Wanna sell ME a new Cell Phone,offer one with FEWER features

[sneakypete]

Am I the only one tired of even the basic cell phones of today downloading new features you don't want,don't want to use,and don't even have any interest in learning how to use them?

If *I* want to watch a freaking movie,I am going to do it on my 58 inch plasma tv,not my damn cell phone!

I do NOT want to be enrolled in programs I did NOT ask to enroll in.

I want MY cell phone to make telephone calls,and send texts. That's pretty much it for over the air. I do want to be able to use the calculator and the trip directions options,and don't object to a news page if it is MY option to watch it and there are NO freaking videos in it.

I bought a new cell phone about a year ago,and the phone I have today is barely recognizable as the same phone due to all the automatic updates,NONE of which I asked for. Hell,my damn phone has decided I no longer want to speak to some of my friends,and refuses to allow me to answer the phone when they call. I have to wait until they hang up,and then call them back.

Trust me,if I could get my hands on the goober responsible for THAT one,bad things would happen to them.

[deb]

You’re not the only one. I want a phone for calls, photos and texting. That’s it.

[The_Reader_David]

You’re not the only one. I want a phone for calls, photos and texting. That’s it.

I agree:  that's all that should come native.  Any other apps (I, for instance like a calculator, satnav, spirit level, an e-mail app for the account I use for commercial transactions, and the Uber app) should be things the owner chooses to install after buying and activating the phone.

[mountaineer]

That's why I got this cheap Trak fone from Walmart.

[sneakypete]

That's why I got this cheap Trak fone from Walmart.

@mountaineer

How cheap and what model?

[mountaineer]

I paid about $45 for an LG Stylo4 (no longer available, but they probably have something similar), then paid about $200 for an entire year's service. The photo quality is horrible, but otherwise it's good for phone calls, texting, email and checking the internet. I believe they offer better phones for a higher initial cost.  https://www.tracfone.com/home

[LegalAmerican]

lol. I still have landline.  No phone to charge or forget....where it is!   Still have robocalls calls, but I fixed the ring option.  One ring..".tell me who you are"...most hang up. 

[Elderberry]

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[berdie]

@sneakypete  I feel the same. I have a landline and only use my cell for emergencies.

I bought a rebuilt phone on Amazon for about $50. I use a prepaid service that costs about $9 a month. Although the phone can get internet service...that is disabled. So no unwanted downloads.

Sadly, if all this 5G crud becomes mandatory...I'll be sol.

[mountaineer]

I have a landline and only use my cell for emergencies.

That's where I am. I have the Trakfone, but rarely turn it on. It's good to have in case of car trouble.

[Slide Rule]

lol. I still have landline.  No phone to charge or forget....where it is!   Still have robocalls calls, but I fixed the ring option.  One ring..".tell me who you are"...most hang up.

I like your answer message better than the variations I have used.  Thanks.


Variations
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Around Christmas

Please accept with no obligation, explicit or implied, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, non-judgmental, tolerance embracing, inclusivity enhancing, equality seeking, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious/secular persuasion of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice any religious and/or secular traditions celebrating the birth of Christ.         

Actually, I think it's time to come clean with my friends and admit that I belong to a small religious cult that celebrates the birth of Jesus this week.      

[Elderberry]

I hardly answer unknown callers, but when I do I only say hello once. If an auto dialer made the call, then the dialer will not detect that a person is on the line by saying a short hello. So I don't hear anything and hang up.