Currently reading:
What's made you grumpy today?
I have just given a rechargeable drill to my daughter that I picked up cheap, all my own tools are 110v,240v, 415v or compressed air and don't run out needing charging etc. I agree about the inconvenience of tripping over wires etc. but I can live with that.
My issue is my expectations but also my use case I suppose. This little A16 5G would be ideal doing the basics. It has the capability to do all the advanced stuff that I'm expecting from it just like the high end models do but without the horsepower to do it 'well'. I suppose it's like buying a Panda which has all the same capability to attach on a roof rack, a tow bar and mount all sorts of things to it which is great if you use one, but to use them all simultaneously with any real use case (a trailer, some heavy weight on top and some set of big bolt on lights across the front) there probably comes a point where although it can do it, it will struggle or not achieve it as easily as some huge oversized 4x4 utility wagon. But it can technically do it fine.
I was just thinking walking into the office today - some of the older folks around today, 60s-80s - lived the majority of their lives, especially younger years completely without the internet, modern computers, let alone smartphones. Probably even up until a certain point without bank cards (credit cards!). Made me wonder what sort of all-in-one probably too much to want to bother with stuff will come out by the time I'm that age that will be 'can't live without'.
I am sort of spoilt with the iPhone though. My girlfriend had an old iPhone 13 mini laying around missing a SIM tray... was able to fire it up and get set up with an 'eSim' and my god, despite the fact it is a 2021 release running newer software and undoubtedly slower than the 16 I had, it is lightning fast still.
I don't do anything advanced like games or much on my phone, it also sits on the desk when I'm at home - there's always a better device or computer to do things on there. Same at the office. It's when walking around, paying for things, bringing up information like booking passes or documents, even in the car it has to manage music, maps, calls which I thought was novel at this stage but apparently not, the things heat up and are constantly switching cell towers and that's where the horsepower really makes a difference. There's also going in and out of a lot of things - making a booking, checking the bank, making a payment, back to the booking, communicating that with someone or multiple people. It needs to be able to keep up.
I'll stick with this until at least September when the new models come out, but frankly this one is beyond capable still for the basic things (combination of basic things) needed - might actually be more of a shame to waste more money until it's absolutely needed.
I feel like a North Korean defector whose just been brought back in and been processed after trying to escape and making it farther than ever, but still caught and brought back......
I was just thinking walking into the office today - some of the older folks around today, 60s-80s - lived the majority of their lives, especially younger years completely without the internet, modern computers, let alone smartphones. Probably even up until a certain point without bank cards (credit cards!). Made me wonder what sort of all-in-one probably too much to want to bother with stuff will come out by the time I'm that age that will be 'can't live without'.
I am sort of spoilt with the iPhone though. My girlfriend had an old iPhone 13 mini laying around missing a SIM tray... was able to fire it up and get set up with an 'eSim' and my god, despite the fact it is a 2021 release running newer software and undoubtedly slower than the 16 I had, it is lightning fast still.
I don't do anything advanced like games or much on my phone, it also sits on the desk when I'm at home - there's always a better device or computer to do things on there. Same at the office. It's when walking around, paying for things, bringing up information like booking passes or documents, even in the car it has to manage music, maps, calls which I thought was novel at this stage but apparently not, the things heat up and are constantly switching cell towers and that's where the horsepower really makes a difference. There's also going in and out of a lot of things - making a booking, checking the bank, making a payment, back to the booking, communicating that with someone or multiple people. It needs to be able to keep up.
I'll stick with this until at least September when the new models come out, but frankly this one is beyond capable still for the basic things (combination of basic things) needed - might actually be more of a shame to waste more money until it's absolutely needed.
I feel like a North Korean defector whose just been brought back in and been processed after trying to escape and making it farther than ever, but still caught and brought back......
Try to think of it, not as a phone, but a pocket computer, that also makes phone calls.
Then you'll feel more justified at hating it.
Get the grandkids to set up an icon or more on the main screen of your most used calls, they'll act as one-touch dialling.
Then, while you're with them, do what all the young people do, 'talk' to each other via text messages across the room, so they can help you get used to it.
Well no you've bought a phone with 4gb of ram if it's the cheapest version, android 15 alone takes 4gb of ram to run without Samsungs proprietary skin on top. Despite all the "whooshy" it's literally the worst specced phone Samsung make new at present except the none 5g version.
It's like the defector tied their own shoelaces together before going for a nap then complaining they were too slow to get away after handing themselves in.
I'm sure it's not wonderful..buts it's also entirely predictable it wouldn't be massively fast.
Last edited:
Well, as per Samsung's advise... Argos refunded it so the defector seemed to have got off with his stupid plan this time around.
Still, 4GB of RAM used to get you a whole lot more work done... the recently discontinued iPhone SE (5G one) from 2022 had 4GB of RAM but relatively flies. My 13 Pro Max last year (only gone because I broke the back glass and messed up a DIY attempt to fix it myself) only had 6GB and it never missed a beat.
I think the next model up with Samsung was 8GB, I'd say that's probably much better composed. I also had the for-work profile running, a number of authenticators running as memory resident apps etc - all played a role no doubt. I admit it was silly for me to try it. The concept was so alluring.
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
oh deers. That sounds painfulElectric Brompton ride
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Mine is 32GB nad its really not enough at least 64 next time. Its always warnimng its full. Its got 4.4 free but I have to work at stopping stuff downloading.
Last edited:
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Every thing. Old peoples brains go off and as well as not liking change, they revert to basics. Some of course couldnt bottomed to learn new things. @ bugsymike is right it does sound like himSteady on now, that sounds like me!
Of course its also sounds more and more like me. We just want it to work plain and simply. Soon using a pop up toaster will be a problem. Set the colour and timer... No no no.
Two days ago the reminder to renew my over 70 driving license dropped through the letter box telling me I should renew now - although it's a couple of months before it actually expires. I'll "grasp the nettle" and do it on line, although doing anything important on line always causes me to worry as I'm not at all confident doing it. The first problem is they ask for your NI number and I can't remember it! Anyway, I was searching on my laptop to see if there was a detailed guide as to doing it when I came across a news item saying that from 1st august your going to need a medical checkup with your Doc before renewing! I'd not heard anything about this? Anyone know about it? I can't get an appointment with my Doc even when I'm seriously ill so fat chance I'll get to see him for this. Being one of the world's worriers I'm now quite concerned about it - think I'll try to do it today before the 1st August deadline?
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
letcus kbow how yoy get on. Good luck with this. Just book doc early!
Just book doc early? They won't let you! You can only ring up on the day 8.00 am or 1.30 pm to get told that all other appointments for that day are taken. "What about tomorrow then?" you ask. You'll have to ring at 8.00 in the morning to book. So you do, only to be told all the appointments for that day are already taken! It's a bloody farce! when you ask about advance bookings they only take them for up to a month in advance and , sorry sir, they're already all allocated!!! Going to A&E at the hospital is about your only real option but that wouldn't work for this I'm guessing.
ZaphodB
Established member
You don't need a doc (as far as I can see) unless they've taken your licence away (verious medical conditions like stroke or eyesight problem etc) and you then need a docs approval that you're fit to drive again.
If you're renewing and you still have your licence you just self certify (as far as I understand it)
and you don't need your NI number
All from https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence-at-70
If the 'rules' have/had changed, the authoritative answer would be on the gov website, and there's no mention of it as far as I can see.
If you're renewing and you still have your licence you just self certify (as far as I understand it)
and you don't need your NI number
All from https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence-at-70
If the 'rules' have/had changed, the authoritative answer would be on the gov website, and there's no mention of it as far as I can see.
Last edited:
Yup, that's how things stand right now. But, I believe it's all changing on August 1st? I've seen more than one comment about it and I found an article too. I'll see if I can dig it up again and post a link.
ZaphodB
Established member
I've (just) seen a couple of articles , but even if they were upcoming they'd usually be on the gov website.
I say start your application and see where it takes you and what it asks
As for your NI number (even if you do absolutely need it) , it will be on any income tax paperwork, your tax return or an old paysllip even.
(But the gov site states "if you know it" implying it's not a absolute necessity
Ah, here it is: https://www.eprbatterycpcb.in/new-uk-driving-license-rule-for-seniors-begins-august-2025/
I think that's very good advice Zaphod. I'll just go to the gov website and try doing it. As they say, it's got two chances, either it will or it won't!
I think that's very good advice Zaphod. I'll just go to the gov website and try doing it. As they say, it's got two chances, either it will or it won't!
ZaphodB
Established member
The other thing is , it obviously states "starting August 2025"
As far as I can see it's still July for a few days more , so get filling the application in before that date (like now) and you'll avoid the check over
and maybe they'll update the website to reflect the new 'rules' actually on the 1st August.....
As far as I can see it's still July for a few days more
, so get filling the application in before that date (like now) and you'll avoid the check overand maybe they'll update the website to reflect the new 'rules' actually on the 1st August.....
Absolutely. The good news is I just managed to remember my NI number - fair chuffed with myself! and I came across another article which is much more reassuring: https://strumace.com/new-driving-ru...L7mGSwqV-UD9VKG57wtATcK8Gw0PJmi1NyrjElIeOyqTj Think I'm going to get it done today though while there's still plenty of time in hand to sort things out if I make a mess of it!The other thing is , it obviously states "starting August 2025"
As far as I can see it's still July for a few days more
and maybe they'll update the website to reflect the new 'rules' actually on the 1st August.....
The sun's just come out so I'm going to take my daily walk now and that'll calm me down. Going to swing round by the library and hand a book back in too. A nice walk and a cup of tea should set me up for tackling it when I return.
Once I'd racked my brains as to how long we'd lived in this house and what my passport number is and found my driver number, and remembered what my Mum's maiden name was, etc, etc, it all went quite smoothly. There were no requests for medical confirmations other than for me to make declarations - same as it was last time I did it 3 years ago. Got an email back from them confirming receipt of my application and saying my details would now be submitted for validation and once DVLA has completed their checks it will be processed as soon as possible. Also asking me to cut up my old license and send it to DVLA - Think I'll wait until the new one comes though?
So, all in all, not that difficult to do. Good guidance on the questions regarding "infirmities" which I wasn't quite sure on. For me that was relative to a small problem I have with one eye. My optician has told me I have perfect vision in one eye and a small compromise in the other but it's not something which I need to notify them about - The guidance totally confirmed this so I'm a happy man.
Just got to wait now and see what happens.
