Connectivity (the OP's question) vs. organization are really two separate questions. My connectivity is pretty limited (although I'm totally coveting my husband's iPhone, now that I've seen it in action - it's SO much more functional than my old PDA, with the glaring exception of document handling - I hope they remedy that soon). But, the amount of paper I've saved since I got my first PDA is literally staggering.

My shopping list is no longer on multiple scraps of paper scattered in various purses, pockets, tabletops and who knows where. It's all in one place. When I think of something I need, wherever I happen to be, I can put it on the list. And of course the calendar, as others have pointed out - if I've forgotten something, then a paper or desktop calendar doesn't help me. When my calendar is with me all the time, the alarm can go off in time for me to be where I'm supposed to be.

Last, rude is rude and I don't think it has anything to do with the mode. The same people who would text or phone during a meal, are the ones who used to read a newspaper or a book.