I surrender! I have ordered a smart phone.

[haapai]

I put it off for an awfully long time.  I was mostly being frugal to begin with, that is, I didn't want to buy the phone or the pay the additional fees that would inevitably result from owning something so addictive.  I didn't even want to think of anything that would add an additional ongoing expense to my life.  Now, I just think that I need one in order to be part of society.  It has become remarkably difficult to function without one. 

One of the control arms on my car rusted out and broke about two weeks ago.  Basically, one of the tires fell off.  I wasn't driving the car and the whole thing happened in a parking lot at very low speeds so nobody was in danger.  On the other hand, the simple business of getting the car towed was rather undignified.  I went into the gas station to ask for a telephone book and there wasn't one.  An employee had to look up the number of the tow company and I had to write it down on the back of a lottery request slip.  Then the tow guy, who was exactly my own age (and very, very experienced at getting very disabled vehicles onto the flatbed of his rig) made mild fun of me for having a flip phone.  He'd taken multiple pictures of my pathetically disabled car in order to protect himself from claims of additional damage and I had not taken a single pix.  At this point, bells kinda rang and I realized that my word meant nothing if it was not accompanied by pix that "anyone" would have taken. 

Finding that I had approximately $3500 in unclaimed employee rewards kinda clinched it.  The whole rewards program was so phone-centered that I just sort of ignored it for eight or nine years.  Rewards piled up and I can easily buy four iPhones now.  I ordered one today and will be ordering another once I figure out the tax ramifications of redeeming points.  (I may wish to delay ordering another until the next tax year when I will have more time to adjust things.)  

No Android phones were on the swag site so I had to go with an iPhone.  I've heard that this can be a heck of a learning curve.  Do any of you have any advice on how to make this switch less painful?  Do you have any sites to point me at?  Will you be here to hold my hand as I make this switch about 15 years after everyone else has? 

[TheOtherMe]

I got my first smart phone in November of 2013,  The reason I can remember the date is because my sister called me on my new iPhone that I had no idea of how to use the first night I had it to tell me to come to the hospital, as mom was being taken there by ambulance.

Instead of answering the phone, I hung up.     

Figure out how to answer the phone.

I'm sure there are videos on you tube.  I just got a new one and I have been watching videos on you tube to learn to do specific things.

Good luck!

[raeoflyte]

Do you have to buy multiple phones now?

[haapai]

Oct 3, 2024 18:07:26 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Do you have to buy multiple phones now?

Not really.  I only need one phone but my partner also uses a flip phone.  I'm kinda on the fence regarding whether I should take the first smart phone that arrives and try to figure out how to use it or throw it at him and hope that he teaches me how it works. 

We both need to make the switch.  We are in danger of becoming something like non-persons if we do not adapt. 

[toomuchreality]

Oct 3, 2024 17:46:09 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I got my first smart phone in November of 2013,  The reason I can remember the date is because my sister called me on my new iPhone that I had no idea of how to use the first night I had it to tell me to come to the hospital, as mom was being taken there by ambulance.

Instead of answering the phone, I hung up.     

Figure out how to answer the phone.

I'm sure there are videos on you tube.  I just got a new one and I have been watching videos on you tube to learn to do specific things.

Good luck!

I still hang up on people! Esp if it isn't on speakerphone.

I loved my landline and am sad not to have it any more.

Good luck with your new phone!

[TheOtherMe]

I figured out how to lock the esim.  So if I lose my phone, which I've never done, the default pin will not work to transfer the phone.  

Apple liked my trade in and gave me twice what Verizon was going to give me so Apple it was.  Now I owe Apple, but I am not on a contract with Verizon.  

I am grandfathered in to a senior price they no longer offer.  They periodically send information about adding a line, etc.  I am not adding a line.  My cats are not getting phones.

[Tiny]

I'm not sure if you've never had a smart phone OR if you are switching from android to apple.

Either way - my advice is once you get the new phone plan to spend time everyday using it/trying it out. I'd also advise finding some people who you can text and call who won't be annoyed by your trial and error "learning" how to take and send pictures or making sure you got their info into your phone correctly so you can call/text them.

It is a learning curve - because it's something new - not because it is intentionally difficult to do.

[toomuchreality]

I got my new to me laptop from DD2 today, but I haven't even opened it yet. She said everything needs to be set up on it.
That sounds overwhelming to me.

I used to have a grandfathered plan, with Verizon. They conveniently made an error with my acct and refused to set me back up on the grandfathered plan, so I left Verizon.

I'm nervous about using this laptop. I wish I had someone close by, who could help me.
Dd2 said she will, but she lives 45 mins away and is so busy, I don't know when she could.

I'm sure DD1 would too, but again, I don't know when.
I guess I just need to try and do it, but I don't want to.

[toomuchreality]

How's your new phone working out?

Do you like it?

[NoNamePerson]

The biggest problem I had when I got my iPhone was the 'fat finger syndrome!! And being ever so careful to not touch something I was trying to "slide"  Called back a few numbers that I just wanted to delete. But alas I got the hang of it.     But after 8 years I should have the hang of it    

[NoNamePerson]

Oct 4, 2024 17:57:45 GMT -5 Tiny said:

I'm not sure if you've never had a smart phone OR if you are switching from android to apple.

Either way - my advice is once you get the new phone plan to spend time everyday using it/trying it out. I'd also advise finding some people who you can text and call who won't be annoyed by your trial and error "learning" how to take and send pictures or making sure you got their info into your phone correctly so you can call/text them.

It is a learning curve - because it's something new - not because it is intentionally difficult to do.

Good advice. My son did some of the things you mentioned to get me used to the basic stuff.  I also went to videos for my particular phone for help. I also cursed it out a few times and think I scared it into cooperating with me  

I learned early to change ring tones for different features when my phone rang and I picked it up and was on face time with DIL's young niece. I live alone and not always dressed to take face time calls Off I went to settings I went.  

[TheOtherMe]

I still have problems with making calls I didn't think I was making.  People end up calling to see if I needed something.  

No I don't need anything and I'm embarrassed and I don't want to talk to you.

[haapai]

I have never owned any type of smart phone before.  The one that I have ordered should show up in a couple of weeks.  No details regarding shipping have shown up in my e-mail but I did get a confirmation from my employer that the points had been redeemed. 

The wait doesn't bother me much. 

I'm leaning a bit toward ordering a second phone soon so that my partner and I can experiment with using the phone on each other instead of inflicting this learning curve on our siblings and friends.  The thing that is stopping me from doing that right now (yes, I'll admit to being a little excited) is the tax and withholding ramifications of redeeming the points.  I want to make sure that I keep my AGI low enough to qualify for the Saver's tax credit in 2024.  I also don't want to redeem the points for both phones on the same (weekly) paycheck.  I might not receive any paycheck at all and I certainly don't want to expend brainpower figuring out the order in which payroll deductions that cannot be covered by a paycheck will be shorted. 

[NoNamePerson]

Oct 5, 2024 14:13:09 GMT -5 haapai said:

I have never owned any type of smart phone before.  The one that I have ordered should show up in a couple of weeks.  No details regarding shipping have shown up in my e-mail but I did get a confirmation from my employer that the points had been redeemed. 

The wait doesn't bother me much. 

I'm leaning a bit toward ordering a second phone soon so that my partner and I can experiment with using the phone on each other instead of inflicting this learning curve on our siblings and friends.  The thing that is stopping me from doing that right now (yes, I'll admit to being a little excited) is the tax and withholding ramifications of redeeming the points.  I want to make sure that I keep my AGI low enough to qualify for the Saver's tax credit in 2024.  I also don't want to redeem the points for both phones on the same (weekly) paycheck.  I might not receive any paycheck at all and I certainly don't want to expend brainpower figuring out the order in which payroll deductions that cannot be covered by a paycheck will be shorted. 

I had an iPad long before I got iPhone. I think that helped just a tad since same OS more or less. You will do fine. If this ole biddy can figure it out I have faith you will master it in no time!

[TheOtherMe]

  I also had an iPad before I got an iPhone.  

If you were using an Apple Card to pay for it you could spend an hour on the phone being transferred to 4 agents before I got someone who knew how to redeem Apple Cash as a credit on the credit card.  Yes, I did that this afternoon.   

[nittanycheme]

If you are near an Apple Store, they have classes.  There are "get started" classes for iphones that you can take - its about an hour.  there are also some more advanced ones.  I know the store near me has them.  You can search for "Apple Store classes" and a link should come up at apple where they ask for your location, you can select a store close to you and register.   Here is the description of the class:

**We’ll start by navigating iPhone and share simple ways to organize your Home Screen so you stay connected to what matters most. Then you’ll explore the latest features and apps that make everyday tasks easier. Whether you’re new to iPhone or need a refresher, we’ll help you get started and discover new favorites.

For sessions with amplified sound, hearing loop technology is available on request. **

There are also a lot of videos on youtube, but people learn differently. 

[TheOtherMe]

My problem has always been an Apple Store is at least 90 minutes each way from me.

[mollyanna58]

The hardest thing for me was figuring out how to turn it off when I needed to.  And then hoping I remembered how to turn it back on.

[saveinla]

Oct 3, 2024 16:24:22 GMT -5 haapai said:

I put it off for an awfully long time.  I was mostly being frugal to begin with, that is, I didn't want to buy the phone or the pay the additional fees that would inevitably result from owning something so addictive.  I didn't even want to think of anything that would add an additional ongoing expense to my life.  Now, I just think that I need one in order to be part of society.  It has become remarkably difficult to function without one. 

One of the control arms on my car rusted out and broke about two weeks ago.  Basically, one of the tires fell off.  I wasn't driving the car and the whole thing happened in a parking lot at very low speeds so nobody was in danger.  On the other hand, the simple business of getting the car towed was rather undignified.  I went into the gas station to ask for a telephone book and there wasn't one.  An employee had to look up the number of the tow company and I had to write it down on the back of a lottery request slip.  Then the tow guy, who was exactly my own age (and very, very experienced at getting very disabled vehicles onto the flatbed of his rig) made mild fun of me for having a flip phone.  He'd taken multiple pictures of my pathetically disabled car in order to protect himself from claims of additional damage and I had not taken a single pix.  At this point, bells kinda rang and I realized that my word meant nothing if it was not accompanied by pix that "anyone" would have taken. 

Finding that I had approximately $3500 in unclaimed employee rewards kinda clinched it.  The whole rewards program was so phone-centered that I just sort of ignored it for eight or nine years.  Rewards piled up and I can easily buy four iPhones now.  I ordered one today and will be ordering another once I figure out the tax ramifications of redeeming points.  (I may wish to delay ordering another until the next tax year when I will have more time to adjust things.)  

No Android phones were on the swag site so I had to go with an iPhone.  I've heard that this can be a heck of a learning curve.  Do any of you have any advice on how to make this switch less painful?  Do you have any sites to point me at?  Will you be here to hold my hand as I make this switch about 15 years after everyone else has? 

The iphone is the most intuitive phone I have had. Its really easy to set up and navigate. There is a tips app on the phone that can guide you easily.

[teen persuasion]

I didn't have a cell phone at all, let alone a smart phone. Also recently broke down and got one, because we were flying out to Hawaii to see DD1 and the grandkids, and she was expecting #3.

I got a refurbished SE, just like DH did - I figured he could walk me thru its quirks. I have a kindle fire that I use all the time, and PCs & laptops & Chrome books I deal with at work all the time - they are all just a bit different from one another. So Google is my friend - "how do I do X on Y device?"

My co-worker's phone died, and she's been waffling between the Samsung she knows and an iPhone. I think she tried the iPhone, it was too different, and she swapped back to a Samsung. Even so, she just noticed newly taken pictures were smaller than pictures taken with her old phone!?! So we were both googling camera settings. Eventually realized it was the aspect ratio, found where to access it, and successfully changed it from 4:3 to 16:9 (I found it on my phone, too!).

I remember there were tutorials that popped up on my phone when I first started playing with it - I walked thru most of them to familiarize myself with where things were buried, or how to navigate. Touching the button in the middle of the bottom was not intuitive, I'm used to on-screen icons on my Kindle. Explore a bit daily to get used to where things are hidden and how to access them.

[teen persuasion]

Check out your local library - we have tech sessions to help people with device questions. A tech trainer comes out monthly to our small library, bigger ones book more frequent sessions or classes.

In between her visits, we also answer tech questions as much as possible. And we always seem to need to help someone print something off their phone (we don't have WiFi printing) so we've worked out nearly every other possible way to work around it.

[haapai]

Ze phone!  Ze phone!  Ze phone has arrived!

Now the learning curve begins.  I managed to get it out of the packaging.  FWIW, I have never before run into something so apparently free of plastic and yet so hard to get into.  The USB to USB charging cord had me flummoxed for a while but I soon figured out that I could plug it into my laptop as long as I didn't mind losing the use of my mouse. 

The only instructions contained within the packaging contained a reference to an e-sim instead of a sim card.  This might mean that taking the sim card out of the flip phone isn't going to get me anywhere even though I may be on a smart-phone compatible plan despite having a flip phone. 

I'm just gonna let the bugger charge for now. 

[TheOtherMe]

My iPhone 15 Pro does not have a physical sim card.  It only has an e sim card.  I have it password protected.

[Tiny]

The USB to USB charging cord had me flummoxed for a while but I soon figured out that I could plug it into my laptop as long as I didn't mind losing the use of my mouse.

You should think about where and how you will be charging your phone.   I can't seem to do the "I will only EVER charge my phone in this spot so I only need ONE cord and one power port".

You can purchase: 
a power strip with electric outlets and USB ports (and I'm seeing them with the new standard connector size I don't know what the name of it is).  
a power port -  which goes into a standard outlet and then has USB ports you can plug into.   
You can also purchase additional usb charging cords for your phone.   

Since I use a power strip near my couch I purchased an extra power port (to plug into an outlet in the power strip) and an extra cord.
I have an extra cord that I plug into a usb port in my "surge protector" power strip in my Office. 
I have a power strip in my bed room with outlets and usb ports near my bed with an extra cord so I can charge my phone on my nightstand. 

I use an extra cord in my car so I can charge my phone in my car.   

I have an extra power port and cord for when I "travel" -  spend a night or two away from home.   it's in my "go bag".   


Some things to know:   You need to match any cords you purchase on amazon to the type of cord that came with your phone - the connectors and the power it uses.   You have to match the power and the connector to the USB port in a power strip  or power port.     You should be able to buy non-apple branded products for much less than the Apple products.       (the Samsung branded cords were $12 each and the Samsung branded power port was $29.00 -    I got a package of 8 additional cords in different lengths and a handful of power ports for less than $20.00 via Amazon.   This was 8 years ago.) 
This is so you can fast charge your phone.    Older tech paired with new phones usually means it may take hours to charge your phone to full from 50%.... where new tech will charge your phone - probably in 20 mins or less. 

You may also want to buy a phone case for your phone.  And maybe a screen "protector" - it's like a plastic sheet you apply to the screen - to cut down glare and to protect the screen.  I use a matte finish one (cause the shiny screen makes me crazy).   Amazon is your friend. 

ADDED:   I know Apple has cordless charging - but I'm not sure how that works.   Depending on your personal style being able to charge your phone in different places in your home may be useful.  (especially in a few years when your phone battery lasts less than 24 hours. ) 

[bean29]

If you or your partner are handy enough to replace an electrical outlet, you can get electric outlets that your can plug your phone into.  We have a few in the house.  Otherwise you can order the plug end on Amazon.  There may be a difference between the cords you order to charge your phone, and if you need one to connect to Apple Car Play in your car.  There were issues connecting in my 2021 RAV4 Prime.  On my FB RAV4 Prime group it was recommended that if you were having issues to buy an Anker USB cord that was rated to transmit DATA.  It mostly fixed the problem.  the 21 does not have Wireless Car Play.  my 2024 has wireless car play, so that is no longer an issue for me.

Glad to hear you got your new phone.  Enjoy!

[haapai]

The phone arrived.  I haven't been too successful at setting it up with my existing carrier.  So I got sneaky.  I have ordered the same phone in a different color for my partner.  Maybe, between the two of us, we will figure out how to actually connect these phones to carriers without losing our telephone numbers. 

[minnesotapaintlady]

Who is your carrier?

[haapai]

Tracfone.  <ducks for cover>

[minnesotapaintlady]

If it's an unlocked GSM phone you should be able to just put the SIM from your old phone into the new one.