HOW ABOUT THIS NUTTY PRODUCT?

[phillymatt53]

I happened to catch this on another site, added by a guy who sounded confused.
I can understand why....... WHY all those idiotic features?
This is the sorry state of current times.....

Read on:
"A few days ago, I bought a new Philips Norelco shaver; not the top of the line model, but somewhat in the middle. This thing has an illuminated symbol which appears when you turn it off. Green, if you shaved correctly, and red if you did it wrong. It also is equipped with Bluetooth, so you can be judged by a smartphone app, in an effort to educate you, and boost your self esteem and shaving prowess. Of course, it's also capable of shaving with lather in the shower. Huh? Why, just why? I can't believe a cadre of stubble faced consumers felt this was their ultimate grooming nirvana. But maybe I just don't get it."

 

[gelaundry4ever]

I happened to catch this on another site, added by a guy who sounded confused.
I can understand why....... WHY all those idiotic features?
This is the sorry state of current times.....

Read on:
"A few days ago, I bought a new Philips Norelco shaver; not the top of the line model, but somewhat in the middle. This thing has an illuminated symbol which appears when you turn it off. Green, if you shaved correctly, and red if you did it wrong. It also is equipped with Bluetooth, so you can be judged by a smartphone app, in an effort to educate you, and boost your self esteem and shaving prowess. Of course, it's also capable of shaving with lather in the shower. Huh? Why, just why? I can't believe a cadre of stubble faced consumers felt this was their ultimate grooming nirvana. But maybe I just don't get it."

What the heck is that?

 

[phillymatt53]

What the heck is that?

LOL!
Great comback Jerome!

Just imagine, using a "new" electric shaver linking itself to your nearby smartphone, and sending you an A.I. message that you're not shaving properly!
Or reminding you to properly clean it.
Or, god forbid, warning you that the battery is going low, so hurry up and finish shaving.

I'm waiting for the tech industry to come out with a "smart" toilet paper dispenser that screams at you that you're using too much paper to take a crap, and that you're contributing to the ruining of the planet....
And then telling everyone in your online blogs that you're some slob who should be shunned for being so careless.

 

[william8]

So don't buy one. I won't.

 

[petek]

Same with some toasters I've seen that you download an app... ridiculousness.

 

[phillymatt53]

Same with some toasters I've seen that you download an app... ridiculousness.

Toasters, Hair Dryers, Toothbrushes, and other products that were once simple products - they all turned in "Download The App" freaks of manufacturing.
Just like major appliances have turned into "Troublesome Tech" pieces of garbage.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

Same with some toasters I've seen that you download an app... ridiculousness.

I think that's stupid.

 

[phillymatt53]

I think that's stupid.

And it's another reason why they want to lure people into clinging on to that wonderful smartphone that's become another necessary part of the human body.

And if you don't have one, like me, you become chastized, ridiculed, and questioned why you refuse to have one.

My response is "because I don't believe in being another puppet, controlled by some electronic device."
IT'S JUST NOT NORMAL!

 

[qsd-dan]

And if you don't have one, like me, you become chastized, ridiculed, and questioned why you refuse to have one.

It hasn't gotten quite that bad yet but it'll eventually get there. Some newer appliances are requiring a downloaded app to make them functional, which requires a smartphone (as far as I'm aware of). That's definitely BS.

 

[william8]

And if you don't have one, like me, you become chastized, ridiculed, and questioned why you refuse to have one.

By who? No one has ever bothered me about it. What an imagination!

 

[phillymatt53]

It hasn't gotten quite that bad yet but it'll eventually get there. Some newer appliances are requiring a downloaded app to make them functional, which requires a smartphone (as far as I'm aware of). That's definitely BS.

I've always gotten "strange looks" from people that have mentioned to me that they'll "text me" about something,
When I tell them I don't "text", or even have a smartphone, only a landline phone, they act like I'm some alien being from another planet.
Some have even made jokes about this, I remember one who said "Get with the program man!... stop living in the past!"
And my reply to them is "What's so bad about living in the past?" - they rarely have a decent answer, or just have a blank stare.

Some have even offered to give me their older smartphone for free, or told me about some phone service that I might like.
Of course I refuse the offer.
My landline is all I really need.

I have 3 PC's in the house, 2 are connected through my Verizon Fios WiFi modem.
I hardly think that I'm "living in the past" just because I'm not glued to a damn smartphone.

 

[petek]

Up until about two weeks ago I didn't have one with a sim card in it . It was my partners old one I took when he got a new one and I could use it on wifi but seldom did as it meant connecting to public wifi's so it basically was just sitting here doing nothing. When we got the new car earlier this year I figured I'll give it a go so I can use navigation and connect to my Amazon music in the car and avoid Sirius. I don't have any interest in texting. One thing that helps is that I have Ooma home phone which has an app. I put the Ooma app on this phone so whenever a person calls my "ooma landline home phone number which is really voip" it will also ring on this smartphone in the car and I can talk to them if I want. That way I don't have to give out my smart phone number and they can't text me using it. It's sort of a win win. lol

 

[petek]

btw it was just a few days ago I was going out and was going to take the phone with me.. I couldn't find it right away and there I was getting all flustered lookig for the darn thing like you would looking for car keys... I've invited a monster into my life I really don't want LOL... As for everyone I know, who btw are all addicted to their phones, I've gotten the spiels about how everyone needs one,, what if something happens yada yada yada. I always said I've done well and found my way out of bad situations over 50 years of driving without one.. Besides I probably have more electronics and automation in my house than they ever will.. luddite,, bahhh.

 

[phillymatt53]

btw it was just a few days ago I was going out and was going to take the phone with me.. I couldn't find it right away and there I was getting all flustered lookig for the darn thing like you would looking for car keys... I've invited a monster into my life I really don't want LOL... As for everyone I know, who btw are all addicted to their phones, I've gotten the spiels about how everyone needs one,, what if something happens yada yada yada. I always said I've done well and found my way out of bad situations over 50 years of driving without one.. Besides I probably have more electronics and automation in my house than they ever will.. luddite,, bahhh.

Yes, that cellphone blabber from people, citing the justification of having them, is brainwashed propaganda in most cases.
Comparing that to advertizing on tv and radio, who always have some subliminal message of fear or paranoia suggested, it spreads among the public like a disease.

 

[statomatic]

That app trend for everything is going stupid and turning peoples in zombies...
One day we'll need an app for breathing...

 

[phillymatt53]

That app trend for everything is going stupid and turning peoples in zombies...
One day we'll need an app for breathing...

Remember the movie "The Walking Dead" ??

We're living in "The Twilight Zone"

 

[combo52]

Hi Matt, and other folks here, you shouldn’t be so afraid of technology I’m older than most of you guys and I’m not a super tech nut.

That said the smart phone and a lot of other things are the best things that have ever happened in my life time, I don’t use them to their full potential, but it’s absolutely amazing how quickly you can transmit data with customers, friends etc. texting is one of the most wonderful things that has happened in my lifetime.

The speak to text feature is also an amazing technology.

Two years ago I wanted to get another minivan to replace my 2005 Chrysler Town & Country. I was gonna go out and buy a used one which probably would’ve been fine, but my partner Jason convinced me to get a brand new Pacifica fully loaded. It’s an amazing vehicle the thing practically drives itself. It is so comfortable safe quiet, etc. etc..

It gets great gas mileage after two years and 15,000 miles. I haven’t found the first flaw in it. The quality of things today is just amazing. Everything works as it should.

I love the Auto high beam dimming headlights, the automatic lighting, the rain sensing wipers you just sit in the seat and push a button and drive. It’s an amazing experience if I’m driving and get a phone call it just comes right through. I can make calls when I first got the vehicle. I drove out to Elkhart Indiana go to a memorial service for a cousin and picked up a 56 Philco Bendix duo matic Combination washer-Dryer, between the vehicles, electronics and my smart phone that was sitting on the console. I was able to have conversations with friends for 2 1/2 hours with no problems as I drove across Ohio and Pennsylvania.

You don’t have to let these things run your life but they sure make it easier and you’ll live longer.

John L

 

[phillymatt53]

Hi Matt, and other folks here, you shouldn’t be so afraid of technology I’m older than most of you guys and I’m not a super tech nut.

That said the smart phone and a lot of other things are the best things that have ever happened in my life time, I don’t use them to their full potential, but it’s absolutely amazing how quickly you can transmit data with customers, friends etc. texting is one of the most wonderful things that has happened in my lifetime.

I don't doubt or disagree that this "new technology" has its conveniences and benefits.
In my line of work as a bench tech over the decades it has made my jobs easier to accomplish.
Downloading service information, discussing troubleshooting issues with other techs, among communicating with customers, and gaining jobs from them.
Of course, this all stems from the internet and its enormous world of websites.

But it's also prone to being mis-used for many things by some people.
And it's also become a crutch which makes some people lazy, dependent, addicted, and turns their minds into ignorant morons - AKA "Zombies", as Statomatic here has pointed out.
It has also made much of society increasingly biased, creating even more problems, alienated, and disruptive.
The gullible ones are the easiest affected.
These are facts that cannot be denied.
Mind you, not everyone turns into a disruptive "bad guy", and has the sense, or common sense not to allow themselves to fall away from their "before big tech came along" way of living,
But that original post by me describing that guy's frustrating shaver, the rediculous features of it, shows that it's a trend of keeping society hugging their cellphones, adoring the term "Download the App", along with Bluetooth convenience for even the simplest things.

I have some friends, younger, mid 30s, who have been weened on this modern tech, and depend on Bluetooth to to do almost everything.
Yet, they don't have any clue of how to use anything without it.
They need a touchpad in their hand to do anything.
That's sad, really.

One friend asked me to come by and hook up and use a "vintage stereo" because they didn't understand how to do it.
That's a classic case of the ole "Dumbing Down Of Society" that has taken place.

 

[DADoES]

I needed a cell phone during the two periods when I was working two jobs and required to be immediately accessible for emergencies on them (three jobs if looking after the grandmother is considered a job ... such as so she could catch me ASAP when the hot water connector burst on her kitchen sink faucet). I had two cell phones for several years ... one mine, another provided by one of the jobs. Now only the one cell phone after canceling the landline four years ago. I use the cell for calls, texting, occasional remote access to my thermostat, photos, and a family photo-sharing group involving my grandnieces. I don't play games or listen to music and rarely use it for web browsing. The photo function is handy in situations involving something of which a record is needed, or that's difficult or impossible to see such as a model/sn tag on back of an appliance or details of a part in the base of the dishwasher in my cousin's RV when I crawl in there and the distance is too close for my eyes to focus. Occasional GPS/navigation which is more up-to-date than my car's onboard navigation that has the map data on a memory card and can no longer be updated (and too expensive at $150-a-pop when updates were available). Text notification within seconds when there's a transaction on mom's ccard, which is handy when there's a charge at a restaurant in Puerto Rico while she's sitting in her house in TX.

The only use of Bluetooth is for the subwoofer of my bedroom soundbar, and the occasional call in the car although that isn't my preference for cell calls and I otherwise don't use speakerphone on it. Regards to PCs, there are twelve in my house. Two are used daily, one at least weekly, four are usable if necessary, five need to be trashed.

You all see to your needs, I'll see to mine. No need for anyone to be disparaged on their choices of technology usage. Have a lovely day.

 

[petek]

I'm certainly not afraid of technology, I love it. I have tons of tech, Alexa everthings throughout the house for music, lights, reminders. I've had garmins in my cars for years and our new one came with Subarus starlink which is tomtom naveigation which is terrible.. that's one the reasons for getting the sim car in the phone so I can use waze or google maps. And all those features like rainsensing wipers, auto highbeams etc. I haven't driven much out of town in the last year, health reasons, so when I did finally do a day trip to wee Davies last month it was a breeze with the nav maps built in and all those other features driving home in the dark like lane centering . What I don't like is, business aside, how freakin attached people have become to their phones. They just cannot go anywhere outside of their home without it. You can't sit and have a convo with anyone anymore without their phone beeping and they just cannot resist the urge to answer it. They can't. I see it everyday with everyone I know,, well at least everyday I see people I know. lol..

 

[ea56]

it’s certainly possible to own a cellphone without it taking over your life. It’s a TOOL that doesn’t need to become a CRUTCH! I got along perfectly fine for the first five decades of my life without one, and now I choose to have one as a tool only.

I agree that there are way too many people that are addicted to their phones, but it’s not everyone.

If one choses to not own one no one’s gonna care, that’s your business. I have one for emergencies and convenience only.

Eddie

 

[william8]

it’s certainly possible to own a cellphone without it taking over your life. It’s a TOOL that doesn’t need to become a CRUTCH! I got along perfectly fine for the first five decades of my life without one, and now I choose to have one as a tool only.

I agree that there are way too many people that are addicted to their phones, but it’s not everyone.

If one choses to not own one no one’s gonna care, that’s your business. I have one for emergencies and convenience only.

Eddie

Agreed. I had free cell service through a friend that worked at Motorola, from the mid 90's to 2007, got a brand new phone every year, unlimited service. I never really used it, so I gave it up.

Much rather use a real computer with multiple large screens, than an 8" phone for the internet.

And I worked in IT, usually when I informed people I didn't have one, the comment I got was "Good for you, wish I could give up mine". No harassment.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Same with some toasters I've seen that you download an app... ridiculousness.

Another thing I don’t understand and never will understand about APP-liances…

How do you put the bread in and take it out when it’s done and you’re that far away from the toaster?

You need to be by it and if you are I’m sure the toaster has a lever you push…

Or will it be done away with, so you’ll have to do that with your phone in hand like a jillion other things your phone is overloaded with and does for you…

Stupid is right…

 

[combo52]

I love all technology, hi Matt you’ll appreciate my 1962 magnificent Magnavox stereo in the living room of our mountain house.

Yesterday I went up there to do a little bit of sprucing up around the yard, wonderful, high technology comfortable trip in the new car, I went into the living room took three LPs put them on the changer and let it rip the thing still sounds pretty good. Few little scratches and pops, of course but it’s still impressive that it works.

I took it to an electronic shop where a guy my age gave it a going over about 15 years ago.

Question for Matt, would there ever be the possibility of finding the FM multiplex amp for a stereo like this ? There are plug in connections on the main chassis for this optional feature, the turntable is stereo of course and it sounds great with the satellite speaker which sits about 12 feet apart from the amp and changer.

John L

 

[phillymatt53]

I love all technology, hi Matt you’ll appreciate my 1962 magnificent Magnavox stereo in the living room of our mountain house.
Question for Matt, would there ever be the possibility of finding the FM multiplex amp for a stereo like this ? There are plug in connections on the main chassis for this optional feature, the turntable is stereo of course and it sounds great with the satellite speaker which sits about 12 feet apart from the amp and changer.

John L

Due to the age of that Magnavox, it's highly unlikely to find the Multiplex chassis for that unit.
Back then, manufacturers often kept that Option seperate, to be installed by a tech at of course an additional cost, which most people didn't go for.
I figure, it was a sneaky marketing tactic in an attempt to gain more revenue from a sale.
If a Multiplex chassis today was ever found, it would require an alignment of the FM circuitry of the tuner, and also the Multiplex chassis due to aging.
An experienced tech with the proper alignment equipment is mandatory.

In some others, Magnavox sold a kit for the Collaro record changers which basically was a Conversion Kit to install a stereo cartridge to replace a mono one.
A quick visual check of the wiring of the cartridge would show 3 wires going directly to it if indeed it is a stereo cartridge.

I've had those old Maggie's in the shop for restorations.
Tube testing/replacments, old capacitors/resistors replacement, etc.
And the Collaro changers needing teardowns, cleaning, and re-lubing.