Smart phones? I have a dumb one

[Ozz]

And still don't know how to use the thing...

I just want to know how to make a phone call.
Wireless phones, everyone and their 12 year old kid has one, the 12 year old knows 10 times more about it’s functions than adults, I would guess.
I need certain things in a phone, it has to make calls, receive calls, and take messages if I am in a noisy bar and can’t hear it. All this can be explained to me in a single page of instructions.
OK, I got a few extras, the walkie-talkie for instant back and forth with a person or group(s) and a vibrate when in meetings (or in the bar) mode. To get these features, I had to get a phone that has a 220 page instruction book on how to operate all the different operations in this gizmo.
It almost seems it was the product of some super-geek, who won a bet at the malt shop from his (or her) peers where they meet and compare pocket protectors. My hat’s off to them. It takes a M.I.T. scholar to understand this stuff.
You can take movies, even with a small spotlight, record conversations and grocery lists, Java apps. whatever that is, has GPS, a date book, call waiting, 2 phone lines, text messaging, e-mail, Internet, hands free, and on and on.
Many times I accidentally hit one of the buttons and something doesn’t work. I had to super-glue one of the buttons so it wouldn’t get pushed when I am rolling around on the floor fixing a furnace or air conditioner. Sometimes the phone calls someone, it’s kind of an adventure, I get to talk with people I haven’t seen for a while, still don’t know how that happens.
The Geeks think of everything, there are two digit codes, I guess as shortcuts, just press # or * and the code. Now I have to try and remember the codes, phone numbers and how to call them. Never have used that.
I can’t even see the screen without my reading glasses, one of the features they are proud of is caller ID, by the time I get the phone out of the holster, find my reading glasses and get them on, the thing went to voice mail message, then I have to pull off the road and spend 5 minutes figuring that out.
I guess the skinny smart kid with the pocket protector, I made fun of in high school gets the last laugh…..

[DQDick]

For years all Joyce wanted was a phone to make calls with. When I went to a smart phone we kept my old Razor and when her's finally crapped out she switched to my old one. Last summer, on the last day Verizon still offered unlimited data, we both got iPhones. She now uses the email and internet options more than I do. She's become a big texter (the only way to get grandchildren to answer the phone) and is just learning to use the scheduling function. I couldn't believe the transformation. I guess it just takes a smart phone that is easy for you to relate too. I can relate to that (pun intended). The motorola I got rid of was a royal pain in the ass as far as I was concerned. It did the job, but like you I was always having some problem with the way it operated and how I interfaced with it.

[mhs4771]

Ozz, there are still a few phones out there made especially for the older generation (polite way of saying older folks), with bigger buttons, bigger display and not too many features. I got one of those for my Mother before she passed away, but she could still mess it up by getting the volume turned all the way down or the ringer off. So even with a goof proof phone it can still get messed up and mess you up.

[lasater]

I have a Samsung with just the same features Ozz talked about. But, I found out that it is not Sailor-Proof (or is that Airman-Proof?).

No web browsing - no texting - no tweeting (what ever that is).

[grampachet]

Sounds like one I had, and I tried the super glue on the talkie button but it was such indestructible stuff it would not allow the glue to stop the extra stuff from hindering my sanity. Finally went with the iPhone and now am doing ok.

[bigmurf]

Boy OZZ, you don't like phones and you don't like campfires. That is low tech versus no tech. What is that they about hanging with a new rope? G

[mlh]

All I wont in a phone is a phone. I'm hangins on to my old LG 7000. If I need to I can still hook my computer to it and get on line. I have 400 minutes a month and never use 50.
Lynwood

[kab449]

I struggled to master the smart phone also until I got an I-Phone. Steve Jobs was one of the geeks, but also had the ability to design something that dummies can master.

[Bill-N-Donna]

I doubt that I could replace the phone I have with a similar one now days. I have a Samsung phone that doesn’t even have a camera. Texting is blocked and I still get aggravated with random calls coming in at times. For the most part it receives calls and makes calls. It even has voice mail, wow!

[richfaa]

My smart phone is a lot smarter than In am. However we were visiting our grandson yesterday and were showing him some pics we took of Disney characters as he loves Disney. I could not find the pics and he took the phone from me found the pics and scrolled through them......He is two years old..
Turns out Dad has the same phone....but still... two years old...