Smart Phone Uses

[Easton Rich 601]

I wouldn’t call my phone smart

[Beap52 1,330]

I barely tap into what my phone will do--daily dose of scam calls takes up most of my phone time--not that I respond to every scam call but checking voice mail in the event I miss a call intended for me.  In a way, I find all this new technology irritating along with other gadgets.  I didn't mind replacing the spark plug wired on the El Camino today but trying to get wife's car's speedometer from kilometers back to miles on wife's car got old pretty quick.  We are planning a trip.  Paper map in hand to compare what mapquest suggests.  Often times I draw out my own detailed map with key points, landmarks or buildings to help direct me where I'm going.  Our kids, on the other hand, rely entirely on where their car or phone tells them to go.  We've got a lady in our Sunday School class that hasn't ever owned a cell phone.  She seems pretty happy and well balanced in social skills.

 

However, I spend most evenings on this computer especially during commercials on tv on this site, a model rail road site, or vintage Holiday Rambler camper site and looking up stuff that interests me or I want/need to study.  No need to head to library any longer.  On vacation, the computer stays home. 

[Handy Don 13,658]

I help a couple of folks with their smartphones, especially after they’ve become impatient and just start tappin’ and swipin’ and leave the phone in an unusable state. I’ve concluded that to use them successfully takes a certain mindset that maps the phone’s features and operation to already-learned behaviors. It also takes “muscle memory”. The toughest nut I work with absolutely refuses to practice any of what I show her--she prefers complaining over learning--and I’m probably gonna tell her I’m done. 

 

Personally, I embrace the technology but with caution. I’ve made my peace with losing a degree of privacy to enjoy some benefits.

For example, I accept that in exchange for getting navigational help that includes being routed around crashes and other significant traffic delays I’ll be shown ads for vendors along my route. Over years of use, Waze has saved me hours.