Turn off your phone today.

[french frank]

Wasn't the question: why have the app?

Yes, but I was also thinking of 'I do have one, which for the most part I keep switched off'. I'm not sure that apps update if the phone is switched off.

[Dave2002]

So why have it?

Because it does do some things, such as functioning as an extra car key, and I need it to authenticate bank transactions sometimes. It's moderately useful as a phone sometimes, but is still pretty poor.

[oddoneout]

Wasn't the question: why have the app?

Yes that was what I meant. If the app doesn't provide any or enough benefits and you don't like the idea of data being gathered about your shopping habits then there doesn't seem much point in having it.

[Dave2002]

Yes that was what I meant. If the app doesn't provide any or enough benefits and you don't like the idea of data being gathered about your shopping habits then there doesn't seem much point in having it.

I didn't know whether I'd like it, or not, when I bought it. I had a previous smartphone [probably is now in a drawer] which was so limited in storage that I tended to use my dumb phone rather more - but that died. I was interested in having one for photography, and a few other purposes. For photography - well - it's OK for some things - such as panoramas. It can also be used to take record shots - for example [not that it has happened recently] if someone bumps your car - you can take a shot of the damage, and hopefully the number plate of the car which caused the incident. Sometimes it does a better job than a "proper" camera - depending on the settings, but the shots from a proper camera if the settings are right - and can be set up quickly - are far better. Trying to take shots with a phone is not always very quick - so phones may be useless for that. OTOH - it is possible to take shots inside a moving car which might be tricky with a large camera. The start up time for the camera on my phone [Samsung] is pathetically slow - and that's even if the phone is already switched into "on" mode. Some people suggest that iPhones [high end] are better, but I don't intend to spend around £1k to find out. Storage management on Android phones is dreadful - so Apple ones are - or seem to be - better there.

I don't like trying to browse web pages on a phone - interface is too small, and generally poor.

The Sat Nav can work quite well - for example for use in hire cars. Not such a big deal for a car which already has sat nav built in.

If other people don't want smart phones and can't see any of the "advantages" I am discussing, then I don't see why they should be forced to have one simply in order to "be human"!

[french frank]

IIf other people don't want smart phones and can't see any of the "advantages" I am discussing, then I don't see why they should be forced to have one simply in order to "be human"!

I'm sure there are alternative ways to "be human" without a smartphone so no one is "forced" to have one. As with many sneaky capitalist products you discover the benefits by using them (in my experience), but I'm still in control of HOW I use it. (No start up time for camera on an iPhone - out of pocket, press Home button and swipe right left: ready to shoot!).

[Bryn]

I'm sure there are alternative ways to "be human" without a smartphone so no one is "forced" to have one. As with many sneaky capitalist products you discover the benefits by using them (in my experience), but I'm still in control of HOW I use it. (No start up time for camera on an iPhone - out of pocket, press Home button and swipe right left: ready to shoot!).

I will be attending a gig at Iklectik tonight. The only way to purchase a ticket in advance is via a mobile phone app. To purchase a ticket on the door costs £1.50 more. I spent over half an hour getting the app installed and the advance ticket booked. To add to the ennui, a few hours after purchasing my ticket, one of the performers offered to put me on the guest list. Now that's "human" for you.

[Dave2002]

I'm sure there are alternative ways to "be human" without a smartphone so no one is "forced" to have one. As with many sneaky capitalist products you discover the benefits by using them (in my experience), but I'm still in control of HOW I use it. (No start up time for camera on an iPhone - out of pocket, press Home button and swipe right left: ready to shoot!).

Maybe ... though I have been in car parks where either the ticket machines didn't work - [so in that case there was presumably no charge] .... or a later development, the ticket machines taken out altogether, with instructions to use a phone to get authorisation to park. OK - so now "human" also rules out some car drivers - but then driving a car isn't a human requirement either, is it?

[Old Grumpy]

I will be attending a gig at Iklectik tonight. The only way to purchase a ticket in advance is via a mobile phone app. To purchase a ticket on the door costs £1.50 more. I spent over half an hour getting the app installed and the advance ticket booked. To add to the ennui, a few hours after purchasing my ticket, one of the performers offered to put me on the guest list. Now that's "human" for you.

Great story, Bryn. Ticketing outfits that require you to download an app really annoy me. I'm OK buying tickets that are sent to my email for download.

[oddoneout]

Maybe ... though I have been in car parks where either the ticket machines didn't work - [so in that case there was presumably no charge] .... or a later development, the ticket machines taken out altogether, with instructions to use a phone to get authorisation to park. OK - so now "human" also rules out some car drivers - but then driving a car isn't a human requirement either, is it?

Non-functioning ticket machines is a difficult area - and there seems to be more than a little "heads I win, tails you lose" about it. Not wise to assume anything.
Driving a car may not be a human requirement but in areas without public transport not being able to do so may go beyond inconvenient.