7 ms·

While your point that you don't need an iPhone has merit, one can't simply relegate themselves to text messages on a flip phone. Far too much of the modern wor

While your point that you don't need an iPhone has merit, one can't simply relegate themselves to text messages on a flip phone. Far too much of the modern world including our societal systems require a smartphone. Wether its a QR code showing COVID vax status, checking email, engaging with your local bank via the app, connecting with friends, etc. We have built a world that is so reliant on the apps ecosystem (at least in the US) so it's unhelpful to say "flip phone can get text messages".

ghaff 5y ago
I think it's fair to say that you essentially need text messages (in the US). However, I question if you need a smartphone beyond that--although a working individual may. I don't need to do any of the things you list with a smartphone although e.g. COVID vax status may in some places. (Just a piece of paper has been sufficient whenever I've needed to.) I don't really disagree that we're moving to a place where a smartphone is universally needed because of apps but I'm not sure we're universally there today.
- Shish2k 5y ago
  > Just a piece of paper has been sufficient whenever I've needed to OK so you need a printer, ink, probably a PC… (Or at least access to one, which would be a fine requirement, if the US had good public transport and libraries...)
- jjj123 5y ago
  I think “need” might be too absolutist of a term. But yeah, not having a device connected to the internet (which is what we’re talking about here, not a supplemental device to your MacBook or whatever) makes life a lot harder. So no, it’s not food and water level necessary but it’s pretty damn important.
- alistairSH 5y ago
  Need a smartphone? Maybe not. Need an internet connection? Probably. A smartphone just happens to be the easiest way to get phone/SMS & internet. As noted elsewhere, a massive number of Americans (and people worldwide) use their phone as their only means of internet access.
boweruk 5y ago
I don't think I buy that argument very much, though. You can do all of those things in the same way you would have done them before the advent of smartphones - snail mail (or use a library/personal computer to check emails), visit a bank in branch, send text messages to friends on a flip phone. Heck, even most vaccination systems I've seen worldwide have the option of a printed QR code proof. I won't disagree that these things are massively inconvenient compared to doing it all though a smartphone, but it's far from impossible.

ghaff 5y ago

I think it's fair to say that you essentially need text messages (in the US). However, I question if you need a smartphone beyond that--although a working individual may. I don't need to do any of the things you list with a smartphone although e.g. COVID vax status may in some places. (Just a piece of paper has been sufficient whenever I've needed to.) I don't really disagree that we're moving to a place where a smartphone is universally needed because of apps but I'm not sure we're universally there today.

Shish2k 5y ago
> Just a piece of paper has been sufficient whenever I've needed to OK so you need a printer, ink, probably a PC… (Or at least access to one, which would be a fine requirement, if the US had good public transport and libraries...)
jjj123 5y ago
I think “need” might be too absolutist of a term. But yeah, not having a device connected to the internet (which is what we’re talking about here, not a supplemental device to your MacBook or whatever) makes life a lot harder. So no, it’s not food and water level necessary but it’s pretty damn important.
alistairSH 5y ago
Need a smartphone? Maybe not. Need an internet connection? Probably. A smartphone just happens to be the easiest way to get phone/SMS & internet. As noted elsewhere, a massive number of Americans (and people worldwide) use their phone as their only means of internet access.

boweruk 5y ago

I don't think I buy that argument very much, though. You can do all of those things in the same way you would have done them before the advent of smartphones - snail mail (or use a library/personal computer to check emails), visit a bank in branch, send text messages to friends on a flip phone. Heck, even most vaccination systems I've seen worldwide have the option of a printed QR code proof. I won't disagree that these things are massively inconvenient compared to doing it all though a smartphone, but it's far from impossible.