After Conquering the World, Smartphone Faces Uncertain Future

November 12th, 2018

The last phone I bought was a heavily discounted Samsung Galaxy Note 4. It’s fine. I have no plans to upgrade.

I’d consider buying a “modern” flagship-grade phone if it included a 3.5mm headphone jack and an easily removable back and battery. There are no high end phones with easily removable batteries and the 3.5mm jack is going away. I chortle at the hair on fire insanity of these moves, but I’m simply not going along with this retrograde “progress” when it comes to phones.

(Never mind all of the surveillance issues with the damn things.)

Is this what it means to become a codger in the information age?

“When I was a boy, I could remove the battery from my phone and plug in my headphones without a stupid dongle. Now, get off my lawn!!!”

Via: AFP:

What is next for the smartphone, which has become the hottest-selling consumer device around the world in just over a decade?

Even as top makers like Apple and Samsung unveil new handsets with new features and improved performance, smartphone sales have flattened with most major markets largely saturated.

The next catalyst for smartphones could be the possibilities offered by the forthcoming 5G, or fifth generation wireless networks, new form factors or advances in virtual and augmented reality.

But some analysts contend that something entirely different may supplant the smartphone.

Future Today Institute founder Amy Webb said in her annual report on technology trends that 2018 “marks the beginning of the end of traditional smartphones” and sees a transition to a new era of computing and connected devices based on voice, gesture and touch.

3 Responses to “After Conquering the World, Smartphone Faces Uncertain Future”

  1. Dennis says:

    My iphone 4S was a great phone. Great battery life the way I had it set up and after various accidents was able to easily and cheaply replace the glass front, back, camera, battery, and display myself. After an upgrade for the video I’m sticking with the SE because…3.5mm jack.

  2. imark says:

    “…Now, get off my lawn!!!” Reference to Gran Torino? Just saw that movie for the 1st time, great performance by Mr. Eastwood.

    I just joined the zombie apocalypse and got my 1st cell phone, a Samsung Luna Pro burner through Tracfone. Since my son moved out of state it helps us stay in touch better which makes it worth it. I just visited him and the navigation was an enormous help. I’ve done a few things to avoid the tracking (turning off location except when using nav) but would really appreciate any advice on setup to maintain my privacy as well as these things allow.

  3. Loveandlight says:

    I actually have an old-fashioned “dumb phone” because 1) it would probably be a very unhealthy thing for me if I could take the Internet wherever I go and 2) there are very few people I really want to talk to anymore, and when I do, it’s frequently on Facebook’s “chat” function anyway (and I’m content to do that just at home).

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