Old Guy With A Smartphone!

[K_Mac]

As a guy who has always considered a phone as simply a way to talk to others I have been slow to embrace the marvels of the new technology. I only added texting because my daughter would answer a text when she would not a call. A sturdy flip phone (Rugby II) seemed to meet all my needs. Just about everyone I know has a smartphone, and the ease of taking and transferring pictures, and accessing maps and the interweb finally caused me to look into a new phone.

 

What I found was by buying inexpensive smartphones for me and my wife, and sharing data we could get many more features for about the same money. After a few days of playing with my new phone I now understand that talking directly to others is only one of countless uses for a modern phone. While many of those uses will never be touched on my phone, including text conversations with someone in speaking distance, while driving, fishing, or talking face to face with a live human, going back to a simple phone is unlikely.

 

So here I am, an old guy being drug into the 21st Century whether I like it or not. Now I have to go chase the neighbor kids out of my yard...

[A-Jay]

Congratulations on making the move.

 

I have not and still have the simplest of two way communication devices - just a phone.

 

Living in a place and in a way where there is simply no need for more.

 

Not to mention, calling the "coverage" here spotty, would be a compliment.

 

A-Jay

[slonezp]

I switched 2 months ago. Aside from being able to check the weather, I only use it as a phone.

[K_Mac]

A-Jay I live in rural area. The coverage in my neighborhood is also sketchy. A couple of years ago I added a microcell tower to give me a solid signal here at home. With that and a wireless router I can use my phone at home without using much, if any chargeable data. Without those devices I would not have made the switch.

 

Slone it is nice to be able to check the weather anytime. I also like to be able to check the news and sports when and where I want. The flashlight feature is also handy...   

[slonezp]

A-Jay I live in rural area. The coverage in my neighborhood is also sketchy. A couple of years ago I added a microcell tower to give me a solid signal here at home. With that and a wireless router I can use my phone at home without using much, if any chargeable data. Without those devices I would not have made the switch.

 

Slone it is nice to be able to check the weather anytime. I also like to be able to check the news and sports when and where I want. The flashlight feature is also handy...   

Before and during the purchase process, everybody I spoke with said I would use it all the time for everything. I just don't feel the need. I don't do facebook or any other social media. I'm on a few forums but really find them difficult to navigate on the phone.

[ww2farmer]

I have had a smartphone for about a year and a half now.............and I really don't need it. I only text, check the weather, and use it as a phone. I only "do stuff" with it out of boredom, and I am really thinking of going back, I am sick of the higher phone bill that I have now because of the data plans, texting plans, and other crap I was told I "needed" when I "upgraded" to a smart phone. My wife and I both have smart phones, my grandfather and daughter are also on my plan, and my phone bill is like $200 a month for those 4 phones....rediculous. Especialy since about the only smart phone "thing" I do is get on here at work when i am sitting in my truck waiting to get loaded.

[Sam]

We took son, daughter-in-law and grandkids out to breakfast today and my son showed his new app on his iPhone.

 

It controls the temperature in his house.

 

Being a computer geek he loves the new app.

 

As for me, I can just as easily change the temperatures up and down stairs before leaving the house.

 

I am proud of myself for being able to download the "free" apps on my iPad and iPhone.

 

Am I in the 21st Century or what?

[A-Jay]

I look up not down to check the weather - except in the winter.

 

 

A-Jay

[Jigfishn10]

I would rather have a simple flip phone if it weren't for my job (construction super) where I need a smart phone to receive e-mails which, at times, contain information pertaining to the the contract drawings or contracts. I'm usually in a renovation situation where setting up a computer just isn't feasible in a dusty envrionment and I don't use the company issued smart phone for personal use. Other than that, you can keep it.

[Fishing Rhino]

As a guy who has always considered a phone as simply a way to talk to others I have been slow to embrace the marvels of the new technology. I only added texting because my daughter would answer a text when she would not a call. A sturdy flip phone (Rugby II) seemed to meet all my needs. Just about everyone I know has a smartphone, and the ease of taking and transferring pictures, and accessing maps and the interweb finally caused me to look into a new phone.

 

What I found was by buying inexpensive smartphones for me and my wife, and sharing data we could get many more features for about the same money. After a few days of playing with my new phone I now understand that talking directly to others is only one of countless uses for a modern phone. While many of those uses will never be touched on my phone, including text conversations with someone in speaking distance, while driving, fishing, or talking face to face with a live human, going back to a simple phone is unlikely.

 

So here I am, an old guy being drug into the 21st Century whether I like it or not. Now I have to go chase the neighbor kids out of my yard...

 

Old guy indeed.  If you're old at 55, what does that make me at 72?

 

My old flip phone is too smart for me.  It can text.  I use it as a phone.  I use it as an alarm clock. 

 

Oh well, two out of three ain't bad.

 

One other thing.  I do have the phone numbers of family and friends stored in my phone. 

 

If my daughter wants to communicate with me via cell phone, she'll have to answer my calls.  She knows I won't waste my time texting when I can speak in less than one tenth of the time it would take to text.

[Dwight Hottle]

Old guy indeed.  If you're old at 55, what does that make me at 72?

 

My old flip phone is too smart for me.  It can text.  I use it as a phone.  I use it as an alarm clock. 

 

Oh well, two out of three ain't bad.

 

One other thing.  I do have the phone numbers of family and friends stored in my phone. 

 

If my daughter wants to communicate with me via cell phone, she'll have to answer my calls.  She knows I won't waste my time texting when I can speak in less than one tenth of the time it would take to text.

 

 

Tom with the right smartphone you talk and the phone converts your speech to text. No thumbs needed.

[BrianinMD]

I use my smart phone for a lot, one app not mentioned so far is a radar app. I can check for any storms coming by opening the app. Only one touch necessary.

 

The geek side of me enjoys the Pebble smart watch, due to work I need to keep an eye on text/emails. They come to my watch so I don't have to pull out the phone, unlock it, and such to see what it takes 2 seconds on my watch. Also shows who is calling without have to walk where the phone is if I am busy.

[Fishing Rhino]

Tom with the right smartphone you talk and the phone converts your speech to text. No thumbs needed.

 

Well, that makes a lot of sense to me.  Let's see if I have this straight.  I am connected to my daughter's cell phone.  I speak into mine, and it sends my words in the form of text to her.  Then, she can either speak to me, and text will appear on my phone, or she can type the text which will appear on my phone.  

 

I can see where that method would leave a message for her to read when she gets on her smart phone, but I'm not sure that it is an improvement over voice mail.

 

Where is Gallagher when you need him?  I'll always remember this line from one of his routines.  Why do we park in driveways, but drive on parkways?

[slonezp]

Well, that makes a lot of sense to me.  Let's see if I have this straight.  I am connected to my daughter's cell phone.  I speak into mine, and it sends my words in the form of text to her.  Then, she can either speak to me, and text will appear on my phone, or she can type the text which will appear on my phone.  

 

I can see where that method would leave a message for her to read when she gets on her smart phone, but I'm not sure that it is an improvement over voice mail.

 

Where is Gallagher when you need him?  I'll always remember this line from one of his routines.  Why do we park in driveways, but drive on parkways?

It turns what it thinks you're saying into text. May not be what you're actually saying. I got a free one month trial of voicemail to text where I could read the voicemails people left. I still had to listen because the text was, more often than not, butchered beyond comprehension. 

[new2BC4bass]

I have had a smartphone for about a year and a half now.............and I really don't need it. I only text, check the weather, and use it as a phone. I only "do stuff" with it out of boredom, and I am really thinking of going back, I am sick of the higher phone bill that I have now because of the data plans, texting plans, and other crap I was told I "needed" when I "upgraded" to a smart phone. My wife and I both have smart phones, my grandfather and daughter are also on my plan, and my phone bill is like $200 a month for those 4 phones....rediculous. Especialy since about the only smart phone "thing" I do is get on here at work when i am sitting in my truck waiting to get loaded.

There are 3 of us on a plan.  Daughter is the only one with a smart phone.  Monthly bill is a bit over $220.  She uses a lot of data.  Guy at work has 3 on his plan, has unlimited everything, and is paying just under $70 a month.  I need to switch plans when this one runs out.  Simply can't afford it anymore.

[new2BC4bass]

Old guy indeed.  If you're old at 55, what does that make me at 72?

 

My old flip phone is too smart for me.  It can text.  I use it as a phone.  I use it as an alarm clock. 

 

Oh well, two out of three ain't bad.

 

One other thing.  I do have the phone numbers of family and friends stored in my phone. 

 

If my daughter wants to communicate with me via cell phone, she'll have to answer my calls.  She knows I won't waste my time texting when I can speak in less than one tenth of the time it would take to text.

 

Being somewhat younger than you....66 in a couple weeks....I can do all 3....text, talk, alarm clock.  Like you I store phone numbers for everything.  Need to order a pizza or Chinese...no problem.    Daughter almost always answers text right away.  Phone not so much.  I agree.  I'd much rather spend a few seconds talking than a few minutes texting.  Plus my cell is limited to 160 characters per text so I often have to send 2 in order to get across the whole message.

[tomustang]

There are 3 of us on a plan.  Daughter is the only one with a smart phone.  Monthly bill is a bit over $220.  She uses a lot of data.  Guy at work has 3 on his plan, has unlimited everything, and is paying just under $70 a month.  I need to switch plans when this one runs out.  Simply can't afford it anymore.

No wonder why you don't get my photos

[K_Mac]

Rhino at 57 I sure ain't a kid anymore, so I guess 72 is a bit farther down the trail. I was reluctant to bother with texting, but it allows me to keep in better touch with my daughter. I know it doesn't make a lot of sense. The things we do for our kids... 

[Bankbeater]

We got our smartphones for Christmas last year. I love that thing. IMO, its better than a laptop, I use it for everything.

[Nitrofreak]

I did not get mine until last year at 50 , if I wanted to keep up with my family , this was the only way to get it done , land lines have gone by the wayside it would seem , I have an Iphone 5 , not through my choosing , my first smart phone was a droid , well I had an issue with the thing within the first few months I had it and walked into the store to have it addressed , walked out with a new Galaxy , not that that's important but dang , the rate at which technology is evolving is incredible , that phone was only on the market for a year and it was already discontinued !!

 

I liked that phone , I was just starting to get used to it then they went and changed everything LOL !! 

 

I really have no clue what I did before the smart phone , I find it very useful now for a lot of things , shucks , I can even play word games with my friends in Texas and keep in touch with my nephews in Japan or wherever they are deployed .

 

I'm a lot slow in the learning curve but I find it invaluable sometimes .

[SirSnookalot]

The smartphone for me was just the next step in progression of being in mobile communication.  My first mobile phone was in the 80's, proved to be very valuable, not having to look for a phone booth to contact a customer and especially in an emergency situation.  Over 20 years later I'm on my 3 rd smartphone.  I don't utilize most of what can be done but I wouldn't want to live without it.  One nice feature is google earth or Bing maps, or just talking into the phone to get directions.

[.ghoti.]

iphone5 user here. I had my previous phone for almost 5 years, which means it was beyond obsolete. I too, have to text to communicate with most of the people with whom I wish to communicate, PITA that it is. Voice-to-text is cool, particularly when driving. camera is decent. calendar, maps / navigation, alarm clock weather newsstand and facetime are all very nice to have. I've only purchased two apps, so far. A utilities app includes calculator, voice memos, compass and contact listing. The iFart app is always good for a chuckle.

 

So yeah, I'm an old guy with smartphone, but I wonder if maybe I'd be better off if I were still a smart guy with an old phone.

[tomustang]

The iFart app is always good for a chuckle.

Download Annoying Sounds, whenever someone is complaining play the baby crying

[K_Mac]

 

...So yeah, I'm an old guy with smartphone, but I wonder if maybe I'd be better off if I were still a smart guy with an old phone.

 

Given the choice, smart guy with old phone would be my pick. I too am afraid that ship has sailed.

[SirSnookalot]

For some that are still employed a smartphone in many occupations is not a luxury but an essential.  Even for some of use seniors no longer working, I find them to be very valuable to me.  I use but a small percentage of all the various options available, just use what you need.  When I need a tutorial I ask my 12 year old grand daughter, lol.