Have you ever felt disappointed by technology? You’re not alone. Here are the four most common reasons you’re disappointed, and how to overcome them in order to be satisfied with your technology purchase.
1. Envy/Friends
So you got a new phone last month but your friend got a new phone this week. It’s bigger, the battery lasts longer… it’s just plain better.
Fear not! A lot of places offer a return policy as long as the device is in like new condition. Simply bring it back to the place where you purchased it and explain that you’re looking for something better. Tell them about your phone envy. As long as it’s within return policy, most salespeople will be happy to help. And even if it’s outside of return policy many stores now offer a trade-in program where you turn in your device for a gift card that can be used towards a purchase.
Maybe you bought them at the same time but your friend’s device does something in a different manner or simply looks different. The simplest solution: ask questions either to one another or just to Google. The answers are out there.
Last week my wife brought up using the emoji keyboard on her iPhone 5S to her mom, who also uses an iPhone 5S. After taking a look at her mom’s phone it was obvious; that keyboard hadn’t been enabled. After a couple minutes of comparing the settings on each phone her mom was well on her way to texting out piles of poo.
One other thing to keep in mind, though, is that brand new devices aren’t for everyone. When a new smartphone comes out the software often has a bug or two that may be in the aspects that are commonly used. Some people can identify it as a bug and learn how to work around it while others are plagued by this fact. “It’s a new phone, it should work perfectly.” Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. If you’re bothered by bugs/glitches in such a manner, consider waiting a month or two after a device’s release.
2. Miseducation
“I thought all tablets could do that.” Many think this is the case; rarely is this true, though. Be sure to check out full specs before finalizing your purchase of a device. Make sure it meets your needs and wants. The information you’re looking for is out there, whether it comes from user reviews on CNET, manufacturer’s sites, a retailer, or a straight detail site such as PhoneScoop. Get out there and get the information you need before you buy a device.
3. You get what you paid for (Or “So you bought a $70 tablet”)
Have you ever bought a $20,000 car and expected it to go a quarter mile in under ten seconds? (No? Well, that’s good because street racing is neither safe nor legal.) You also shouldn’t expect the latest and greatest from a cheap tablet. When it comes to phones you’re paying for the hardware, be it the size of the screen, the speed of the processor, quality of the camera, or other various additional features. The only way to save on a quality device is to catch it on sale or purchase it when signing up for a contract or renewal. Per usual, don’t be fooled and do your research.
4. Too Invasive
“Well, I hear that Google gets all of your data.” Do you use Facebook? Even if you don’t, you probably still have information about you out on the Internet. Back to Google, though. Everything is controllable within privacy settings. And if you don’t like what’s available to you, you can uninstall most apps.
The moral of the story: even if you think your back is against the wall and you’re stuck, you’ve got options! At worst case you’ve probably got a resourceful friend or two that you can consult. Plus there’s always us! Need some advice? Drop us a line in the comments! We’ll be your smart friend.
Have you ever been disappointed by technology? Why?
