Saturday, August 18, 2012

Smart vs. Dumb





Hi Sweetie Pie! I hope that you are having a wonderful day!

Do you have a smart phone? My daughter who continually teases me of being out of touch with the social and technical world, decided that she was going to find a way to give me her old smart phone. You know how each company has their own set of rules and one is that phones are not inter changeable. If you move to a new provider, you must buy one of their phones. A ripoff, you say? Of course.

But my darling daughter researched and found a way that Straight Talk, my phone provider, could use a SIM card to let me access the phone.

I had it for  2 days, read the instruction booklet and entered all of my contacts....took about an hour. Answering the phone proved to be a challenge. I pressed the touch screen sooo many times and i couldn't answer it. I had to call back.

I am not adverse to progress, in fact, I love the computer, cell phones, HD TV...etc.
But I don't need to have a computer with me everywhere i go. Don't you want to escape sometimes and not have  to be "connected"? Who wants to go out shooting photographs on a pretty day and get emails, one after the other. I don't.

And the other reason is that I am frugal. I pay only $30 month for 16 hours of talk time and 1000 texts. That will do me just fine, thank you.

And it has a pretty nice camera on it, for impromptu shots.
Today, I reversed the setup. I now have my old "dumb" phone back and I am happy!

Do you really like to pay over $100 a month just so that you can see your emails, get coupons, tweet and whatever else the apps have available? Just curious.

May the peace, love and joy of the Lord, Jesus, be with you today and always!


11 comments:

Suzan said...

Ohhh Charlotte!
I'm right there with you!! I don't even text!! My phone is a flip phone from 6 years ago. One of my students from high school came to visit and she was thrilled that they were allowing the kids to bring their phones to school --OPENLY! Now the teachers are texting the students with HW and projects and what ever else. I know that not EVERY teacher has a smart phone. And who is paying for them to have that texting ability?? I know it's not the school!
I get ticked at anyone who texts me--- my phone company charges me 10 cents a text even if I don't open it!! I never look at them--- I delete them. Wish I could return them to the sender and charge them!! Boy Charlotte - sorry about blasting!! It just poured out :-}}
Have a great weekend.

Unknown said...

Oh Charlotte, I feel your pain. I don't feel the need to be in touch every waking hour of my life. And I sure don't want to be recieving emails in the middle of the night. My solution, I simply just don't turn the darn thing on. Okay so the truth is I forget to charge it. I do not need to accessable all the time. So why do I have it? For me. When I am having a flair of Fibro my brain just doesn't work and I forget things and I get lost. My phone reminds me of appts (if I have charged it) and if I get lost I am only a phone call or a few taps on the screen away from help to get me home. I always have my charger in the car and even if your battery is too dead to start you car it is enough to work your phone. I also like to take pics of things that I want to remember. It is much easier than writing all the info down.

So for me it is worth the extra each month.

Traci

Gail Dixon said...

Oh, dear. I'm afraid I'm one of those that panics when the smart phone is left behind. I might even need a 12-step program because sometimes I'm a little too dependent on it. I don't know when my iphone became my best friend, the one I consult first whenever there's a problem or when I have a question. But that's the pitiful truth. :(

TexWisGirl said...

yes, i went to a smart phone last fall and i do like getting my emails everywhere i go. and i like the camera in it, too.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

My phone is an old clam/flip phone, passed down three times...but it still works. Mostly use to text between our other family phone to arrange my "taxi" services and so they can "page" me while I'm out. It is great to be able to be contacted in case of an emergency and while away from the house (for my children and husband). $15 for a whole 6 months, free texts between our phones.

However my husband now has a smart phone (which I must admit is wonderful) but it costs me to text him. At least he has found a cheap plan which includes data as well. If I was travelling away from home frequently I think I would like a smart phone too but for my "needs" my old clam shell is fine most the time. I leave it at home if I'm off for a walk while my husband is home with the children.

Rosemary Aubut said...

Love my iphone but I must admit I hate the monthly bill! I'm addicted what can I say!

Lisa Gordon said...

I am smiling (okay, laughing!) as I read this post Charlotte. Not at you, but at the fact that it reminds me of my husband and the smartphone. He gets so mad at it, and I cannot help but laugh (out of his sight, of course!).

Happy Sunday to you my friend!
xo.

hootnonny said...

My old flip phone works fine. I don't want the extra fee of internet, and like you Charlotte, sometimes it's nice to get away! My daughter pays for mine $15/month (including taxes/fees.) And I have unlimited texting.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

I love this post.
I remember having a phone attached to the wall with a rotary dial!

I do love my iphone, I'm not gonna lie. But I don't pay that much.

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

Looks like you are up on the new fangle things and you can use them too. BRavo!
You saw my old phone, I am still in the dark ages. I have no use in wanted to stay connected as the whole reason for getting out of the house is to get away and free ones mind.

I hope you have a blast with your new toy!! GOD bless and keep you safe.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Charlotte, how I could identify with all of your comments in this post. My phone too is an older flip phone which does have a camera that I barely use cause in truth it's not that good and harder to use than my little point & shoot. And I never text and would not even know how. My husband is wanting a smart phone, an older iPhone but like you I DO like our current, older and less costly, rate plan and see no need to upgrade, at least for me now. Good for you for trying and then reverting to your old faithful, and cheaper, call phone.