When Smart Is Dumb

Smart phones all too often make dumb people. Or at least, bad business.

Since the advent of Apple’s oh-so-cool iPhone, dozens of applications (the cool kids that used to make fun of The Teller in high school call them "apps.") have come out purporting to make business more convenient, easier and more mobile.

But convenient for whom?

Case in point – a new iPhone app from Home Warranty of America claims to allow real estate agents to "handle all their home warranty business from anywhere, whether they are in their car, at a closing or on the beach."

Now, handling business from a closing is all well and good. That’s what real estate agents are supposed to do.

But from their car? If texting and driving is illegal in Massachusetts, we don’t think State Trooper Joe will look too fondly on "arranging important legal documents designed to protect the value of a home" while driving, either.

And worse – from the beach!?

"I’m sorry I can’t handle this for you from my office Bob, I’m too busy blowing the 6 percent commission you so generously gave me for taking three years to sell your home on margaritas and jet-skiing lessons. But don’t worry, thanks to my iPhone, I’ll just go ahead and get all this done for you without ever looking at a document. No worries. Hey, gotta run, they’re starting a limbo contest!"

Home warranties from the beach. What’s next, we wonder? Title transfers from the Sox game? Notary signings from Mardi Gras?

Technology is wonderful. But let’s not forget who it’s designed to serve.