friends. I have a few friends who I am always texting and it was weird to not know what was happening in their lives from minute to minute. I suppose that it’s unhealthy to be so absorbed in other people’s business and drama, but I feel important when I’m a confidant. We could do all our talking on the phone, but it’s nice to have someone to vent to right after you get chewed out by your boss or have a yelling match with your BF.

Despite the fact that it was fairly easy to go through my daily routine without my cell, I truly missed it. In the afternoon, I actually starting feeling nervous and jittery because I didn’t have it sitting on my desk with me. I’m a bit of a control freak and like to be on top of my messages. I guess I was going through “cell withdrawals,” which, when you think about it, is so sad. Like any addict, I really felt lost without my fix! Trust me, the next morning when I could finally turn my phone back on, I felt a huge relief. I didn’t realize that I was actually addicted to my phone and don’t like that.

Overall, it was nice to a get a break from technology and realize how much I depend on my phone. I’m not an obsessive cell phone user, but it did bother me that I was going through “cell withdrawals.” I’ve decided that I’m going to keep my phone in my room when I’m at home or in my purse when I’m out. I’ll only pull it out when I need to use it instead of having it in my hand or pocket every second, constantly checking for texts or emails. I still love the convenience a cell provides, but know that I will survive without it. And that I need to. No one should be addicted to a stupid phone.

If you have the opportunity to go cell phone-free this summer (a trip is a great chance) I recommend it. I know it’s scary, but it’s also a great chance to realize just how addicted you are and how little you really need it. Plus, it’s just nice to take a break from technology and actually have a conversation with a friend instead of abusing BBM.

If you’ve read any of my posts, you’ll know I’ve changed myself around a lot as I’ve matured. Needless to say, the needs of a college girl are much different than the tweenie. My ugly, out-of-style flip phones with limited mobile-to-mobile texting and no internet (the horror!) were just about the death of me my first year of college. So what does this ever-changing girl do when her two-year contract with Verizon expires?

Picks herself up a Crackberry, you say? No, indeed not.
Waits on pins and needles for the iPhone to arrive? I almost might have, and solidified my yuppie status forever (holla to my Macbook sisters!) but the day before Verizon’s big announcement that they might reallypossiblyalmostfrlz carry the iPhone within the next 6 months, I’d sold myself to Sprint and the EVO.

Yes, today I dish out on the hottest phone on the market (for maybe the next 14 days). Just so you know, I actually bought this phone and the contract that goes with it, so this is a completely unsolicited testimonial. Boo.

But not really, because this phone is so, so worth it.

Here’s my running list of pros and cons. We’ll start with bad news first.

Con: This phone is extremely hard to come by. It was released the first week of June. When I got in on June 25^th, stores were still lucky to get one or two in a week.

Pro: The screen! It seriously makes this phone. 4.3 inch screen with 800×480. I don’t know much, but I know this makes everything look pretty. And I know it beats the iPhone by a long shot. It’s also responsive to touch, but not too responsive. In other words, it’s totally functional.

Con: The beautiful screen likes to black out. It died on my phone. Luckily, I took the battery out, popped it back in, and it came back to life faster than Frosty the Snowman.  I hear, however, that sometimes screens never come back and phones have to be totally replaced — quite a pain when the phones are still so hard to come by!

Pro: The apps! Most are cheap, many are free. Messengers, task organizers, seemingly everything you can think of.

Con: Battery life! Checking email, writing an email, and surfing two or three sites will reduce your battery life to about half. The apps kill it, too. You definitely need to charge this whenever you can.

Pro: The camera. There’s an 8 megapixel camera built into the EVO, complete with zoom, rotate, crop, and all of that fun stuff! Instead of dragging my digital camera along when I’m in a hurry, the EVO’s works beautifully.

Con: The expense. The phone itself was about $199 on special. However, I was urged to get the $7-per-month insurance coverage on it because usually the phone goes for $650. (I love how all those companies do that.) I think this is a crock, because a phone that expensive can’t compete with the iPhone, but whatev. Basically, a service package isn’t mandatory, but it’s a good way to protect yourself.

Pro: The first 4G phone, hello! Can we say fast as lightning?

Con: The first 4G phone comes at quite a cost. Firstly, 4G is in very select locations right now, mostly in the Southwest. However, even though you are most likely in an area where 4G is unavailable, Sprint still charges you an extra $10 per month regardless. Until I get back to Boston in the fall, they are making their money on me!

Pro: The design. This phone is huge, but not bulky, and it has a kick-stand. It also can be used in either portrait or landscape orientation.

Con: It is exceptionally hard to sync up email accounts on the EVO, but then again I never had experience with Smart phones before this so who am I to judge?

Pro: The friendly Sprint staff set up my email for me. With a smile!

Basically, despite the few minor glitches, I am completely sold on the EVO. I highly recommend it for us girls on the go that like to be sleek and efficient and want a service provider that doesn’t totally suck (i.e. AT&T). Let it be known that I proudly own a cool phone. This can only mean one thing: in 6 months before flip phones will be back in style.

"Hey, mama - did you get that text I just sent?"

I am, without a doubt, addicted to technology. I spend 10 hours a day in front of my computer and the minute I step away, I’m checking my email/Facebook/Twitter/IMs/stock market reports from my iPhone. (Note: stock market reports are a real downer these days.)

When I’m out with friends, I’m constantly checking to see if anyone has texted/emailed/called. Or looking things up on Google maps. Or getting Yelp reviews for anything and everything we might be doing over the course of the evening.

And, obvi, I’m uploading pictures and status updates the entire time.

I have a problem and I know it. My addiction to technology is taking over my life and, despite the fact that I am always an email or text (fromlastnight) away from anyone, all this “connection” is really ruining me. I can’t even go to the bathroom without my phone anymore. And, yes, that’s a true statement.

I know I’m not alone, so this week I asked the CollegeCandy writers to share their personal peeves with technology. What are yours?

Kathryn – University of Wisconsin-Madison: People who have really personal cell phone conversations in really public places. I definitely do not want to hear about your latest sexcapades and either does the rest of the room. I’m embarrassed for you.

Anna – Northeastern University: I hate when people have to research online reviews on everything, from the restaurant they want to get dinner at to the movie they want to see. Nobody can be spontaneous anymore!

Thu – USC: Maybe if I weren’t wasting my life away in front of the computer, I would choose to do something more productive.

Lindsay – University of Texas: I hate that technology becomes our only means of communication. My mom calls me on her cell phone when she’s down the hall from me, and friends Facebook message me instead of coming to my dorm room. And the trolls on this site are so annoying.

Liza M – Minnesota: Love technology, hate that everyone has it and knows how to use it. It makes it hard to get away with things!

Lena Chen -Harvard: I get freaked out by people who use ear pieces and hold passionate conversations in public. They could be on an inconveniently timed conference call or they could be raving lunatics having  arguments with imaginary adversaries.

Lauren – University of Michigan: People who text during movies. I can’t hear you “whispering” into your phone, but that bright screen is RUINING HARRY POTTER FOR ME, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Carly – Grinnell: It really bothers me when my friends text other people when they are hanging out with me. They could at least step outside. Maybe I’m just selfish, but I want people to be PRESENT when they’re with me.

Kim – Stanford: When people talk on the phone when they are working out. Nobody wants to hear your effing conversation while trying not to fall off the treadmill.

Elizabeth-University of Missouri: I work at a coffee shop and I absolutely hate it when people order when they’re on their Blackberry/iPhone/Cell. Sorry, did we forget the soy in your Triple Venti Half-Caf 2.5 Pump Raspberry No-Whip Light Foam 140 degree latte? Next time get off your phone so we can actually understand you. But don’t forget to have a great day!

Alana – Boston University: I hate when people need to be texting 24/7. That being said, I also hate it when the guys don’t respond to your text messages right away. The waiting is the worst

Jordan – University of Miami: I hate that it allows people to update Facebook statuses or Twitter with annoying updates that are either TMI (we don’t need to know you are getting a bikini wax!) or awkwardly ambiguous (“Jane is *sigh*” ??!!).

Kari- Florida State: That people think I’m accessible 24/7. Don’t get mad at me if I don’t respond to your urgent 4 am Facebook message until I wake up the next day!

Elise – Stanford: I hate how addicting it is! I wish email wasn’t a 24/7 thing that I needed to tend to – it makes us all more stressed!

Ricki- University of Michigan: I hate that people can use technology to avoid actually speaking.  It’s not like a text message replaces hearing someone’s voice, but people think if they send off a hello text, it’s completely okay.

Sarabeth – University of Texas: I hate Bluetooth headsets. You look like an idiot talking to himself so take the friggin’ thing off already and use a cell phone like normal people!

[Life isn’t black and white. As much as we wish we simply loved or hated things, there is often that whole annoying gray area in the middle. Like, we love how hot stilettos look, but hate the blisters the next morning. Or how we love sweatpants, but hate how fat we get when we wear em. Damn you, gray area; you make decision-making that much more complicated!]

The world is a changin’ my friends, and I so don’t want to be left behind. That’s kind of how I feel with the whole Blackberry/iPhone phenomenon. Here I am with my little, dinky LG Chocolate. I used to think my phone was so cool- – I mean, it’s frickin red and can play music — but now I’m not so sure.

Should I upgrade? Help, I’m torn!

Love it:

I want to be one of the cool kids typing away on my Blackberry during class. Even though I’m basically glued to my laptop, I can’t keep it with me 24/7. Damn thing doesn’t fit in my back pocket. If I had a PDA, I’d have access to my email all the time. Even more, I’d have Google for looking up info and phone numbers, a map so I don’t have to stop at shady gas stations and ask for directions, and other super cool shiz that I can’t get on my Chocolate. Plus, the people at Apple have come up with some pretty sweet apps. I totally want to have a personal trainer on my cellphone. I’m pretty sure they have an app for everything… at least that’s what the commercials tell me!

Loathe it:

Um PDAs are super expensive! Right now, my dad pays my cellphone bill and I’m very much OK with that. He’ll continue to pay until I graduate…unless I get a PDA with all the bells and whistles…and the monthly bill that covers them. That means that I’d have to cover it, which doesn’t sound so sweet and I’m not really sure it’s worth it. Also, as much as I love the idea of having constant Internet access, I also love the idea of having the “I didn’t get your email” excuse with profs. If I had a Blackberry, they’d know I was lying. And do I really need AIM/FB/email with me all. the. time? I’m already addicted to the internet, so how much more time would I waste with a Crackberry?

And what if I dropped that precious piece of technology into the toilet (which I have a tendency of doing)? That’s literally flushing hundreds of dollars down the drain!

So, what should I do? Exchange my old school Chocolate for a tricked out PDA, or suck it up and get a Blackberry when my work will pay for it?

Move over Crackberry. Step aside, iPhone. There’s a new boy in town and he aims to be bigger and better than his predecessors. (Note: and, no, John McCain didn’t invent this one, either.)

Rumors have been circling for awhile now that Google would be creating a phone, and in just a few days we will finally get to see it. It is called the Dream, which is quite a name to live up to. The information about this badboy is being kept under major lock and key, but many people (read: techy geeks) are sure that this phone will give Apple a run for its money.

If you are really nerdy, like me, you can watch the demo video to see what The Dream has to offer. But if you don’t want to waste 7 minutes, I can sum it up for you:

It looks and acts a lot like the iPhone: touchscreen, internet, Google maps…

I don’t know much about technology, or programming or phones (beyond texting), but I am not sure this Google phone is so revolutionary. I guess I’ll just have to wait until September 23rd to see. For now, I’m holding tight to my iPhone.

How do you know when you spend too much time online?

When you forego sex for Google.

A survey polling 1,011 Americans showed that most of us can’t stay away from the internet for more than a few days without feeling anxious and “cut off” from the rest of world, while 20% of us are spending less time getting it on because we’re logged on.

“Cell phones won out over television in a question asking which device people couldn’t go without but the Internet trumped all, regarded as the most necessary” the survey claims, going on to say that most of feel like “something important” is missing if we’re not able to check email or surf the web.

I’d like to say that I’m not part of this trend, but if I did, I’d be lying.

Although I can’t see myself giving up sex for more time on Facebook, I fully acknowledge that if I go too long without having access to a computer, I start to get nervous. What if today’s the day I get something really important in my inbox? I think. What if someone sends me a message and I only have an hour to reply?

Ridiculous as those thoughts are, the longer I’m away from my email, the more I think them. It’s amazing how fast we can become dependant on something (after all, most of us were alive before the internet became a way of life), and it’s a little scary to think about what would happen if the whole thing just disappeared one day.

In fact, I don’t want to think about it at all!

I need to calm myself down! I need to watch someone annoying do something random on YouTube! I need to watch this guy.

…ah, much better. Now, what was I saying?

During college, if I ever forgot it back at my sorority house after heading out for the day, I would somehow find a way to sprint back and get it in between classes. I was so sure I would miss the call of a lifetime during that 9 am – 10:20 am time period.

Usually, I didn’t.

Well, this addiction causes me to have frequent instances where I can swear I hear it ringing, but when I would reach into my bag and take a look, it is totally silent.

No missed calls, no new text messages, no new picture messages. What is this weird thing that I was hearing?

Am I going crazy?

Nope, just suffering from a case of Ringxiety. And yes, it is a real thing, and there has now been a study done to back it up.

According to a recent news report, “A new study found that two thirds of the people surveyed reported hearing their phone ring or feeling it vibrate when it had not actually rung. The phenomenon has been termed ringxiety…The more frequently a person uses their phone, the more often they reported hearing a phantom ring, the study found. These participants (67% of the people surveyed) had higher monthly charges, used more minutes, sent more text messages, and showed higher levels of impulsivity.”

I love seemingly meaningless studies as much as the next girl, but it’s pretty easy to see that if you’re constantly on your phone you’re going to be constantly thinking about it and therefore “hearing” it ring.

Put it this way, it’s like having a song stuck in your head. You “hear” it, but is it playing on the stereo? No, you’re just tweaking out because you’ve listened to that Kanye song all freaking day.

So, do not worry, when you experience this phantom ringing, you are not going insane from the massive amounts of coffee you drank in order to cram for that big exam. You are only suffering from a case of Ringxiety. The cure: Put down the cell phone and walk away…no picture message is that important.