Listening to the Voices in My Head

Really... thank you. For not informing millions of Smart Watch users that you were deliberately preventing Gear 2, and other models of watches/fitness trackers, from connecting to your shiny new phone. Not because they can't connect, but because you blocked it.

AND the fun part is the only way people using these models find it is when they go to pair the watch with the new phone.

The information is on the web, you say? Yeah, but how do you know you have to LOOK for it until the problem arises?

And don't give me the bullshit about Gear2 being 'old tech'. That sort of thinking is why landfills are having such a problem.

So, instead of selling my S9, I am going to use it as my own mini Samsung data hub. It will be used to record sleep, activity and everything else.

My only issue is now I won't get message notifications on my watch.

Alan's phone was dying, it was also a waste of money to spend on portable Wifi devices, and Wing 's phone and my devices were out of contract.

Went to Telstra Shop in Garden City, and it was quiet. Got seen to right away. Wing's phone had ownership changed to me, canceled the portable Wifi devices, gave Alan my Galaxy S7, and so he and Wing signed up under the BYO plans. I got the Galaxy S9. By doing this, we have decreased total Telstra billing a month by almost $160.

Galaxy S9. Not too thrilled with it, but that could just be teething pains/getting used to a different set up. So far 11 of my tried and true apps and tools no longer function. ADW, and LauncherX Pro, were two of them that I used to customize my phone. You can make these tiny 'folders' (bubble) and label it, and add what apps you want in it (example A folder called "Astronomy" and all my astronomy apps go into it), but it's SMALL, even at the lowest resolution. It would be great if you could elongate the folder and make the app icons more visible. The Edge app is good but could be better. App Edge only allows 10 apps, or People Edge 10 people. No scrolling it up or down like I did with app on the S7. Also, the Favorites bar on the bottom, you're restricted to 5 icons only. No more scrolling left or right. I don't know what bright spark at Samsung thought making these thing NON scrollable was a good thing, should be flogged.... or at least demoted.

Smart Switch was a semi-failure, as it did NOT transfer all data as it was supposed to have done. So if you get one, back up your app settings and data, even if you have to copy and paste. I lost ALL my bird spotting records from my trip to Broome.

On the positive side, what they've done with the camera and camera controls is amazing. I'm trying to get accustomed to pressing the power button twice to bring up the camera, rather than the home button twice. This is causing me problems because of the scaphoid fracture I got 3 years ago. My thumb doesn't always press fast enough. Put camera icon on the screen, problem solved.

Bixby: This reminds me of that excellent Assistant App I had with my S5 and S7, before Google bought it, took what parts they wanted from it, and the original programmers shut it down. Been playing around with it, and it's not too shabby.

More later when I’ve had it more than one day.

My old Samsung Galaxy 5, which had Navigon by Garmin on it, took a fall and starting having issues.

So, I got a new Samsung S7 and used SmartSwitch to import all my apps.

I started up Navigon, and got message that "This service is no longer a available" and to head to Google Play.

Ok, I did and discovered that I would have to shell out $40 if I wanted it to work. I charged up my S5, and even without a SIM chip, Navigon works on it. This is the only app I have been told I have to 're-buy' to use it on new device.

So, yes, Garmin, you suck.

Ok, I am really on my last nerve when it comes to telecommunications, whether phone or computer.

Our router died after years of long service. IINET did send another very quickly. That's the good news. Bad news is it doesn't like my wireless on my desktop, and when I start more than one program that accesses the internet, the "default gateway" goes "fnurky" and I have to reset the router. Of course, first thing is they say it HAS To me my network adapter. Umm, no, seeing as it can connect and stay connected to 3 different wireless routers/Wifi devices. So, after a few hours hammering away, IINET support said they will send another modem, give that one a try see if that works. (Hey, did my purchase curse apply here?)

And in OTHER news: Ordered new handset for Alan via VodaFone, forever now until the sun goes supernova, shall be known as VodaFail, on the 5th of November. No show for 3 weeks. I email via their support page. Gist of the message from them was "Oops, our bad! Will send it out right away!"

Go forward another 3 weeks, and nothing. I call. I'm not happy. I'm made to chant the my details over and over and over. They have no record of my emailing their support. Funny, I have not only the reply from their support but a reference number. Pregnant pause ensued. FINALLY, they will be sending the phone in 3 to 5 days.

It arrived today. Did I mention they knew that this was an upgrade from a Samsung Galaxy S2, so would need a new sim chip? Shoot, even the gal who I dealt with on Nov 5th told me that! Guess what DIDN'T arrive with the phone. (insert a string of words that would make a 20 yr Marine Drill Instructor blush). I call VodaFail, while on the landline with IINET, and Again, I am NOT happy here. Paying for 2 $%%#%$*&@# months of phone service that can't be used?

I told them that they had better not DARE to send me a survey again, because they would NOT like the responses. I have a headache, my eyes hurt and I can hear the blood pounding in my ears.

Bets they don't pay attention to that, either?

Redbubble now offers iPad and iPhone cases, so I decided to dust off some of my digital and fractal artwork, and make them for said objects.

I do wish they had cases for other items, like Galaxy SII or SIII. Oh well. I don't want a case bad enough to jump to the 'i' brand.