When mobile phones first became popular back in the day, I always said they were unnecessary and for poseurs. Of course, eventually I had to give in, and was given an old Nokia by a friend who was upgrading.
Now here we are with smartphones. I can see the benefits of basically having your laptop in your pocket (or handbag). The cost puts me off, considering the amount I would use it. So how long do you think I can resist? I'm one of the few people I know who doesn't have one.
Hitchhiking's more of a challenge on the road less travelled.
if you are not a power user demanding the top speed and huge memory of the flagship models then there are many OK mobile phones available in Bangkok for less than 10,000 Baht, indeed even some less than 5,000 Baht - some of the models may not be available back home and may not have international warranty but should support your home networks - but check to make sure
bkkguy
Thanks, bkkguy,, but I'm not yet tempted to buy one.
Hitchhiking's more of a challenge on the road less travelled.
and I hope as the discussion has progressed you are still not tempted to but ...Originally Posted by joe552
I could give you a hundred reasons while I personally like what my mobile phone gives me access to, and others here have already given you warnings about why they think you do not need one or the dangers of becoming a mobile phone or social media junkie but ...
ultimately you don't make the jump to new tech because it does what your current tech does, it it is about what extra you can do with it and does that justify the cost - given the price of phones these days I don't know that cost is really the issue and if you are going to be a hopeless tech addict then I doubt the device type is really the issue!
try to think outside the (laptop) box - in you wildest dreams what would you like to do when you are out of the house without your laptop both when your are at home and when you are traveling and ask questions about how people here do that with a mobile, but also read about what other people do with their mobile and read reviews of new mobile apps and see if you are interested in that etc
bkkguy
Last edited by bkkguy; January 4th, 2018 at 19:38.
joe552 (January 5th, 2018)
If you don't need one, don't get one. I hate mine but it has become a tool I need.
I only started using one 4 years ago when I started traveling. It became a must-have tool for work and also moving around in new places.
Prior to that in the UK, I HAD one (we had a business contract with Apple for employee handsets). It was a total waste of money as mine was a glorified alarm clock and spent weeks sitting on my bed stand.
The trend of people living on these smartphones, spending hours a day on social media is, in my view, unhealthy. Despite spending a lot of time on computers myself, that is for working.
I know that when I leave the house, the phone spends 95% of the time in my pocket. Only used really to pick up important messages, look at google maps or grab an UBER/Grab.
As for expense, they can be very cheap in Bangkok. Entry level Samsungs (which are very good) start at 6,000 Baht. I believe it's the A5? I bought a boy one, he loved it. The Oppo's and Vivo's are also cheap and very good android devices.
I myself got sucked into the whole commercial "Top of the line" shit. In the last 20 or so months I have had 1 Samsung Galaxy 7 Edge stolen, and one blow up while sitting in HotMale! Insurance is a life-saver.
christianpfc (January 4th, 2018), joe552 (January 3rd, 2018)
As a general rule (and SameBareBack is a clear example) most smartphones are used by really dumb people who, frankly, have no idea how they can use their phone to increase their effectiveness in their personal life and their productivity at work
THat must be a VERY general rule as with the exception of my 80 something year old mother everyone I know absolutely uses their phones for 100 and 1 different things that ( its felt) enhances their lives. Hell EVEN my mother sits on Facebook, Instagram, video calling, instant messaging, whatsapp and dear knows what else and does much to my surprise ACTUALLY use her phone and it’s apps constructively and usefully and she’d be pissed if anyone suggested we remove those things from her now. ( even though I do have to continually remind her that not EVERYTHING she reads online is either true OR must be immediately forwarded on to me “just in case I hadn’t seen it” !!! Grrrr
With many elderly people suffering from lonelyness in the west I think these outlets can help a great deal. I am certain it does with my grandfather.
The first two in your list pretty much illustrates my point - really stupid people ie. Facebook users - have smart phones
FarangRuMak (January 6th, 2018)
I send a few texts a week from my mobile. I don't take calls on it 'cos the sound is shite. That might change when I get my hearing aids. But I honestly don't need to have a smartphone AND a laptop/
Hitchhiking's more of a challenge on the road less travelled.
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