Is it annoying that all the bells’n’whistles in a Samsung phone/device are there, using resources up, when one has no interest in using them. If so, what does a person do? Force yourself to use facilities that you have no interest in using to make you feel that the use of Phone A or Phone B is justified? Find and use a phone where you are using all the features on offer?
So, let's focus on devices/systems where I use, let's say, at least most of the features on offer…or maybe not…
Sony Xperia devices have four main features that, presumably make it cost so much - Music Pro, Cinema Pro, Video Pro, Photo Pro. And I have no interest in using any of them, beyond testing for review purposes.
So what's left?
Enough?
Too much - for that jolly psychology?
LED Notification Light (which is going away in next generation).
3.5mm audio-out - nice, but in reality I rarely use use.
128GB limit on the 5 Mk.IV is annoying (even with microSD there).
Shutter button is nice for those who take photos.
Speakers are good, but I have better on other phones.
Dynamic Vibration is nice, too, but hardly deal breaking/making.
Ready For is great fun to play with (though not critical these days with super connectivity).
A clean UI - yes, I appreciate that.
The Motorola ‘extras’ I do make wide use of, too, like chop-chop torch and 3-finger screen-shot.
I do make use of Fast Charging (sometimes).
I do use Peek Display (though this looks like it could be disappearing going forward) and like their fonts - particularly ‘Square’.
Even heading back to the Mothership, I find that Google are running away with services I don't use in the real-world, beyond testing.
All that AI-everything.
Take that Call Screening - I used that once!
Hold for me - I rarely make phone calls.
Direct my call - ditto.
Wait times - ditto.
All that stuff inside camera/Photos - well, only to test and wow for 5mins.
Now Playing, yes I do use this.
Speech to text - hate speaking to inanimate objects!
Copy/paste text anywhere - rarely.
Android Auto - don't have a car.
Maps - don't go anywhere.
Split screen - never use (on candybar).
Universal Search/Search my device (like Apple's I guess) - never use it.
App Suggestions - turned off.
Quick Tap on the back - I forget it's there!
Recorder App with translation and transcription - never use it.
Google Assistant (Hey G) - never use it beyond testing/reviewing.
Personal safety app - it's for other people!
AR/VR?!
The list goes on - the stuff that Google provides that I don't use.
Everything with Google is about AI these days and in a different way, I feel that I'm using as much of all that as I do Samsung or Sony stuff - very little.
I do make use of Good Lock (for all sorts of things).
I do make use of Stacking Widgets (or whatever they are called).
I do make use of Edge Panels.
AoD is the best, so I use that to the full.
Galaxy Theming, Icons, Store, Pay, Cloud, I avoid them all (and more).
I do make use of the control over UI elements, for sure.
I like how Sammy is more in bed with Google and Microsoft than ever before.
I like the fast updates.
I don't ever touch Bixby, Free, Flow.
It's annoying to have to Force Stop and Disable their own Apps.
It’s annoying not knowing where controls are (though the search is good - and Pixel is becoming similar these days anyway).
What comes closest to the simple life then?
It’s the Samsung and Pixel which are stacked with stuff (hardware and/or software and/or services) I don’t use.
Oh for the simple life!
Moto 20%
Sony 40%
Pixel 60%
Samsung 80%
So is it OK to have a phone and not use 75% of what it can do?
Part of the issue here is that mobile phones are supposed to be mobile.
And I'm not!
So I continue to find that because I'm mostly static, I have other devices that do the same jobs, nearly always better.
I would say that since about the age of 23 (1986) I have done everything I can to be behind a full-size keyboard with mouse and big display, connected to the internet or not.
Sharp IQ Organisers, Psions, Ipaq, Windows Mobile, GameBoys, handheld devices and so on have always been secondary - including, now, phones, tablets - interesting playthings.
And I still do.
Don't get me wrong - I love the playthings, but the more time goes on, the more I realise that I'm not really using them to anything like their potential and they are, just that, for me - toys.
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