What Technology Do You Own To Access The Internet?

Posted by Mitch Mitchell on Nov 30, 2012

Today’s post is something a little different. Who am I kidding; all my posts are a little something different.

In this case I’m asking a question, which you’ve already seen above. I ask it because I’m not the guy who’s on the cutting edge of technology anymore. As time goes on and priorities shift, there’s just too much stuff that costs too much for me to keep up with.

Joel Bedford via Compfight

I wasn’t always like this; then again, I didn’t have to be. I used to know all the computer brands, how much RAM they had, the technical specs of monitors and all the accessories; I was the guy to come to.

Where am I now? I still know enough about regular computers to be dangerous, and I can compare specs on laptops. And that’s where most of what I know ends. And yet, there’s so many more things people have and can do in accessing the internet.

I have a smartphone, a HTC Thunderbolt that’s already out of style. It’s big and wonderful and yet they don’t even make batteries for them anymore; it’s just over 18 months old. Two months ago, when I went looking for a battery, I was told they stopped making them 6 months ago, which means I have to order them online; what the hey? Is technology supposed to pass us by that fast?

Last year I bought my wife a Nook Color, and luckily they still sell that, along with the Kindle Fire But there’s so many other things that are on the market that I know nothing about. I have seen an iPad, but only twice ever; what’s that about? Last night a friend of mine showed me, online, her new tablet, the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity. I didn’t even know who made these things besides Apple, Panasonic and Samsung; isn’t that a shame?

I know I’m only touching the surface, so I thought for once I’d ask you what you have, why you like it (or them), and whether you got what you wanted or what something else. I’m feeling like an old guy here; sigh…

Tags: computers, internet technology, laptops, smartphones

26 Comments »

Richard:

I still connect to the Internet solely with my trusty and dependable desktop computer; i do own an xbox 360 and blackberry, but I never use them to surf the web or check email or anything of the sort. Big screen, good size buttons on the keyboard, the best navigation tool in my mouse; I really do not see the appeal of using other devices for accessing the Internet at home.

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
December 1st, 2012 at 11:34 PM

Good share Richard. The only reason I use the smartphone is when I’m tired of sitting at my desk, and of course I see the laptop as an extension of the main computer when I’m at home, as it gets used rarely.

November 30th, 2012 | 10:04 AM

Michael Belk @chivalry men:

Mitch do not feel so bad, I think technology is the new arms war, everyone wants to beat the other.

I have the Samsung Galaxy S2 (skyrocket). Although, I knew once I walked out of the door, new technology would be available.

I no longer try to keep up, just knowing it exist is good enough for me.

I was happy about text when it came out, now I text like a teenager.

I always wondered how could you exceed a text limit, now I know.

I send about 20-40 texts a day sometimes.

You will never have everything, I think that is the point.
Michael Belk recently posted…Violence in the workplace; is your safety at risk?

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
December 2nd, 2012 at 2:24 AM

LOL! We have unlimited texting Michael so no problems with that. And at least I’ve heard of the Galaxy S2, even if I’ve never seen one in person. Thanks for sharing.

November 30th, 2012 | 11:40 AM

Roz Bennetts:

Just a regular laptop Mitch… for now – because I’m getting a new IPhone V for Christmas, yay!!! Actually, for someone who works in a technical market I am very non-techy and have never owned an ‘I’ anything. I was really only seduced by having a nice camera in a phone and a sat nav, nothing to do with the internet really.
Roz Bennetts recently posted…Car Drifting Day with Drift Limits at Bovingdon Airfield

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
December 2nd, 2012 at 2:25 AM

Look at you go Roz! I don’t have an I-anything either, and I’ve never even yearned for any of it, though my friend Scott keeps trying to talk me into getting one.

November 30th, 2012 | 3:49 PM

Sire:

I’ve still got my old PC which runs on XP. The newest thing I have is the HTC Incredible S smart phone which is now outdated. I also have a MacBook Air which I love.

Aas far as technology goes, the only time I upgrade is when whatever I was using before either stopped working or lacked something that I had to have.
Sire recently posted…How To Optimize Your WordPress Blog

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
December 2nd, 2012 at 11:42 AM

Still fighting the good fight with XP eh Sire? lol Actually I always liked that, but Microsoft doesn’t support it any longer and I hear there’s going to be some special things coming with Windows 8. As for smartphones I think they’re all outdated within months anyway.

Sire Reply:
December 2nd, 2012 at 8:46 PM

Yep, as long as it keeps working I don’t see any reason for updating. As for the phones I get a new one every two years. Comes with the plan so it doesn’t really cost me anything.
Sire recently posted…Are You Taking Advantage Of Christmas Sales?

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
December 2nd, 2012 at 10:21 PM

So you go with whatever the plan offers. I don’t do that; kind of contrary in that way. lol

December 2nd, 2012 | 3:46 AM

John Garrett:

Well, I have my trusty Mac-Mini for my primary use, then I have an HTC Droid Incredible and an iPhone 4S, as well as a PS3 and an Apple TV.

The Droid is only used for checking websites these days. It was my primary phone, but all my clients would ever ask is “how does our site look on the iPhone” over and over so I finally broke down to make my developing life easier lol.

My Droid jumps onto my network seamlessly and I never have to mess with it, but the iPhone always seems to choke a couple of times before finally signing on.

Normally my PS3 would only connect to the PlayStation Network or Netflix. They also have a YouTube app on there that I sometimes use. I very rarely use the awful web browser. If I do, it’s because I see some people accessing my site (and other sites where I have access to the logs) using the PS3.

So I just test it to make sure it’s usable, but that’s it. I think there’s a Facebook and Twitter app on it but I would never even try that on a PS3.

The Apple TV can get to Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and other specific sites but as far as I know it can’t just browse the web.

So I’m lagging a few generations behind with my current crop o’ stuff. This iPhone has lasted pretty long. I don’t feel the need to upgrade to their latest so I’m just fine using that and my Mac as my primary devices.
John Garrett recently posted…APPLE TV vs. PS3 FACE-OFF

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
December 2nd, 2012 at 10:20 PM

John, you may be lagging in some areas, but you’re way ahead of me in almost all of them! lol

December 2nd, 2012 | 7:26 PM

Carl:

I am go back at the time I’ve started using technology. I am not sure that I’ve mention it, but I started working at the age of 14 and at that time I was making 3D animation and special effects for few TV stations – domestic and abroad. At that time, I was buying every magazine related to technology that I can find. This continued for at least 5-6 years, I used to know everything about prices, specs, pros and cons of everything new. Well, as you know 3D animation and CGI effects are the heaviest possible processes that computers can calculate, but I come to conclusion that to some major extends part everything is just a business – hardware companies deal with software companies so they lift minimum system requirements and economy goes well. I have build models for computer game on Celeron 366 with 64MB or RAM, when the game went live, minimum system requirements were 1GB with min 256MB RAM, wow.

I just have to say something, working with heavy software in the past on slow machine, have teach me how to value PC resources. Few times I have even fire my workers just because complain related to low PC specs. If those don’t know the basics, most likely they can not perform well with software that require professional expertize.
I know that I went pretty much off-topic, but I think I should say that, as I am sure nobody else will.
Carl recently posted…How To Manage Blogging Online

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
December 3rd, 2012 at 1:58 AM

LOL! Carl, I’m sure no one else will say it either, but you make an interesting point. With some of what people do these days, just any ol’ technology won’t work.

Carl Reply:
December 3rd, 2012 at 9:13 AM

Sure it wont work, with 10 resident applications in system tray and another 50-70 running processes plus active Skype and other messenger and your RAM is cut by half and flooded. There is much more, but I think I should go to sleep soon, may be will share it next time!
Carl recently posted…To Resell Websites, It Takes Help From A Great Resource

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 10:42 AM

Wow Carl, way too much running at once; I’m surprised your computer doesn’t call the police! lol

December 3rd, 2012 | 1:18 AM

Shaun:

I am using an android phone and I love it. It is a Sony Xperia Arc S. I can browse through the internet, view my facebook profile and chat online with so many people at the same time. I like this concept of a smartphone that is portable and you can connect to the world through the internet anywhere you go.

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 10:39 AM

Good stuff Shaun. No computer or anything else? I couldn’t do that; batteries on my phone don’t last long enough.

December 3rd, 2012 | 6:14 AM

Harikrishna:

Happy with my Micromax Funbook I am mostly online through it. Tabs are just awesome.
Harikrishna recently posted…Tips from Olympians for a Better & Healthier Lifestyle

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 10:40 AM

Hari, I had to go look that up; interesting looking tablet.

December 3rd, 2012 | 8:46 AM

Charles Gulotta:

Dear Fellow Old Guy,

I have an iMac, which I use all the time, and an HP Netbook, which is better than nothing when I travel. And that’s it. I finally got a cell phone, but all I do is recharge it so I can use it to call my son when he’s out too late with the car. I’ve never sent a text message, and I don’t imagine I ever will. Oh, and a Kindle. Does that count?

They stopped making the battery a year after you bought your cell phone? I understand built-in obsolescence, but that’s ridiculous.
Charles Gulotta recently posted…The Well-Dressed Post

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 10:41 AM

Charles, I was so irked at that but what can you do? Hard to blame the people in the store but these companies that make this stuff are sneaky as anything. You’ve never sent a text? Truthfully I was of the same mind until I sent my first one 4 years ago; I was hooked after that. And you have a Kindle; yup, that counts, and puts you ahead of me.

December 3rd, 2012 | 9:08 AM

vinay:

well my mode of access is my smart phone its so powerful that i can do all the task that a normal laptop can do and i love the portability option

December 4th, 2012 | 8:27 AM

Liton:

I am using an robot phone and I love it. It is a Sony Xperia Arc S. I can browse through the internet, picture myreleasebquiteofile and chat onlmarkerwith so many populate to facilitate facilitatehe same generation. I like this conception of a smartphone to facilitate is portable and you can tie to the globe through the internet anywhere you extend.

December 4th, 2012 | 1:19 PM

Ajith Edassery:

Mitch,
Interesting question. Although, I work in the computer software industry, I am usually the last one to upgrade the hardware or gadgets. I stopped using the desktop PC a couple of years ago though. I still feel that they are the best from ergonomics point of view while accessibility is more with laptops. I am yet to buy a tablet PC but had bought a smartphone around the time you got yours (I remember your post on the same).

To cut the long story short, I use the following:

1. Laptops at work and home

2. An almost outdated smart phone with low end internet speed for emergency reasons, twitter, maps etc

3. At times use my son’s PS3 gaming console to quickly watch a Youtube clip or so. That’s pretty much it.

PS: And I echo your feelings about the fast expiring lifetime of smartphones. They know how to mint money with all that hype and interested crowd. I have decided not to buy one until this dies lol
Ajith Edassery recently posted…CMS Commander Coupon

Mitch Mitchell Reply:
December 7th, 2012 at 5:38 PM

Thanks for all that information Ajith. I’m doing the same thing with my smartphone. As for computers, I’m not sure I want to put that kind of stress on my laptop. And truthfully, your talking about the ergonomics of it all is a big reason why. I just can’t find either a comfort level while sitting with the laptop on a longer basis and man, I’d miss my large 22″ inch screen. I can hook the laptop to it, but not without the laptop sitting in front of it; what good is that?

December 7th, 2012 | 2:04 AM

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