Are phones with Apps necessary to a full, fun, enjoyable techy life?

There were technicians long before phones, I'm sure many of them would say their lives were great.

I'm still not planning to give up my phone though. I like having tracking on my keys and being able to add stuff to my shopping list without stopping, and no longer being constantly lost everywhere I go.

Not for me. I don't even own a smartphone, just a good old small mobile phone whose battery charge virtually lasts forever. I can't do anything useful with a computer that doesn't have a proper keyboard and screen.

I consider a full techy life to include creating tech, so I maximise my device time for those with keyboards, and minimise for those without.

No.