Sorry but 5 years ago I would have agreed with every sentence but not now, I have got more and more used to relying on a smart phone it's now a necessity and not a gimmick.

I can use the internet while out side away from home, camera and video mean that I can look at a horse and send info back to a third party to get a second opinion in a matter of minutes.

I like my phone, it's a Samsung galaxy S3 and I don't have to wear glasses to see the thing and make out text on it, it's got a proper keyboard instead of having to press a button 3 times to get the letter I want.

The thing is if you don't have one then you don't realise that you need one.

"gimmick or necessity?"

Both, if you want one get one, if you don't, don't

You might as well ask if a TV remote is a gimmick or necessity. A TV will work without one, in a fashion.

But could you go back to getting up from your seat to change channels and then trying to replicate the exact comfortable position you were lying in when you get back...?

The question was, is it a necessity?

Unquestionably, the answer is no. You wouldn't come to any harm without one.

Whether it's desirable, is a totally different question. Personally, I get along fine without one and pay a fraction in charges, compared to many others.

I've never used a smartphone [to it's full potential], but several of my friends, apparently, are very happy to pay the hefty fees for the 'smartness' which is bestowed upon the owner of such a device ... and I suppose that's what feeds the remarkable sales' growth of these innovative 'baubles'.