Over the last two years, the way I use my smartphones has flip-flopped, expanded, contracted and has done a complete 180 again and again. I've gone from using smartphones solely as communication tools to using them to write articles, replace my point and shoot camera and play endless games.
At the end of the day, only one thing is certain: my smartphone usage varies by the month. Lately, for instance, I've been on a kick where I want to use my phone to do everything possible.
As I explained this morning, if there is one functionality I would give my smartphone, it would be the ability to control and power my other electronics, to be the driving force behind like-minded gadgets. (Think PadFone but for a Linux machine or a game console that is powered by a smartphone.)
Alas, that's wishful thinking for the future. It's a dream that may or may not come to fruition in the next decade.
But I have had a Nexus Q in my possession for at least three months now. It has been sitting on the upper left shelf of my television stand in all its colorful orbed glory. And unlike most (apparently), my Nexus Q has had its fair share of use. Since receiving it, I have watched countless movies that I have either purchased, rented from Google Play or own digital copies of.
There's something beautifully awesome and nerdy about controlling the media on my television with my phone, the one device I use for practically everything else. Since using the Nexus Q and purchasing streamable content from Google Play, I have adopted new habits.
Not only do I use my smartphone for renting movies and television shows to watch on my big screen TV, though. I have started using it to purchase said content to watch directly from my smartphone. Just this past weekend, I heard my sister and brother-in-law talking about the movie Lawless. I remembered having wanted to see it when it was in theaters after seeing the trailer. They had recommended it and I was laying in bed, restless, in their guest room at 2:00 AM. So I pulled out my phone, purchased the movie and watched it right then and there.
Even when I'm at home, I often reach for my smartphone for Netflix or Hulu, rather than turning on the Xbox 360 or PS3. I lay in bed with my headphones in and watch an episode or two of one of my favorite shows or just browse for movies or TV shows to watch in Google Play or Netflix.
For at least a month now, I've considered purchasing several television series, since I don't pay for cable television. Some of my favorite shows, such as The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad, are ongoing and the ability to have new episodes as they become available is extremely temping. But I'm hesitant due to the lofty prices.
There's nothing quite like being able to stream or download your favorite TV shows and movies to watch from virtually wherever. It's become a weekly – and sometimes daily – thing for me. Even having a couple tablets laying around, I still tend to reach for my phone – it's lighter and more comfortable to hold for hours on end.
Tell me, ladies and gents. Do you watch movies or television shows from your smartphone? Do you rent or buy from iTunes or Google Play? Or do you just stream through Netflix?
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