Hey Bob,
Good for you on sticking with your principles to refrain from a cell phone. Mostly the shops I am talking about require checking the boxes rather than a lot of typing.
But yes, I do use voice activation from time to time. I am not a huge fan of it for narrative shops because I have to go back and edit it anyway. Sometimes I find myself in hysterics with what auto-correct comes up with!
Someday I hope the voice activated ones are a little more reliable. I've heard Bixby is better than Siri, but I'm still arguing with Alexa. She must think I have an accent.
With respect to mystery shopping I use my cell phone for:
Receiving bonus offers that come in via phone
Verifying those shops received by checking my email on my cell phone.
Using the WAZE app to help me navigate to shops and in real-time avoid traffic issues to save time and aggravation.
The camera apps, including ones with time stamps, to look less conspicuous when taking required shots. (food, exteriors of stores, problems etc)
Stop watch applications
Texting myself information for later review
Entering shop information on the apps
Looking for shops when I am in an area outside of my normal search.
And my newest one .... the city parking meter app! Really nice, it allows me to pay for downtown parking, and update from my phone rather than run down the block with more change. Pretty simple to get a receipt that way too!
Using all of those apps does not even add up to a full gig of data when I'm out and about. So my cell phone bill is about 25 per month (I buy my own phones). I'm pretty happy with Republic Wireless if you wanted to check them out.
Evaluating and mailing packages since 1994. I am an undercover connoisseur of customer service, a master of disguise in the aisles, and a sworn enemy of subpar experiences. I blend in, observe, and report—because excellence should never be a mystery.