Saturday 27 August 2016

Learning new tricks . . .




I've been on a bit of a learning curve this week.  I decided that this Dinosaur needed to come into the 21st century and went shopping for a smartphone.  I did get one six years ago, but could never come to terms with using it and so it ended up lanquishing in a box in a cupboard for most of that time, whilst I was locked into a contract and using a much simpler phone. 

I decided though, that since I am quite versant now with my iPad and all the things that it can do, a smart phone actually could be a very helpful tool for me and I would now be able to figure out how to use one properly.

Taking a step like this is a really big deal for an older person.  Young people, it seems, are born with technological know-how running through their veins.  Us oldies on the other hand seem to really struggle with it, or at least I do at any rate.  I can fix a vacuum cleaner but don't ask me how to get onto my e-mail using technology I am not familiar with!

 

I had done a bit of research online first, and so we decided to go to Carphone Warehouse.  They seemed to have the best prices and deals.  I have to say I was VERY impressed with the service we got.  The girl who waited on me did everything she could for me as far as picking out the phone which would serve me the best.   I told her I wanted a phone which was easy to use, but which also took really great photos because I wanted to start using Instagram and my iPad took really crappy bad photos, not to mention was awkward, bulky and not so easy to carry around.  I thought she would say an iPhone but nope, she recommended a Samsung,which she said took great photos and was a lot cheaper than an iPhone, and actually she said took better photos than an iPhone.  In fact she said it was the phone she used herself.

AND, she got me all set up with it, showed me how to use it, installed the programs for me that I wanted to use, and made sure that when I left the shop I was pretty conversant with it.  The instruction books they put in with these phones/cameras, etc. are really pretty poor nowadays.  I can never figure out anything from reading them, but then I am much more of a tactile learner.  Having all the help that she gave me was a huge help and almost as good as having a young person in the house at home.


 


I have had it for several days now and I have only had to go back to the shop once to ask questions.  I call that a result!  I had clicked on a video on FB and couldn't get it to go off my screen.  Every time I clicked on FB it was there and I couldn't look at anything else.  Simple solution.  I now know how to get rid of such things.  There was a little return arrow down in the corner that you touch.  I hadn't noticed it.  It was the same with messenger.  The people's faces that messaged me kept showing up with little circle faces and I didn't know how to get rid of those.  She showed me how to do that.  One other biggie was how to access the wifi at home so I didn't need to be using the wifi included with my phone plan.  Again she showed me how to do that.  All of these problems had very simple solutions and were sorted lickety split!

 Yesterday I even managed to change my ring tone and download a game for free.  WOW!!   I even impressed myself!

Another thing I had worried about was that it would be expensive, but it has ended up being just as cheap as my old regular phone was, and I got the phone for free.   I am in a contract for two years, but that's no biggie as I would have had a phone anyways for two years.  My phone useage isn't over the top really. I am not attached at the hip to my phone.  I don't go out and about a lot.   So my wifi usuage will basically only be from the house, or church.  Also I get unlimited texts and voice calls, which is a plus.  With my old phone and plan I had to pay for each one.

I have even managed to take a photograph and upload it onto Instagram.  I was impressed with myself.  You can follow me on Instagram here.  Who knows what I will get up to next!

 

Sometimes you can teach an old dinosaur new tricks!  What's next?  Self pouties?  Nope, I don't think so.   I may be a dinosaur but even I know that wouldn't be a good thing.   LOL  (It took me years to realise that didn't mean lots of love.)




A thought to carry with you through today  . . .

 ⊰✿⊰⊰✿⊰⊰✿⊰⊰✿⊰⊰✿⊰
It's difficult to think anything 
but pleasant thoughts
while eating a home-grown tomato.
~Lewis Grizzard
⊰✿⊰⊰✿⊰⊰✿⊰⊰✿⊰⊰✿⊰

Spiritual Enlightenment



In The English Kitchen today . . .  a very delicious Blackberry,  Apple and Almond Crumble!

Have a great Saturday!  Whatever you get up to today, be safe and don't forget . . .


═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════


And I do too!!



11 comments:

  1. Kids and selfies amuse me no end. The pull trout and fish lips andsuck in their cheeks. Obviously they have never worried about the costs of developing photos. Seriously though enjoy your new phone. Apple phones are not the easiest to use and sometimes I regret buying mine. I bought it outright.

    Enjoy your Saturday. Ours is almost over. I cooked a roast and Will joined us for lunch. Now I will sit and stitch for a little while. I am a bit over knitting at present as I have done so much.

    Godd bless.

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  2. I am not surprised you are over knitting at present Suzan. You've been doing a lot! I can't stand the trout pout! What annoys me even more is when I see little girls doing it. It makes me want to cringe! I quite like my new phone. I am learning somethin gnew about it every day! Enjoy your evening. Oh a roast dinner sounds so lovely. xoxo

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  3. Oh Marie I just love my Samsung. Funnily enough I have this morning upgraded from a Galaxy S5 to a S7 and I can't wait to get stuck in to it. The best place for advice and hints and tips is YouTube. Just type your query into the search box and something will come up. I've never been unable to get an answer. I'm amazed at the things people put on there, it's so helpful. There are several videos showing lots of things the phone does that you wouldn't know about unless someone told you. Have a lovely weekend. Lots of love xxx

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  4. I will have to check it out Kate! Thanks! You Tube is amazing. You can find out almost anything on there. My phone talks. I can just ask it something and it answers! It's pretty fab! Love and hugs! xoxo

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  5. Marie...Wonder Woman...that's my new name for you. I am hopeless nowadays with anything teccy. I have an old mobile but only ever use it if I am calling Lyn for instance as she dosnt have a land line now, only uses her mobile to do everything she used her computer for she said that saved her an awful lot even although I think her phone costs quite a bit, peter has one of these all dancing mobiles as well. I'm afraid it would be beyond me. I am sure I am getting more stupid with each passing day , quite worrying really as it dosnt seem all that long ago when people came to me for help with almost anything TVs laptops, hoovers, anything I would repair or do whatever was needed but now...well I just turn away in horror. My printer has been out of order for about a couple of months however although Lyn tried to get it sorted it took Val a couple of hours last night and yippee all sorted, but the things she had to do seemed to me to be so difficult.....Anyway enjoy your new phone. Yesterday while we were in Chippenham for breakfast Peter was showing Mary and me the latest Simons Cat video on his phone, it was so funny......hope you have had a good day. Xxx

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  6. Hi Marie!

    I totally identify! We just got new phones, and it took me a long time to learn how to use all the different features. Mine is an LG, it's better than my iPhone, and takes great photos. In fact I use it as much as I use my camera...😊

    Love the quote...I ate tomatoes from my garden tonight, and thoroughly enjoyed them!!

    So glad to be back to my blogging!! Have a very blessed Sunday!

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  7. Not one stitch was sewn.....nor one stitch knitted.

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  8. haha Sybil, not sure how much of a wonder I am, but I'll tae it! Thanks! I always thought a phone like that would be so expensive, but guess what? It isn't. I only have one number on it at present. Todd's. Surprise, surprise! I am so happy you finally got your printer sorted! Yay! Baby steps! What was the problem I wonder? Hope your Sunday is blessed! xoxo

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  9. Hi Barb! So nice to see a comment from you! Hope you have had a great summer! I am going to do my proper Instagram food photo today! We will see how that goes! I will look forward to reading your first blog post! xoxo

    Suzan, now my interest is piqued? xoxo

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  10. The IG pic is great..:) Just spent the weekend with our whole family 12..no WiFI..we were up north but there were I Phones and Samsungs and I love the photos they take..good for you Marie:)
    I am still on the fence:(

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  11. I bet the kids missed the wifi! But what a lovely getaway! Thanks for your comment re the muffins! Xoxo

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