I disagree with with the AC grandparent who said that Sony hardware was overpriced and subpar - I felt like you always got what you paid for. Sure, they made some crap - but they also made stuff that was a good value. Their mid-range home theater stuff was always pretty nice.
I think part of their strategy, at least with home theater gear, was to make certain items quality and others with planned obsolescence, and hope you buy the crap gear to keep your system "all Sony" - and it worked on me. I bought a Sony receiver/amp in the mid-90s which still works fine to this day, but I had two 90's-era Sony CD changers crap out after 2-3 years each, one VCR and one cassette deck die after a few more years. I swore off buying any of their components again after that.
Between that and the other stuff they've pulled which didn't affect me personally (the CD rootkit thing, the retraction of the alternate OS on PS2s), I feel glad that they're getting out of hardware. They've in general treated their customers like shit.
If your phone "can't do anything" without Google apps and the Play Store, then I think you don't know how to download and install an APK.
I've used an Android phone without the Google apps installed for the past couple months. I installed the handful of apps I needed (using either F-Droid, a downloaded APK, or restored via Titanium Backup) and it's worked fine. Actually, better than fine, because the phone is more responsive without the Google suite installed, which I chose to try going without because I think it's become massively bloated.
This isn't to suggest that most people would be willing to jump through the necessary hoops to make it work, as I agree they wouldn't. I just think your suggestion that an Android phone without the Google apps and Play Store is useless, and "you migh tas well use a flip phone", is being overdramatic.
If you haven't seen a new shirt for less than $10, you haven't looked very hard. It may be not be same $50 shirt you're talking about, but that isn't the point. The point is people with little money can now afford to buy new clothes for very little money, instead of having to take someone's used clothes because that's all they could afford.
For the majority of the poor people of the world, their first smartphone was, is, or will be an Android phone - a device that can allow a child in the most remote village in India to look up whatever topics strikes their curiosity, including topics that no one they have contact with knows anything about. In terms of functionality, Android may be just another smartphone OS, but in terms of economics and making that kind of power accessible to the poor, I'd argue that that is absolutely revolutionary.
Having a card with a PIN doesn't mean you can use it instead of signing. It all depends on the priority list of the CVM (card verification method) for that card. There's a good searchable database of U.S. cards here. Browse it and you'll see that most credit cards have signature verification at the top of the list.
The result is that while you may have a PIN, you'll still be asked for a signature when you check out at the supermarket in Europe (unless the store doesn't offer it, but this would just create problems for them, because then they wouldn't be able to verify purchases by American tourists, creating checkout delays and lost business). If you try to use your card at an unmanned terminal (e.g. to buy a train ticket) where signature verification is not accepted, it will go on down the list and, assuming PIN verification is an available option on your card, you'll be able to enter your PIN to checkout - so it still helps to have a PIN for your card, just for these situations.
If you use an American credit card in Europe you still sign (most U.S. cards). The card issuers decide the priority of authentication methods, i.e. signature vs PIN (which has sub-variants), and the vast majority of U.S. card issuers go with signature verification as the first priority. Europe has PIN as the first priority.
Paying with a credit card at supermarkets in Europe is a great way to stand out as an American, as you hold up the checkout line that extra 10 seconds
Europe has this right: Any in-person transaction requires you to enter your chosen PIN. It's simple, it's fast, and it protects your card from unauthorized use if it's stolen.
Judging by the other comments it sounds like there are other problems (namely it being too far or not easily accessibly from the strip), but it not having a connection to the airport is a great point. If you're going to have *any* rail system in a city, it should connect to the airport. If tourists arrive and use the rail system to get into the city center, they've already become familiar with the system and are more likely to use it again.
What amazes me about the US is that many people oppose funding public rail projects and yet loudly complain about being stuck in traffic, as if there's no connection.
Here Maps (formerly Nokia Here Maps). You can install an Android ROM, don't install gapps (the Google stuff), and install the Here Maps apk. Works fine. Plus it allows you to download maps for entire countries in advance so you use less data.
Some christian cultures, celibate Christmas on January 6th
It's mostly Armenians. I thought it was all Orthodox Christians that celebrated it on that day due to sticking with the Julian instead of Gregorian calendar. It turns out Dec. 25 on the Julian Calendar is Jan. 7, and it's only Copts & Ethiopian Orothodox that celebrate it on that day. Most other Orthodox churches have moved to the Gregorian calendar and celebrate on Dec. 25 now.
In Spain they celebrate Christmas on the 25th and Epiphany on the 6th, the latter being the more important date, it seems. Epiphany is also celebrated in Austria, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Poland, Ethiopia (but on different date that varies annually), parts of Germany, Greece, Italy, Slovakia, Spain, and Uruguay with national holidays.
Other countries actually celebrate Christmas itself on Jan. 7th (sometimes starting on Jan 6th with Christmas Eve), and Epiphany (if they celebrate it) 12 days later, on Jan 19th. This list includes Russia, Ukraine, and maybe others (can only do so much research this morning).
I'm thinking the same: any mandatory arbitration clause wouldn't/won't apply to most Americans, as they've never signed a contract with Equifax, thus never agreed to any such clause. The people are the product -- not the customers.
An observation though: that $2400 camera lens can last you a lifetime. An iPhone X you probably wouldn't use more than 4 years. Even if you take good care of it and replace the non-user-replaceable battery down the road, it's likely that it will no longer receive iOS version updates starting in 4 years time (based on the fact that the iPhone 5S was released in 2013 and doesn't support iOS 11, the current version). For many, of course, they'll be looking to upgrade in 2 years. Between the two purchases, the income used toward a $1000 smartphone seems truly more "disposable".
Honest question. One of the appeals of Linux is that there are distros that run well on old systems with 2GB of RAM (or less), which I've usually paired with a 32-bit release. Now I guess I have to upgrade those systems to a 64-bit one if the person wants to run Skype. (Maybe this is a good argument to convince them to use something else...)
... a 256GB MicroSD card costs less than $40, so why not?
Either you're writing from the future, you have a special hookup, or you're talking about junk no-name "256GB" microSD cards that corrupt your data and aren't actually 256GB. No reputable (reliable) brand is selling 256GB microSD cards for less than $100.
Maybe you meant 128GB, which would be more realistic.
My best guess is that the "previous owner" of your number (of the SIM) had registered it to Google Voice. They cancelled/lost their service and the number was freed up, which you unluckily chose. But because GV had it registered elsewhere, it didn't allow you to register it (you can't have 1 number connected to 2 different GV accounts).
If it wasn't that then I'd say it had something to do with your Google account, maybe being connected on VPN or maybe just that the account was initially registered overseas. Not the SIM card or the plan you chose though.
What prepaid SIM were you using that you couldn't register it with Google Voice? Sorry but I'm doubtful of your claim. I've never had this problem with *any* number, including ones tied to virtual phone apps like Talkatone, nor have I heard of anyone having this problem.
This is the exact argument that I'm sure someone at Apple made -- and the exact argument that shows that some people just don't get it.
Headphones are not SCSI hard drives. Headphones are not PS/2 mice. One of my favorite pairs of headphones was purchased around the same year I once bought a SCSI card (1996), and I still use them today.
They're an item which is very personal. You don't wear a hard drive. You WEAR headphones. On walks to class or work, riding the subway, on transcontinental flights, lying in bed late at night. They may be pressed up against or even inside your ears for hours each day. When someone who uses headphones a lot finds a pair that they love, it's a bond that is not easily broken. And certainly not for something new that will either 1. easily get lost, 2. require recharging at some inconvenient time or 3. die a slow death as their rechargeable batteries wear out.
Apple was the brand for many musicians and music producers. Taking away the audio jack was another big "fuck you" to that following who were long some of Apple's most ardent supporters.
Came here to say exactly this. The AT&T takeover was blocked primary because the FCC thought it would reduce competition and harm consumers. And look, now T-Mobile has lead the way in creating competition in the marketplace which will benefit all consumers.
This is a shining example of the success of regulated capitalism.
Found it on my Linux Mint 17 install as gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad in the software manager. That isn't to say it was installed by default, but I don't recall installing additional plugins.
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I disagree with with the AC grandparent who said that Sony hardware was overpriced and subpar - I felt like you always got what you paid for. Sure, they made some crap - but they also made stuff that was a good value. Their mid-range home theater stuff was always pretty nice.
I think part of their strategy, at least with home theater gear, was to make certain items quality and others with planned obsolescence, and hope you buy the crap gear to keep your system "all Sony" - and it worked on me. I bought a Sony receiver/amp in the mid-90s which still works fine to this day, but I had two 90's-era Sony CD changers crap out after 2-3 years each, one VCR and one cassette deck die after a few more years. I swore off buying any of their components again after that.
Between that and the other stuff they've pulled which didn't affect me personally (the CD rootkit thing, the retraction of the alternate OS on PS2s), I feel glad that they're getting out of hardware. They've in general treated their customers like shit.
If your phone "can't do anything" without Google apps and the Play Store, then I think you don't know how to download and install an APK.
I've used an Android phone without the Google apps installed for the past couple months. I installed the handful of apps I needed (using either F-Droid, a downloaded APK, or restored via Titanium Backup) and it's worked fine. Actually, better than fine, because the phone is more responsive without the Google suite installed, which I chose to try going without because I think it's become massively bloated.
This isn't to suggest that most people would be willing to jump through the necessary hoops to make it work, as I agree they wouldn't. I just think your suggestion that an Android phone without the Google apps and Play Store is useless, and "you migh tas well use a flip phone", is being overdramatic.
Look into Truphone prepaid SIM.
If you haven't seen a new shirt for less than $10, you haven't looked very hard. It may be not be same $50 shirt you're talking about, but that isn't the point. The point is people with little money can now afford to buy new clothes for very little money, instead of having to take someone's used clothes because that's all they could afford.
For the majority of the poor people of the world, their first smartphone was, is, or will be an Android phone - a device that can allow a child in the most remote village in India to look up whatever topics strikes their curiosity, including topics that no one they have contact with knows anything about. In terms of functionality, Android may be just another smartphone OS, but in terms of economics and making that kind of power accessible to the poor, I'd argue that that is absolutely revolutionary.
Having a card with a PIN doesn't mean you can use it instead of signing. It all depends on the priority list of the CVM (card verification method) for that card. There's a good searchable database of U.S. cards here. Browse it and you'll see that most credit cards have signature verification at the top of the list.
The result is that while you may have a PIN, you'll still be asked for a signature when you check out at the supermarket in Europe (unless the store doesn't offer it, but this would just create problems for them, because then they wouldn't be able to verify purchases by American tourists, creating checkout delays and lost business). If you try to use your card at an unmanned terminal (e.g. to buy a train ticket) where signature verification is not accepted, it will go on down the list and, assuming PIN verification is an available option on your card, you'll be able to enter your PIN to checkout - so it still helps to have a PIN for your card, just for these situations.
If you use an American credit card in Europe you still sign (most U.S. cards). The card issuers decide the priority of authentication methods, i.e. signature vs PIN (which has sub-variants), and the vast majority of U.S. card issuers go with signature verification as the first priority. Europe has PIN as the first priority.
Paying with a credit card at supermarkets in Europe is a great way to stand out as an American, as you hold up the checkout line that extra 10 seconds
Europe has this right: Any in-person transaction requires you to enter your chosen PIN. It's simple, it's fast, and it protects your card from unauthorized use if it's stolen.
Judging by the other comments it sounds like there are other problems (namely it being too far or not easily accessibly from the strip), but it not having a connection to the airport is a great point. If you're going to have *any* rail system in a city, it should connect to the airport. If tourists arrive and use the rail system to get into the city center, they've already become familiar with the system and are more likely to use it again.
What amazes me about the US is that many people oppose funding public rail projects and yet loudly complain about being stuck in traffic, as if there's no connection.
Here Maps (formerly Nokia Here Maps). You can install an Android ROM, don't install gapps (the Google stuff), and install the Here Maps apk. Works fine. Plus it allows you to download maps for entire countries in advance so you use less data.
Here's hoping that they remove the ridiculous amount of bloat that Shazam's app has become.
(Of course, having had to deal with iTunes on rare occasion, I'm not *that* hopeful.)
Parts of the Great Barrier Reef (system) are recovering. Big difference.
Curious to hear more comments on this.
Some christian cultures, celibate Christmas on January 6th
It's mostly Armenians. I thought it was all Orthodox Christians that celebrated it on that day due to sticking with the Julian instead of Gregorian calendar. It turns out Dec. 25 on the Julian Calendar is Jan. 7, and it's only Copts & Ethiopian Orothodox that celebrate it on that day. Most other Orthodox churches have moved to the Gregorian calendar and celebrate on Dec. 25 now.
In Spain they celebrate Christmas on the 25th and Epiphany on the 6th, the latter being the more important date, it seems. Epiphany is also celebrated in Austria, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Poland, Ethiopia (but on different date that varies annually), parts of Germany, Greece, Italy, Slovakia, Spain, and Uruguay with national holidays.
Other countries actually celebrate Christmas itself on Jan. 7th (sometimes starting on Jan 6th with Christmas Eve), and Epiphany (if they celebrate it) 12 days later, on Jan 19th. This list includes Russia, Ukraine, and maybe others (can only do so much research this morning).
I'm thinking the same: any mandatory arbitration clause wouldn't/won't apply to most Americans, as they've never signed a contract with Equifax, thus never agreed to any such clause. The people are the product -- not the customers.
An observation though: that $2400 camera lens can last you a lifetime. An iPhone X you probably wouldn't use more than 4 years. Even if you take good care of it and replace the non-user-replaceable battery down the road, it's likely that it will no longer receive iOS version updates starting in 4 years time (based on the fact that the iPhone 5S was released in 2013 and doesn't support iOS 11, the current version). For many, of course, they'll be looking to upgrade in 2 years. Between the two purchases, the income used toward a $1000 smartphone seems truly more "disposable".
Honest question. One of the appeals of Linux is that there are distros that run well on old systems with 2GB of RAM (or less), which I've usually paired with a 32-bit release. Now I guess I have to upgrade those systems to a 64-bit one if the person wants to run Skype. (Maybe this is a good argument to convince them to use something else...)
... a 256GB MicroSD card costs less than $40, so why not?
Either you're writing from the future, you have a special hookup, or you're talking about junk no-name "256GB" microSD cards that corrupt your data and aren't actually 256GB. No reputable (reliable) brand is selling 256GB microSD cards for less than $100.
Maybe you meant 128GB, which would be more realistic.
That's a proud feat for such a small country. Welcome to the club.
My best guess is that the "previous owner" of your number (of the SIM) had registered it to Google Voice. They cancelled/lost their service and the number was freed up, which you unluckily chose. But because GV had it registered elsewhere, it didn't allow you to register it (you can't have 1 number connected to 2 different GV accounts).
If it wasn't that then I'd say it had something to do with your Google account, maybe being connected on VPN or maybe just that the account was initially registered overseas. Not the SIM card or the plan you chose though.
What prepaid SIM were you using that you couldn't register it with Google Voice? Sorry but I'm doubtful of your claim. I've never had this problem with *any* number, including ones tied to virtual phone apps like Talkatone, nor have I heard of anyone having this problem.
This is the exact argument that I'm sure someone at Apple made -- and the exact argument that shows that some people just don't get it.
Headphones are not SCSI hard drives. Headphones are not PS/2 mice. One of my favorite pairs of headphones was purchased around the same year I once bought a SCSI card (1996), and I still use them today.
They're an item which is very personal. You don't wear a hard drive. You WEAR headphones. On walks to class or work, riding the subway, on transcontinental flights, lying in bed late at night. They may be pressed up against or even inside your ears for hours each day. When someone who uses headphones a lot finds a pair that they love, it's a bond that is not easily broken. And certainly not for something new that will either 1. easily get lost, 2. require recharging at some inconvenient time or 3. die a slow death as their rechargeable batteries wear out.
Apple was the brand for many musicians and music producers. Taking away the audio jack was another big "fuck you" to that following who were long some of Apple's most ardent supporters.
Came here to say exactly this. The AT&T takeover was blocked primary because the FCC thought it would reduce competition and harm consumers. And look, now T-Mobile has lead the way in creating competition in the marketplace which will benefit all consumers.
This is a shining example of the success of regulated capitalism.
Found it on my Linux Mint 17 install as gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad in the software manager. That isn't to say it was installed by default, but I don't recall installing additional plugins.
Isn't that the satellite that's raining debris all over Eur... err, Myanmar?