Life Between 0 and 1

I finally had enough of paying for a smart phone that slowly became obsolete as app development shifted from Windows Phone 8.1 to Windows 10 Mobile.  I wrote several times about HTC and Microsoft if you’re interested in hitting the archives.  I had made all the payments required to qualify for a “turn-in upgrade,” essentially meaning I gave them the phone back.  My original intent was to fight with AT&T and get out of my finance agreement so that I didn’t have to continue paying $133 additional and go a few months without a finance payment.

They actually pulled up the contract I signed (and didn’t read at the time) that clearly indicated that my choice was to turn in the phone and get a new phone (with new agreement) or pay to the end of the contract (another $133).  I relented, pushed harder for anything to be done that relinquished this HTC phone without me having to sign into another finance contract, but it was clear to me their hands were as tied as mine were.  I made a few comments about the fact that being a customer since 1999 has no merit, getting the ditch by HTC was a crappy move and the whole idea of a mobile phone has forced us to worship the glowing screen of complacency.

In the end, I got an S7.  Yes, I could have gone with something cheaper in the mid-range market.  I could have even have gone with a no-name high-end device and still probably have paid less.  My fear was that anything other than a device that has sold millions of units ran the risk of pulling an HTC and ending support without warning.  My monthly payments are only a few cents different so I’m using that $133 on something that is fully functional and fully supported.  I’ve decided to run lean on applications and work to remove this device from the focal point of my daily activities.  No NFC payments, no fingerprint single-sign-on, no social apps that demand attention at every ding.  I do know for sure that it will at least get Android 7.0 and be more than functional for at least the next 2 years, possibly three.  By then, I hope to have finances where I can purchase a new mobile device outright and never need the stupid financing option again.

Still couldn’t do Apple, although I did contemplate it for approximately 0.25 seconds.