Why I've Finally given up on smart phones

Hi all
I'm not against new technology -- far from it -- but I,ve finally had it up to the Eyeballs with Smart Phones and have gone back to a basic phone and am MUCH MUCH happier with it.

My problem with smart phones

1) -there are these ZILLIONS of apps which are almost impossible to install without going through some convoluted process "Logon to the Android store" -- which then means having to create a Google account ---- No thankyou Google --you've got enough info out there anyway --why can't I just download the wretched thing like buying Windows or other software.

2) You invariably run into cryptic errors like --This Phone is not linked to the account ???? why on earth should it be -- Why can't I just download the app like any other piece of software -- pay for it if it's a commecial version and then install it on the phone later at my convenience. In any case the computer or device I'm downloading the software from doesn't have to be the one you install on. -- I've often downloaded software on one device - including various versions of Windows -- and installed / licensed / activated the product on another device.

For example I downloaded MS office 2010 suite 64 bit from MS using my Work's Internet server (legally) and installed on my private laptop.

3) No quaity control so some of these apps are nothing more than 100% rubbish -- but the amount of time spent on checking out if there IS anything wothwhile out there is horrendous --to say nothing of possible Viruses etc.

4) I'm sick of the batteries running out almost daily before needing to be re-charged.

5) I haven't a clue on what background processes are running -- I'm sure there are some services like Weather etc which are continually chalking up small fees on the account without my knowlege.

The final straw was when I thought I'd use the phone as a music player -- with a 16 GB memory card in it this was I thought a No brainer.

So most of the music players don't give you a chance to browse and play music in FOLDERS / DIRECTORIES --they seem to make you have to create "playlists" / track / album / artist, I can't be bothered with all of that --I have my stuff simply ordered in directories.

I found Winamp but to get folder play I had to go "pro" -- i.e pay.

Unfortunately it only worked until the phone screen went dark --after that it stuttered ever few seconds.

Now there IS an update --but to get the update seems to require the updated base install to be installed -- again the endless loop of "Phone Not registered to the android app store -- of course it's not it's a NEW PHONE bought in a DIFFERENT COUNTRY (Belgium in this case).

I've further looked and it would appear that one would have to pay for the PRO upgrade again.

Anyway I've just had enough and have gone back to an "Ipod like" music player --works fine -- no probs,

I don't like texting / tweeting / facebooking and the small screens of these phones for me isn't a viable Internet option -- to me a Phone will remain a PHONE.

I'm also an Independent contractor and not a "Wage slave" so I don't need or want to be continually checking e-mails on a phone. In any case the small screens aren't really suitable for long emails anyway.

I did give it a serious try but this is ONE piece of technology that I'm letting pass me by.

I've since given the android phone away to a younger nephew who will probably have a far better use for it than me.

Cheers
jimbo

I have used both iPhone and Androids and I m happy with the way both OS works. Sad to hear it did not work out for you.

I'm kind of with you Jimbo. I don't really need a phone to take pics, watch TV, browse the net, talk to me, send text, etc. Basically I want to talk to people anywhere I am.

I have an android, made a dummy gmail account to tie into the app store, I text a little, use the email some, and haven't had a single problem.
If you're not going to do any email, internet, or texting, then there was no real reason to have that kind of phone in the first place.
Viruses on phones are not an issue as of yet. AVG and others insist on using antivirus on your phone as a form of scaring people. All it does is hog resources unneedingly. All it takes is a little bit of reading at the reviews, and what people say about the app to get a good feel if it is worth it or not. It's no different than trying a program on the pc, ya don't just go blindly downloading stuff hoping it works.
Apps in the background, almost all have settings that you can change so it doesn't "update" info all the time and kill your battery. I have enough on my phone and I have about 80% battery left at the end of the day.

The only thing I don't like about smartphones is how dumb and lazy they are making people. Everyone wants an app to do everything for them.
Example: I'm part of an android forum, and one person actually wanted an app/widget on his screen that he could tap to shut the screen off........he was too lazy to press the button on the top of the phone. He insisted that it shouldn't take more than a finger to shut off the screen. There's a hard button on top, which, to him was too much, meaning he actually had to grab the phone and push the button.


Things were so much simpler before everyone had a pc and a phone and a gadget for every damn thing.

jimbo45 said:

Hi all
I'm not against new technology -- far from it -- but I,ve finally had it up to the Eyeballs with Smart Phones and have gone back to a basic phone and am MUCH MUCH happier with it.

My problem with smart phones

1) -there are these ZILLIONS of apps which are almost impossible to install without going through some convoluted process "Logon to the Android store" -- which then means having to create a Google account ---- No thankyou Google --you've got enough info out there anyway --why can't I just download the wretched thing like buying Windows or other software.

2) You invariably run into cryptic errors like --This Phone is not linked to the account ???? why on earth should it be -- Why can't I just download the app like any other piece of software -- pay for it if it's a commecial version and then install it on the phone later at my convenience. In any case the computer or device I'm downloading the software from doesn't have to be the one you install on. -- I've often downloaded software on one device - including various versions of Windows -- and installed / licensed / activated the product on another device.

For example I downloaded MS office 2010 suite 64 bit from MS using my Work's Internet server (legally) and installed on my private laptop.

3) No quaity control so some of these apps are nothing more than 100% rubbish -- but the amount of time spent on checking out if there IS anything wothwhile out there is horrendous --to say nothing of possible Viruses etc.

4) I'm sick of the batteries running out almost daily before needing to be re-charged.

5) I haven't a clue on what background processes are running -- I'm sure there are some services like Weather etc which are continually chalking up small fees on the account without my knowlege.

The final straw was when I thought I'd use the phone as a music player -- with a 16 GB memory card in it this was I thought a No brainer.

So most of the music players don't give you a chance to browse and play music in FOLDERS / DIRECTORIES --they seem to make you have to create "playlists" / track / album / artist, I can't be bothered with all of that --I have my stuff simply ordered in directories.

I found Winamp but to get folder play I had to go "pro" -- i.e pay.

Unfortunately it only worked until the phone screen went dark --after that it stuttered ever few seconds.

Now there IS an update --but to get the update seems to require the updated base install to be installed -- again the endless loop of "Phone Not registered to the android app store -- of course it's not it's a NEW PHONE bought in a DIFFERENT COUNTRY (Belgium in this case).

I've further looked and it would appear that one would have to pay for the PRO upgrade again.

Anyway I've just had enough and have gone back to an "Ipod like" music player --works fine -- no probs,

I don't like texting / tweeting / facebooking and the small screens of these phones for me isn't a viable Internet option -- to me a Phone will remain a PHONE.

I'm also an Independent contractor and not a "Wage slave" so I don't need or want to be continually checking e-mails on a phone. In any case the small screens aren't really suitable for long emails anyway.

I did give it a serious try but this is ONE piece of technology that I'm letting pass me by.

I've since given the android phone away to a younger nephew who will probably have a far better use for it than me.

Cheers
jimbo

Click to expand...

And your point is?

Yeah, Android is a zoo. The apps are not verfied for anything and the OS is held together with rubber bands and band aids. I think the iPhone is in a much more controlled environment. But then you are on the Apple island. Hard to have it both ways.

I'm with jimbo, just another means to get targeted by adverts that I don't want and until the battery life of these devices approaches the weeks region that I think necessary I won't be buying one.

jimbo45 said:

1) -there are these ZILLIONS of apps which are almost impossible to install without going through some convoluted process "Logon to the Android store" -- which then means having to create a Google account ---- No thankyou Google --you've got enough info out there anyway --why can't I just download the wretched thing like buying Windows or other software.

Click to expand...

Yeah, a droid phone is going to require the Google account and the iPhone is going to require the Apple account. I don't have any hangups with having the Google account as I use gmail and I have a personal home domain that I run for my family so we each have our own email addresses and shared calendars...so I can just create a dummy account within that google apps account.

jimbo45 said:

2) You invariably run into cryptic errors like --This Phone is not linked to the account ???? why on earth should it be -- Why can't I just download the app like any other piece of software -- pay for it if it's a commecial version and then install it on the phone later at my convenience.

Click to expand...

Hmmm..I haven't had these problems either with my Droid or with my wifes iPhone.

jimbo45 said:

3) No quaity control so some of these apps are nothing more than 100% rubbish --

Click to expand...

This is more so a problem with the Droid marketplace, as the itunes store is more heavily restricted.

jimbo45 said:

4) I'm sick of the batteries running out almost daily before needing to be re-charged.

Click to expand...

Yes, with more power and performance comes less battery life. I have a media doc for my droid and it's just habit that when i come home from work, I just drop the phone into it and charge it overnight. What does bug me is when I am out of town and actively using my phone during a day that it will go dead...and I don't carry my charger cord around with me everywhere I go.

jimbo45 said:

5) I haven't a clue on what background processes are running -- I'm sure there are some services like Weather etc which are continually chalking up small fees on the account without my knowlege.

Click to expand...

The droid has functionality that shows you what is chewing up the battery. I've never had an app generating a fee.

jimbo45 said:

So most of the music players don't give you a chance to browse and play music in FOLDERS / DIRECTORIES --they seem to make you have to create "playlists" / track / album / artist, I can't be bothered with all of that --I have my stuff simply ordered in directories.

Click to expand...

While I keep my music separated in directories for organizational purposes, everything that i ripped is tagged with id3 tags and such which is what these devices use to organize themselves. Personally, i need the tagging and such for the PC software that I use to playback the music (media monkey). So, it's no extra time when I xfer the track to my MP3 player or my phone, as it's properly tagged already.

jimbo45 said:

I don't like texting / tweeting / facebooking and the small screens of these phones for me isn't a viable Internet option -- to me a Phone will remain a PHONE.

Click to expand...

I have to carry a phone for work, which of course work pays for. I need it to check email and such, and get server alerts. I use it for email, facebook and such...but only when I don't have access to a computer and I have time to kill.

I saw a sitcom on TV a couple weeks ago. == The guy's wife would always wanted him to check in with her when he was out doing something. He got an app and put it on his wife's phone. When ever he called her it went straight to voicemail without the phone ringing. That way he could leave a message to satisfy her but not have to talk to her. -- Man I need one of those

Dilbert comic strip for 11/27/2011 from the official Dilbert comic strips archive.

A Guy

Smartphones? Please! That's why I use a PocketPC with phone capabilities! AKA good old Windows Mobile--being clutter and restrictive free since 1999

arkhi said:

Smartphones? Please! That's why I use a PocketPC with phone capabilities! AKA good old Windows Mobile--being clutter and restrictive free since 1999

Click to expand...

Which phone are you talking about? Could you please post a screenshot of your phone?

Any Windows Mobile phone (not the Windows Phone 7). Windows Mobile - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



I'm using the HD2 currently.

I've also installed Android on it with triple boot just so I would have something new to play with.

The other one is Ubuntu with a Windows-feel. It's still a bit buggy but it's working nonetheless

(credits to all the great devs for making these possible on xda-developers.com)