281–290 of 449 posts
Earlier quoted context omitted.
There's a shared service a bit like that that I've seen discussed here before: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10846540
It's gone from $100/hr to $.59/min ($35/hr) since then. Suddenly I'm much more interested...
I receive about 20 spam calls per day. In contrast, I receive about 0.2 legitimate calls per day. Google itself suspects that these are spam calls, because it pops up a bright red "SUSPECTED SPAM CALLER" warning when the phone begins ringing. And yet, I have found no option to have the phone automatically decline the call. There's not even an option to silence the ringer for any call not from my contacts; I actually…
I receive about 20 spam calls per day. In contrast, I receive about 0.2 legitimate calls per day. Google itself suspects that these are spam calls, because it pops up a bright red "SUSPECTED SPAM CALLER" warning when the phone begins ringing. And yet, I have found no option to have the phone automatically decline the call. There's not even an option to silence the ringer for any call not from my contacts; I actually…
Strangely enough, given Android's comparatively-customizable nature, I think this is an area where iOS does it better? (Others might correct me.) iOS 10 added "call blocking" as an app-type, which lets you choose apps which can filter phone calls for you. They can flag calls as possible-spam, or completely block them. (See [1] for Hiya's options screen, as an example.) An "only ring for my friends" feature is sort of…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
That's better but it's still kind of imposing. We are not socially wired to be compatible with the technology to magically steal people's attention from space.
If you don't want to be bothered, just turn off your ringer and notifications. Don't try to invent non-existent social norms. Part of the reason I have a phone is so people can reach me.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Strangely enough, given Android's comparatively-customizable nature, I think this is an area where iOS does it better? (Others might correct me.) iOS 10 added "call blocking" as an app-type, which lets you choose apps which can filter phone calls for you. They can flag calls as possible-spam, or completely block them. (See [1] for Hiya's options screen, as an example.) An "only ring for my friends" feature is sort of…
Android can absolutely do this. Either via settings or replacing the default calling app.
I’m probably a bit the other way in that I get frustrated with text messages going back and forth and back and forth when a one minute phone call will sort everything out far more efficiently. Probably also has something to do with hating tapping away at tiny virtual keyboard on the phone, too. My teenage daughter seems very reluctant to make a phone call. Watching her try and organise something with her friends driv…
I agree, I really dislike the move to everything by text. Text has it’s place for communication (HN is a perfect example) however it is far easier to work through something even remotely complicated with voice instead of text. We speak much faster than we type, we can add inflexions and tone to convey meaning in a way that text can’t (although emoji help) and, most importantly, there are no typos when talking. My job…
> it is far easier to work through something even remotely complicated with voice instead of text
I find that this is the exact opposite. Trying to explain an error message (or have an error explained to me), or providing numbers, a name, an address, etc. is always a nightmare on the telephone.
"I'm sorry was that a 'e' or a 'z'?"
"Was that a 9 or a 5?"
Maybe it's just a bad phone connection where we can't hear each other properly. But even in the impossible crystal clear reception circumstances:
"What are you seeing right now?"
"Navigate to this address: http:// long url> "
"I talked to someone before and they said..."
"Please hold"
These are all limitations of the platform, or maybe limitations with how it's implemented.
How exactly are you able to work through 'complex issues' better through a phone?
I have a virtual secretary that came with the phone service. It called voice mail. I don't take unknown calls these days unless I expect them. If they are serious talking to me, they will leave a message. I will simply call them back as needed. Occasions I took unknown calls were all scams, and these days, it just won't worth the hassle of dealing with them. What frustrate me the most is when I call them back, it's n…
Why do companies expect a direct line to me, but no direct line back to them? Why is this a one way street? This is easily solved by letting customers arrange an appointment to call or be called.
"Last year, I received a series of 3am calls. At the dial tone, which is set to a horrifically unadjustable volume, I was woken from deep sleep to deep panic. " That would be the ringtone. ( I suppose there are a large number of people who have never heard a dial tone.)
> If I were rich, I would have a permanent secretary. If I ever play and win the lottery this is the one thing I would spent big money on. No expensive cars, no expensive wine, just a person which takes care of everything. Need a new insurance for the car? Tell the secretary to do it. Car is broken? Tell the secretary to take care of it. Need a hotel? Tell the personal secretary to book one. Phone broken? Just send a…
You could move to Singapore, where a full-time (24x6) "domestic helper" costs about 400 USD per month. They'll cook meals for you, help care for your kids, buy groceries, do laundry, etc. Some people I know say they'd never move back to the US because of this.
For comparison, that cost is roughly 15-20% of typical rent.