Electronics

[dooBdoo]

On 9/3/2014 Cha1k said:

You are by no means the only one. I have several friends who refuse to become part of the 'connected' community, but I also tell them of my grandmother who never learned to drive. She was past the prime age for learning when automobiles became popular therefore she always had to depend on others to take her wherever she went. Some of my friends will not purchase anything on the internet, but they will call me to buy it for them, using my credit card of course, and then pay me when it arrives. I try to drag them kicking and screaming into the 21st century, but have just about given up.

Many of us are not digital natives like today's young folks are. It's difficult for many to understand the culture that entices them to be constantly connected. It's really no different that when we stayed on our pink Princess phones for hours talking to friends while listening to the Beatles.

I agree that many people are too obsessed with their smartphones when in the company of others and I have on occasion joked that they are with real live people who would love to engage in conversation face-to-face. When children in my family come to my home for meals or we go out to eat I set the rule that while at the table phones are put away.....and that includes mine.

I look at my smartphone as a tool. It is my:

photo camera

video camera

watch

alarm clock

timer

stopwatch

GPS and map

music player

book reader

calendar

rolodex/address book

compass

level

magnifier

flashlight

barcode reader

pedometer.

I have also used it to place phone calls.

Hi, Cha1k!

My iPhone is all those things and more. I would add that I once carried a cell phone and a Day Runner (planner, calendar, address book, all those things in one) just about everywhere I went. It's pretty, a nice woven fabric with leather trim on the cover, but oh so much larger than my iPhone ... which completely replaced the planner. I don't like texting, mainly because it's impossible to know if texts go through, so I seldom use that feature.

But my phone stays in my purse or pocket when I'm out and about, and I usually wear it on a clip around the house (it's a safety feature for those times when we're the only one at home).

My concern it that we've embraced the convenience and wonderfulness of smart phones, but we've failed as a society to learn the courtesy, the consideration of others, the etiquette. And, yes, I do think it's become an addiction, an obsession with many. That's a problem, quite serious in many respects -- particularly in the disregard for our safety and the safety of others, when people talk on the phones or text while driving a car.

[glb613]

I'm still undecided about getting an iPhone. I really do hear better using a landline's handset. If I'm not going to use it as my phone (keep my landline), I really don't know how much I'd use it. I'm retired, I'm home, I have a desktop, notebook and iPad. I can be connected 3 different ways anytime now. I have some friends who refuse to keep up with technology. Just like those who refused to learn to drive, there will be a time when not keeping up will come back to bite them.

[TRUE]

On 9/4/2014 glb613 said: I'm still undecided about getting an iPhone. I really do hear better using a landline's handset. If I'm not going to use it as my phone (keep my landline), I really don't know how much I'd use it. I'm retired, I'm home, I have a desktop, notebook and iPad. I can be connected 3 different ways anytime now. I have some friends who refuse to keep up with technology. Just like those who refused to learn to drive, there will a time when not keeping up with come back to bite them.

I won't get rid of my landline. We have cable outages in the winter a lot I'm in Cal below San Fran it "used" to rain a lot.....drought now. So I keep it plus I like talking on a regular phone. I do like texting but as people know I still would rather speak on phone or in person because of miscommunication.... happens a lot

I'd still love a Mac book not sure between that or an Ipad I know you can get a keyboard I really don't need either.

[Big Sister]

I don't have the desire or need to be online when I am out. I may take my Kindle and my dumb Tracfone, but that's all.

[Pook]

You definitely are not the only one!! I can see very little - if any - reason to be connected and online when out and about. Even though I now have a Samsung tracfone smartphone, I rarely have it on as I have it for emergencies. There is nothing so important that a phone would need to take over my life!! Occasionally when at appointments I have used it to download a book to read and would use it to take a picture of something but can't imagine of what at this point!!

There is so little real people interaction anymore and so many have forgotten basic consideration for their fellow humans and do not know how to interact with others because of all the interactions through texting and social media. There is a time and place for everything but so many are obsessed with their phones and are actually rude when out in public.

[Campion]

Lord knows I'm as techy as the next person (I worked for a huge tech firm for years, you'd know the name) but I don't own a smart phone. My phone CAN connect to the web but I don't do that, don't pay for the service and spend less than $100 a year on phone.

I don't mess around on the phone while in public. I use it basically for emergencies and calling ahead.

I don't feel the need nor do I think it is wise. You need to have your wits about you in public. Being distracted on a phone can lead to problems.

[Nuttmeg]

I upgraded my cellphone after hurricane Sandy. I had to move on to a real smartphone with a large display. I do LUV some of the apps. Some have 100-500 Million downloads.

[violann]

To DooBdoo and Cha1k I add tuning fork, sound recorder, music notation, and poetry notation tool. It's obviously a mini computer source for trivia and information finding and I use it as such. That's one of the reasons that I'm hoping to get rid of my "extra" iPad when the "big" iPhone comes out. I also text much more often on my phone than I make actual audio "phone" calls. Definitely a multi usedevice for me. If it weren't I wouldn't own it.

[Nuttmeg]

On 9/4/2014 glb613 said:

I'm still undecided about getting an iPhone. I really do hear better using a landline's handset. If I'm not going to use it as my phone (keep my landline), I really don't know how much I'd use it. I'm retired, I'm home, I have a desktop, notebook and iPad. I can be connected 3 different ways anytime now. I have some friends who refuse to keep up with technology. Just like those who refused to learn to drive, there will be a time when not keeping up will come back to bite them.

Apple new iPhone 6 will bring more of us older folks, anyone wearing reading glasses, into the fold. A larger display is much easier to see.

[glb613]

On 9/4/2014 nutmeg3 said:

On 9/4/2014 glb613 said:

I'm still undecided about getting an iPhone. I really do hear better using a landline's handset. If I'm not going to use it as my phone (keep my landline), I really don't know how much I'd use it. I'm retired, I'm home, I have a desktop, notebook and iPad. I can be connected 3 different ways anytime now. I have some friends who refuse to keep up with technology. Just like those who refused to learn to drive, there will be a time when not keeping up will come back to bite them.

Apple new iPhone 6 will bring more of us older folks, anyone wearing reading glasses, into the fold. A larger display is much easier to see.

Who are you calling "us older folks"? LOL! I didn't get a smart phone because I couldn't afford the monthly bill and keep my landline. I could do both now but don't know how much I'd use it. As I posted, I'm not that mobile and don't feel the need to be constantly connected. I really do prefer having a conversation with friends and family to texting and e-mailing.

I don't begrudge anyone from upgrading when they can. I also don't begrudge anyone from having a smart phone. Myself, I'd rather spend the money for a data plan on a vacation.