"...... used as a tool in the right way they can be a valuable item".

That I can agree with but what insidious force is it that makes so many people willing slaves to them?

At my other, office cleaning job, the supervisor has threatened more than once to make people leave them in their cars because if the thing bleeps they have to drop everything and respond.  The looks of wide-eyed outrage at the suggestion had to be seen to be believed.

Getting their work done, driving, or a queue of other people in a shop, all take second place after the all important pokey box.