How did we survive before cell phones? Have they made us more productive? Other things like microwave ovens, permanent press clothes, food processors and such have made our lives easier but a cell phone just complicates things more.
It's certainly made me more productive. Many's the time I had to cool my heels waiting for someone to show up for an appointment. Now they can call me to tell me they're going to be late or need to reschedule, or I can call them to ask when they'll be arriving. The only time I think modern communications are detrimental is when your work can contact you whenever they want (like vacations, dinner, at a movie, etc.), as opposed to what used to be "office hours." Luckily, that sort of thing isn't an issue for me.
This is what kills me - all the conveniences you mentioned & so many more - and it seems like we have LESS free time than ever! People used to have time to sit on their porches in rockers, snap string beans & talk to people walking by. Time to bake a cake from scratch & write letters. Now, we all run around like gerbils on treadmills - running our tails off & never getting it all done.
Absolutely! Ask any real estate agent. They can conduct 90% of their business while in their car, rather than making trips back and forth to their office to use the phone.