I hate smartphones

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I hate cell phones altogether. It was years before I stopped being pissed off when someone took a call i n the middle of a conversation, but it's a good way to identify throwaway friends.

I don't use them. My background's in tech, so this surprises some people, but there isn't a phone yet which will do what I want without it also doing a bunch of things I definitely don't want it doing, so I simply don't use one.

Does this piss some people off? Sure, but it's usually people whose opinions I don't give a crap about anyway (corporate sales reps etc), so no loss there.

Heck, I don't even answer my dumbphone. People can leave a message or text me, and I might get around to dealing with it in a day or two. Again, this might go counter to some people's expectations, but that's honestly their problem, not mine.

I hate it too. So I let it home.

I used to have Stupid app Called Ticktock, because I saw some cringe compilations. and it made me sign up on this app. during the pandemic 2019 I got really addicted to this app and staying up late mindlessly scrolling And letting algorithm Vomit out videos to me. After I find out negatives things about Ticktock, I ended up deleting my profile and the app for good reasons.

and later I heard about these short form videos will shorten your attention span because these videos are meant to be consumed For the masses.

And finally my phone got broken by Battery swelling and broken display input.
I kind of don't care about phones. they got pretty boring.

I have one - but only need it to pay for laundry at my Apartment complex, so thats all I use it for. It OFF the rest of the time. I work in tech, which really means I don't need it. If anyone needs to reach me they can DM me, often times even more quickly than they could telephone anyway. I have a watch, if I need to know the time. I've never seen the need to take picture of my food or a spontaneous selfie.

Its available for emergencies, but I've never actually had one The last weather-related disaster we had took out cell service anyway

I've never had a smartphone. I still can't use a touchscreen properly, don't know whether that's my fault or the designer's. Don't like the idea of carrying a device that tells snoopers where I am and what I'm doing. Don't like the idea of paying a monthly fee for the rest of my life. Don't like the idea of being locked into a contract. Don't want another learning curve. I did quite a bit of work getting my computers to be fairly ad-proof and tracking-proof on the Web, and I don't want to have to do it all again on a device that's probably been designed to make it difficult.

I used to have a dumbphone that worked quite well. I'd just go to an ATM to put credit on it. I didn't use it much but it was handy when I was travelling to be able to contact people, and as it was pay-as-you-go, it was very cheap to run. It lasted many years, and when it finally became useless the world had moved on and I couldn't find anything as good. I tried one that was supposed to have been designed for people who don't want a smartphone, but it was awkward to use. The ATMs had stopped doing the top-up service so I had to go online on a computer to top it up. The phone didn't work in the USA and the providers rendered it permanently useless to punish me for not using it for 6 months. So they ended up with money from me that they hadn't earned. I looked into the idea of getting a Windows smartphone to make the changeover from a computer easier, but they'd stopped selling those. I researched a phone that was supposed to give the user proper control over tracking etc., but they'd stopped selling those too.

Clearly it's still possible to survive without a mobile phone of any kind, but I expect it'll get more difficult. Currently it seems to be more the Internet that's becoming indispensible for banking and even for finding stuff I want to buy - it's barely worth trying to buy things in real shops any more. The only shops that haven't closed down are only selling rubbish. There's still some protection in the UK for people who don't have access to the Web etc., but I don't know how long that will last.

It seems to be the way of the world. Having a car used to be a luxury but now public transport only takes me halfway to where I want to go, if it runs at all, and I have to walk the rest of the way. Privatised bus services are gradually axing the buses that don't make them enough profit, quite regardless of stranding people.

So I think smartphones are just one of many modern services that they're gradually making it impossible to do without.

I like my smartphone. I enjoy its versatile range of functions, from internet browsing & communication to the ability to act as a GPS or even a flashlight.

I hate other people's smartphones though. They use them for watching Tik Toks.

Life was simpler with dumb phones.

I'm not fond of smartphones either. Sometimes I like to go out to hiking trails with a book and treat myself to a solo picnic. Whenever I do, my thoughts inevitable wander towards how nice it would be to just leave my phone somewhere in the mountains and forget about it. It's probably inevitable that it happens eventually.

Call me an elitist, but I think the Internet was a better place before it became so easy to access. Phone keyboards don't lend themselves to thoughtful writing. Not to mention how much more accessible we've become to the technological system. Privacy becomes more precious as the information network grows.

Also, I once met a professor who casually put "social media" in his list of existential dangers to humanity, right up there with AI, nuclear proliferation, and climate change. I found that very funny - but I'm also sympathetic to that viewpoint. With a smartphone and Internet-connected smartphone users, the mob can reach you anywhere.

I too worked in High Tech my entire career - and I too have less than zero use for a smartphone. A horrid computer, and a mediocre phone that costs way too much. I have written HUGE rants on this subject, but I'll spare everyone the pain - including myself - and just say "no thank you". Completely un-necessary, completely crippled, and a nuisance to deal with.

I carry a Sonim XP3Plus rugged flip, that I have texting turned off on as that's a nuisance as well. Send me an email...

Everybody knows what the problems are with these things, yet still continue to pay huge money for them and integrate them into their lives. Its all about the PHOOOOOONNE!!

I have a smartphone but I have changed the way I use it, I am no longer constantly on it. I Have to use it for music when doing Yard Work, Daily 25-30Min Walk or because I broke a bone that goes to my ankle back in march music during Physical Therapy