Sunday, October 3, 2010

I might Be Smarter Than A 5th Grader, But I Don't Think I Am As Smart As A Smartphone



I had some time this afternoon between lunch with my son and his 2 kids and my oldest grandson's basketball game. I've needed a new cell phone for a while so I decided to go have a look. I walked out an hour and a half later (late for the basketball game) with a brand new smartphone that I am fast beginning to fear is much, much smarter than I am.


So far, I have figured out how to do exactly what my old phone could do....make a call, answer a call, send a text, answer a text and check messages. Even answering a call took me a while to figure out. It seems you have to slide the green button instead of just touching it. Who knew? I know I am a little late to the party for this whole smartphone thing and I'm feeling a little like I showed up for it without getting the right message about the dress code.

Fortunately, I have some tech-savvy kids who will help me learn to use it and I am signed up for a class at the phone store in a couple of weeks. Yes, a class to teach me how to use my phone, how crazy is that? Even crazier is the fact that the class is at 8 a.m. on a Saturday morning.

I tend to be an impulse buyer and things usually work out, and I'm sure they will with this phone. In the meantime, do any of you who have these too-smart-for-their-own-good (or at least mine) phones have any suggestions for me? What do you like about them and what do you use the most? I don't want to use up too much of my limited smarts spending  a lot of time learning things that I don't really want to know.

19 comments:

  1. My hubby bought me an iphone when he bought himeself one. I loved the phone I had and to tell the truth, was a little intimidated by this new phone. It took me a while, but I love my new phone!! Have fun

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  2. I need a new phone so bad...but just can't make myself go get one...I just want plain and simple...and they are all full of technology...

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  3. oh my, you are a brave woman!! these phones scare me!! even taking the course, these phones would still scare me. I still can't figure out how to adjust the volume on my present cell phone much less try to accomplish much of anything else. Son had to program all my numbers in when I first got it and I'm always passing it to son/hubby to help me figure out how to put in on vibrate, etc. But you go girl!! I'm sure in time it will be a "piece of cake" and you will have mastered it so very well!

    betty

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  4. Hi Jeanie
    I found you through Betty's page...nice gift you sent her! What a lovely friend!
    I also just got a smart phone for the first time...well, I had a Blackberry and loved it, but felt like succumbing to my longing to have the new Iphone 4.
    I really love it...mostly for having music and podcasts on it. That way, wherever I am in the world, I can still listen to my music and my favorite talk shows...some interesting podcasts (which are talk shows that you download from the internet) are TEDtalks and book reviews. NPR has some good shows like the funny Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me...

    Have fun with it...take pictures to use as your background of your favorite things...

    BG

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  5. I have an iphone and everytime my nieces come over with theirs they end up teaching me something I didn't know. I haven't had much luck with mine lately but I do like to play words with friends (scrabble) on it.

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  6. You lucky girl you! I drool over them, but can´t afford one yet. You´ll learn the tricks in no time and I´m sure you´ll enjoy it. Just keep an open mind and try it. The best way to learn a new gadget is to try everything. :) Have fun!

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  7. You know what I have done with my phone? Chucked it!!
    None in the car (way before Oprah's spiel), none in my purse, pocket, home, beach, no where to be found except in my desk drawer way in the back. The battery has run out. It's DEAD..
    I dont' like it (can you tell)..When I'm away from my abode I like PRIVACY...I stay away from that darn ringing tone...I don't want to talk.
    At home it's OK that my land phone rings, so if you're looking for me that's where you'll find me..
    Don't mean to step on anyone's toes, just me speaking....

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  8. I can't help you as I still have my old Verizon simple/basic phone. I feel like I have to get it if I want to stay, "with it." Quite sad when you're scared to grow older an not be "with it." But is this something we have to do for the rest of our life? Perhaps.

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  9. Once you get a smartphone you'll never look back!

    I never knew that stores started giving courses - what a good idea!

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  10. Every new techie thing makes me crazy and I have to get my brother or son-in-law to tell me what to do. I don't think my brain is wired to understand those things. I still don't quite know how to collect messages on my phone. Sigh...

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  11. I think I am glad I don't have one (o:
    my new cell phone peeps in my pocket when I move wrong and sometimes when I am getting it out of my pocket...I hang up on a call. Now you see why I would be a mess with a really fancy one.

    Wonder how my Grandma felt when the got their first new fangeled phone...I am sure she probably yelled into it like most of us over the hill people do to our cell phones. lol

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  12. Someday I'll enter the 21st century, but not today. Sounds like you're pretty intuitive about technology, though. Have fun figuring the dern thing out!

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  13. I can remember getting my very first computer when my youngest daughter was 9 at the time. She stood next to me and showed me what to do. LOL

    And the smart phones are no different. Computers that you hold in your hand. And the kids are a whiz at them.

    I got my first smart phone 2 years ago. I mainly use it for phone calls (duh), alarms and calendar reminders. I do text occasionally, but not often. I have music, pictures and video on it, although they are just there and I don't really use them. I never use it for internet access, because I'm never that far from an actual computer. It has other bells and whistles that come with it but that I never use.

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  14. I would love to have one......Why cause everyone else does!! How's that for for wanting to be like everyone else. I probably won't get one though because I really only use mine for phone calls and once in awhile to text. I never use the camera or anything else. Good luck with yours though!

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  15. Hi Jeanie, I understand IPhones are so easy to use but my smart phone makes me feel pretty dumb even though I've had it for 6 mos...it didn't come with a manual(something I always need)so trying to figure things out and remember how to do things has been difficult but I know you'll get the hang of it.
    Have a great evening.
    Noreen

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  16. I was in the same boat when I got an iPhone. I've finally learned the basics but there are times when I find a button or feature and wonder WTH is THAT for :-)
    good luck, jj

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  17. I have an iPhone and I love it. I use it to check email more than I actually use it as a phone. I've also used it to check in on flights when I've traveled.

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  18. Can't help you. I still have a "dumb" phone. Hehe.

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