By Leslie Clavin
We’ve all been there. That moment of panic when you realize … You. Left. Your. Cellphone. Behind. If you’re like me you can visualize exactly where it is. The other day, I was already on the train into the City when I noticed I’d left mine on the kitchen counter. The anxiety I felt the rest of the day was excruciating. It was as if I was only wearing one shoe. Or typing with one hand behind my back. In the words of a coworker who also recently misplaced his phone, I felt helpless.
Working a day without my mobile demonstrated just how much I rely on it during an average workday. I started the day feeling a step behind, since I was not able to get a jump on email or read the morning news during my commute. I wasn’t able to send colleagues on the road quick updates via text, which has become our go-to communications platform when folks are out of the office. It even hampered my stealth campaign to become the Mayor of our office on Foursquare.
Even though I sit for most of the day right next to a landline, many clients call me on my mobile since that is usually the most reliable way to reach me. I dialed into my voicemail on an hourly basis to make sure nothing fell through the cracks.
I’m not alone in feeling what the U.K. mobile carrier Orange has dubbed “Lost Phone Syndrome.” There’s a growing cottage industry developing around technologies to help you keep track of your phone. Mobile Me, Zomm, iTag, WaveSecure and a wide array of tracking technologies are available to help you remember, track and locate your mobile devices. I don’t think I’m ready to take that step yet, but it’s nice to know there’s a safety net out there.
For some Friday fun, here’s a video from the folks at Orange that pokes fun at those of us who experience separation anxiety when we’re away from our phones. Enjoy!
A little bit about me: My smartphone runs my life – from keeping track of my work email and making sure the kids are on time for their next baseball game to managing my grocery lists and keeping tabs on current events (like the Giants game). My dream app? The AP Stylebook for Android.
You’ll never become mayor of Racepoint. Never!
That reference was just for you, my friend!