Dumbphones are a new status symbol

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rembrandt

Recycles dryer sheets
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From LinkedIn:
By James Callan, Editor at LinkedIn News
Updated 10 hours ago

Smartphones, social media and constant office notifications have driven many people to seek digital detoxes. But for some, embracing pre-internet devices is no longer just a refuge — it’s a status symbol, per The Wall Street Journal. In order to focus, some executives are turning to so-called dumbphones, which can only text and make calls. Also making a comeback: fax machines. Snap Chairman Michael Lynton says they “grab people’s attention.” But disconnecting is a luxury not available to most employees. Nor is the cost of low-tech gear — some dumphones cost the same as the new iPhone 16.
 
Not at all surprised. The fashion trends of top executives can be interesting. I remember when having the smallest and thinnest laptop was the status symbol. Didn't matter if it worked better - or at all. Just had to pull it out at meetings so everyone could envy it. Then there were Blackberries. Going way back, even pagers were a sign of success at one point.

I guess they haven't figured out that you can turn all the notifications and "smart" stuff off during meetings, on a regular smart phone.

But of course it's not just executives. The Apple logo is the ultimate status symbol, and people will line up to pay top dollar for anything bearing it.
 
CaptTom said:
But of course it's not just executives. The Apple logo is the ultimate status symbol, and people will line up to pay top dollar for anything bearing it.
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Which says a lot about the Apple VisionPro flop. I’m a huge VR fan but could tell right away that almost no one would pay $3500 for that device. A Meta Quest 3 does 90% of what the Apple does, including all the most important bits, for 1/7 the price … and it’s a phenomenal gaming machine which is a huge app category that the VisionPro simply doesn’t play in.

When Apple launched that device they were proudly talking about things that Meta and PS4 were doing in 2017.
 
I wish/hope it's true but don't see it being widespread, for many the cellphone is like a drug and is the most important thing in their life.
 
"Many people". "But for some people". "Some executives are..."

Oh? And what percent of executives are doing this?

"Some executives are turning to so-called dumbphones, which can only text and make calls." Translation: Dumb executives that have lousy time management skills need to have their addiction removed so they can function. Let's just say it out loud.
 
Qs Laptop said:
Translation: Dumb executives that have lousy time management skills need to have their addiction removed so they can function. Let's just say it out loud.
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Another possible translation: "Dumb executives who care more about fashion than actually running their organization feel the need to be seen with the most trendy hardware."

And no, that's not intended to denigrate all executives. We all know the kind I'm talking about here. I was fortunate to only rarely encounter them in my career.
 
Historical fashion trends tell us whatever the masses do becomes uncool.
 
CaptTom said:
The Apple logo is the ultimate status symbol, and people will line up to pay top dollar for anything bearing it.
Click to expand...
CaptTom said:
Another possible translation: "Dumb executives who care more about fashion than actually running their organization feel the need to be seen with the most trendy hardware."

And no, that's not intended to denigrate all executives. We all know the kind I'm talking about here. I was fortunate to only rarely encounter them in my career.
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Kind of agree, however, I don't see owning an Apple iPhone as being a status symbol. And certainly don't see having a dumb phone as being a status symbol.
 
pacergal said:
The "dumb phones" are the kind that parents need to be giving their kids, in my opinion..They don't need access to internet, chat rooms, etc. Just calls or texts and an emergency contact.
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I totally agree, QVC had a deal a couple of weeks ago for 2 Nokia Flip phones bundled with 1200 minutes and texts good for a year for $32 with a coupon. I bought the deal to harvest the minutes for my backup phone that's rarely used but the second phone is going to my 8 year old grandson once I talk Dad into it. Great emergency phone for the kids and seniors that don't want or need a smart phone.
 
I carry a Kyocera flip phone. Had it for years. I have purchased many, many smart phones for my wife, children and even my 92 year old mother. I don't want one. I'm not an executive either.

I have a phone to talk and text, and a laptop for a computer. I get along just fine. I couldn't imagine having this kind of technology 40 years ago as a teenager.
 
pacergal said:
The "dumb phones" are the kind that parents need to be giving their kids, in my opinion..They don't need access to internet, chat rooms, etc. Just calls or texts and an emergency contact.
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Burner phones by the minute. Kid, you want more minutes, you buy 'em yourself.
 
I do not use internet service on my cell phone. I only use voice and text services. This is all that I need.
 
CaptTom said:
I guess they haven't figured out that you can turn all the notifications and "smart" stuff off during meetings, on a regular smart phone.
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My smart phone is for my convenience, not for the convenience of others. I use the "do not disturb" regularly on my smart phone...every night, band practice, dinner at friends, golf, etc.

My wife and my aging parents are the only exceptions that are setup to bypass the do not disturb feature.
 
I guess it’s only top executives who care about personal accessory fashion trends? Couldn’t care less.

Ha ha, no one can see my Apple logo as my phone always lives in a logoless case.
 
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Most annoying, had to get rid of my 15 yo flip phone 'cause the network got turned off. When my current Iphone7 dies, back to flip phone.
 
Interesting topic.

I live in rural Minnesota. I got a call one day from Verizon, they want to put a cell tower on my farm. About a quarter mile from my house. They sent out some engineers to test the soil and spent a lot of time getting the zoning at the county and state level. I felt like Jed Clampett when the oil men came to his place in the first episode of the Beverly Hillbilly's. That was in 2018, haven't heard from them since.

4G, 5G.....whatever. I predict we'll all be carrying satellite phones in less time than it took to get cell phones this far.
 
Qs Laptop said:
I don't see owning an Apple iPhone as being a status symbol. And certainly don't see having a dumb phone as being a status symbol.
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+1. Clickbait, wishful thinking. Dumb phones aren’t status symbols, never will be again.
 
Midpack said:
+1. Clickbait, wishful thinking. Dumb phones aren’t status symbols, never will be again.
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Exactly. No dumb phone doing AI. Things move forward, not backwards. Even vinyl is just a niche in the audio world.
 
I think smart phones are one of the greatest inventions in my lifetime. I don't carry mine around the house or when I walk the dog, but when I go out, it is so useful, especially for travel. I also use it to download maps for hiking. It is so much better than my old Garmin GPS. I no longer carry a camera because my phone takes great photos and videos. I can take notes with my phone. I use it to find products in stores like Home Depot and Walmart. The list goes on. My life is so much easier having a smart phone.

The problem is a lot of people are not disciplined enough to use them in a healthy manner.
 
I have a smart phone, but 99.9% of the time it sits on my desk next to the desktop and is used solely for 2 factor authentication. I just found out last month how to initiate a text rather than merely respond if someone texts me. I have taken it on vacation to take a few pictures.
 
Back in 07 to 08 we had an executive that was old... and he just did not have a cell phone at all..

He also did not do email... had his assistant print out the important ones and handle the rest...

The other day I mentioned to someone in a meeting that the reason they could not get me was they called on my cell... most of the time it is in my bedroom and I do not hear it... I have to be out of the house and even then I sometimes miss the ring thinking it is for someone else..

Most of the group was laughing that I still have a land line!!! Which BTW I am STILL trying to figure out which way I want to go so I can get rid of Comcast...
 
I believe that our overreliance on cell phones is atrophying our brains, which over time will lead to a de-evolution of the human species.
 
audreyh1 said:
I guess it’s only top executives who care about personal accessory fashion trends? Couldn’t care less.

Ha ha, no one can see my Apple logo as my phone always lives in a logoless case.
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It's not only executives. And I couldn't care less about fashion, either. You'd know that if you saw the way I dress.

I have observed that a lot of iPhone cases have a cutout so that everyone around you knows your phone the Apple logo on it. Sort of proves my point that an iPhone is primarily a fashion statement.
 
CaptTom said:
It's not only executives. And I couldn't care less about fashion, either. You'd know that if you saw the way I dress.

I have observed that a lot of iPhone cases have a cutout so that everyone around you knows your phone the Apple logo on it. Sort of proves my point that an iPhone is primarily a fashion statement.
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Well there are plenty of iPhone cases that don’t. I prefer the wallet style which protects the screen. I have 2. One has a heavy duty wrist strap and I use that one for travel. Both are anonymous, no logo no cutout.

Maybe for some people an iPhone is a fashion statement, but I suspect there are many different reasons someone makes that choice. You seem to only notice a specific reason that in your opinion is the main one, but I don’t see how you have proved anything.
 
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