Monday, February 15, 2010

Alexander Graham Bell what have you done?

First of all, let me say right up front that this is not an advertisement...it's a grievance, pure and simple.  Or perhaps it's simply an Aesop fable turned on its' ear and then shaken like a snow globe.  I  never really wanted a cell phone.  It would irritate me no end to watch people walking around with those bluetooth (teeth?) contraptions glued in their ears and talking a mile a minute to someone I couldn't see.  I can't tell you how often I've nearly given myself whiplash jerking my head up to see who was talking to me only to discover them with a phone in hand or ear and not speaking to me at all.  And watching people driving down the highway with a phone in one hand and the steering wheel in another always gave  me the heebiejeebies.  Talk about a wreck looking for a place to happen!

But I bowed to convention and allowed my younger son and dil to give me my first and only cell phone.  It's a nice little Motorola with a few apps (  I later learned this meant applications,  not a sleep disorder).  It took me about a week to figure out how to answer it.  I still haven't mastered how to take a photo.  And the other day in a fit of boredom while Mac was in with the Doc I opened a music file to listen to some tunes...and then couldn't figure out how to turn it off.  I finally did learn to pause it so that the others in the room didn't have to be annoyed by Lady Gaga...I did tell you my son and dil gave me the phone?

So my older son got a new phone last week.  It's a Droid.  I think I have that right,  I know it's made by Verizon.  So, he's spent the week learning  about all it does.  It does plenty.  I keep hearing little shouts of "wow...look at what it does here!"  So, it does things like showing fast food  restaurant menus and nutrition values of each item; you can scan a bar code in a store and it tells you the price...but wait a minute...then it tells you where you can get it cheaper!  It takes pictures that rival his professional camera (he couldn't get a decent one of the 4 inches of snow we got on Friday night with his work camera , but the phone took some wowsers) and can find obscure music (complete with song name and artist) and then it plays  it for you.  You take your finger and move over to new pages and its GPS will show you where you are and a satelite picture of the exact spot. It gives you the weather and the temperature where you are standing. It plays a game with you when you are out walking.  I think he said it was Escape the Zombies.  It shows where zombies might be lurking and which route to take to avoid them.    This is not something I would do, I don't do dark walking.  This phone even hooks up to the internet and does things my computer can't do.  Who knew?

I'm sure that when I next see him, I'll be hearing about yet another thing that his  phone can do that my own phone  can't.  I hear from a reliable source that I have a wienie phone that I need to learn to master before considering a new model.  But I'm telling you, when he comes in and tells me that there is a "load the dishwasher app"  I'm going to be suitably impressed.  Oh, and headed for the Droid store.

52 comments:

OLLIE MCKAY'S ~ A Chic Boutique said...

Can any of us even remember . . . . what the heck did we do before Cell phones??!! Happy Monday!

Vee said...

There you are! I'm so glad that your post hadn't popped up yet or else I'd just have commented and called it good. ;>

Ohhhh, A Droid? I've never even heard of it, but it sounds amazing. I'd love it for the price check feature alone.

As for learning about the cell phone, I'm with you. Heck, I had to call myself to even find the cell phone this morning.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you Sandi, it is too much for me. It looks like folks cannot stand to be with themselves so they have to have someone on the other end all the time. I have a little cheapy that I can make a call and someone can call me. I never get any calls. I don't even remember my number, but because I go out alone sometimes, HH got me a phone so I wouldn't always be borrowing his. I am sure if I ever broke down on the road I would be pleased to death I had it. So much for technology. Thanks for stopping by.
QMM

Hadriana's Treasures said...

Gosh, Sandi, you are really up with it. I think we are still using wind up models! I'm impressed! :)

Donna said...

I have an IPhone...It has Apps and I LOVE it!!! I also downloaded that app that tells you What's That Song...
They will BURY me with the darn thing...HAhahaaa...
hughugs

Anya said...

I have also a IPhone
its so fantastic :-)
You can try it you will love it !!!
Lovely post
;)

Jinksy said...

I agree with the dishwasher loader option - without that, who wants one?

i beati said...

Good one- I let my $359 phone go .. Felt it was not needed that much sk

Akelamalu said...

My phone has all sorts of applications but all I can do with it is answer a call, text and take a photo! :~

Kathy's Klothesline said...

I have had a cell for several years now. I like it for emergencies. I have all the people I call under "contacts" and I know how to answer it. It has a musical ring tone and I sometimes hum along for a bit before I realize it is my cell.I am pretty sure I could live without it, but I do like having it ib the car with me just in case......

NitWit1 said...

You and I have similar attitudes toward cells, which I may eventually be forced to used entirely. Mine does less than yours by far as it is one of those pay per minute jobs--no contract/subscription--just buy minutes.

In addition to the dishwasher, I need one that vacuums, mops floors and makes beds to alleviate my aching back! Cooking would be a nice amenity too!

Carver said...

Great post. I felt like I held off a long time on a cell phone but after having one for 10 years I can't imagine going anywhere without one. However, I rarely use it. I just have it for security. Kind of funny thinking about how we all got along just fine without them for so long. That said, I don't bother with a fancy one or with the gizmos on the one I have. The main think I need to know is that I can call triple A.

NeereAnDear said...

My old phone died a few weeks ago and I had to get a new one... I have the blackberry curve and let me tell you.... it does all those wonderful things and then some.... its a mini computer on a phone and I must say I cant believe I lived without one for so long...

I think cell phones are important for women .... used to hate them myself... but if you are traveling alone (the GPS is a Godsend) or should you get stuck or blow a tire.... its nice to have that with you to call for help ... make sure you get a car charger... if you dont get anything else get one of those... to keep your phone charged at all times....

I dont know if I can get all those neat little things like telling you where to buy the cheapest item or whatever but I do know that its nice having something in case of an emergency

Congratulations!! Learn your phone and then upgrade... though really the newer ones... make it so much easier cause they do it all for you.. including learning

LOTS OF HUGS
JO

Unknown said...

I agree with Ollie, what did we do before cell phones? We survived!

Had to LOL at the ear pieces, I think they all look like self important dickheads :-)

I have seen the ads for the Droid and thought that's way too much for me. Mind you I'm with you in the dishwasher app, although mine might be the clean the cat litter app.

Gill - That British Woman said...

I have a cell phone, always forget to switch it on, or charge the battery!! I hate cell phones!!

Gill in Canada

Lee said...

LOL Don't feel bad, Sandi. I haven't mastered the camera on mine yet either. And there are way too many temptations to go online with phones for me to feel comfortable. Every time you go online it ups the bill you pay that month. Nope, not going there! But I'm with you for more practical apps. If the darn phone paid my bills, did my taxes, and checked my pantry and did a menu grocery list for the store I might think about it...but only think. LOL

Good to see you posting today!

Hugs!
Lee

SandyCarlson said...

You crack me up. Wow. That is funny. Your son sounds like a lot of gadgeteers I know who will spend tons of time figuring this stuff out. Thanks for making me smile this chilly night.

Sandy said...

First, I LOVE the song "San Francisco". It's from a younger time in my life and brings back SO many memories. Second, I have a cell phone. The first one I had all those years ago was just for emergencies -- it only made and received phone calls. I don't even think it stored phone numbers. I think I probably made about 10 phone calls on it the whole 3 years I had it. Then I got one (when they disabled the analog phone) that still only made and received phone calls but stored a whopping 20 phone numbers. WOW! I think they said I averaged 12 minutes per 6 months. When they disabled that one -- better technology I think they said, I got one that stored quite a few (I don't remember how many) numbers AND when you stored a number with a name, it dialed the number! How cool is that? And it only made and received phone calls. This is where they get you... they said that phone would no longer work, you need a new contract (which always is way more than what you paid for the old one). There was nothing wrong with the phone I loved. It was a lovely silver Motorola. But, alas, it stopped working just like they said. So, now I have a phone that sends text message, takes pictures, sends pictures, stores something like 99 phone numbers, you can assign ring tones to the numbers.. and probably does other stuff that I care nothing about. I use it to make phone calls and to text my son and his wife when I know they can't answer their phone. Alexander would either be blown away or severly dismayed!

p.s. This post made me laugh like a loon! (and I've seen people driving and TEXTING at the same time. Definitely an accident waiting to happen!

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I love the style in which you share the happenings of your life. They always make my day and give me a little lift....m.

Jeff B said...

I got an iphone about a year ago and love it. Kind of like the Droid in the things it does. Pretty darned amazing how much they can stuff into a little phone these days. Heck, I remember being impressed with with our first cordless phone at home. Now we're walking around with computers that double as phones.

Hilary said...

Too funny. You're still a step ahead of me. I haven't got a cell phone yet. :)

Mariana Soffer said...

Inventions take a life of their own after they are created and they can develop new scary sides, which is usually what happens, you know, technology bites back.

Shadow said...

some of the phones around are like mini-computers nowadays. but all i want is to phone and text...

Maggie May said...

I have a very simple Pay As You Go mobile and it was only bought for emergencies.
I can text (jolly useful) but haven't fathomed how to use the camera. well I can use it but don't know how to store a pic.
My son has a mobile that can do anything except clean his teeth! He just touches the screen.
I wonder what people will be doing in 20 yrs time?
In the mean time, enjoy yours.

Nuts in May

Shrinky said...

I still haven't got over my mistrust of these contraptions, but I keep promising myself to get over my hang up.. especially after I found myself stranded last week when the car broke down. I vow I'll try harder, but just don't ask me to send any texts!!

Unknown said...

Such a great accounting of what has become an addiction in most! I have one of those "go" phones and it stays off until I need it, which is very rare.

Pam said...

I know what you mean Sandy. I have a cell phone but I rarely use it. I call it my "call from the grocery to see if the husband needs anything" phone. haha. I have friends who insist on texting me and I have not once ounce of texting skills in my boney fingers. ugh!

P.S. those blue tooth people annoy me too. I undrstand usingthem in the car but..come on, take it off in the restaurant or doctor's waiting room. puuuleeeze!

Jeni said...

Some people have cell phones as their ONLY phone -and that's something I really can figure out, especially if they have an online presence. But anyway -beside the point, ya know -all three of my kids have cell phones. Daughter Mandy here has hers via her brother's account and it's nice in that when she's out, she can call and tell me to get Maya or Kurt off their respective vans or check to see if we need this or that and she can pick it up. But at home, her cell is only usable for texting! Because where we live -down in the gully here -no service, no bars -other than the one up the street a ways. Verizon needs to do a whole lot more of the "Can you hear me now?" stuff before I'd see the value in a cell phone as infrequently as I venture out to where it would work! I just switched my house phone though last week from Verizon over to my cable/internet -a "three-play" they say and it should save me about $50 a month and give me even more features -like caller id and unlimited long distance calling so I'm a happy camper with that deal anyway!

Anonymous said...

You know, I don't feel too bad being my age and not knowing about all this new technology because I hear even the young people are having a hard time keeping up. LOL...the other day I accidentally turned the speaker on on my cell phone while talking to Bobby G. in the grocery store and could not figure out how to switch it over before everyone around me could hear what he was saying. Thank goodness he was being nice that day! Finally I just hung up on him to shut the phone up. :)xoxo

Suldog said...

Still haven't had one, probably never will. I like my telephones to stay where they can't annoy me constantly, I like my keyboards big enough to accommodate my manly fingers, and I like my viewing screens more than two inches diagonal. I don't feel the need to record every damn thing I do, and I expect I get more pleasure actually just doing things rather than worrying about taking photos of me doing them.

Sorry. The old fart in my soul just had to vent.

Gill - That British Woman said...

Sandi, I don't have an Etsy store, maybe that's something I should think about doing in the future.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Gill in Canada

♥ Braja said...

i'm holding out for the one that does my shopping for me....

Merisi said...

Giggling all the way, thanks, Sandi! :-)))


I wished we could go back to Pre-iPod!
It's so annoying taking the wee ones to their play dates and hearing from the back seat: "Mom, you'll have to turn left here!" while I was still trying to figure out where the Dickens I was! There they sit, those little monsters, pushing the buttons on that iPod faster than I can drive!

I am all for a law that says iPod should only be sold with a toddler, er, teenager attached to them. They beat any instructions booklet!

cheshire wife said...

My mobile phone is switched off most of the time. I like some peace and quiet and do not want to be permanently connected to something which takes over my life.

Diva's Thoughts said...

I'm a cell phone junkie! I have a blackberry and LOVE it!!

jay said...

I hear you! My first phone was a very basic Nokia. It made phone calls. I had it for years!

Then it began to play up and I found I could no longer buy any make or model of phone with absolutely no bells and whistles. I got one which was still fairly basic, but had a camera which rivalled our fist digital point and shoot. I loved having a phone in my camera! Or is that the other way round ... ?

Now I have a bells and whistles, log onto the internet phone with a better camera, and I hardly use the thing. I miss my super-simple model! Waaah!

San said...

Sandy, your "wienie" phone is far more advanced than mine. Mine doesn't even take pictures, if you can believe that.

And when that "load the dishwasher app" comes out, I'll be elbowing you at the phone store. Let's not hold our breaths though.

Justabeachkat said...

Oh sweet friend, this post gave me a chuckle. And I sure did need one.

Me...I'm pretty tech savvy... thanks to my kids. My son actually designs websites and has created an app for iTunes. I have an iPhone and love it! This thing can do almost anything...except load the dishwasher. LOL I keep adding apps. The latest one still has me scratching my head in wonder. It's called Dragon Dictation. And the best part...it's free. You literally can hit the button and just talk and then it will type your email for you and all you have to do is let it know who to send it to. Amazing. Of course I had to learn to talk slow (yes even slower than this southern gal usually does) and to pause when I wanted a sentence to end. It's a great app since sometimes I get so frustrated trying to hit the right keys on the small keyboard on the phone. What will they think of next?

Hugs!
Kat

Unknown said...

Sandi, this is so funny! I admit that I am a techno geek and love, love, love my iPhone (which even makes popcorn and sings "Hallelujah" whenever I need a burst of exclamation)! That said, I do feel that etiquette needs to play a huge role with cell phones.

A few years back, I was sitting at dinner with a married couple, both of whom were having cell phone conversations while I ate my meal in silence. Later, I wrote a comedic sketch about a party of teens where everyone was conversing on cell phones and no one was speaking face to face. The gal that had been to dinner with me saw the sketch performed and approached me afterward: "That sketch was about me, wasn't it?"

Even yesterday, I was having my groceries rung up and we were forced to listen to the loud cell phone conversation of the gal behind me. It was uncomfortable.

My iPhone is a mini computer. I have all of my contacts, dates, and social media links on it. I have 3 Bibles, a dictionary, rhyming dictionary, eBay, etc. I LOVE IT! However, I need to possess it: it can't possess me.

Enjoy the benefits of having so much information at your finger tips! Sadly, it won't do the dishes.

Thanks for the smiles, KJ

Jules~ said...

Sandi you are so funny. I love your comment about the dish washer app. I must confess that I too have been on the heels of learning all this phone stuff. There are so many thing that I am told my phone can do but I am scared ot try for fear of getting internet charges. I would ask at Verizon but they always look at me like I am so stupid.

You have a blessed day today.

Anya said...

Have a wonderful weekend

Kareltje =^.^=
Anya :-)

Pondside said...

How about a laundry app?
I have a love-hate relationship with my phone. In some ways it gives me freedom (I can be 'working' out of the office) but I have to remember to turn it off or I'll find myself working when I shouldn't.

Beth P. said...

remember when we used to ask if something 'does windows'? Well...that's just the base of what these new communications devices do, is Windows!

Ain't it a new world?!

Thanks for the smile--

Deb said...

What a great post - so true! Most people could relate to this. My cell phone somehow calls people without me doing anything. All of a sudden I hear people saying "hello, who's there?" and sure enough, my phone called them. Weird. I am waiting for the phone which can do my laundry. Enjoy your new 'toy'.

myonlyphoto said...

Sandi, you know I say the same Bell started something crazy. I am not phone person at all, and I just don't find a pleasure playing and wasting time with stuff like that - just think this thing only will get you to a nice restaurant to spend more money, lol. I was once too almost sandwiched between two cars, both coincidently talking on the cell phone. But now we have by laws finally. Sandi thanks for your thoughts, and good one too. Anna :)

Donna said...

Checking on you sweetie...
Hope all is well here!
hughugs

myonlyphoto said...

Sandi just checking in, hope all is well. Anna :)

♥ Braja said...

and now I'm wondering where you are....? :)

Donna said...

....checking again...You alright sweetie??!!!
hughugs

Pam said...

checking in..wondering if all is okay!?

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

My mobile causes me so much stress Sandi. It never, never rings when I'm nearby only when it's in my bag in the trunk of the car. And then it taunts me and goes to voice mail just as I touch it. How does it know how to annoy me so much? I think it has a life of it's own.

diney said...

Not sure how I found you but I'm glad I stopped by! I have an iphone and love it, but my husband HATES it as I'm often texting and checking e mails (sometimes in bed!!!!) I would like a 'cook the meal' app on mine. Call over and see me if you have time - I'm in the North of England and am a mum of a 10 year old and a 28 year old who is about to get married, hence the name
http://oldermumsarefun.blogspot.com
xx