I feel sorry for the people that would be lost without their cellphone. They must have been in bad shape in the 70's.
Not at all. In the 70s computers weren’t a thing. The internet didn’t exist. So many functions that are now done online either didn’t exist or were done in another way.
I am not fully retired. Our scheduling is handled through an app. Our in-house communication system is through an app. Our staff meetings are held through an app and the presentations and slides are available through that app.
I also have an online business on eBay. I use my phone to take all of the photos, to research value of items when out shopping for merchandise, to follow my sales, send offers, and respond to messages.
Many have mentioned GPS. Sure maps still exist but they aren’t constantly updated and don’t give audio turn by turn directions.
Smartphones also created many ways to save money through store and restaurant apps with coupons and such.
Disneyland just announced that going forward the only way to charge purchase to your hotel room will be with their app. You used to just show your room key.
Someone also mentioned the disappearance of pay phones. If your car breaks down or you have an accident, I just open the AAA app and call for help. I don’t even need to know where I am because the phone provides that info.
Times have changed. More and more functions and services are app-based, exclusively so in many cases. If you don’t have a smartphone you are increasingly excluded from many things.