Smartphones

[Antonia]

I'll admit to being security obsessed so have avoided all things 'smart' until fairly recently. However last year I found a small PDA which could duel boot into Linux so finally joined the rest of the world. I have to admit that, despite all it's singing and dancing features, it spends most of it's time in it's box only coming out when I'm traveling and need to access real time information only available via an ap. Normal life is conducted on an old flip up mobile which has a better reception than most smart phones round here.

[niemeyjt]

For those concerned about privacy, there are other options to Google Android and Apple.

A number of "deGoogled" Android versions are available - such as /e/ - that still run Android Apps (or at least all those used by my banks).

However, my number one tip of the week is to get a QR code scanner app and before ever accepting a QR code first scan it with the app to ensure it is safe. Kaspersky used to do a good one but now the best seems to be from Trend.

[hughnique]

Unfortunately all goes over my head, I have tried and struggled with firstly a dated Sony Xperia, ended up getting a large phone bill for doing nothing, so back to the flip phone. Then a neighbour, who is a bit of a technophobe, gave me his late wife's modern and easy to use smartphone, which I endeavored to get my head around, it was only a chance remark by the neighbour about see you are using the phone then, evidently he had some app on his equipment which told him every time said phone was activated. That was promptly put back in the box and returned with the explanation that I couldn't get on with it. I know eventually I will have to get one but I will stick with the senior big button flip phone for now, just not interested in squinting to get on the internet with a small screen smartphone.

[DominicBest]

My smartphone is the most useful tool I’ve ever owned. I have a iPhone it also use an iPad and MacBook. They are all synchronised so most of the data I have on one is accessible on the others. It’s hard to explain the positive influence the phone has over my everyday life because it aids me in so many ways; everything from having an easily accessible shopping list, instant access to tide tables and tidal graphs, weather forecasts, the world… It keeps me connected when I’m away from home talks to my gps allowing me to plan routes on my computer then follow them on my satnav; I use the translate app frequently, it allows me to contact my bank and money transfer company, it also allows quick second level confirmation for online shopping through my banking app, I can also use Apple Pay if I’ve accidentally left home without my wallet; on my recent trip to the U.K. all my train travel was booked via the SNCF app and the tickets for the French trains and Eurostar were held as QR codes on it as are the entrance tickets to many of the activities I attend, everything from Swan Lake to motorcycle rassemblements; as others have said I use it for the vast majority of the photographs that I take and it takes high quality, easy to share video as well; although I rarely use it I can access my Kindle library through the Kindle app just in case I have time to kill during the day; surprisingly it’s also a great telephone and a convenient way to be in contact with others through Messenger, Messages and WattsApp. The list could go on. All in all it makes my everyday life so much easier and keeps me organised.
PS I’ve just been reminded, I attach it to my now obsolete Roberts radio every morning to listen to Radio 4 while I have breakfast.

[Antonia]

Oh, don't get me started on people with tickets on their phone!! There's nothing worse than being behind someone, usually a family, who are hunting on their smart phone for the QR code, then can't get it to scan, then have to repeat the operation ad infinatum. My paper ticket will beat the QR code on your phone every time. Doesn't need a battery either.

[Blaze]

Some helpful/useful info above. I'm glad I'm not the only one who dislikes telephone conversations - particularly when reception isn't good (usually when someone calls from a mobile in an area with a dodgy réseau). I have no problem ignoring numbers that I don't recognise or don't want to speak to on the fixed line, so a mobile would be no different. As for those irritating old biddies whose phone goes off with a really loud "music" in a public area ....

@hughnique It sounds as if your neighbour was spying on his wife - nasty. Perhaps there's a way of blocking your neighbour if you know his number.

We have excellent reception in this area and all the points put forward by everyone are encouraging.
The camera, music, sms and WhatsApp are what I would find most useful. I'm used to having a quick look at photos on the small screen at the back of my SLR but far prefer seeing them on the big screen of a computer. Translations, managing a website and various other things can only be done on my desk top (iMac) so I can't imagine being without one.

Why do so many people use a phone GPS over one in a car ? I admit I don't use the car one -I do a check on google maps and in most cases I have an almost photographic memory for the screen shot so rarely get lost. The car GPS seems over-complicated ....

@Antonia Ah, yes, batteries. The one advantage of the old style phones was that the batteries last forever, I rarely have to think about charging. This doesn't seem to be the case with smartphones but that of course will depend on what it's being used for !

[Hotrodder]

Almost all of the plus points that some people enjoy would be of no use to me, mainly because of the tiny screen, and lack of a keyboard, and having no need to take my entire life with me when out and about. Our only movement away from chez Hotrodder is to go shopping once a fortnight and the occasional trip to the deshitterie. We have almost never taken a mobile out with us because there seems no point of risking loss or theft for little practical convenience. A couple of years ago mrs. H visited UK and discovered there are restos there that don't take cash, and expect you to order your meal by smartphone. She walked out. We have a smartphone that is left switched off until we have to receive an SMS for a "security" code. Our old dumb phones would have been OK for that but since there is no network coverage here we had to get a smart one that could make a connection via our internet router. The cheapest ones didn't have that function. As for linking our home PCs to a phone and storing it all in "the cloud" I wish you all the best of British luck. What is the cloud? Where is the cloud? Who is in control of the cloud servers? Have you ever researched cloud security? Encryption is being cracked every day by gifted amateurs and once they harness the potential of A.I. to do the cracking it will be much easier and quicker.

[Antonia]

lack of a keyboard

One of the other reasons that I held out for so long was, like you, I wanted a keyboard. Back in the day I used to have a Psion which held my entire life on a couple of SSD's so I'd got quite used to using a minature keyboard. When I finally found a smart phone that had one, it was a bit of a no brainer.

A restaurant that expects me to order by smart phone wouldn't get my custom either

[RobertArthur]

@ DominicBest, I always wondered after selling Robert's radio (only AM, no FM, Radio London, Radio Caoroline) to buy a new output transformer for another DIY Hi-Fi tube amplifier, what ever has become of it? Scrapyard? Good to hear that after all those years it is in good hands.

@ Blaze, after hesitating several years I once bought my first mobile phone, a Siemens S10. To keep in touch with my mother during our holidays in France, just to check if everything was okay. The GSM network was already old technology after several years. Resulting in more mobile phones, a drawer full I'm afraid, decommissioned (2G, 3G). Even my rather new Huawei P9 Lite developped a battery problem, 20 minutes stand-by, 5 when the temperatures outside went down toward zero. Investing twice the price of a new battery bought me a Motorola G-Pro, excellent camera, very good sound using clever Dolby inventions.

To cut a long story short: batteries, once so easy to replace within 30 seconds, charging every two weeks was enough. Those were the days....

[Blaze]

@RobertArthur I've always used Motorola radios (talkie walkies) both in the UK and in France. They're very good as long as they're well treated, and looked after. If their phones are as good, it sounds .... good.
Re batteries : I assume phone batteries are like radio batteries - better run down and recharged than a constant trickle charge which was disastrous for radios.

Motorola G-Pro, excellent camera, very good sound using clever Dolby inventions.

Sounds ideal for me !