Technophobe or Techno-friendly

Technophobe or techno-friendly

Now as most of us know the original “cell phone” was around 80 pounds and was only installed in cars. This amazing device is just around 75 years old. The handheld cell phone arrived a bit later in 1973. Now while neither of these is what the youth of today would recognize as a “cell phone” or more accurately a smartphone they did their job.

Cell phones had one very clearly defined task, making phone calls. The goal of a phone is simple, enable a person on one end to hear what another person is saying on the other end. Please recall the two cans and a string. The cell phone simply removed the string. It did not change the purpose or the agenda of the phone. Yet, what happened to the phone?

Today’s cell phone or smartphone is so complex that the average user does not use even a 10th of its abilities. Yes, it takes pictures. Yes, it sends pictures. But the capability of the standard smartphone is vastly beyond this basic function. But returning to the point they make phone calls. I have talked to more than a few people regarding these techno marvels and am finding out that actually making a phone call is not something they consider when purchasing or using the phone.

Smartphones are purchased for their abilities, screen clarity, computational speed, storage ability, photo clarity, and even texting ease over phone call quality. I even know people who don’t even use the phone call aspect of their phones. The actual talking aspect is ignored or avoided while using (wait for it) their phone. We purchase smartphones for their computer abilities while never actually intending to use those advanced abilities.

With the advent of the 5G network, I was advised that my 3G phone would no longer function as a phone. So, after complaining for a few months, I went to the phone company to obtain a 5G compatible phone. It was at this time I “advanced” to a smartphone with many very interesting features. After setting up my new phone and making what seemed like 100 random decisions I was finally ready to use my phone. My first text took me about 2 minutes to complete, the majority of the time was taken in finding out how to even make access to my texting app. No longer was I just able to open my phone (side slider) and text, no, I had to search for some icon that indicated texting. After successfully completing that hurdle, I received a phone call. Ahah, the very function the phone was designed to accomplish. I almost dropped the call figuring out how to answer.

So, what happened to simply being able to communicate with friends and neighbors? Today I will be walking over to my friend’s house for a chat.

Blessings!