What's made you grumpy today?

[SB1500]

coal and gas electricty generation are being shut down to be replaced by wind and solar power.

From what I can see, it's just been replaced with importing in coal and gas from other parts of the world, whilst still ticking our own green box for 'we cut down how much we make in our country this year' to look like we're doing good, but really just shoving the problem across to the side :-/

I hope we can find a better alternative to oil for the planets sake but for now all I see is political moves to boost politicians careers and things that only impact the lowest down working class people in our first world country. Even the folks with a bit of money are buying EVs to try and help the situation but realistically aren't helping it at all, so everybody is lied to really.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Did you buy the iPhone you were considering some time ago?

Nope! No smarter than my a****.

From what I can see, it's just been replaced with importing in coal and gas from other parts of the world, whilst still ticking our own green box for 'we cut down how much we make in our country this year' to look like we're doing good, but really just shoving the problem across to the side :-/

I hope we can find a better alternative to oil for the planets sake but for now all I see is political moves to boost politicians careers and things that only impact the lowest down working class people in our first world country. Even the folks with a bit of money are buying EVs to try and help the situation but realistically aren't helping it at all, so everybody is lied to really.

I an not convinced by a lit of what the grèn part says but maybe Im moving that way

 

[SB1500]

Mrs J is now the proud owner of an iphone 6e but is finding it very difficult to master. I haven't yet bought one but am swayed towards a google pixel, probably an 8. This is because I have absolutely no Apple experience and find Mrs' J's ipad a complete mystery when coming from my windows laptop. I've been told that being even a little bit conversant with windows means I'll find it somewhat easier to work the google phone which uses android - my TV has an android screen for on demand etc too. I'm still unconvinced it's worth all the money it costs though.

Congrats on the 16e! Definitely should have been £200 cheaper in my eyes, but things have shot up massively across the board in recent years... rumours say the main iPhone models when refreshed in September will also see an eye watering increase now. God forbid Apple's margins get encroached on... how ever will they survive!

One useful thing now is, if she makes sure Siri / Apple Intelligence is switched ON, she can hold in the side button to get the Siri colours around the screen, and while they are visible, you can ask it questions. They've added in instruction on how to do basically all functions or change any setting on the phone. So if she wants to know how to do something, just ask in plain language and it will provide step by step instructions.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Congrats on the 16e! Definitely should have been £200 cheaper in my eyes, but things have shot up massively across the board in recent years... rumours say the main iPhone models when refreshed in September will also see an eye watering increase now. God forbid Apple's margins get encroached on... how ever will they survive!

One useful thing now is, if she makes sure Siri / Apple Intelligence is switched ON, she can hold in the side button to get the Siri colours around the screen, and while they are visible, you can ask it questions. They've added in instruction on how to do basically all functions or change any setting on the phone. So if she wants to know how to do something, just ask in plain language and it will provide step by step instructions.

Thanks SB. In fact my daughter and family will be coming up some time soon and that means her very "tech savvy" and Apple enthusiast husband - he does "clever stuff" with Fast Jet avionics and electronics - will also be here. He's going to sit with her and run her through all the "stuff2 she needs to know. Whether either of us can assimilate it all is quite another question!

 

[The Panda Nut]

Thanks SB. In fact my daughter and family will be coming up some time soon and that means her very "tech savvy" and Apple enthusiast husband - he does "clever stuff" with Fast Jet avionics and electronics - will also be here. He's going to sit with her and run her through all the "stuff2 she needs to know. Whether either of us can assimilate it all is quite another question!

Nah. You need a 12 year old.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Nah. You need a 12 year old.

Too true! 11 year old granddaughter has an android phone though?

 

[StevenRB45]

Mrs J is now the proud owner of an iphone 6e but is finding it very difficult to master. I haven't yet bought one but am swayed towards a google pixel, probably an 8. This is because I have absolutely no Apple experience and find Mrs' J's ipad a complete mystery when coming from my windows laptop. I've been told that being even a little bit conversant with windows means I'll find it somewhat easier to work the google phone which uses android - my TV has an android screen for on demand etc too. I'm still unconvinced it's worth all the money it costs though.

Now is a reasonable time to buy a Pixel 8a...350 brand new at present from most places as Google are discounting the newer 9s and forcing prices down across the board.

I'd been debating swapping my 6 pro for a 9 pro as the 9 is down to the price I paid for my 6 3 years ago..but other than the fact the 9 pro is smaller than the pocket buster that is the 6.7 inch 6 pro I'm struggling to justify the outlay.

First phone I've had that still operates now 3 years later like it did on day one. Well better if anything as it's had 4 years of software updates that's fixed most of the day one problems.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Now is a reasonable time to buy a Pixel 8a...350 brand new at present from most places as Google are discounting the newer 9s and forcing prices down across the board.

I'd been debating swapping my 6 pro for a 9 pro as the 9 is down to the price I paid for my 6 3 years ago..but other than the fact the 9 pro is smaller than the pocket buster that is the 6.7 inch 6 pro I'm struggling to justify the outlay.

First phone I've had that still operates now 3 years later like it did on day one. Well better if anything as it's had 4 years of software updates that's fixed most of the day one problems.

Thanks Steven. I was told to go for the Pixel 8, not the 8a. What's the difference? I was told the 8 was more "capable", whatever that means?

 

[StevenRB45]

The 8a is confusingly a generation newer ish being released at the time of the 9 pretty much. Has a few more AI photo bits than the 8 and is smaller if memory serves.

However the 8 is a better specced phone and with the havoc Google knocking 300 quid off the latest phones is causing in pricing it is actually the same price (which I'd not noticed).

To be honest for your purposes either will do the job in my opinion.
Pixel 8:
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/326...5mfzxYaw10fFRoY7D0RoCRc0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Pixel 8a:
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/488...DBKF5XTcw_K85E9AbahoCGW4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'd probably go 8 was unaware they were literally the same money at present. Although you'd need to cope with rose gold..as grey is full price.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

The 8a is confusingly a generation newer ish being released at the time of the 9 pretty much. Has a few more AI photo bits than the 8 and is smaller if memory serves.

However the 8 is a better specced phone and with the havoc Google knocking 300 quid off the latest phones I'd causing in pricing it is actually the same price (which I'd not noticed).

To be honest for your purposes either will do the job in my opinion.
Pixel 8:

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3269549?storeID=4467&istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=30f62ea9-9626-4cac-97c8-9ff3921f8558&istItemId=lriapmwlt&istBid=t&utm_custom6=LIA&deeplink=true&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157%7Cacid:804-627-9544%7Ccid:20269441415%7Cagid:%7Ctid:%7Ccrid:%7Cnw:x%7Crnd:12676584384026346131%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:9046749&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20269441415&utm_term=3269549&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=804-627-9544&GPDP=true&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19671796504&gbraid=0AAAAAD9II9lI8kEynO8C5NHk8QX2c4GdS&gclid=CjwKCAjw9anCBhAWEiwAqBJ-c1t-1ZkEhrG985bKjIvJCHyqHrI6y-v7vdm5mfzxYaw10fFRoY7D0RoCRc0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Pixel 8a

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4880295?istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=c290d9a9-b5d6-423c-841d-2a559621874c&istItemId=mpirawqqw&istBid=t&utm_custom6=PLA&deeplink=true&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157%7Cacid:804-627-9544%7Ccid:20269441415%7Cagid:%7Ctid:%7Ccrid:%7Cnw:x%7Crnd:14676082286094406842%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:9046749&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20269441415&utm_term=4880295&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=804-627-9544&GPDP=true&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19671796504&gbraid=0AAAAAD9II9lI8kEynO8C5NHk8QX2c4GdS&gclid=CjwKCAjw9anCBhAWEiwAqBJ-c38KtOHccGdryz1sHIuZip21KBZfcSJ9JbgDBKF5XTcw_K85E9AbahoCGW4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'd probably go 8 was unaware they were literally the same money at present.

Thanks very much. I think that's why Brian - the computer instructor/advisor at our local community centre - was advising me to get the 8. Actually the chap at John Lewis told me the same now I come to think on it? Now Mrs J has hers, maybe I should just bite the bullet and get one. I'm longing to be able to just take a picture of something whenever I want.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Too true! 11 year old granddaughter has an android phone though?

That wont matter a jot. She MUST be appointed Phone and I.T. Manager.
The good thing is she will probably accept payment in ice cream!

 

[The Panda Nut]

Thanks very much. I think that's why Brian - the computer instructor/advisor at our local community centre - was advising me to get the 8. Actually the chap at John Lewis told me the same now I come to think on it? Now Mrs J has hers, maybe I should just bite the bullet and get one. I'm longing to be able to just take a picture of something whenever I want.

Next thing Bugsymike will fall. I REALLY cant wait for that. Much mwrriment and wassailing will be done! Lol

 

[The Panda Nut]

Thanks very much. I think that's why Brian - the computer instructor/advisor at our local community centre - was advising me to get the 8. Actually the chap at John Lewis told me the same now I come to think on it? Now Mrs J has hers, maybe I should just bite the bullet and get one. I'm longing to be able to just take a picture of something whenever I want.

Like this for instance. Its Rachels house. I pruned the roses, possibly the first proper prune for 25 years. Clearly agreed with them. The two red ones are off the scale fabulous.
Plasterers due monday. Lots more to do before then.

 

[There all puntos]

Ive got two years more photo free zone and then I too will be caught. I cant tell you how many times people have (wrongly) told me I must have a photo licnese. But, I have written out 500 times. I dont want a photo license. So Im never going to willingly relent.

I had too, as I had a clean licence after almost twenty years, and moved address And got fed up showing my duplicate licence to insurance company's.

They tend to increase premiums when they see 'No insurance, reckless driving, leaving/hobbling from the scene of a road accident.

Insurance company's weren't so in your face as they are now, twenty years ago. And I was mostly insured third party only.

Or I lied my ass off. And used the interweb

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

That wont matter a jot. She MUST be appointed Phone and I.T. Manager.
The good thing is she will probably accept payment in ice cream!

or tic tacs!

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Visit to the emergency dentist today resulted In a referral for a complex extraction of a broken tooth. Needs to come out but the root is in a sinus, so have to wait now for the referral tooth hurts and feeling pretty sorry for myself

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Visit to the emergency dentist today resulted In a referral for a complex extraction of a broken tooth. Needs to come out but the root is in a sinus, so have to wait now for the referral tooth hurts and feeling pretty sorry for myself

Tooth ache is a miserable affliction with which I'm all to familiar. My Mum had very poor teeth and we've always said she passed them on to me. I've now lost slightly less than half of mine. On the other hand Mrs J still has all hers - except wisdoms - so the children all hope they've inherited her genes rather than mine.

Hope you get seen soon and that the extraction goes well.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

The 8a is confusingly a generation newer ish being released at the time of the 9 pretty much. Has a few more AI photo bits than the 8 and is smaller if memory serves.

However the 8 is a better specced phone and with the havoc Google knocking 300 quid off the latest phones is causing in pricing it is actually the same price (which I'd not noticed).

To be honest for your purposes either will do the job in my opinion.
Pixel 8:
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3269549?storeID=4467&istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=30f62ea9-9626-4cac-97c8-9ff3921f8558&istItemId=lriapmwlt&istBid=t&utm_custom6=LIA&deeplink=true&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157|acid:804-627-9544|cid:20269441415|agid:|tid:|crid:|nw:x|rnd:12676584384026346131|dvc:m|adp:|mt:|loc:9046749&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20269441415&utm_term=3269549&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=804-627-9544&GPDP=true&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19671796504&gbraid=0AAAAAD9II9lI8kEynO8C5NHk8QX2c4GdS&gclid=CjwKCAjw9anCBhAWEiwAqBJ-c1t-1ZkEhrG985bKjIvJCHyqHrI6y-v7vdm5mfzxYaw10fFRoY7D0RoCRc0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Pixel 8a:
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4880295?istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=c290d9a9-b5d6-423c-841d-2a559621874c&istItemId=mpirawqqw&istBid=t&utm_custom6=PLA&deeplink=true&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157|acid:804-627-9544|cid:20269441415|agid:|tid:|crid:|nw:x|rnd:14676082286094406842|dvc:m|adp:|mt:|loc:9046749&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20269441415&utm_term=4880295&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=804-627-9544&GPDP=true&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19671796504&gbraid=0AAAAAD9II9lI8kEynO8C5NHk8QX2c4GdS&gclid=CjwKCAjw9anCBhAWEiwAqBJ-c38KtOHccGdryz1sHIuZip21KBZfcSJ9JbgDBKF5XTcw_K85E9AbahoCGW4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'd probably go 8 was unaware they were literally the same money at present. Although you'd need to cope with rose gold..as grey is full price.

We were at my oldest boy's yesterday afternoon and evening for our dinner - very nice, chicken and smoky paprika chorizo casserole with patatas bravas finishing off with a delicious cheese cake - My boy does the cooking and is very good at it! Anyway, I mentioned that I'm almost certainly going to buy a Google Pixel 8 and was met with a "barrage" of "That's what we've got!" Turns out my boy has a very old one, maybe a 6 or 7? Grandson has a pixel8 and his wife has a pixel9. All said how well they get on with them. This is very good news for me as they'll be able to help me get mine going if I have any problems with mine. Very busy just now with other boy's family helping prepare for their village Gala Day on Saturday - Grand daughter is a "cushion bearer" whatever that is? Because she's part of the "entourage" their house and front garden have to be decorated and other preparations made. There's a big parade through the town and then in the park. After the ceremonials there's a traveling fair already set up so it'll be "lets all bash grandad on the dodgems but I'll get them back on the rifle range - I gained my marksman badge in the ACF! Weather not looking too good for Saturday though so fingers crossed

Due to all this I think it'll be Monday or Tuesday before I get round to ordering the phone. It'll be going in a protective folding case so I suppose case colour won't matter? I'll let you all know when I've got it and I'm sure you'll all be relieved that at last I've actually done it!

 

[SB1500]

Nah. You need a 12 year old.

In fairness, my nephew - could just be a 'him' thing, but he lacks most of the tech literacy I had by his age (and most people in my class at the time, even those who weren't really into technology but still used it for Facebook and MSN etc). For example... when he has issues with his Playstation account the entire idea of resetting the password.. checking for the email... or if he gets some new game, the idea of finding that website and 'signing up' via the standard form (username, email, password) and the verification email - none of that is second nature to him.

We all grew up with Windows computers in the corner of the classroom / in school - Microsoft Word and the likes. The new generation now, most of them grew up in some primary schools where they were all given iPads or Chromebooks with next to no UI or conventional mouse and click layouts. 'So easy a baby could use it', the iPad was/is, but it's left an entire generation lacking what in the 80s / 90s were new computer skills, in the 90s/2000s my generation knew them inside out, but the 2010s generation and beyond, they don't understand anything outside of their 'apps'. Sort of going backwards I reckon.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

In fairness, my nephew - could just be a 'him' thing, but he lacks most of the tech literacy I had by his age (and most people in my class at the time, even those who weren't really into technology but still used it for Facebook and MSN etc). For example... when he has issues with his Playstation account the entire idea of resetting the password.. checking for the email... or if he gets some new game, the idea of finding that website and 'signing up' via the standard form (username, email, password) and the verification email - none of that is second nature to him.

We all grew up with Windows computers in the corner of the classroom / in school - Microsoft Word and the likes. The new generation now, most of them grew up in some primary schools where they were all given iPads or Chromebooks with next to no UI or conventional mouse and click layouts. 'So easy a baby could use it', the iPad was/is, but it's left an entire generation lacking what in the 80s / 90s were new computer skills, in the 90s/2000s my generation knew them inside out, but the 2010s generation and beyond, they don't understand anything outside of their 'apps'. Sort of going backwards I reckon.

I've never had a touch screen device, My laptop is a mouse driven and click windows 10 type, so I've a lot to learn when I get the phone, not least of which being that the touch keyboard looks so small I do wonder how I'm going to get on with it and my big clumsy "sausage" fingers.