Marketing and more: trying to be smart with my new smartphone: In the final weeks of 2014, I became one of the estimated 164 million Americans who own a smartphone. I held off as long as I could because all I wanted was a mobile device where I could primarily send text messages and when necessary, make phone calls. Years ago, I purchased a basic cell phone — where the keyboard slid out to make it easier to type messages. The blue phone had a microscopic screen and took fuzzy photos, but it was more than sufficient for sending texts and making calls. I was content with my “blueberry,” even as friends and coworkers bought smartphones, some sleeping on sidewalks outside of stores to be the first to own the latest model. They deliriously showed me the zillion tasks their phone could perform, laughing when I asked if it could also send texts and make calls. “Press this to learn the breaking news from Monaco.” “Press that to get Singapore traffic updates.” “Watch the best of The Beverly Hillbillies here.” “Download this app to play games during boring meetings.” It’s not that I couldn’t afford or didn’t want a smartphone, it’s just that I was raised with a “waste not, want not” mentality. As a Boomer growing up in the 1960s, my parents frequently bought new items, but only when the old one broke. Whether it was furniture, appliances or cars, the idea of replacing something simply to have the latest model didn’t occur to most people who had lived through the Depression. This was especially true for my father who as a little boy suffered greatly during the Depression. Food was scarce and meals often missed. Clothes were hand-me-downs that were held together more with miracles than thread. As a young man looking for work following World War II, life was very challenging, especially with his profound hearing loss. Good-bye blueberry When my husband’s cell phone broke in early December, I decided to give him my beloved “blueberry” and buy a smartphone. Larry didn’t care what kind of mobile device he used for calls since he’s waiting for rotary phones to make a comeback. My friends and coworkers were delighted. Finally, I would be able to get Singapore traffic updates, too! However, I was hesitant about making the purchase alone as I absolutely needed a phone with a loud speaker. Fortunately, my friend Kim adores technology and eagerly went with me to the store. Whereas I will toss manuals in a drawer, Kim enjoys reading them. (I think she reads manuals of products she hasn’t even bought!) Like Dorothy taking her first few steps in Oz, I was immediately overwhelmed with the wide selection of smartphones. Within a few minutes, the salesman and Kim were speaking tech gibberish: 64-bit architecture – A8 chip – M8 motion compressor – 1080p HD at 60 fps, 240-fps slow-mo, f/2.2 aperture, 1.5u pixels, iOS8 operating system … help! I just want a phone with a loud speaker! Overwhelmed, I saw my beloved “blueberry” phone sitting in a display along with other cell phones that were state-of-the-art in 1995 – and it was just $39...
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 01:29:05 +0000
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