Have Cellphones gotten boring?

I was eyeing the HTC One to replace my Vivid. I was supposed to upgrade this month, but thanks to AT&T's new upgrade policy, I probably won't be able to get a new phone till around Christmas. By that time, the One will have probably been superseded by a newer, "greater" phone. There's nothing wrong with the Vivid right now, I'd just like to get a new phone, and pass the Vivid to my dad, and he can ditch the Inspire. Nothing wrong with the Inspire either, just doesn't have LTE.

 

Occasionally you'll run into a slab of glass that can also operate your TV and enjoy that for a few minutes

 

Interesting question RadioRaiders. It seems that ever since smartphones hit the market, form factor has pretty much stagnated. But that is due to the nature of the product. Think of other display devices such as a TV or computer monitor. A vendor may try to "class it up" by adding trim and decor to it, but for the most part it is flat slate. Although I've criticized (on another site) designers for not coming up with new form ideas, really the next step is more miniaturization (such as "Glass" and Dick Tracy wrist watches). After that, implants might be the next technology. (I always thought the we were the cause of our own demise with the intro of Star Trek's "Borg." Once we commercialize the link between the human brain and electronics -- such as experimental projects are doing today -- it will only be a little time before we willingly yet stupidly make ourselves Borg.) But for now, regarding smartphones, informed buyers are no longer focusing on form but on internal hardware specs and apps. It really comes down to the service-ability of the product. Although flipphones ruled the market for while, they were nothing compared to what can be done with today's smartphones. Anybody out there want to give up their smartphone for a good-looking flipphone? LOL

 

Well, there are some Porsche looking phones out there, not to mention luxury brands ;-)

Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

Jay, I believe that only those whose 2 year contract is up March 2014 or later will be affected. So you should be able to upgrade now.




Sent From My iPhone 5 Using Tapatalk

 

Very interesting topic. It seems that mobile phones have somewhat hit a wall. The devices overall are identical...as one pointed out, rectangular slabs with glass, apps and connectivity. I can easily see how people step back and say wtf...this is sooo boring and say getting the next phone is nothing exciting to look forward to anymore. I think with the Google Glass and Apple's iWatch...that direction is where the next big products will be. However, I see visual communications is something I see on the horizon.

Does anyone here remember watching Gene Roddenberry's 'Earth: Final Conflict'? If so, remember the "globals" they used? I think that is where we are headed next. We got Skype, FaceTime, etc. now, but instead of voice only communication, when one wants to "talk" to another, it will be visual just like in that show.

 

I suppose in the Android world, choosing a smartphone also involves picking one that supports the latest food group OS from Google. And selecting a screen size.

Otherwise, I have one word. 'Cases'. Pick a phone that gives you the most interesting case options. And accessories too. That way you can change the case and feel like you have a new and individual device. I'm seeing more and more bunny eared phones out there- but in different colors and jewels. LOL

Seriously, it does help. I use to like Nokia because of all the neat accessories. Now it's stuff for my iPhone.

I seem to spend more time looking at cases than new phones in stores these days.

 

I put cases on my phones (been iPhones) so keep them in excellent shape...no scratches, etc. That way, I can get the best possible resell value. Lol.

 

Agreed. I bought an OtterBox for my Note 2 but I found myself switching batteries often... And the case isn't built for constant removals. I do use an OEM case for my phone and it adds almost no bulk. While I won't be getting a phone on a promotional deal, I do have insurance (I paid retail for this thing)... I have to have something on it.

Sent from the Blanco Beast, SCH i605

 

I gave up on using cases, too.

 

Well it goes quite clearly that no one uses an OtterBox to spruce up a phone. Just protection. I'm talking about cases that look good and protect one's phone for resale or just for personal appreciation. Something to made make it individual.

There are not many, if any, higher end phones for free from carriers anymore.

 

I guess I am saying I went from protection to fashion. I kinda liked the OtterBox as a fashion statement though . And I agree, upper echelon phones aren't free... They may become free when something else takes its place, but that's not guaranteed either.

Sent from the Blanco Beast, SCH i605

 

Cellphones have not gotten boring for me, new features are always getting added and specs bumped up. The shapes are similar but I don't ever recall getting or not getting a phone based on its looks anyway.

Two years? People keep their phones for 2 years? I have barely cleared one year with two of my devices that to not recently. If I make 10 months I am happy.

The resale value depends on the phone of course, Steve is talking about his iPhone and quick search of e-bay shows the 4 selling for around $200 and the 4s for around $400. That's an almost 2 and almost 3 year phone and for the 16 gb model. If it is unlocked the price shoots up. So it is definitely worth it to keep it in good condition.

Just my 2 cents



Sent From My iPhone 5 Using Tapatalk

 

Well iPhones hold the value for a good while. Plus, on Craigslist, some schmuck is usually willing to overpay anyway. =) At the very least, I sell to cover the cost I paid for the upgrade. Though, I always have ended up with more then that. =)

 

+1 to this. I do go for looks though too.

Not bored at all with new phone offerings.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

I guess I do also, not so much the looks but more the physical shape and size. One of the reasons I chose the 820 over the 920 and also not excited by the phablets.




Sent From My iPhone 5 Using Tapatalk

 

This was probably the most interesting thread (at least in my mind) that I've here in the recent past. Bravo to RadioRaiders for starting it. (I wasn't too happy to see that it morphed into a discussion about phone cases. To me, that wasn't interesting. Just saying....)

 

I surely don't have a problem with that statement. To me, the only thing exciting about phones is the initial ooohhh and ahhhh of a new design (i.e. iPhone 3GS to iPhone 4) and that quickly fades and accessories. The overall operation of the smartphone is with apps...that doesn't change. What's left? Lol.

 

Granted the designs are subtle today, but with interesting materials and combinations, plus new glass, screen technology I find the engineering intriguing, and am not at a loss for fascination whatsoever. Flips were tiresome too. So were the other choices...candy bars.

Airplanes are basically cylinders/tubes with wings. The size of the wing in proportion to the tube may change, but the material science, carbon fibers, etc holds my interest.

Of course, as SteveB said, it is what is inside and the software that hold our attention.

So no, I'm not bored. Regarding cases, who can argue or turn a cold shoulder to the Snowy case for the iPhone?

Snowy

Too bad you're not happy KevinJames about the thread, the thread is just fine. Not sorry for adding some humor to lighten up the topic.

 

I like that term, good enough. Ever since I got my Note 2 (back in February), I have been pleased with it... I got it as the S4 was looming. The Note 2 may be passé, but it gets the job done for me. The phone hypebeasts haven't gotten me overly curious at the current or upcoming offerings. I know several folks who are happy with their older iPhone 4 devices... And one even has a Droid X (the one that is on Android 2.3)

Sent from the Blanco Beast, SCH i605

 

I beg to differ.

I do not like the term "good enough", sounds like a lazy student with a C grade IMHO. Lol

Having said that, something's are probably good enough, a computer that does what one needs to do doesn't need to be updated all the time. Maybe even tablets, my iPad 2 is 2+ years old and I don't have a compelling interest in upgrading that.

However in the cell phone world most people, specially the ones that like to keep up with technology are not going to settle for "good enough".

Your N2 cannot be classified as passé, there is no N3 yet. The S4 is not in the same category, where is the S Pen on that?

Yes true many people are staying with an older version but not necessarily actively buying an older version after new versions become available or something with "lesser" specs when they are ready to buy and can afford it.

As always my two cents.




Sent From My iPhone 5 Using Tapatalk

 

I am not expecting OEMs to remain static in device development (if they were, we'd still be in the stone age of flip phones and candy bar Nokia phones) ... And of course people will end up upgrading sooner or later... I bet some of us would like some revolutionary design to come out but no one has done it... Either that or revolutionary has become so ordinary that no one notices anymore.

Those who want the hot phone will get it now or wait for the next biggest thing.

And Charlyee, my phone is passé because the S4 has a later release of Android. But passé doesn't mean horrible.

Sent from the Blanco Beast, SCH i605

 

Agreed 100%

Of course passé doesn't mean horrible, but it does mean "has been". Brett Favre's futile efforts with the Vikings come to mind here.:evillaugh

What I am saying is that your phone and S4 are not in the same category and just because the S4 has a later release of OS doesn't make yours passé. Heck, with your definition and Android fragmentation over 50% of the phones would be passé when they launch including the Moto-X, wait until the Note 3 launches before you call it passe'.

Assuming dmapr is human (although I have no proof for this assumption ), then yes it is noticeable and it does make matter.

As to you having a Droid 3 with 2.2, all I can say is you are not the norm amongst techies and wannabe techies that I normally hang around with.