At lease one issue I want to push back on is this one
> That person owns a smartphone (which is at least a couple hundred dollars).
Smartphones can be bought for under $100 these days.
I don't have a smartphone or at least I wish I didn't
171–180 of 267 posts
Re: I don't have a smartphone or at least I wish I didn't
#172I've still never had a smartphone (technically my flip phone, a Kyocera Dura, is an android device, but it can't install apps so I'll consider it suitably "dumb") Occasionally I need to tote along a tablet because several places (some MLB venues, for one thing) will either require a smartphone, or impose a severe surcharge for the convenience of not using it. Anyway, I really regret that we didn't impose dumbphone pr…
The problem is not smartphones per se. They are very handy. They eliminate the need to carry a thick wallet full of physical ID cards, credit cards, membership/discount cards, etc. They help you if you are lost (who even gets lost anymore, with navigation and maps in your pocket). They let you access information and entertainment wherever you are. The problem is the tracking and invasion of privacy, and that all trac…
I don’t carry a smartphone, and I also carry a minimalist wallet (extremely thin). I replaced my couple of “discount” cards, which have barcodes, with laminated photocopies.
I don’t get lost because I am familiar with my city.
I can access entertainment at home. Why do you need to distract yourself constantly?
Smartphones just aren’t necessary if you live life intentionally. (We should get rid of targeted ads though.)
Re: I don't have a smartphone or at least I wish I didn't
#173We could all be a bit more humble about the onerous “tools” we’ve built . I have a lot of sympathy for the elderly, and the ridiculous rituals they go through just to book an appointment, fill a subscription, buy tickets to a concert, order groceries. The McDonalds app is 15+ screens to order a burger. Compare that to walking in a, “hi, how are you, I’d like a Big Mac meal with a Coke, here’s my money, thanks”. Let’s…
Frustratingly, I haven't even had that in-store experience for a while now. You do the same app-based ordering process, but on a big tablet. If there's an issue with your order, it can take several minutes to get near enough to an employee to get their attention.
I include the kiosk on the wall of shame . Just aweful.
Re: I don't have a smartphone or at least I wish I didn't
#174We could all be a bit more humble about the onerous “tools” we’ve built . I have a lot of sympathy for the elderly, and the ridiculous rituals they go through just to book an appointment, fill a subscription, buy tickets to a concert, order groceries. The McDonalds app is 15+ screens to order a burger. Compare that to walking in a, “hi, how are you, I’d like a Big Mac meal with a Coke, here’s my money, thanks”. Let’s…
But think how high the engagement needles go on the app!
An app only a lawyer (or MBA) could love
Re: I don't have a smartphone or at least I wish I didn't
#175Earlier quoted context omitted.
The word "requirements" is doing a lot of work there. I've never met a QR code where scanning it was required of me.
Anecdotal, but I've encountered a number of places where it's more or less required. - Restaurants: Menu is QR only. In one case, ordering food was QR only. - Queueing up at my local Costco optical department requires scanning a QR code. - Various other check-ins for various other government agencies and businesses. - Urgent care check-in paperwork requiring QR code. No paper, and typing the loooong URL in manually i…
Have you tried saying “my phone is broken”? I doubt it’s as stringent as you think.
I have never had an issue and I don’t carry a smartphone. Usually they just hand you a paper menu or a tablet depending on what you’re doing.
Re: I don't have a smartphone or at least I wish I didn't
#176Earlier quoted context omitted.
The example could be hyperbole, but Home Depot and Lowes both offer a wide selection of "smart toilets" and if we think "oh this is just a weird niche thing that will never catch on" let's remember how difficult it is to not purchase a Smart TV when television shopping these days.
I cannot envision what a traditional, but smart toilet may do. By traditional, not Japanese or anything of the sort. I'm sure it's also not taking medical samples. So what on earth could it do?! Report the flushes!?! Why? Are you going to magically decide not to crap as much? Just baffling.
Auto-flush, seat warmer, scheduled seat warmer, cleaning cycle, scent dispenser, "you haven't been going as often" sensing, auto high/low flush depending on time on toilet...
Just off the top of my head, and I'm no toilet engineer. I'm sure there are lots of possibilities with just a sensor or two.
Re: I don't have a smartphone or at least I wish I didn't
#177Earlier quoted context omitted.
In my experience in the U.S., I can manage my accounts at various banks and brokerages just as well from the website as from a mobile app. I’m ok with them restricting how their apps can be used as long as the browser remains an option. The requirement to use an app for all account management (or for authenticating to a website) seems to be mostly a European phenomenon.
Mobile check deposit is usually app only. I think Ally lets you use their website, but they are an outlier. I don't need to deposit checks often, but I'd rather not have to mail it in when I do.
True, that is the one feature that is app-only usually. Sounds like someone who wants to go smartphone-free should open an Ally account!
Re: I don't have a smartphone or at least I wish I didn't
#178Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Do you really believe you chose to opt in? Yes, in that I am of free enough will to choose not to use something or do my homework before making purchases. I'm also not saying that you shouldn't be able to walk around without a smartphone, but choices, like speech, aren't without consequence. If you want to pay for something at a location that only takes cash, but you won't carry cash because it's easily stolen or l…
Turning this around a bit: Businesses should be required to accept cash. We shouldn't need to have a relationship with a bank just to buy food or gas or what have you.
My daughter took a 4 hour train home. She brought money for food. But apparently you can no longer buy food without a bank card on Canadian trains.
Re: I don't have a smartphone or at least I wish I didn't
#179> Somewhere on my desk, I keep an old FairPhone 3 that I repaired after it took a deep plunge into the ocean. It runs the Google-free /e/OS operating system.
But why? The reason is simple: sometimes, you are forced to use an app.
I've never been forced to use an app. I've got a credit union and would close my accounts there and switch to another if they ever forced me to use an app. I refuse to buy any product that requires an app to use.
I do still have a phone though. Family and friends insist on being able to send me texts with photos and videos. It's a compromise I can live with since I've refused to join any of the social media sites they use. Besides texting I do get some use out of it with Termux, VLC, and Newpipe and I might pull something up on wikipedia, but otherwise I don't use it for browsing. It feels like reasonably healthy balance.
Re: I don't have a smartphone or at least I wish I didn't
#180Not having a smartphone is a new status symbol flex. The poorer you are, the more of your life you must waste looking at a screen instead of gazing upon beautiful landscapes and friendly faces. Still it’s a step up as usual. Next stage will be probably those too poor to afford anti aging vs the muti centenarians that can. And yet those that can’t afford multi centenarian lifestyle will live super well compared to tod…
> Not having a smartphone is a new status symbol flex. It’s pretty much like those vegans people tend to make fun of: it’s performative. It’s humble-brag-fuelled activism that craves audience approval.
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