Timex
2653
Yeah the Chinese want high resolution pictures of their political dissidents.
Hey don’t make fun.
See, China, I’m on your side!
Well, the recognition software links to the GPS tracking, which links to the drones…
And yes, I’m mostly joking. It’s not like Americans can throw stones on stuff like this.
Been a while since the USA ran re-education camps though… although I guess the media tries to fill that role.
There’s a difference between education and re-education, I think. Some media here actually tries for the former, occasionally.
I tried out the Samsung Note 20 Ultra for a week, but it is on its way back to Samsung. I really liked the screen, but the camera array makes the phone sorta awkward to hold and use on a flat surface. It was also top heavy and you can feel gravity at work when you hold the phone. The 120 hz is great, but if you use an iPhone 11 Pro Max, the scrolling is very close to the Note 20. I’m not certain what voodoo Apple is doing, but the screen refresh rate was not enough of a difference to justify a new phone.
The big reason it went back - battery life. I was routinely getting down to 20% in normal every day use. This was worse than my experience with the S20 Ultra. Maybe Samsung’s adaptive technology was not working nicely for my daily use, but I could not see traveling with this phone without a backup charger. I don’t have the same worries with my iPhone.
I really thought this time with the Watch 3 and the new Tab S7+ that Samsung would win me over. Oh well.
I am a little curious how it performs with fast motion in low lighting. Shooting videos and photos at concerts is the main thing I use my phone for (or did, in the Before Times) that I wish it was better at. If I’m going to eventually give up things like a real headphone jack or even expandable storage to upgrade to the latest greatest this year, I want to be absolutely positive it’s the phone that does that specific kind of photography best (even if it’s still not well. I recognize that particular combination of parameters is the opposite of how anyone should be taking pictures).
I got an email from Google today. Introducing Pixel Buds. Wireless ear bud things that automatically adjust their volume depending on how loud it is around you. Sounded pretty neat, so I wanted to know the price. $179. Wow. I’ve never paid more than $20 for headphones, so I’m still recovering from the shock of seeing that price.
Thraeg
2661
You just have to find the right comparison to make it look like a bargain!
Well, if that’s not a mouthful of quintessential marketing drivel…
Wireless earbuds are basically:
Under $100: Cheap knock-off with compromises
$100-200: Solid/normal pricing from bigger and known brands like Jabra, Samsung, Amazon, etc.
$200+: Apple Airpods and competitors
I spent some ridiculous amount on my wireless Bose earbuds and haven’t regretted it, other than that they sound like stinky poop compared to my over-the-ear Sennheisers. But hey, I don’t mow the lawn in the Sennies.
Canuck
2665
I spent $40 for some Soundpeats and they work. I rarely listen to music with them though and I don’t use them to talk on the phone. I basically just listen to podcasts, watch YouTube. If i lose one it’s no big deal or if the battery goes then it’s no big deal. I couldn’t say that about a $250 pair of ear buds. One thing i wish they could do is connect to more than one device at once.
I see I have some catching up to do in this thread.
Anyway, I got my first cell phone in over 20 years last October 4. Last one I had was in a big bag I had to keep in the back of my Bronco. It was portable, but it had an actual handle and looked like a small briefcase.
What finally motivated me to get a cell phone again was goddam landline just kept upping their rates as they lost customers. All I had was one standard landline with caller ID, and the monthly bill was over $70. I finally had enough and went over to the AT&T store. Maybe I should have checked with you guys first, but I was in one of my exceedingly rare motivated moods (aka pissed off at the latest bill increase).
So I got an LG G8 ThinQ for a dollar a month. The phone plan however was $50/month, plus like an idiot I’m also paying $9/month for some unspecified warranty. Add it all up, and it’s $67/month, still cheaper than my land line.
The phone has been great.
All this to say that I’ve never used the cord to charge the thing. I ordered a thingy from Amazon that stands the phone up and charges it at the same time. This thing. Works great, even charges through my thick rubber phone case.
I am now in the new century with everybody else. :)
I’m honestly a big fan of the LGs. Excellent sound quality, esp. if you’re driving headphones off of them, and very nice screens. The warranty is handy. Those big pretty screens sure do love to shatter at the slightest offense. I’d strongly recommend a shock-absorbent case and possibly a compatible screen protector.
I have both. Got 'em at the AT&T store. They were $40 each, but for some reason on clearance for $5 each, and he installed them for free (not that it looked that difficult).
Thing about the warranty is: I have no idea what it covers or what the deductibles are or anything. They just sent me out the door with some vague warranty and a booklet. Anyway, I haven’t had need for it yet.
You’ll probably receive a letter in the mail in a week or so from Asurion, who handle warranties for most cellphones sold by the major carriers. If it’s similar to mine, it’s usually a $150-250 deductible (dependent on value of the phone) with up to two replacements for theft or dropping damage over the warranty period (usually the same two years as your phone payment plan, with the assumption you’ll get a new one + new warranty after that, because of course they want your sweet sweet dollars). They don’t cover water damage, but, you know, it’s not so hard to say your water-damaged phone got stolen. . . ;-)
And huzzah for cheap case + screen protector. TBH both items are super commoditized at this point, and while, you know, the gigantic Otterboxes probably could survive being run over by a tank, the generic brands are more than good enough for daily use. $5 a pop is awesome.
I never got a letter. I bought the phone Oct. 4, 2019. I’m just finally posting about it now. Sorry. I should have been more clear.
Well if anything happens to the phone, I’ll just call the place I bought it from. I’m sure they know which warranty I have, since it’s on their bill every month. :)
Hah, no worries man. Welcome (belatedly) to the future!
Yeah, my family was all like, “What? You haven’t had a cell phone all these years?!?”
