Community Chat

[Desert Lily]

I took a leap yesterday to update the tech I use, & I learned a lesson.

Since streaming is here & cable may be getting old school, I chose to cut the cord & cable co.'s internet & went with a mobile provider for my internet. My brother went with me to the mobile provider's store & set up the internet at my house. TG!

I chose Hulu Live TV and added MAX & Paramount+. I had no idea of the mire I stepped into in order to make these work on 3 TV's. I ended up making 7 calls to Hulu & 4 to my internet provider. There were codes, authorizations, new accounts, password replacements, speed tests, working online on my laptop & on the TV's, and on and on.

I worked on them 5:30pm-10:30pm yesterday & 10:30am-2:45pm today, with a lot time on the phone for support. There are some very helpful CS reps.

Tonight, I'm watching Perry Mason Season 1 Episode 1 on Paramount+. Tomorrow I'll watch Mildred Pierce on TCM on Hulu, & later I'll watch the HBO version series on MAX.

I saw The Golden Girls, The White Lotus, QVC, area news, etc. available.

The work, headaches, & frustration seem worth it though I'm sad to lose the cable I loved.

I liked that cable stations have their own set program schedules. Now, I'll mostly have to decide what I want to watch when.

I bought a new phone & a watch yesterday too. My SIL kept telling me I needed them & I wanted them. I've never used the new brand, just the other brand phone for at least 15 yrs. And, I've never had a smart cellular watch.

Honestly, I don't know how to use either one.

Did I mention I also bought the latest earbuds that I don't know how to use?

As soon as my brother had the internet set up, he & my SIL left my house.

And there I was with 3 important tools that I'm clueless about. I went to bed at 12:30am but barely slept.

When I woke up, the 1st thing I did was google how to get to my home screen, how to delete a text, etc. on my phone, so I wouldn't feel completely lost/out of touch. I gave my watch verbal directions to send a text to my SIL on my phone.

The watch is good for health info, in case I fall, heart info, & for driving directions help. The earbuds have hearing aid qualities in case I need them in the future, & I'll wear them while I exercise & weed whack with music.

However, today these new tools are pretty overwhelming all at once. Several times, I've felt like returning everything. It was like jumping into the deep end of a pool without knowing how to swim.

I learned that for me, I should've made only 1 or 2 tech changes at a time to avoid being over stressed & feeling plain tech ignorant. I still battle with electronic buttons on my fridge & believe it's pure luck when the fridge does what I want.

Tonight, I received a link from my brother for a different gps for my car & a link from my SIL for a phone cup holder & multiple charger...

Maybe next week or the week after.

[rockygems123]

@Desert Lily 

That is a lot!

[Kachina624]

@Desert Lily. 

I'm not at all techy, have nobody to help me but I assembled and set up my new TV, installed an interior antenna for local stations.  I installed several streaming services  now having settled on YouTubeTV.  I've tried most of them.

It simplifies things a lot to have a Roku device installed on your TV.  All of the installation seems like a lot but really isn't that complicated

[shoekitty]

I have Hulu, Peacock, Britbox and Netflix.  There isn't anything I can't see I love it. Now I want to get rid of our DISh.   Do I need some sort of a provider to get my streaming channels if I discontinue DISH?  I love watching the old shows just finished 25 years of SUV, and 20 of Law n Order watched all of leave it to beaver, father knows best. I'm on a roll

[Sooner]

You can't keep up with everything.  It is a continual learning process.  We try to upgrade frequently and get some residual value from tech and thereby keep up with change better, keep warranties up, and grow along with it.  

It seems to be less stressful that way.  All at once would make me crazy.  

[colleena]

@Desert Lily  Kudos to you!  I know its not easy but you will overcome.  

[SportyShorty07]

@Desert Lily  Way to go, DesertLily 🤗🙌! I'm very intimidated by new technology- I prefer VHS tapes and cable TV. You're bravely taking on all of these new devices and different streaming services. Great job! You can do it!

[NYCLatinaMe]

Hi @Desert Lily   Congratulations on your new TV!  I agree that these things are not as easy as people claim unless they are settling for limited choices.  I am sorry you had such a hard time setting up your TV, but that has happened to me too, with different technologies.  Sometimes we get lucky with our systems and equipments, sometimes we don't.

For the TV, did you get a regular antenna?  Can you get a signal?  You should be able to get at leats some of the major networks via local channels, and there are some odd stations with old shows that are sometimes fun to watch.  The antennas are inexpensive and a one time cost, less than $50.  I like your streaming choices, and the antenna will complement them.  I am missing Hulu, which I would like to have.  If you have amazon prime, I would get that connected.  There is a decent amount of content included with prime, and some options where they charge.

That does seem like a lot of gadgets to try at once.  I would not bother with the watch.  I think they are for people who don't want to miss a phone call or text at the moment it arrives, like people who monitor their kids or spouses.  I do carry my phone with me when I am waiting for an important call or message, in my pocket, or crossbody phone bag.  There are waistbands and wristbands and armbands where we can carry our phone as well.  But I don't feel the need to have it with me at all times, so no watch phone.  No need to cave to SIL pressure!  Maybe you can return?  I find my phone more than enough.

I would wait on the gps, but the phone cup holder is for the car, to hold your phone and may come in handy.  It's a no tech item.  BTW, most phones have gps, maybe try that before shopping for a standalone one, my cab drivers use phone gps and it works for them.  I don't drive.

Not sure what the chargers are for, so I would find out before shopping.  When you are ready.

[haddon9]

Sounds exhausting!!  I'm not a tech person and I hate when they make you jump through hoops!  

I have an older phone right now and plan on going later this week to get an upgrade.  Fingers crossed it's not a burdensome process!

[Roscoe the Rascal]

I like to keep up to date and my daughter is great at all that stuff so she helps me learn when I am stuck.  I also do what I want to do for me.  I do think it is good to keep learning new things.  

 I have cable and stream a couple.  I'm finding less time watching any more.  I probably drop the cable at some point.