Heard statement re:cell phone

I love smartphones, with my one small phone I am carrying maps, books, movies, communication, camera, museum/event tickets, etc.

Obviously I'm not a fan of idiots who try to text and drive. I haven't noticed what many complain of about people looking at their phones all the time, I only see that happening on public transit, and it isn't any different than reading a paper book or newspaper in the old days.
 
It's interesting that you posted that just now, @Jace. I have mixed feelings about smartphones,sort of a loveā€“hate relationship with them.

Just the other day, though, I was telling my friends about how my building installed new smart door locks, thermostats, and building entry procedures. Keys are gone; everything is done through an app. (This makes me uneasy: What happens in the case of a system outage or a dead battery? I was fine with keys.)

One friend asked, "What about residents who don't have a smartphone?", and I didn't have an answer. As far as I know, a flip phone wouldn't be compatible with these apps. So I suppose every resident here must have a smartphone.
 

I kinda like my smartphone. I didn't think I would at first. They're actually kinda nice to have. In the old days when our car broke down we were screwed. At least now we can call for help. I just wish people were more courteous with them in public and smarter with them on the roadways.
 
Cell phones really are an amazing invention with seemingly endless important and useful applications.

Smartphones are literally a science fiction dream-come-true, in a 1975 Arthur C. Clarke story- Imperial Earth a handheld device that everyone used in the 23nd century was described as being a communication device that could be used to contact everyone else in the world, and be able to instantly access all of Humanity's knowledge.
 
I like my smartphone and mainly use it for fun, like games, movies and research. However it's not necessary for me and I can get along without it. As matter of fact, I hardly ever take it out of the home. It usually just sits on my coffee table. I refuse to be available for anyone 24/7. If I'm not home, people just have to wait till I get in and when I'm out in public I like to navigate lifes problems with my own life skills and brain. Like getting lost. I have a few friends who don't even phones of any kind and very happy.
 
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KSav said:
It's interesting that you posted that just now, @Jace. I have mixed feelings about smartphones,sort of a loveā€“hate relationship with them.

Just the other day, though, I was telling my friends about how my building installed new smart door locks, thermostats, and building entry procedures. Keys are gone; everything is done through an app. (This makes me uneasy: What happens in the case of a system outage or a dead battery? I was fine with keys.)

One friend asked, "What about residents who don't have a smartphone?", and I didn't have an answer. As far as I know, a flip phone wouldn't be compatible with these apps. So I suppose every resident here must have a smartphone.
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Actually not everything must be with an app. That's just marketing for a lot of things. I find just using a browser safe enough and not giving up as much information. And unlike the younger generation, I like to keep my feet planted in both worlds. I got lost once in unfamiliar territory without my phone and was completely helpless. I stopped living like that.
 
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My family has had some kind of cell phone starting in the mid 1990s. Those were big and cumbersome. The first belonged to my wife, $30 a month for 30 minutes of use. She had it strictly in case of emergency, since she drove over isolated territory going to work. Later she got a flip phone, then I got a pager, later ditching it to get my own flip phone.

In 2012, I got a GPS, which was far more interesting to me than a cell phone. It's out of date and no longer used, but 2 years ago I was eager to get my Android, if nothing else, but for the MAPS app (GPS). I don't "play" with phones. I'm not the person you see constantly looking at a phone or punching in things. I care nothing for games, etc on phones.

But my AT&T landline was going up several dollars every 2-3 months, so a bit over 2 years ago I had it disconnected and have never regretted it.

Traditional landlines are being phased out, so the necessity of having either a cell phone or no phone is just a matter of time.
 
Oldeagle66 said:
Actually not everything must be with an app. That's just marketing for a lot of things. I find just using a browser safe enough and not giving up as much information. And unlike the younger generation, I like to keep my feet planted in both worlds. I got lost once in unfamiliar territory without my phone and was completely helpless. I stopped living like that.
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Well, the way the door locks and main doors are set up . . . Yes, one does need the app to unlock one's front door here. There's no other way to enter your apartment or the building. The thermostats can be used manually if one wishes, though.
 
Ive had some kind of cell phone ever since we moved to the country in the late 70's. The husband worked afternoon and midnight shifts and I drove thru some pretty isolated stretches so I got one of those huge black bag phones. After that I got a flip phone. I was perfectly happy with my flip phone, but I eventually succumbed to the husbands nagging and got a smart phone.

I like having a cell for incase I get stuck on the road somewhere. I dont play games or any of that stuff.
It did come in handy back when I was caretaking. I needed to be on call. With the cell I could go to the store or whatever and not have to be in the house and tied to the land line. I like it now that my landline went Voip. I still have my cell if the power goes out.

Since everybody is gone I dont get many calls but I got wild and crazy and splurged a Samsung S23 for the camera.
The husband always took our ebay pictures. I hate taking pictures. Ive put it off as long as I can. Ive managed to kinda figure it out. Im working on figuring how to get them off the cell and on the laptop. I will work on it this winter. Maybe. :D
 
Nope!

Like others, I've had a cell phone since the '90s. I felt more or less compelled to get a "smart" phone a few years ago when flip phones appeared to be dying out (apparently not). When I get around to it I'll trash this slab of plastic and get another flip phone.

1. The screen on the "smart" phone is too small for me to see comfortably.
2. My fingers are too big to effectively use those tiny keys.
3. My skin chemistry isn't compatible (any) touch screens.
4. The size and shape of the "smart" phone makes it inconvenient for me to carry comfortably.

These days I only use a cell phone maybe 2 or 3 times a month and then only for voice and text. I understand how an active person with young eyes, tiny fingers, and big pockets might find them useful . . . they're just not for me. :)
 
Teacher Terry said:
My Condo building has a fob to get in the building instead of a key. I put a smart lock on the door to my condo so I just enter a code to unlock it. However, I also have a key that I carry in case the battery fails so I donā€™t get locked out.
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I really wish we had keys here as a backup. It seems unwise not to have that option in place.

This thread reminds me of one of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes: A Thing About Machines (A Thing About Machines - Wikipedia)

A Thing About Machines jpeg.jpg
 
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have a landline and that is it! I don't need nor want a cell phone. When I am out I don't want to be bothered by a phone call. If I am not home and you call me, you can leave a message and I will get back to you, or you can call back later.

We still retain a landline. I carry a cellphone only when driving in case of emergency. The 'however' part, is that when we travel, we have a tablet. We go overseas once or twice a year and don't have a phone that will work overseas. But the tablet lets us do everything we need for travel and checking people back in U.S. via email. Works for us. And they are $40 'dumb phones'.
 
I have a cell phone. It is necessary if there is an emergency.

The maps app is very useful. I live in Georgia. Without that app, I wouldn't be in Georgia -- probably be in Iowa trying to find my way home.

I don't use it to play games or to read. I use it to grocery shop at Walmart because the phone app allows me to sign in without have to get a new password each and every time.

I use it to take photos, although I prefer a camera.

I do have concerns about privacy and security so I have every Proton VPN product on my phone, along with other privacy-enhancing stuff.

Also, I don't answer it unless I feel like it. People complain that I never answer my phone. I tell them that I can see which calls I've missed and I will call them back when I can. I am not one of the people who cannot stand to let a phone ring.
 

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