Anyone go back to a flip phone?

[jyoutz]

Maybe where you live, but we still get a phone book in the mail every year. Not sure who publishes it anymore.
I wish there was such a thing as a phone directory that had personal phone #s in it like the old days. If you don't know someone's cell # AFAIK there's no way to look it up.

The only grandparent I ever knew was my father's father. Paternal grandmother died when I was a toddler, never met either of my mother's parents.
As hard of a guy as my father was to get to know, he was an open book compared to my grandfather. It didn't help that he spoke very little English (despite having immigrated in the early 19-teens), my Russian wasn't much better. Fortunately, my father was a solid guy.

I grew up thinking old people didn't speak English. Much of my grandparents' generation in our town were immigrants...there was enough of a community where they could get by with the old language. It wasn't until I was almost a teenager and met one of my friends' grandparents I discovered otherwise.

We also get something that is called a phone book annually. But many of the businesses are lacking because the listings aren’t free and many don’t pay because they know that few people use the books nowadays.

 

[not2old]

So people can't control themselves with a modern smartphone? Sad really. Just delete all of the apps, keep messaging and phone only.

I tried to do that on an Iphone 5S and couldn't figure it out. Some apps just wouldn't disappear.

 

[not2old]

Nope. I love having a smart phone. I use it too much in my daily life. I'm not dependent on it, but it is nice to have. You control the technology, don't let it control you.

I don't know how to prevent it from up-dating and have to spend the better part of an hour figuring out how to use it again. I only wish I was able to control it.

 

[jyoutz]

I don't know how to prevent it from up-dating and have to spend the better part of an hour figuring out how to use it again. I only wish I was able to control it.

That is exactly why I switched from Android to Apple.

 

[tractortroof]

What Farcebook is for. My wife has it. I don't and don't want it either

Facebook is great for staying in touch with family. Do you stay connected with family another way?

A lot of people seem to complain about the younger generation and are completely oblivious to the fact that older people should be mentoring them.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Gen X or "geriatric" Millennial?

Much of the criticism aimed at our generation comes from the same folks who raised us; all they have to do is look in the mirror to understand why we are the way we are.

 

[homedad]

I've spent the last 32 years as a clinical social worker working with kids and adolescents. My advice to any parent is keep your kids away from screens as long as possible. Smartphones have the same impact on the brain as cocaine.(Giving your child a smartphone is like giving them a gram of cocaine, says top addiction expert).
Personally I find my iphone extremely handy especially when I'm in my workshop needing to order a part or watch YouTube to understand how to repair something. Everything in moderation.

 

[tractortroof]

I've spent the last 32 years as a clinical social worker working with kids and adolescents. My advice to any parent is keep your kids away from screens as long as possible. Smartphones have the same impact on the brain as cocaine.(Giving your child a smartphone is like giving them a gram of cocaine, says top addiction expert).
Personally I find my iphone extremely handy especially when I'm in my workshop needing to order a part or watch YouTube to understand how to repair something. Everything in moderation.

Parental involvement is key no matter. Limiting screen time is important, so parents need to be present in their lives. Screen time is like cocaine? You mean it brings them pleasure? Well that can be useful I think. With kids we have to think in terms beyond “I need to keep them from this or that”.

Even video games can help build social skills and aid in brain development.

Leaving kids alone without mentoring them is the problem. Not being present in their lives is a problem.

I have to force myself to listen to stories about Fortnight in order to participate in the life of a 13 year old boy. I do have a Fortnight overload point and let him know we have to talk about something else.

 

[Oaktree]

Especially when traveling around Nevada as there are so few towns that are spaced 100 or more miles apart and there are no more pay phones anywhere. So whatever you do you have to get needed information via your smartphone.

I would think that in a state as sparsely populated as Nevada coverage would be a problem, especially once you get away from the interstate.

 

[jyoutz]

I would think that in a state as sparsely populated as Nevada coverage would be a problem, especially once you get away from the interstate.

Much of the west has spotty coverage once you’ve away from the towns and interstates. In my area, Verizon has the best rural coverage. I’m sure this varies throughout the country.

 

[Oaktree]

Even video games can help build social skills and aid in brain development.

Not sure I agree with that. Younger people today seem to lack social skills because they mostly interact thru "devices" as opposed to face-to-face. A lady I know from work commented once about how her teenage daughter and her friends will converse via text messages even if they're in the same room. Kinda creepy if you asked me.

 

[deserteagle71]

I would think that in a state as sparsely populated as Nevada coverage would be a problem, especially once you get away from the interstate.

You are so correct. But even along I-80 there are dead spots. So because there are so few landlines also there are large parts of the state where satellite is the only communication form. I carry a GPS with InReach satellite communications built in because of that. And yes, in rural Nevada Verizon has by far the best coverage.

 

[scaredychicken]

in the next few months, I will be upgrading from the old style samsung flip phone (fits in my pocket, keeps my hands free to carry cane, groceries etc) to the new Samsung Android Z Flip 5 smartphone.

current phone,1 yr old, still available

anticipated new phone

 

[scaredychicken]

I need a flip phone so that it fits in my pocket ... if I had to actually carry a smart phone or have it attached to my belt / hip, I would be destroying that phone every week when I fall down. I need my hands to be free, more than I need a cell phone.

I only need it for calls (incoming, outgoing) not for data, apps, texting ... but a better camera (the Z 5) will be nice. I'm looking forward to easier texting with the keyboard, but will probably get an actual plan, that offers voice to text options.

I have a prepaid plan $112 / yr and that's about all I need ... but that plan is very limited and no long distance.
The Koodo plan for $25 / mo is more expensive, but still affordable, and much more convenient.

 

[MossRoad]

I keep my cell phone in my right front pocket with the screen facing my body. It's in an Otterbox. It has never gotten damaged. I have no problems removing it from my pocket. My wallet is bigger than my cell phone.

So why do people keep cell phones clipped on their belt? It would just get caught on things and be in the way. Kinda like open carry.

 

[tractortroof]

Not sure I agree with that. Younger people today seem to lack social skills because they mostly interact thru "devices" as opposed to face-to-face. A lady I know from work commented once about how her teenage daughter and her friends will converse via text messages even if they're in the same room. Kinda creepy if you asked me.

If you are active in the lives of young people, I respect your opinion. If you are communicating via text right now (exactly what we do on this forum) and ruminating about “the younger generation” without actually participating in their lives, you are a typical “adult”.

I interact through texting with 15 different people, age 14-25, many my own children but not all. We send memes, jokes etc….occasionally I get to have deep conversations about real important life issues. I would never be able to have that without the seemingly senseless random conversations.

I game occasionally with several more that are under 14, and I really do not like to game, but it helps the relationship-not often, but I am usually willing when the opportunity presents.

 

[sixdogs]

If you are active in the lives of young people, I respect your opinion. If you are communicating via text right now (exactly what we do on this forum) and ruminating about “the younger generation” without actually participating in their lives, you are a typical “adult”.

I interact through texting with 15 different people, age 14-25, many my own children but not all. We send memes, jokes etc….occasionally I get to have deep conversations about real important life issues. I would never be able to have that without the seemingly senseless random conversations.

I game occasionally with several more that are under 14, and I really do not like to game, but it helps the relationship-not often, but I am usually willing when the opportunity presents.

I think you are correct. The continual dribble of conversation builds a relationship and trust that would take years to develop otherwise.

 

[duffer]

I only need it for calls (incoming, outgoing) not for data, apps, texting ... but a better camera (the Z 5) will be nice. I'm looking forward to easier texting with the keyboard, but will probably get an actual plan, that offers voice to text options.

I have a prepaid plan $112 / yr and that's about all I need ... but that plan is very limited and no long distance.

I've never left, having a flip phone. I don't text, I don't FB, Twit to whatever the hell that is. Texting is like "management by interruption". Texting is why the younger generations don't have any in-person social skills. Never look you in the eye, always have their heads buried in their phones. Have no idea how to have a real live conversation.

If you want a nice cell phone plan, check out Page Plus. I've used them for 10(?) years now. They have a plan for just about anybody, including smart phone guys. But if you just want minutes for phone calls, they are the best I've found. I pay $40/year.

 

[masscity]

My first dumb phone was 1998 and my first smart phone was 2013, except for the first couple I've always had a holster on my belt. From my experience, don't buy any holsters on a swivel or with a nylon belt strap, get one with a riveted leather strap. I can see the cell tower from the house.

I still have a landline that is free, only problem is that I can't call outside of the county, because it's a restricted line. I also still get a phone book for my county and a few other nearby counties.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I admittedly have not read the entire thread, but will say this...I have never had anything but a flip phone; it says "Hello and Goodbye", and that's all I use it for...to talk. I turn it off when I get home and put it in a drawer.

The only time I feel like an outsider is when I go to the doctor and everyone else is sitting there with their heads in their phones pecking away.