What's made you grumpy today?

[The Panda Nut]

Trundled over to Rachels to add a shaver socket in the bathroom. A whisp of filler and bobs your uncle.

Except DUMBO cut thehole at 90 degrees. So a couple of hours recutting, and then patching the newly plastered wall. So it still needs fitting.

EDIT. Hooray its fitted untested as yet. I must remember that its best to turn off thesupply before messing with the wires... Wow that was a big bang....
The breakers and trips all work that much is proven.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I ALWAYS KINBREATHE HOW CAN i not kin breethe..... I AM CALM !!!!

 

[SB1500]

There will be piles of these causing an environmental disaster when just a few years old and no spares are available. Too many spurious makes of cheap cars. Buy in haste etc etc

For MG... I heard UK dealers were sometimes getting replacement genuine parts in cardboard boxes with zero padding - often arriving damaged. This is the level of competence and disrespect (beyond intellectual property and design trademarks) but for human safety as well. No idea how these parts or cars have made it past EU / UK borders.

 

[SB1500]

I'm losing the good fight against Apple...

The particular Samsung I bought (since Sony cancelled my original order due to the model going out of stock) is slow as dirt. Initially I thought it's fine, be patient. That works at home, before getting out of the car etc. But in reality...

Wallet. Paying is really slow, the wallet app takes ages to load and when it does, it then eventually remembers it needs a finger print to verify... Tapping on the payment machine also, only a specific part of this phone seems to reach when held very closely at just the right position. Had the people working at M&S stand when it was quiet, you know when you feel them looking? As if to be waiting to jump in if I was struggling to pay... but the phone was just slow so I was seemingly standing there doing nothing. Felt so stupid!

Unlocking / getting it turned on. Double tap the screen or the side button with a fingerprint reader. It's so slow that it registers multiple taps then when it comes on, I tend to have extra taps entering things unintentionally... causing more waiting and lag! Then if I have to press the side button twice to get it on (since it doesn't respond) it will trigger the camera - which also takes so long to come on (or get out of)

Logging into apps / accounts. This one is outright unusable with. You log into a website or app. It sends you a text or email with a code. No issue. Eventually, email or messages load. Get the code. Go back to the app or site... what's this? It's logged me out again back to step 1. Re-log in. New request needs sent. Stuck in an endless loop!

Camera. The camera is so slow to get up, and wait for it to be able to take pictures. Changing modes also so slow. Tapping the button is so slow there's no indication if a photo was taken or not.

The phone kills background processes to cope, so sometimes I get no notifications or calls other than phone or SMS. Not great! Things like workouts also it cuts the background processes so missing information from them often. Android Auto was initially nice and flexible compared to CarPlay (not as dumbed down) but it is as laggy on this phone as my iPhone was running the upcoming build 1 of the new system coming in Autumn. Yesterday I planned a route home due to traffic, it refreshed about 30 times to say congestion on the route because it was refreshing and catching back up to itself - all it was doing was one guidance on Google Maps, some music on in the background. Maps said 'phone needs to cool down to show 3D buildings' as well.

So it's not going great. It is impressive what £200 gets you in terms of a nice screen (90Hz - my £900 iPhone 16 didn't even have that) and using the system (if it were fast) is nice. Better separation of work and personal. Multi-tasking etc. Samsung does so much right!

But I don't know... sometimes you need your payment cards, the camera, maps, to NOT miss a call or notification. You've got to give it to Apple, they outright don't make anything remotely 'not fit for purpose'. I'd argue this phone isn't for moderate / typical use other than perhaps for kids or older people that use the bare necessities.

...I am fighting the will to go out and buy an iPhone again. Because there are better Samsung's but how much do I need to spend to get one 'better enough'? There are so many other A-series models, they go right up to half a grand. Then starts the S series - basic and cutting edge - how far up do I go? If I go around £800 or more, I'm back up at iPhone territory.

My working theory so far is if you want to buy non-Apple that performs like Apple stuff, you're often paying more. This is absolutely the case computer wise. For less, you either get something as fast as in a sub-par chassis, or something as beautiful as physically, but slow as a rock. Nobody touches the MacBook Air for £900 all things considered.

Arggghhh. Consumer electronics - worse than cars.

 

[StevenRB45]

Well you buy the low end one...you get the low end one. I bought a Panda to save money why isn't it as fast as a Ferrari? They are both cars from Italy after all?

Generally best thing for android is buy 1-2 year old flagship once it's been replaced.

To be fair the 4 year old flagship currently in my hand retails second hand for about 160 quid.

It has a 120hz screen, and 12gb of ram..so it is absolutely not slow in any way. I also bet despite being 4 years old it's on a higher android version as don't think Samsung has 16 rolled out yet.

If you'd spent maybe 300 or 400 on an older but still in support phone it would be at least twice as powerful mines not bleeding edge tech by any means.

 

[SB1500]

Well you buy the low end one...you get the low end one. I bought a Panda to save money why isn't it as fast as a Ferrari? They are both cars from Italy after all?

Generally best thing for android is buy 1-2 year old flagship once it's been replaced.

To be fair the 4 year old flagship currently in my hand retails second hand for about 160 quid.

It has a 120hz screen, and 12gb of ram..so it is absolutely not slow in any way. I also bet despite being 4 years old it's on a higher android version as don't think Samsung has 16 rolled out yet.

If you'd spent maybe 300 or 400 on an older but still in support phone it would be at least twice as powerful mines not bleeding edge tech by any means.

True, it's definitely not a 'fair comparison' to compare a flagship to a budget phone, but it is my experience. It is somewhat fun to do these things as like challenges.

The car analogy is fair, but at the same time the Panda or any slower, cheaper car still is more than fit-for-purpose to go on the road right enough. It's not to say a 1.0 engine can't get you to the same destination on time - it always can (within the limits of the law). Just lacks the nice to have things if you value them. I was okay to give up the camera quality and things, but the base speed of operation is so so so slow that even with patience, it's materially too slow for life I'd say! (or at least my personal use case).

Silly me, by all means though!

 

[StevenRB45]

Yes but you could easily get something will do everything an iPhone does and not be annoying for 500 quid.

So one of those, buy crap get crap...I'm not a Samsung fanboy...mainly because I used to have them and ideally would never buy one of even their most expensive ones again.

So much crap on them that's unnecessary that slows them down... especially when it's on a phone with marginal hardware to begin with. If you rooted it back to stock android there's decent chance it'll actually perform just fine..but obviously warranty is then done

 

[ZaphodB]

I used to have an iphone (I bought a 2nd one a few years after - 5 then an SE I think) until I saw the light.

Always bought the outgoing model when retailers were dumping them with some money off. would never spend more than £300 on it.

Then, like every phone the battery started giving reduced capacity, tried one or two replacement batteries, but they're just rubbish compared to an original.

So I went (back) to Android (motorola)... for £150 .... it does just fine.

There's absolutely no way I'd pay the insane prices (everything above £300 say )

I'd need sectioning to even contemplate spending £600, £700 , £800 on a bloody phone

 

[bugsymike]

I don't know why you guys get so much trouble with your phones, mine on my desk at home works fine and does what I need.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I'm losing the good fight against Apple...

The particular Samsung I bought (since Sony cancelled my original order due to the model going out of stock) is slow as dirt. Initially I thought it's fine, be patient. That works at home, before getting out of the car etc. But in reality...

Wallet. Paying is really slow, the wallet app takes ages to load and when it does, it then eventually remembers it needs a finger print to verify... Tapping on the payment machine also, only a specific part of this phone seems to reach when held very closely at just the right position. Had the people working at M&S stand when it was quiet, you know when you feel them looking? As if to be waiting to jump in if I was struggling to pay... but the phone was just slow so I was seemingly standing there doing nothing. Felt so stupid!

Unlocking / getting it turned on. Double tap the screen or the side button with a fingerprint reader. It's so slow that it registers multiple taps then when it comes on, I tend to have extra taps entering things unintentionally... causing more waiting and lag! Then if I have to press the side button twice to get it on (since it doesn't respond) it will trigger the camera - which also takes so long to come on (or get out of)

Logging into apps / accounts. This one is outright unusable with. You log into a website or app. It sends you a text or email with a code. No issue. Eventually, email or messages load. Get the code. Go back to the app or site... what's this? It's logged me out again back to step 1. Re-log in. New request needs sent. Stuck in an endless loop!

Camera. The camera is so slow to get up, and wait for it to be able to take pictures. Changing modes also so slow. Tapping the button is so slow there's no indication if a photo was taken or not.

The phone kills background processes to cope, so sometimes I get no notifications or calls other than phone or SMS. Not great! Things like workouts also it cuts the background processes so missing information from them often. Android Auto was initially nice and flexible compared to CarPlay (not as dumbed down) but it is as laggy on this phone as my iPhone was running the upcoming build 1 of the new system coming in Autumn. Yesterday I planned a route home due to traffic, it refreshed about 30 times to say congestion on the route because it was refreshing and catching back up to itself - all it was doing was one guidance on Google Maps, some music on in the background. Maps said 'phone needs to cool down to show 3D buildings' as well.

So it's not going great. It is impressive what £200 gets you in terms of a nice screen (90Hz - my £900 iPhone 16 didn't even have that) and using the system (if it were fast) is nice. Better separation of work and personal. Multi-tasking etc. Samsung does so much right!

But I don't know... sometimes you need your payment cards, the camera, maps, to NOT miss a call or notification. You've got to give it to Apple, they outright don't make anything remotely 'not fit for purpose'. I'd argue this phone isn't for moderate / typical use other than perhaps for kids or older people that use the bare necessities.

...I am fighting the will to go out and buy an iPhone again. Because there are better Samsung's but how much do I need to spend to get one 'better enough'? There are so many other A-series models, they go right up to half a grand. Then starts the S series - basic and cutting edge - how far up do I go? If I go around £800 or more, I'm back up at iPhone territory.

My working theory so far is if you want to buy non-Apple that performs like Apple stuff, you're often paying more. This is absolutely the case computer wise. For less, you either get something as fast as in a sub-par chassis, or something as beautiful as physically, but slow as a rock. Nobody touches the MacBook Air for £900 all things considered.

Arggghhh. Consumer electronics - worse than cars.

Im a bit suprised as I have a Samsung A20e which is a bottom end phone and old now. (2018 ish) I might add I dont like Smasung after their duff TVs with disintegrating LED screens that fail just 3 years old.. But my phone while not fast does everything required within at worst 5 to 10 seconds and usually reasonably quick and unnoticable even if out in the sticks.

You want slow, try LG ONED 4K TV. This is SLOW SLOW SLOW to the point of death occurring before it moves, its so slow you can make tea while its loadin. An absolute joke. If buying a TV PLEASE remember these are awful and avoid them. You press the butto, nothing. Repeat again after say 30 seconds and then it reverts so you have to start again. Result is its faster to start a laptop and look up freeview TV guide than use the TV guide which is an outrage. Im amazed I havn't literally thrown it out of the window as is my wont.... Youngest is taking it to her house as its free she will tolerate it. The ONED picture is strong on black and really not a good picture either. It only works on a dark room. It was cheap, but you get what you pay for. In this case I feel I didnt even get that.

Its under a year old with a 5 year extended warranty and I am going to replace it its not worth the space it takes up.

Hate! Thats many levels above what I feel about LG. I will never buy anything from them again. Thats the better aprt 0f £400 down the drain and that REALLY hacks me orf!

 

[The Panda Nut]

I don't no why you guys get so much trouble with your phones, mine on my desk at home works fine and does what I need.

All I have to say to you is this. Like it or lump it you will very soon be DIGITIZED by VOIP. You will be in the same boat as the rest of us them. Ha ha!! Power cut SIr? Welcome to the advanced world of no power, NO PHONE. LOL

 

[portland_bill]

I have a 'real' wallet.
Inside are physical credit and debit cards.
Payments seem easy and quick.
Older, proven technology, and no batteries. I can go out without my phone, and still buy stuff.

 

[bugsymike]

I have a 'real' wallet.
Inside are physical credit and debit cards.
Payments seem easy and quick.
Older, proven technology, and no batteries. I can go out without my phone, and still buy stuff.

Quite right too.
A couple of months ago I was visiting a country pub by the river, miles from any where with my daughter and grand daughter, their internet connection had gone down, so I was one of very few who could order pints and food with real cash.
One up for the old school wrinklies, all the crowd with the bikes worth £1000s who had slipped mobile phones with their whole life into their Lycra had to turn away.

 

[ZaphodB]

their internet connection had gone down, so I was one of very few who could order pints and food with real cash.

Pffft , I'd just whip out the old cheque book in that scenario

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Well, I've had my "smart phone" - Google pixel 8 in pink colour very cheap from John Lewis. Probably because no one wanted the pink? - for a few weeks now. It's my first encounter with a smart phone and I'm completely hornswaggled by it! I turn it on and realise I've no idea what I'm doing with it. I stumble around looking at stuff which seems to come up on the screen as if by magic, no idea how it's got there, and although I read it then can't do anything with it. I was wondering how to get the forum app into it but it's all a mystery. So far no one has rung me so I don't know if I'll be able to answer a call yet but I have managed to enter Mrs J's mobile number into it's memory. I bought it because everyone was telling me I needed it and also to do stuff like pay for parking but, so far, all it's done is remind me how out of touch with modern "tech" I actually am. Also, because I don't do on line banking I doubt if I can actually use it to pay for anything. I thought I might try texting - I've done that a couple of times on my old "dumb" phone - but I can't figure out how to.

Feeling very stupid and highly frustrated - so glad I got it cheap because if I'd paid full price I'd have been even more depressed.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I used to have an iphone (I bought a 2nd one a few years after - 5 then an SE I think) until I saw the light.

Always bought the outgoing model when retailers were dumping them with some money off. would never spend more than £300 on it.That leaves £100

Then, like every phone the battery started giving reduced capacity, tried one or two replacement batteries, but they're just rubbish compared to an original.

So I went (back) to Android (motorola)... for £150 .... it does just fine.

There's absolutely no way I'd pay the insane prices (everything above £300 say )

I'd need sectioning to even contemplate spending £600, £700 , £800 on a bloody phone

£300For a phone!!! Thats mad money... £100 max and I begrudge every penny.

Pension is 900 a month. Council tax is £190, Insurance car tax ins Ins is £130, electricity is £50, Maintenance, house and car £30, TV and broadband £50 , Petrol £50, Heating £90 , Water £100, Car breakdown and pet insurances £45, So £165 for food, clothes christmas presents.... The solar panels area god send as in the sunny weather they have been providing income of over £20 a month which balances winter bills to a great extent.

Mobile phones are a con. Is that short fofr convenience... Another thing to keep going up more than inflation, Do I hate outfits that keep increasing prices above inflation. Scumbags. Expensive small items like phones are easily lost and targets for thieves as well. I dont want many of the so called features so more than basic is a total waste as well as a risk increase. I despise music streming which incurs further monthly cost the stupidity of which is off the scale as far as I am concerned. The suggestion that routine upgrading is sensible is moronic. Nearly as bad as being sucked into changing cars for the newest version when the old one works. Just a straight con as far as I am concerned. The idea of paying well over £1000 for a mobile is somad I am unable to contempalte how ridiculous it seems to me.

Not having a land line however means I pay just the mobile fee of £5 a month for all my phone calls and enough data so I have a maximum carry over each month for if Im away or abroad, That at least seems good value. Whatsapp menas the phone works indoors thank heaven. When I get the generator back from repairs I will be proofed against power cuts and phone / power loss for a few more years with this stupid improved digital system.

Someone should invent a phone that is mains powered so you dont need to keep buying batteries! If it was wired so signal wasn't an issue that would be better too. LOL

 

[ZaphodB]

Do I hate outfits that keep increasing prices above inflation. Scumbags.

Yep, I see loads of internet providers with terms absolutely in their favour , prices will rise £3 each april etc etc They're all at it now.

 

[bugsymike]

Well, I've had my "smart phone" - Google pixel 8 in pink colour very cheap from John Lewis. Probably because no one wanted the pink? - for a few weeks now. It's my first encounter with a smart phone and I'm completely hornswaggled by it! I turn it on and realise I've no idea what I'm doing with it. I stumble around looking at stuff which seems to come up on the screen as if by magic, no idea how it's got there, and although I read it then can't do anything with it. I was wondering how to get the forum app into it but it's all a mystery. So far no one has rung me so I don't know if I'll be able to answer a call yet but I have managed to enter Mrs J's mobile number into it's memory. I bought it because everyone was telling me I needed it and also to do stuff like pay for parking but, so far, all it's done is remind me how out of touch with modern "tech" I actually am. Also, because I don't do on line banking I doubt if I can actually use it to pay for anything. I thought I might try texting - I've done that a couple of times on my old "dumb" phone - but I can't figure out how to.

Feeling very stupid and highly frustrated - so glad I got it cheap because if I'd paid full price I'd have been even more depressed.

You don't think with it being pink and doesn't seem to want to work for you,, that someone sold you a Barbie child's toy one?

 

[ZaphodB]

You don't think with it being pink and doesn't seem to want to work for you,, that someone sold you a Barbie child's toy one?

Amazon.co.uk

 

[The Panda Nut]

Well, I've had my "smart phone" - Google pixel 8 in pink colour very cheap from John Lewis. Probably because no one wanted the pink? - for a few weeks now. It's my first encounter with a smart phone and I'm completely hornswaggled by it! I turn it on and realise I've no idea what I'm doing with it. I stumble around looking at stuff which seems to come up on the screen as if by magic, no idea how it's got there, and although I read it then can't do anything with it. I was wondering how to get the forum app into it but it's all a mystery. So far no one has rung me so I don't know if I'll be able to answer a call yet but I have managed to enter Mrs J's mobile number into it's memory. I bought it because everyone was telling me I needed it and also to do stuff like pay for parking but, so far, all it's done is remind me how out of touch with modern "tech" I actually am. Also, because I don't do on line banking I doubt if I can actually use it to pay for anything. I thought I might try texting - I've done that a couple of times on my old "dumb" phone - but I can't figure out how to.

Feeling very stupid and highly frustrated - so glad I got it cheap because if I'd paid full price I'd have been even more depressed.

Now texting will come to you, its easy once you get it. Mine has a + button I click, to start a new one and then its type the sender number and message and send of course. Get the family to show you whatsapp. Its just a fancy text service, but also gives a free video calling service for friends and family. It runs on your broadband service when you are at home so no call costs. You can voice call, text, video call and swap photos easily. Probably the best thing out there for mobiles. My older daughter is in central america right now. It worries me shes visiting countries on the dont travel list. Nicuaragua today. Keeping in touch is reassuring and the photos are incredible. Due to plane troubles, both faults and weather made her two days late, so she failed to connect wth the travel group and had to ross Guatemala and Honduras on her own, making her own travel and accomodation arrangements till she caught up with the tour group. Being able to be in touch much of the time was a big relief. I know I couldnt do much in emergency, but I did know where she was. I do find I use waze, its the App associated with the Panda Waze. It has locations and prices of petrol stations at the touch of a button and some other useful warnings for road hazards. All this from driver input so its actually live. I use the google search for things like find cafe or toilet, hospital, doctor, police station, bust station near me etc, It will take a while but there are some good things. If we are out we can go off individually and then call to meet up again signal allowing.... best of all, "hello dear, did I leave my wallet on the table...."

I have managed to buy petrol by getting Mrs PN to give me the card mumber and security code over the phone so I could be charged via that route rather than being stuck. LOL

PM me your phone number and we can swap picutes of our Pandas