Phones are too smart

[ippy]

Bought my wife a smart phone, neither of us can set it up so we're off to an O2 shop to find a translator.

It's a P A Y G phone sim where you don't loose any of the remaining credit at the end of every month, the phone was one of the sim free kind, unlocked.

I suspect the bloody thing is smarter than either of us, we both use tablets and I notice it's very similar in that way, but getting it to work, ugfjvjgb@''j, if you'll pardon the French.

Is there any sympathy out there?

ippy

[Nearly Sane]

I am adjusted to phones being too smart, it's my oven that worries me.

[floo]

I have a simple mobile phone, which I only take with me, in case of emergency, when driving. I prefer my landline.

[Harrowby Hall]

I would say that my phone is pretty rather than smart.   

[Owlswing]

Is it possible that the phones are not too smart, but that humans are not yet smart enough?

[Rhiannon]

Bought my wife a smart phone, neither of us can set it up so we're off to an O2 shop to find a translator.

It's a P A Y G phone sim where you don't loose any of the remaining credit at the end of every month, the phone was one of the sim free kind, unlocked.

I suspect the bloody thing is smarter than either of us, we both use tablets and I notice it's very similar in that way, but getting it to work, ugfjvjgb@''j, if you'll pardon the French.

Is there any sympathy out there?

ippy

I find iPhones a breeze. When I bought a basic pay-as-you-go noddy phone recently just for texting I couldn't get the bloody thing to work.

[floo]

I have not learned how to text and absolutely refuse to do so. No one has my mobile phone number, as I said it is only for an emergency when I am driving, if the car breaks down, for instance.

[Shaker]

I have not learned how to text and absolutely refuse to do so.

You seem very keen on denying yourself things which are helpful and useful (texting) or pleasurable (drinking).

Takes all sorts I suppose - even those who seem to want to deliberately diminish their world.

[floo]

You seem very keen on denying yourself things which are helpful and useful (texting) or pleasurable (drinking).

Takes all sorts I suppose - even those who seem to want to deliberately diminish their world.

Why is texting useful? I do drink, but in strict moderation.

[Shaker]

Why is texting useful?

It's quick, it's convenient, it's (usually, these days) free ... how many more reasons do you need?

[Rhiannon]

It's also discreet - far less intrusive than a phone call.

[floo]

It's quick, it's convenient, it's (usually, these days) free ... how many more reasons do you need?

Quick and convenient for what?

[Shaker]

Quick and convenient for what?

Communication.

[Rhiannon]

I wish my dad would learn to text. As much as I love him to bits and love talking to him, it'd save both of us a lot of time currently taken up by phone calls of the 'I've picked up the thing for your mum' kind.

[wigginhall]

I hate phone conversations, as I tend to run out of things to say.   So texting is good for me.   Minimalist.

[floo]

Communication.

Why do people need to be in instant communication with others 24/7?  If people need me they can e-mail or phone me on my landline. I have had a nice chat with one of sisters, for about an hour earlier, whom I haven't spoken to for a few weeks. That is so much more satisfying than some text message.   

[Rhiannon]

I can talk for hours on the phone. But it's not always appropriate or desirable.

[Shaker]

Why do people need to be in instant communication with others 24/7?

It's sometimes necessary to get hold of somebody quickly, and in those situations sending an e-mail is about the same as calling the fire brigade by second-class post.

[floo]

It's sometimes necessary to get hold of somebody quickly, and in those situations sending an e-mail is about the same as calling the fire brigade by second-class post.

How did we manage in the old days before we had mobile phones? If I need to get in touch with a person quickly, which I very rarely do, I phone them.

[Shaker]

How did we manage in the old days before we had mobile phones?

In retrospect, by current standards, often quite badly.

[floo]

In retrospect, by current standards, often quite badly.

I don't think so.

[Gordon]

I am adjusted to phones being too smart, it's my oven that worries me.

For me it is the washing machine: to me it is incomprehensible but Mrs G just looks at it and it works.

I use a simple mobile for conversations only - most of which involve my adult children checking up on me.

[floo]

For me it is the washing machine: to me it is incomprehensible but Mrs G just looks at it and it works.

I use a simple mobile for conversations only - most of which involve my adult children checking up on me.

You must be a clone of my husband! In the 90s when I was having a holiday in my island home, he phoned me three times in one morning to get me to explain how to use the washing machine. He didn't even have only half a working brain in those days to use as an excuse, he supposedly had a MENSA level intelligence!

[Rhiannon]

How did we manage in the old days before we had mobile phones? If I need to get in touch with a person quickly, which I very rarely do, I phone them.

When I had a tyre blowout recently on a B road in the middle of nowhere, on a Bank Holiday with a car full of kids, my smartphone meant I could find the AA's number online, ring them, tell them about my change of address and arrange for them to come and sort it for me. Without it I would have been well and truly screwed.

[Shaker]

When I had a tyre blowout recently on a B road in the middle of nowhere, on a Bank Holiday with a car full of kids, my smartphone meant I could find the AA's number online, ring them, tell them about my change of address and arrange for them to come and sort it for me. Without it I would have been well and truly screwed.

Having broken down on the M4 near(ish) but not within walking distance of Reading, I heartily concur.