Tech Purchase Thread
-
@Stargazer not an answer to your exact question but when we went through the same thing with my grandmother a few years ago we got something like this
so a cell phone but it only does calls, nice big buttons, docking station so no cables to worry about, basically was just like her old cordless landline but but now on a cell plan, worked well enough
-
@Kiwiwomble If I can't get the other options to work, that might be a good idea. Thanks!
-
@Stargazer said in Tech Purchase Thread:
Landline phone via mobile?
As you probably know, New Zealand's analogue (copper) landline network is being phased out and the only way remaining for landline phones is via internet (VoIP).
In addition to the issue of internet not working when there is a power cut (landlines on the copper network did work in case of a power cut) - that's not what my post is about - this change is not good for - particularly elderly or certain disabled people - who do not have internet and don't have a mobile phone (or aren't able to use it) and are dependent on landlines for their phone calls. My elderly aunt is suffering from mild dementia and uses her landline a lot to talk to family and friends etc. She has no internet and isn't able to use a mobile phone (we tried): they are too thin, she has trouble reading from the screen (glare), struggles with the touch screen (can't dial numbers) etc. She doesn't even remember how to answer a call. We don't think buying an iPad or tablet instead of a mobile phone will solve that problem.
So we have been looking for an affordable solution, particularly a way to connect a normal home phone to a mobile phone.
I have found the following products and I wonder whether any of you have experience with them and whether they indeed offer a good solution in this situation and whether they work in New Zealand. Any other recommendations would be welcome, too!
Retro Handset for iPhone iPad, Mobile Phones etc
(The downside of this one is that it is corded).Quoting my own post so I don't have to repeat myself.
I had a further look at Cell2Jack and XLink. It looks like they are for 120v only (they come with a 120v adaptor), so I guess it's impossible to use here in NZ with our 230/240 volts (50Hz). I'm now trying to find something similar that's made in Europe/China.
-
@Kiwiwomble I think that same website offers more or less what we're looking for. The only downside seems to be that the handset is corded (I was hoping to connect a base with at least two cordless handsets to a mobile network), but I guess she's used to that as old landline phones used to be corded.
-
Hey fackers.
I recently bought the Google Pixel 6a - a bargain at $599.
However, going to plug in my headphones this morning I realised it lacks a headphone jack.
The Google Pixel Pro earbuds are $299. Fuck that.
The Google Pixel-A series earbuds don't have ANC. So fuck that.
Recommendations for a set of buds that have ANC and support calls etc appreciated.
-
@Kiwiwomble nice. I picked up a Jabra elite behind-the-neck which I use for the tablet at home, so where in the quality.
-
@NTA said in Tech Purchase Thread:
@Kiwiwomble nice. I picked up a Jabra elite behind-the-neck which I use for the tablet at home, so where in the quality.
if you can wait a little signing up to the jabra emails you might get a deal
-
@NTA said in Tech Purchase Thread:
Hey fackers.
I recently bought the Google Pixel 6a - a bargain at $599.
However, going to plug in my headphones this morning I realised it lacks a headphone jack.
The Google Pixel Pro earbuds are $299. Fuck that.
The Google Pixel-A series earbuds don't have ANC. So fuck that.
Recommendations for a set of buds that have ANC and support calls etc appreciated.
I like the cheap bone conduction BT headphones I bought. Allows you to hear peripheral noise as well
-
For any that are interested, the new iOS 16 includes personalised spatial audio if you’re using AirPods. To set it up you have to let your iPhone scan your head and ears. My go-to for checking out headphones is Van Morrison's Moondance, and in this case, gimmick or not, the results are like the fat old turd is beaming music straight into your fucking head. Try it out if you’ve got the kit.
-
@JC said in Tech Purchase Thread:
For any that are interested, the new iOS 16 includes personalised spatial audio if you’re using AirPods. To set it up you have to let your iPhone scan your head and ears. My go-to for checking out headphones is Van Morrison's Moondance, and in this case, gimmick or not, the results are like the fat old turd is beaming music straight into your fucking head. Try it out if you’ve got the kit.
bah, my Powerbeats Pro does not have this functionality, even though Beats is owned by Apple
-
Fuck me, hearing about personalising headphones reinforces how far I have lost touch with technology. The other day I was looking for something to play music on at home but I was overwhelmed by all the options. Connectivity this, connectivity that. I was so lost I gave up. And that's not even considering whether it's a portable speaker, a sound bar etc.
I think I was expecting to go in and buy the best sounding stereo with a CD player, and if I was lucky a USB connection.
-
@Crazy-Horse I hear ya! we had some cabling bumped during ceiling insulation installation and I've just plugged another HDMI to the tv and am bypassing the stereo. Works fine but is a hassle when I want to crank some music and the tv doesn't cut it. I can't deal with in-ear headphones and no way we are splashing out on new tech till the kids get older!
-
I capped out at a UE Megaboom speaker and Bluetooth connection. Anything more complicated than that and I'm no good.
-
@Paekakboyz said in Tech Purchase Thread:
@Crazy-Horse I hear ya! we had some cabling bumped during ceiling insulation installation and I've just plugged another HDMI to the tv and am bypassing the stereo. Works fine but is a hassle when I want to crank some music and the tv doesn't cut it. I can't deal with in-ear headphones and no way we are splashing out on new tech till the kids get older!
It's overwhelming aye. And to make it worse my preferred ways of listening to music (CDs and USB) have been pretty much consigned to the scrap heap. The idea of streaming does my head in. I like flicking between songs and albums on my USB way too much.
-
@voodoo said in Tech Purchase Thread:
I capped out at a UE Megaboom speaker and Bluetooth connection. Anything more complicated than that and I'm no good.
Yeah some sort of Bluetooth speaker that I can link to my computer will be the way to go I suppose. That way I can still use my USBs. I struggle to get my head around how the single speakers can provide a good sound. I have been told they do though.