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Post by unknownpipesmoker on Feb 5, 2019 9:13:48 GMT -5
I didn't have one of these bastards until about 2016. Around about there. Now I feel like it is an indispensable part of my life and I am not sure that I like that fact.
I was just up on the pool deck enjoying two Cohiba club 20s. I came back down and realised it wasn't in my pocket. You have to understand, I have shaky hands, so I can't use one of those iPhone things. It seems that all apple does is make overpriced tech with last year's hardware thesedays anyhow. The issue is the touch screen. You know, I just can't get my darned fingers on the virtual keyboard right. Autocorrect is of no use. I get sentences like "John bit his finger and the cat passed on his sisters leg", when I am trying to say something like "John, I hope the Colts win the game for you tonight. Susan says to bring home food for the cats.". So I really need that physical keyboard. And that is where BlackBerry still excels.
I remembered BlackBerry was a pretty good brand. However, the phone is also something like $1000. Ouch. I bought the key2 this year to replace the PRIV that fell onto the commode last year. Another horrible waste.
You can imagine how I just felt when I came down the lift after smoking a few Cohibas on the pool deck and discovered the bastard wasnt in my pocket. Five alarm fire freakout mode. Worse than any bad acid trip. For sure. So I literally RAN to the lift, or rather quickly gimped my way there, up to the pool deck, not there. FECK.
What now? I get back down the lift, gimpy stride back to the room, to discover it's nowhere to be found. All with two hernias, prolapse, degenerative joint disease in both ankles, cervical spondylosis, two fake hips, seventy years of age, I could go on, et cetera.
It was blended in with my black baggage. Confounded. Why are these things so important to us? We lived for decades without them. Why does everyone suddenly need to have a computer with them at all times? Some good has come out of it. I no longer get lost. When I am bored, I can "gts", or " Google that sh!t. I wouldn't have a fiance right now if I didn't have this gadget. But it is so stress-inducing. Maybe we should all do what they did in that Tom Hanks movie, Terminal, and chuck all of our phones (well, in that movie, it was pagers, but you get the point) off of a tall balcony somewhere. Maybe the world would be a more harmonious place, who knows?
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Post by Low and Slow on Feb 5, 2019 10:41:36 GMT -5
I'm with you on this, I gave up a while ago. My wife and I share a phone. If it were up to me we'd still be riding horses to work and talking to each other during meals! No one should have to spend that much to have business, or talk to fam and friends. Plus be so stressed and worried over losing, breaking, or not having their phone to get through the day.
It's not just you unknown, I have perfectly capable hands and it still won't type what I ask it! The voice to text is even worse, makes me feel like I'm not speaking English. Although, it's nice to have info at a touch, accurate directions, and a new way to acquire a fiancé.
Blessing and a curse maybe?
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Post by Legend Lover on Feb 5, 2019 11:50:37 GMT -5
I must confess that my life is ruled by my mobile phone - not that I can't live without it per se - more like, it organises my calendar, reminds me about stuff I need to do, gets me to the places I need to go (Google maps), plays me my favourite music etc.
I don't really do social media etc. but I use it to keep me on top of my game. I have a bad memory and the mobile phone helps me to remember what I need to remember and so I don't let people down.
If there was another way to do that other than the phone, I'd be happy, but it has everything in the one place.
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Post by Dramatwist on Feb 5, 2019 12:48:42 GMT -5
After purchasing a first generation iPhone, I switched to a Blackberry. Now, I use a cheap "flip-phone" which cost less than $50.00 and my monthly service is less than $19.00.
Go to any public place, and people are staring at their phones and not speaking to each other.
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Post by monbla256 on Feb 5, 2019 13:11:49 GMT -5
For me, a phone is just that, a telephone. I don't have an "iPHONE"rather I have a flip phone as that's all I use it for is as a telephone to call and talk to folks. I don't use apps, so I go the cheap route @ $75.00 for the phone and $25.00 mo for service. I must add that my phone cost is for two phones, one for me and one for my 94 yo mother . She's doing good to answer a phone and dial it as well so she has a fip phone as well. (same as mine) so she also has no need for anything an iPhone would offer. Once again, K.I.S.S. it ! 
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Post by Dramatwist on Feb 5, 2019 13:16:34 GMT -5
For me, a phone is just that, a telephone. I don't have an "iPHONE"rather I have a flip phone as that's all I use it for is as a telephone to call and talk to folks. I don't use apps, so I go the cheap route @ $75.00 for the phone and $25.00 mo for service. I must add that my phone cost is for two phones, one for me and one for my 94 yo mother . She's doing good to answer a phone and dial it as well so she has a fip phone as well. (same as mine) so she also has no need for anything an iPhone would offer. Once again, K.I.S.S. it ! Michael, some would consider you and I luddites... I just think we're sane. |
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Post by puffy on Feb 5, 2019 15:06:22 GMT -5
We are old.We grew up in an old culture Some of us are set in our old ways.The world is changing though and if we don't adjust to it we will become outsiders.Smart phones,Smart TV's,Streaming,Texting,Tweeting.That's the future..I had a smart phone.I stopped my service because about a year someone gave me an old flip phone.It just died.I have to admit that I missed my smart phone so today in fact I started my service again.I could get by with a flip phone but I've come to like my smart phone.
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Post by jeffd on Feb 5, 2019 15:39:47 GMT -5
I am kind of liking the things my cell phone has done for me.
I like texting my buddy waiting at the diner that I am running late and will soon be on my way.
I like taking pictures of my travel receipts and just texting the pictures to my company.
I like map apps that guide me to new places.
I like my Kindle app for when i go to the diner and forget to bring a book.
I like my Audible app for listening to books while I drive long distances.
I like my Lyft and Uber apps that get me a reliable inexpensive ride just about any time anywhere.
I like my paperless grocery list.
One has to have discipline however. I don't always answer the phone just because its ringing. I don't do my work email on it so I can get away from work. And I don't twitter or instagram or anything on it.
So, its like anything else, good and bad, and mainly different. On the whole, it has given me more control of my life and a bit more free time to screw up other things.
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Post by peterd-Buffalo Spirit on Feb 5, 2019 15:44:06 GMT -5
My oldest son and wife gave me an iPhone 7+ about a year ago...I do not use apps or anything but to talk and occasionally text one of my kids...I do not use it other than to communicate...because I'm under their family plan it was an upgrade they had earned and passed to me...it has taken me over a year just to figure a few things out on it...I don't use it in restaurants, having discussions with others, and hate when others do it...in fact, I normally tell others, if you need to have another conversation with someone else do so and get back to me later...
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Post by just ol ed on Feb 5, 2019 15:48:24 GMT -5
Recently, during trip to WallyWorld to re-new my "subscription"...took quick look at some a those fancy/dancy do it all items. No included owners' manuals, seems they're online only. Probably mostly gibberish anyhow.
We have Spectrum 3-1 flat rate plan for past 16yrs. Phone plugs into computer modem, TV & hi speed net.
My basic TracFone (not shown at their website) gets me 4mos at around $22. Have to get "minutes" each time. Probably close to 700mins show on screen. It's never on, nobody knows the cell # (including me...write down on a piece of paper somewhere in desk drawer). Have read/heard by spring or early summer...90% of calls coming into a cell phone...scammers/spammers. supposedly the whizbang computer geeks working on a total end to robo-calls too.
Nobody in our combined family is local call. We have unlimited long-distance. Don't need the grief in attempting to make any understanding on these phones. Happy with good 'ol landline. Only one device...desktop computer.
Low tech fine with us both
Ed Duncan, Batavia, NY
pipe/cigar since '62
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kirk13
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Post by kirk13 on Feb 5, 2019 16:29:26 GMT -5
For years I got by with granddad Nokias,on a £10 pay as you go tariff. However,I've been using smartphones for about four years now,starting with a cheap Alcatel. There was a false start with a really poor Huiwae,but I literally took an axe to it.
I started needing my phone more and more in my old job,and it's now invaluable for reading,listening to music,navigating in areas when a map is inappropriate,and for keeping in touch with my beloved in NYC
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Post by sperrytops on Feb 5, 2019 17:26:45 GMT -5
I am kind of liking the things my cell phone has done for me. I like texting my buddy waiting at the diner that I am running late and will soon be on my way. I like taking pictures of my travel receipts and just texting the pictures to my company. I like map apps that guide me to new places. I like my Kindle app for when i go to the diner and forget to bring a book. I like my Audible app for listening to books while I drive long distances. I like my Lyft and Uber apps that get me a reliable inexpensive ride just about any time anywhere. I like my paperless grocery list. One has to have discipline however. I don't always answer the phone just because its ringing. I don't do my work email on it so I can get away from work. And I don't twitter or instagram or anything on it. So, its like anything else, good and bad, and mainly different. On the whole, it has given me more control of my life and a bit more free time to screw up other things. Greatest value to me is the google maps. I no longer get lost trying to find some obscure out of the way place. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Feb 5, 2019 17:46:34 GMT -5
Don't forget the patch too...
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Post by pepesdad1 on Feb 5, 2019 19:41:53 GMT -5
You can tell who are the old folks...I have a flip phone, too...cost me $20.00 and $15.00 for every 3 months for phone time...gives me text time too...I still have the old rate....15 cents for every minute...less for text. I guess they hope I die soon...Verizone really doesn't like that I still have the old plan.
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Post by Mac on Feb 5, 2019 19:55:08 GMT -5
Wow on the old folks thing. I am almost 75, and use my iPhone a good deal. For some things it's now indispensable, and some of the apps are incredible. I am not a gamer nor a long chatter. The photo sensor is amazing for its size. I could go on, but I have to take this call.... (jk).
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Post by sperrytops on Feb 5, 2019 19:59:05 GMT -5
You can tell who are the old folks...I have a flip phone, too...cost me $20.00 and $15.00 for every 3 months for phone time...gives me text time too...I still have the old rate....15 cents for every minute...less for text. I guess they hope I die soon...Verizone really doesn't like that I still have the old plan. Wow, the only flip phone I've seen recently was on an old BBC series 'Midsommer Murders'. And I mean old. |
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Post by sperrytops on Feb 5, 2019 19:59:39 GMT -5
Don't forget the patch too... I stand corrected. |
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puritana
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Post by puritana on Feb 5, 2019 21:34:17 GMT -5
After purchasing a first generation iPhone, I switched to a Blackberry. Now, I use a cheap "flip-phone" which cost less than $50.00 and my monthly service is less than $19.00. Go to any public place, and people are staring at their phones and not speaking to each other. Same here.
I have a cheap Tracfone that costs $100 a year, which gives me thousands of "minutes" that keep stacking up.
I've had the same one for almost 10 years. It's small, inexpensive and incredibly durable. Even after all these years, the battery still holds a charge for almost a week, unless I use it alot.
Although, my wife and I have tablets. But, those are more like mobile computers. We pay $20 a month ($10 each) for unlimited 4G data through Verizon (piggybacked on the older kids' smart phones, which are ridiculous)
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2019 21:43:50 GMT -5
I-phone here, that I use for all sorts of stuff. Not games, but navigation, looking up things, changing reservations while traveling, checking flight status, rockhounding, etc. The ability to use a map app like Google Maps, with satellite imagery and my current location is invaluable. I can see landforms, roads that are not on any map and geologic layers that I am interested in. A really good gps could do this too, but I already have the phone and it does much more. Like anything, these devices require self discipline. I don't bring it into church or take it to dinner, or if I do it is off.
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Post by unknownpipesmoker on Feb 5, 2019 23:18:05 GMT -5
Wow on the old folks thing. I am almost 75, and use my iPhone a good deal. For some things it's now indispensable, and some of the apps are incredible. I am not a gamer nor a long chatter. The photo sensor is amazing for its size. I could go on, but I have to take this call.... (jk). I use the blackberry because I like younger women. But now I'm being told that blackberry is for codgers. I can't win |
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Post by PhantomWolf on Feb 6, 2019 0:32:09 GMT -5
In an interview Elon Musk was talking about the future and when asked if he thought cyborgs(humans/machine hybrids)would ever exist, he said we already are to an extent and it's true in a way. We use phones to do everything from communicating, knowing the weather, impossible calculations, instantly answering any queries, and aiding us in basic navigation. With it we are in a way superhuman versions of our old selves. It's kind of irrelevant to the definition of cyborg when you consider the computer is attached at arm's length rather than implanted inside our bodies.
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Post by qmechanics on Feb 6, 2019 1:38:26 GMT -5
Writing as someone who grew with the technology, I actually tried to avoid the portable & smart phones largely due to privacy issues. Now I use my smart phone all the time.In fact 99.9% of my posts are made from my little phone. When one's eyesight is not the best, big fingers get in the way and other issues cause troubles. Strange calamities, of epic & smaller proportions, can occur all because of this little portal of communication.lol
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2019 6:25:26 GMT -5
Started out with giant Motorola Phone and two way radio combo. Was on a phone all day every day for over thirty years. Just before I stopped working my cell was going off every morning at 5:30am and did not stop until after 9:00pm. I have a cell phone it is dead right now just the way I like it. Want to get in touch send me a email want me to call send me a mail and let me charge my phone. Yes I do like tech I have a nice desktop with a giant screen if I am awake the monster is on. Just leave a message maybe I'll call.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2019 9:16:57 GMT -5
Don't have one and won't have one. I figured I lived my whole life without one, why do I need one now? How many here can even remember the standard desk set phone with a rotary dial? Although I have wireless push button phones in my home now it's only because nowadays depending on what sort of system your hooked up to the old dial phones won't work properly only letting you answer and not dial out. The problem with the technology nowadays is it's driven by big business and if they can't sell you something every few months or days they feel there not making enough money (Greed). Although, to be completely truthful I did have one for about a month or two and couldn't stand it but, it was for my trip from Utah back to Texas and until I got a landline hooked up at the new house, it now resides in a landfill somewhere.
I still have a few of the Dial phones and do plan to get them hooked up with the help of a adapter to state it simply.
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Post by roadsdiverged on Feb 6, 2019 9:23:06 GMT -5
For me the best thing about having a smart phone is the fact that information is readily available. I think a lot, about all sorts of stuff. It's nice to grab my phone, regardless of where I'm at, and have answers. The GPS has saved me many times. I love having full albums and radio at my fingertips.
On the other hand, I cant stand the fact that no matter where you go the majority of the people are looking straight down, 10" away from there face.
I hate text messages. They are nice for quick updates("running a few minutes late"), but I hate having conversations through them, too much is lost.
As far as answering the phone goes, I screen my calls. I very very rarely answer the phone. I HATE talking on the phone, I always have.
I try not to be a slave to my phone.
My grandmother had a black rotary phone that seemed like it was 50 lbs. I love finding them when remodeling houses.
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puritana
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Post by puritana on Feb 6, 2019 12:37:36 GMT -5
I think most, if not all, remember the old rotary phones. Now, the wall phones with the separate ear piece, that's a different story. I only remember because we had one, but it never worked (it did at one time). I used to play with it all the time.
I'm sure some folks may have even used them.
I also remember trying to call in to radio stations to win things using the rotary phone....what a pain that was. "Caller number 15 wins tickets to see such-and-such"
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2019 13:07:58 GMT -5
I think most, if not all, remember the old rotary phones. Now, the wall phones with the separate ear piece, that's a different story. I only remember because we had one, but it never worked (it did at one time). I used to play with it all the time.
I'm sure some folks may have even used them.
I also remember trying to call in to radio stations to win things using the rotary phone....what a pain that was. "Caller number 15 wins tickets to see such-and-such"
You'd be surprised at how many people today may have seen them and I stress "may" but, have never even used one. I remember about 20 years ago, yes that long ago I had a fella in his 20's to early 30's come up to my door and ask if
he could use my phone to call someone for car help. I welcomed him in and pointed to the wall phone in the kitchen and said "there ya go". He stood there for a moment looking at it and then looked to me and asked "how do you use this?" I laughed a little and asked what number he wished to call and dialed it for him. Just amazing that 20 years ago there
were people who didn't know what a rotary phone was, how can anyone be that sheltered?
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Post by jeffd on Feb 6, 2019 13:18:28 GMT -5
It is good to have a land line at the house. It seems the cell towers go down as often as the electric. But the land line never seems to go down. So it is good to have for emergencies.
Intelligently choosing which parts of which new technologies enhance our lives is the key. Technology brings more choices, we need to chose carefully.
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Post by watchmaker on Feb 6, 2019 16:41:16 GMT -5
I'm not up to date on all the technologies and please forgive me I didn't read every post above but with my two generation old Iphone I can press the microphone symbol on the keyboard and talk. It will write it fairly accurately. I think its called speech to text. It might really help you out.
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Post by sperrytops on Feb 6, 2019 16:46:52 GMT -5
Writing as someone who grew with the technology, I actually tried to avoid the portable & smart phones largely due to privacy issues. Now I use my smart phone all the time.In fact 99.9% of my posts are made from my little phone. When one's eyesight is not the best, big fingers get in the way and other issues cause troubles, strange calamities, of epic & smaller proportions, can occur all because of this little pad of communication.lol I now use cell phones, and internet telephone for a regular phone line. No land lines. One is always backup for the other. However if cell towers and internet go down, well, I think we've got a bigger problem. |
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