1. Personally, I cannot begin to fathom why someone would want to remain "tethered" to the outside world during their hike--except for BRIEF contact with family members to let them know that you are O.K. or to check and see if all is O.K. at home. FOR ME having a cellphone turned on--and readily accessible-- defeats the entire purpose of going into the woods--because I go there to get away from it all (as much as possible).
2. However, I ultimately don't have to understand why some folks feel the overwhelming need to stay so very much connected to the outside world--nor do they have to understand why I do the things that I do. I get to hike my own hike and they get to hike their own hike.
3. That being said, I would like people to be courteous with their phone and electronic device usage. Out of respect for those who wish to get away from the outside world, I would prefer if hikers would go somewhere private and use their electronic devices. (I feel the same way about people who want to play musical instruments or have loud parties--please go somewhere private and please do not ruin the experience for other people).
I hate being in the woods and finding myself around someone who is chatting loudly on a phone for extended periods--(or typing away on a computer, texting on their phone or playing music on a radio/MP3 player). If I wanted to be around such things--and their noise---I would have stayed back at the office or at home.