Behold, The Day Has Come. I bought a smartphone.

Sorry, I just need to rant a bit!

I got some unexpected cash so decided to spend it on myself. The trouble is, I don't actually need anything. (What a blessed situation in fact, now I'm already starting to feel very guilty and overprivileged)

After some reflection I decided to boldly go and buy a smartphone. The time has come where I can no longer live conveniently without one, where everything starting from dentist's appointments to bus tickets is "click here".

So, after spending all morning chatting with phone and prepaid bundle providers I ordered a renewed iPhone 7 from Amazon, and a SIM bundle from EE, hands trembling.

How hard can it be? Honestly, I'm a tecchie person, enjoy tinkering with computery things and am sociable, but have until now had a perhaps naive dislike of smartphones. My Teenager uses hers very nicely i.e. only when needed so I have a role model of sensible use and the advantages, but still feel reluctant to join the smartphone population.

The Beast will arrive next week. If I'm no longer in the forum you'll know I'm doing things with columns of fruit that move down when I touch them with my finger

Rant over, thank you

 

They are so convenient I wonder if young people would make it to adulthood without one. I use mine to keep in touch with sport and a little messaging. I prefer the laptop for shopping or anything else due the the screen size. Hands off in the car, that is handy.

 

I had an ordinary mobile for quite a time before I got a so called smart phone, must admit if I broke it I really would have to get another one, they are convenient , but I find that I always touch the screen where I shouldn't when I'm using it.
I hate touch screens and wont have on one my laptop any time soon.

 

Looking at my phone, this is the extra stuff I use over and above lugging a laptop and mifi for mobile wifi around:

Nothing, even Whatsapp can be used on a laptop.

It's just that you no longer need to lug a flippin laptop and wifi device around. Which is why I rarely use my laptop these days, except for photo editing.

And you've got a phone, computer, electronic diary, sat nav, camera, etc. in your pocket.

 

Smart phones are just a passing fad they will never catch on
No really they are incredible bits of kit. At my fingertip I have the news,email,football,eBay/amazon,Whatsapp,YouTube....etc etc etc.
Two thing they can't do, make a cup of coffee, and allow you to stand on them when you get out of the shower ( as I did last month!)

 

I like to keep my online time and offline time separate. I check my personal email maybe once a day, read the news when i want to and do my online things with my laptop as I prefer a large screen and a keyboard. My current phone is for calls and texts, and as an alarm clock.

This may all now change though when The Beast is delivered

The Teenager has been very supportive and understanding throughout my terrifying journey today, and has volunteered to set me up right. I just wonder why she giggles so much and gives gently patronising looks.

 

I have one now but I have never ordered anything on it or used the camera or anything else. I still use the laptop for most things, I find a smart phone screen too small to spend time looking at it. i usually forget to take it out with me.

 

Some years ago I had a mate who bought a mobile phone, he never told anyone his number, stating, "its for my use and nobody else's".

He was on pay as you go, one day he tried to call his wife on it and it wouldn't work.

He later found out that because there was no activity from the phone for 3 months the network had closed him down and nicked all his calling credit.

 

I don't have a smart phone and don't need one. Like your friend Pete my basic mobile is for my use only and to be honest I can't remember the last time I used it. I have pay as you go from Tesco and they run an account where there is no time limit as to how long it has or hasn't been used. The last time I topped up with a tenner? Two to three years ago.

 

Same as Sheal I even don't know the number if some one ask's for it

 

Is this the type of mobile you have @shiney ?

 

If you ever breakdown it's the best thing you can have with you.
Especially if you're with the AA.
Their app uses your phone to tell them your exact location and even tells you where they are and updates all the time, how long before they will reach you.

 

SNAP! Except the scheme here insists you pay an amount every month. I use it though to call Canada six days a week so E30 a month is good value. A few other local calls as I am housebound and cocooned ( is shielding) and need emergency access. Far far better than any other phone system especially out here on the island.