Smartphone horror story No. 7: When a smartphone makes a splash
Our final smartphone horror story gives a whole new meaning to the idea of a dropped call.
Robert Van Gool is one busy man. His company, Gonzo Games, strives to create viral video games for a range of different electronic platforms. There's always work to be done, and Van Gool uses every minute he can to get ahead.
That means he's frequently multitasking, and not in the way you might be thinking: Van Gool, you see, sometimes takes care of business while - er - taking care of business. You know, a very personal kind of business.
One day, Van Gool was chatting with his lead game developer from his secondary office, so to speak, when something went terribly wrong. "The phone slipped out of my hand and plopped into the toilet, big splash and all," he confesses.
The porcelain gods were evidently watching out for Van Gool that day: His phone miraculously survived and even maintained its connection. His conversation, however, didn't fare quite so well.
"I gingerly pulled it out and realized my developer was still on the line, still talking!" Van Gool says. "I had to hang up on him, as there was no way I was going to put that phone to my ear."
The moral: Even in our culture of constant connection, some places should remain sacred from communication. Do the world a favour: When you enter the loo, put down the damn phone. Your colleagues - and your fellow restroom users - will thank you.