Get it. They can be incredibly useful IF YOU CHOOSE for them to be.

All of the features can be ignored or turned off.

I was the last person in my family (parents and siblings) to get a smart phone. It was OK, the only thing I didn't really like about it was that it was bigger and heavier than what I would have preferred. The worst thing about it was that it started to give me the mindset that "I need to keep it with me all the time." Before then, I had a landline and was NEVER bothered that I couldn't make calls from wherever I was. Eventually I ditched the landline. My current phone is even bigger and heavier than that first one. I'm trying to train myself out of keeping it on my all the time. Now that I'm retired I find myself wishing for an old school landline again instead of the cell. The one thing it gives me that a landline wouldn't, that I really care about anyway, is a little security in that if I got lost or broke down someplace I might (depending on reception) have a way to summon help.

Unfortunately, so many businesses are requiring them now that it's hard to avoid having one. Last month my internet provider had to replace my router. Previously, every router I've had had a management web page built into it, so I could tweak things from my laptop. This new one is only accessible via wifi and a smartphone app.

my mother in law still has a trac phone, but apparently the old flip types are done, in this area, and she got a very basic phone now,

my wife , taught her how to text about a year or so ago, and after a few weeks, wondered if maybe she had messed up teaching her,

she is 87, spry, sharp, and now a texting fiend,

no internet tho,

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul, page 1:
In a word - yes.
[...]
I DO NOT bank, use Venmo or Zelle, keep financial data, play games, surf social media or store critical personal data on it.

In a different way, you said the same thing that I did.

quote:

posted by architect, page 1:
I think the embedded camera is the game changer for most people. I would love to know how many more digital photos are taken now compared to when you had to have a dedicated device.

Isn't it odd that with nearly everybody now having a camera in their pocket, nobody has gotten a clear picture of Bigfoot or a flying saucer.

Back when I was working, I would often take pictures or videos of prior damage to (also useful for a car you're about to rent), malfunctions in or repair I made to cars, whether to show or send to clients, or just to keep a CYA photographic record. Some of them are still on there.

Might want to get one of those newfangled cars with an electric starter, too.

My old brother (55) refused to have a cell phone until about 10 years ago. He ended up becoming a local scoutmaster and had to have one for dealing with the parents and his scouts. He left that role a few years ago but still has the phone. He admitted that yes, the cell (smartphone) made his life a bit easier.

I would ditch the flip phone and go with the smartphone.

I’m surprised that you still have working land line. I wouldn’t count on that for long.

Absolutely yes for the benefits, but do be careful not to turn it into your full time companion. I can waste a lot of time on my phone, but I can also leave it behind without having a mental breakdown.

One thing I don't think has been mentioned yet is GPS! I am personally very good with directions-I can use a map-I can look out the window and tell which direction I'm traveling- but in or near a city I will use Waze even when I know where I'm going. Otherwise I could get stuck in traffic for 30 minutes or an hour and it's totally avoidable.

The days of "turn right just past where the old church used to be" are long gone.

Thanks all for your input. I guess the only way I can know if it suits me is to try it. I'll set it up tomorrow, but I'll hold off on ditching the home phone until I'm sure I'm comfortable with it.

One question though. How the hell do you guys carry this brick around? It's certainly not what I would call pocket friendly.

quote:

Originally posted by pace40:

One question though. How the hell do you guys carry this brick around? It's certainly not what I would call pocket friendly.

I don't know about Apple (being a dedicated Apple-phobe) but there are Android phones out there that will slip into a shirt pocket. I'm with you on the notebook-sized "phones".

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Collins:
I use mine a lot. One example of how they can make life easier is the Sam's Club app. It lets you scan your items and pay for everything right on the phone. Completely bypasses the checkout lanes which are usually always crowded and very slow.

I too love that in cart scanning feature, wish Costco had it.

quote:

Originally posted by pace40:

One question though. How the hell do you guys carry this brick around? It's certainly not what I would call pocket friendly.

https://www.simple.be/holsters/

I'm in the "yes" camp. I'm 68, although I did come up through the tech world.

My biggest tip, as I didn't see anyone else say it, is trust no one. Scams are prevalent, beware. Anytime someone asks for money, even if you're expecting it, be on your guard. There are a million and one scams out there designed to separate the less tech experienced people from their money. And they work, otherwise they wouldn't be doing it.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
Might want to get one of those newfangled cars with an electric starter, too.

Prolly have to sell my horse though.

Why deny yourself the advantages of modern technology? Nothing says you have to let it take over your life. Take advantage of the benefits and use it on your own terms.

^^^^
Exactly right, bigwagon. All wrapped up in one concise post.

quote:

Originally posted by pace40:

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:

Might want to get one of those newfangled cars with an electric starter, too.

Prolly have to sell my horse though.

Low maintenance, cheap fuel.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
Low maintenance, cheap fuel.

I suspect you've never owned, or knew someone who owned, a horse.

Low maintenance? It is to laugh! Shoeing every 6 weeks. Hay @ $6-$10 a bale. Vet expenses. Tack. Horsey outfits for the girls. Feeding and cleaning up after.

My older daughter was married to a very "comfortable" (think 8 figures) young man and they lasted just about a year before the work and expense took all the "fun" out of having horses.

Clearly, you don't want one, but you need it. Really, it's not a phone. It's a miniature computer that happens to make phone calls as one of it's many possible functions. Ignoring all those possibilities is, in my opinion, foolishness.

The disdain of older people for these devices is understandable, since the younger generations are obsessed with them. Walking around like zombies with their face permanently glued to their screen. They'd suffer addiction withdrawal if they were without their phone for even a few hours. Their behavior is ridiculous and disgusting.

None of that changes the utility of the smartphone.

Get it up and running. If you have a grandchild that would be able to show you the ropes do that. I went on a week long trip days after I got mine. I received 6 months of experience in that week.

I use the camera as a xerox machine, parts number on a bearing don’t write it photograph it.