I don't want a smartphone!!

[gayl]

We have a MacBook pro we use at home that does everything we need on the internet plus we have an iPad we take when traveling.

Seriously? I have a SmartPhone. I also have a computer but I don't need to use that anymore. I also have a camera but I don't need to use that anymore. And I don't have a tablet. My smartphone is not only my phone but also my computer, wallet, calendar,
tablet, camera, TV when travelling. why would I need all 7? Plus it fits into my back pocket. But then I did not retire on such a fixed income that I can't absorb the price of my cell service @ 113 a month. Dirt-cheap in my opinion

 

[harllee]

Op here. No way I could give up my MacBook Pro. While I am retired, I still do a lot of nonprofit work. I need a computer for spreadsheets, my own financials, doing my taxes, word processing, graphic design, etc. I do a lot of meetings on Go to Meeting. Last meeting was 3 hours. I cannot imagine doing it on a smartphone. We had to look at graphics, etc. No one of the 10 people at the meeting (who were spread throughout the country) was on a smartphone, all were on some kind of computer.

 

[aja8888]

Seriously? I have a SmartPhone. I also have a computer but I don't need to use that anymore. I also have a camera but I don't need to use that anymore. And I don't have a tablet. My smartphone is not only my phone but also my computer, wallet, calendar,
tablet, camera, TV when travelling. why would I need all 7? Plus it fits into my back pocket. But then I did not retire on such a fixed income that I can't absorb the price of my cell service @ 113 a month. Dirt-cheap in my opinion

(My bold above). DW USED to carry hers there, but gave it a swim in the toilet once too often.

 

[gayl]

(My bold above). DW USED to carry hers there, but gave it a swim in the toilet once too often. [emoji23]

Waterproof so even when I took it in the ocean it wasn't damaged. But the toilet? Yuck

 

[aja8888]

Waterproof so even when I took it in the ocean it wasn't damaged. But the toilet? Yuck

She's not the first lady to do that!

 

[explanade]

Op here. No way I could give up my MacBook Pro. While I am retired, I still do a lot of nonprofit work. I need a computer for spreadsheets, my own financials, doing my taxes, word processing, graphic design, etc. I do a lot of meetings on Go to Meeting. Last meeting was 3 hours. I cannot imagine doing it on a smartphone. We had to look at graphics, etc. No one of the 10 people at the meeting (who were spread throughout the country) was on a smartphone, all were on some kind of computer.

I haven't given up my MacBook Pro, iMac or iPad.

But I have an iPhone as well.

Smart phones aren't a need. But they're not complete luxuries either. Between their utility and their cost, they fall somewhere in between a need and a luxury.

 

[pb4uski]

OP here, I do text. I can use the flip phone for short texts. For longer texts I can use my iPad (have an app for that, easy typing). For group communications I much prefer email. I realize young folks don't like to talk on the phone or email but if they want my attention (and gifts) they need to answer my calls and emails and they almost always do.

I appreciate all the suggestions of cheap smartphone plans but I think to receive coverage in the N.C. mountains where my cabin is I will have to stick to an expensive Verizon. I have checked with some of my mountain neighbors and they say only Verizon will work not some of the cheaper cell companies they use Verizon towers.

The absolutely best part of my smartphone is being able to dictate texts rather than type them... it is amazing how good today's Android voice recognition is compared to the IBM ViaVoice of 20 years ago, which wasn't really usable.

All I need to do is touch the microphone button, dictate, do a quick check of the results and hit send. Easy peasy.

 

[gayl]

I realize young folks don't like to talk on the phone or email

So is it a generational thing? FWIW: we do excel & email on droids

Anyway, glad you found tech that works for you ... it's all about keeping it simple but effective IMHO

 

[ivinsfan]

So is it a generational thing? FWIW: we do excel & email on droids

Anyway, glad you found tech that works for you ... it's all about keeping it simple but effective IMHO

It sure isn't a generational things, one reason I finally got my phone was my 60 plus year old brother uses texts almost exclusively...I've "talked' to him more in the last 6 months then in the last 3 or 4 years put together.

 

[MRG]

Waterproof so even when I took it in the ocean it wasn't damaged. But the toilet? Yuck

Most people wash their hands after using the restroom. Many folks use their smartphones for reading in the restroom, however I've never seen anyone washing their smartphone.

Don't believe me people read? Bathroom graffiti is at an all time low. Young folks post pictures of bathroom graffiti on reddit as it's rare these days.

 

[harllee]

The absolutely best part of my smartphone is being able to dictate texts rather than type them... it is amazing how good today's Android voice recognition is compared to the IBM ViaVoice of 20 years ago, which wasn't really usable.

All I need to do is touch the microphone button, dictate, do a quick check of the results and hit send. Easy peasy.

I have not had good luck with the talk to text program on my Mac and iPad. It comes out junk. My friends have the same problem with their iPhones. I can type pretty fast (took typing in high school!) so it is much faster for me to type a text or email than to dictate and have to go back and fix it. Maybe it is my southern accent from N.C.that Siri cant understand. What type of phone and software do you use for your dictation?

 

[pb4uski]

Andriod, in my case a Motorola Moto 4 Play.

 

[Milton]

Anyone else on this Forum who still has a dumb phone? Are you finding events, etc. where you must have a smartphone to participate?

No, and no: (1) I don't own or use a mobile 'phone of any description; (2) it has not been a problem. Landline and laptop are quite sufficient for my needs.