Posted on 01/22/2009 9:35:20 PM PST by rmarley
The complexity of modern mobile phones is leaving users frustrated and angry, research suggests.
Some 61% of those interviewed in the UK and US said setting up a new handset is as challenging as moving bank accounts.
Compiled by mobile firm Mformation, the survey found 85% of users reporting they were frustrated by the difficulty of getting a new phone up and working.
Of the 4,000 people questioned, 95% said they would try more new services if phones were easier to set up.
Web browsing
Mformation spokesman Matthew Bancroft said users were frustrated by having to call an operator or look online for help.
"There is an enormous range of things modern phones are capable of doing but the paradox is that many people are not using these capabilities," he said.
Mr Bancroft said bad experiences turned people off trying to get more from their phone.
"If an application does not work once or twice, they just will not use it or try again," he said.
Some 61% of those questioned said they stopped using an application if they could not get it working straight away.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
I must admit that I at times have stooped to reading the instruction. Most of the time I can figure to to do things but they are not always designed well.
well, then again these people probably just want things handled by a government department for them.
I only want two things in a cell phone.
Large buttons that are easy to read and push and the case must be large enough that I don’t lose it in a pocket with my keys, wallet and pocketknife.
I hate those phones that have 4000 different functions and are so small you have to use a q-tip to dial them.
I am a man and I can immerse myself enough into technology to reach the lower to mid levels of geek, but my old saying about computers was that if your grandmother can’t figure out how to own and use one, then it isn’t an every day appliance yet.
I grow tired of the inadequacies of these industries.
Could I PLEASE get a phone that just makes phone calls? i’m not interested in any of this other stuff, and it makes the simple act of making a phone call harder with each new phone I’m forced to get (when my battery dies or something else unfixable goes wrong.)
After a year I am using all the gadgets on my phone. I can’t live without it.
Who needs a Tom Tom when I have google maps? Who needs an ipod when I download music onto my phone? Who needs a tape recorder when I can record a conversation? Who needs a digital camera when I can take high quality photos? Texting. Internet browser. Hell I even watched the Cardinals Eagles game last Sunday while watching my kids play.
One of the things that should be the easiest, assigning numbers to speed dial, takes about 12 steps on my phone.
Have you heard of Jitterbug?
If I want to get my email on it, I have to their special mail program and it costs extra, I could connect my palm to my old one and get mail, this one won't connect to my palm. I also had to buy a new earpiece as my old wouldn't connect.
One of these days, I may learn how to get a new ring tone, so I can tell when my phone rings.
Yes, I have the manual and it is about as clear as the old VCR manuals.
“After a year I am using all the gadgets on my phone. I can’t live without it.
Who needs a Tom Tom when I have google maps? Who needs an ipod when I download music onto my phone? Who needs a tape recorder when I can record a conversation? Who needs a digital camera when I can take high quality photos? Texting. Internet browser. Hell I even watched the Cardinals Eagles game last Sunday while watching my kids play.”
Way to go, before I buy something now I try to decide if I will master and/or use most of it’s features, when you do it makes for a very modern experience.
If you don’t know how to use your phone and you rather would read how to on the internet than the confusing book this is the place to go.
Real men never read distructions (or admit it).
A q-tip would press half the buttons on my phone. I have to use a tooth pick.
Who has fingers shaped like the point of a pin? Who are these people?
Why would you not just replace the battery (assuming it isn’t integral and not user-serviceable)? I typically get cell batteries on eBay for around $10.
(Still grumpy that I failed to get that shot.)
By the way, it seems like Hong Kong is getting earlier releases of high-end tech stuff than the US.
If you want a unique ring-tone try this: Hello Infidel
Oh, that is good.
I have that set as my ring on my "at home" profile. I forgot to change it before a meeting last week and I'm happy to report that fortunately, my client's have a good sense of humor!
I just want to record a ring-tone. It is impossible.
Funny.
Not allowed!
My first cell phone took 3 seconds to be ready to make a call. My latest takes 40 seconds.
My first computer took 45 seconds to boot. The new laptop I use at work takes about 5 minutes.
Progress.
Add a long lasting battery and a cover that protects the buttons as I carry it in my pocket and I’m with you.
Actually it's not. I learned how to make ring-tones and transfer them to my phone here:
http://www.howardforums.com/index.php?
I've made over 75 ringtones, some downloaded, some from CD's, and transfered them from my PC to my motorola phone.
To use a highly technical term:
Modern consumer electronics suck.
Jitterbug? Not until you mentioned it.
Let me look it up. http://www.jitterbug.com/Phones/
Now THAT’S what I’m talking about! Thank you.
That would be nice too.
Battery life isn’t a big deal for me, I keep mine(when I do bother to carry it at all) turned off.
If you want to talk to me, you can call me at home, the cell if for MY convenience.
you = use
How in the heck did that happen?
You’re welcome!
I've got too much crap on my belt and in my pockets already.
Check out jitterbug.com
That's an unfair comparison. An "every-day appliance" does only one thing.
Your stove? It heats up. The controls are to adjust which part heats up and how much.
Your refrigerator? It cools down. The controls adjust how much it cools down.
Your Television? It displays video and plays sounds. The controls change the input, channel and volume.
Now, here's a partial list of what your computer could do:
Way too often the instruction sheets/books these days are really poorly written. The one for my cellphone would have flunked the Heathkit test in under 10 minutes.
So many modern "instryction" book authors should hang their heads in shame.
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