I can tap my smartphone and a cab will arrive almost immediately. Another tap will tell me the latest news, value my share portfolio or give me route directions to my next meeting. I can instantly find the time of a train to Margate, the weather in Majorca, download a rail ticket and receive a boarding pass for my flight. As a result, I do not need to stand on a street corner vainly trying to hail a taxi to the theatre, lose myself in London streets, miss my train or queue at a check-in desk. I can chat to friends, or arrange a loan, while appearing to pay attention to a dull meeting.
我只需轻触自己的智能手机，就可以几乎立刻招来一辆出租车。再轻触一下，它还可以告诉我最新新闻，让我查看自己的股票投资组合，或者告诉我去往下一个会议的路线。我可以立刻找到开往马尔盖特(Margate)的火车时刻表，了解马略卡岛(Majorca)的天气，下载一张火车票或者收到航班的登机牌。这样一来，我就不需要站在街角，徒劳地试图招停一辆出租车去剧院；不会让自己在伦敦街头迷路；不会错过火车，也不需要在机场柜台排队等候办理登记手续。我可以在貌似专心参加一场枯燥会议的时候与朋友聊天，甚至安排一笔贷款。