The Smart Phone Saga --- again!!

Patsy1011 · 2026-07-21T10:25:36-0400

I know nothing can be done about this -- but I have to relate the stupidity of MS/Bing...I filled out a form telling them that I can't verify my identity -- to receive my $10 reward for my searches. I cannot verify -- BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A SMART PHONE. They used to send an email with a few steps to get reward but unfortunately they have jumped on the bandwagon -- the smart phone bandwagon.

They sent me a lengthy response of all kinds of stuff to do to enable my identity - my favorite: UPDATE YOUR PHONE.

The world is indeed going mad.

Ghot · 2026-07-21T10:33:17-0400

Patsy1011 said:
my favorite: UPDATE YOUR PHONE.

CRICKET has a continuous deal.
If you're a new customer and bringing your phone number you can get a Samsung Galaxy smart phone, for free.
You'll have to pay a $25 activation fee and the 1st months phone bill.

For example... the Galaxy A16 and Galaxy A17 are both free with the above conditions...

Buy Smartphones & Cell Phones | Cricket Wireless

Cricket Wireless offers a variety of cell phones for you to choose from. Find new smartphone deals from brands like Apple, LG, Samsung, Motorola & more.

www.cricketwireless.com

They come with the charging cord but you have to buy the wall plug charger separately.

So you'll pay $25 (activation) + $55 (1st month) + $30 for the charger
After the 1st three months, you can change down to a lower cost monthly plan if desired.

Phone Plans With 5G Nationwide | Cricket Wireless

Shop Cricket Wireless no annual contract prepaid phone plans with 5G nationwide access & unlimited talk and text messages. At Cricket, there are no hidden fees!

www.cricketwireless.com

I've had Cricket since 2003, with no complaints.
And no... I don't work for Cricket. I'm on a small fixed income and Cricket is the best bang for the buck. ^^
In the U.S. I should add.

Patsy1011 · 2026-07-21T10:42:04-0400

Thanks for that.

You know, I really don't want a smart phone -I may be forced into one if they become the ONLY way to deal with stuff on the web.

I truly appreciate the info however.

Ghot · 2026-07-21T10:44:58-0400

Patsy1011 said:
Thanks for that.

You know, I really don't want a smart phone -I may be forced into one if they become the ONLY way to deal with stuff on the web.I truly appreciate the info however.

And... they take really decent pictures too. I cropped these pics.
These phone take poster size pics, too big for 11 Forum.

Note the dust particles...

The Reuben sandwich I got the other day...

And the best part is that by default you get great pics, just point and click.
The phone's camera will do much more, but both these pics were point and click.

The big secret to Samsung smart phones is.... (drum-roll please), if you have any problems figuring things out, just ask @Edwin.

Best things about smart phones... when something in your house breaks and you need to go to Home Depot to get a new one...

Just take a pic of what broke and the Home Depot guy will know what you need. Works for car parts too.
Well, I'm off to a doctor's appt., maybe I should take a pic of what hurts.

Ghot · 2026-07-21T11:11:44-0400

Smart phones are tiny portable computers, these days.
You really should get one. They can do everything. ^^

Marie SWE · 2026-07-21T11:19:23-0400

I have a system camera for real pictures.. i have a camera in my dumb phone for pictures if i just have to temporary remember something.. I use my phone for calls.
and the best of all, i can put my phone in my jeans jacket front pocket... i need to break a smartphone into small pieces to get that one in to that tiny pocket. *lol*

Then i have my computers for things online and that one beat the crap out of any smartphone.

Patsy1011 · 2026-07-21T11:20:32-0400

I know they c an do lots of stuff. I have a small camera that takes decent pix as in Home Depot story -- so I do have a way to illustrate issues. I would like a bite of that Reuben -- ha ha ha...

Most appreciate your thoughts. about all -- hope your hurt gets fixed.

rk911 · 2026-07-21T13:58:03-0400

Because it's fun to drive.

Marie SWE · 2026-07-21T14:46:30-0400

rk911 said:
Because it's fun to drive.

fun to drive??
i never heard of anyone driving a smartphone.

cereberus · 2026-07-21T15:43:05-0400

Patsy1011 said:
Thanks for that.

You know, I really don't want a smart phone -I may be forced into one if they become the ONLY way to deal with stuff on the web.I truly appreciate the info however.

TBH, you are painting yourself in a corner. Most websites assume you have a smartphone - PITA perhaps but the world has moved on.

You can buy a cheap second hand phone on ebay and you may not even need a SIM as many sites verify over email, and all you need is wifi.

If you need a SIM, you can still get a traditional pay and go whereby you top up with say £10 and credit lasts for ages, provided you make a call or send a text periodically. They are getting quite rare though now.

There are dozens of no contract monthly deals for less than £5 to £10 (In UK yiu can get unlimited calls and texts for £4 per month from Asda - no data but you can use your wifi if needed

So for a small investment, you can solve your issues

One thing is for sure, websites are not going to invest heavily in non-smartphone solutions. The cost of doing so would far outweigh the benefit they get.

In the end, it is your choice for sure but the world has moved on.

rk911 · 2026-07-21T15:44:29-0400

rk911 said:
Because it's fun to drive.

oops..wrong thread.

Ghot · 2026-07-21T17:40:46-0400

Marie SWE said:
fun to drive??
i never heard of anyone driving a smartphone.

I drive mine every day.

Marie SWE · 2026-07-21T17:43:32-0400

Ghot said:
I drive mine every day.

I prefer to drive a fun car

instead of sitting in the sofa and driving a phone. *lol*

Ghot · 2026-07-21T17:44:44-0400

Marie SWE said:
I prefer to drive a fun car instead of sitting in the sofa and driving a phone. *lol*

I drive both at the same time. Just kidding.

Marie SWE · 2026-07-21T17:51:20-0400

Ghot said:
I drive both at the same time. Just kidding.

I think i prefer the feeling 0 to 124mph in 11seconds, to a phone 0 to 124 in 6 seconds.

Ghot · 2026-07-21T17:53:24-0400

Marie SWE said:
I think i prefer the feeling 0 to 124mph in 11seconds, to a phone 0 to 124 in 6 seconds.

I had a 63 Buick Wild Cat (at one time), it had a 445 V8 in there.
That sucker could do 140 plus.

My 67 Mustang 289 V8, 4-speed could go so fast, I never found out what it's top end was. LOL

My cars, over the years... not in order...

The order I owned them...

Thunderbird, El Camino, Gran Torino, Mustang, Malibu, Torino, blue Toyota Pickup, siler Toyoat pickup, and the Buick Wild Cat.

pseymour · 2026-07-21T17:58:05-0400

By the way, I can't remember if this was mentioned in the other smart phone thread, but if it's just a matter of handling QR codes that are links, you can deal with those in the Snipping Tool. I grabbed the QR code on the right, then hit the Scan Text button in the bottom of the Snipping Tool. It reveals the URL and makes it into a link.

DJNelson · 2026-07-21T18:03:18-0400

I haven't had a smart phone since 2022.
FYI: The world does not end if you throw away your iPhone. In fact, it gets more amusing. Phones turn people into zombies.

Marie SWE · 2026-07-21T18:23:19-0400

Ghot said:
I had a 63 Buick Wild Cat (at one time), it had a 445 V8 in there.
That sucker could do 140 plus.

My 67 Mustang 289 V8, 4-speed could go so fast, I never found out what it's top end was. LOL

My cars, over the years... not in order...

View attachment 177279

The order I owned them...

Thunderbird, El Camino, Gran Torino, Mustang, Malibu, Torino, blue Toyota Pickup, siler Toyoat pickup, and the Buick Wild Cat.

Nice wheels

I like old American cars.

darn... i dont know if i actually want to test a Buick Wild Cat at 140+ *LOL* it feels a bit..... unstable.

I have never maxed out my car.. in theory it do 190mph.. i let it go at 170.. the 2 lane freeway started to feel a bit narrow at that speed.

Marie SWE · 2026-07-21T18:25:10-0400

pseymour said:
By the way, I can't remember if this was mentioned in the other smart phone thread, but if it's just a matter of handling QR codes that are links, you can deal with those in the Snipping Tool. I grabbed the QR code on the right, then hit the Scan Text button in the bottom of the Snipping Tool. It reveals the URL and makes it into a link.

View attachment 177280

I have QR cod reader on my linux computers and to generate my own. So i have not yet felt like I'm stuck in the stone age.

Edit.. darn i have to find a program for that to my now latest windows install.... win10IoT. :think:

The Smart Phone Saga --- again!!

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