Technical features, you can really do without?

[GHT]

My 8746 DFM GPO telephone, that I have had since 1968, doesn't have touch tone technology. Press, or in my case, dial, one for the money, two for the show and you cut yourself off. We had to install a modern phone alongside it, not so much for the tech compatibility, as for being able to see the incoming call's number.

If ever there was a case of rant inducing technology it has to be The Bosch cooking hob. Our former, rather cheap, electric hob shattered, my missus wants a Bosch. It cost a ransom, but it keeps life sweet, she has her Bosch. I forgot to add, that it's electric, not gas.

There are no dials, to make adjustments in temperature you have touch pads. In order for them to work you must ensure that they are perfectly dry, in a cooking area, your finger is perfectly dry and you have limitless patience. You can stand there for ages trying to get the thing to work, just remember to start cooking about ten minutes before you used to. Wretched thing!

 

[scottyrocks]

Interesting, though where voice control has and has not taken off. A few years ago before everything went to Direct Debit I paid my electricity bill by phone. I spoke to a machine with everything for a good five minutes thaty it all took, and its capability to hold a random conversation and unddrstood everything I said was almost frightening (five years before that, I had been amusing myself with a standard BT voicemail system that could only do "yes" and "no", but even at that I had discovered it was the tone and duration, not the words, as I rpovem by saying "bum!" to everything - staccatto, short, sharp it read it as no, slower and more lilted it read as 'yes' - same word, both cases). It's not many machines can fully follow my Liam Neeson accent. But if the electricity bill paymewnt system can. why did that never make it to the typing programmes? Most of the time it's faster to type, but sometimes I do think it would be nice to be able to just 'dictate'part of it, then format on the screen. Perhaps the lakc ofmovement in that area is many of us don't like it - perhaps the problem lies more in the shift to open plan offices....

When the robo-voice says, 'Say or select,' I always select.

 

[belfastboy]

My 8746 DFM GPO telephone, that I have had since 1968, doesn't have touch tone technology. Press, or in my case, dial, one for the money, two for the show and you cut yourself off. We had to install a modern phone alongside it, not so much for the tech compatibility, as for being able to see the incoming call's number.

If ever there was a case of rant inducing technology it has to be The Bosch cooking hob. Our former, rather cheap, electric hob shattered, my missus wants a Bosch. It cost a ransom, but it keeps life sweet, she has her Bosch. I forgot to add, that it's electric, not gas.

There are no dials, to make adjustments in temperature you have touch pads. In order for them to work you must ensure that they are perfectly dry, in a cooking area, your finger is perfectly dry and you have limitless patience. You can stand there for ages trying to get the thing to work, just remember to start cooking about ten minutes before you used to. Wretched thing!

I am on the other side of this. We upgraded our kitchen and I wanted to switch to gas but my wife had huge resistance to me and open flame in the same room so I got out voted....she counted the cat's vote. We ended up with a Bosch induction and I hated it at first but now I am in love with it. I have yet to burn a pot two years later. The fine controls, once my fat fingers got used to the positioning, give me instant control on the temp. I find it a joy to cook with and am glad for everyone's sake didn't switch to gas. I scald the milk for my coffee in the morning and the induction heats the milk quicker than did our microwave (we tossed the microwave during the reno)

 

[Old Mariner]

I haven't had a microwave in YEARS. They actually freak me out a little. My BF doesn't have one, either. Heat it up in the oven -- comes out better!

I haven't had a TV in years, either. BF has one, but we pick and choose what we want to watch via YouTube mostly. He has Netflix, but I have no interest in anything on it. I got my own media selection lol.

I have noticed that as well with the food tasting better, and cooking better, in the oven.

Last time I had a TV was back in 2004. I don't miss it. I watched some stuff on Netflix - I like the period dramas (Mad Men, Peaky Blinders,...and Downton Abbey - although they never finished that on Netflix, so I would have to start all over in watching it). Sometimes I like a good documentary - Nature, some socio-political, historical (the Vietnam War one by Ken Burns was really good). I just tend to be picky about what I subject my mind too *gives side eye to the questionable stuff on YouTube* (of which I have mostly "let's plays" saved in my youtube library - but have watched decent historical stuff and style videos by Gentlemen's Gazette and Real Men Real Style).

 

[Edward]

I am on the other side of this. We upgraded our kitchen and I wanted to switch to gas but my wife had huge resistance to me and open flame in the same room so I got out voted....she counted the cat's vote. We ended up with a Bosch induction and I hated it at first but now I am in love with it. I have yet to burn a pot two years later. The fine controls, once my fat fingers got used to the positioning, give me instant control on the temp. I find it a joy to cook with and am glad for everyone's sake didn't switch to gas. I scald the milk for my coffee in the morning and the induction heats the milk quicker than did our microwave (we tossed the microwave during the reno)

I wanted a gas hob when I last did my kitchen, but I changed my mind when told it would cost an extra grand to get it in, then on top of that the electric ones had come on so far by then that there was no real advantage to having gas for speed. Similarly, I've since gotten shot of the microwave, and found I don't miss it at all. It does mean I have the occasional extra pot to wash, but that's far from the end of the world. Sort of stuff I would have mircrowaved before is just as quick on the hob now.

I have noticed that as well with the food tasting better, and cooking better, in the oven.

Last time I had a TV was back in 2004. I don't miss it. I watched some stuff on Netflix - I like the period dramas (Mad Men, Peaky Blinders,...and Downton Abbey - although they never finished that on Netflix, so I would have to start all over in watching it). Sometimes I like a good documentary - Nature, some socio-political, historical (the Vietnam War one by Ken Burns was really good). I just tend to be picky about what I subject my mind too *gives side eye to the questionable stuff on YouTube* (of which I have mostly "let's plays" saved in my youtube library - but have watched decent historical stuff and style videos by Gentlemen's Gazette and Real Men Real Style).

I keep the TV licence going because I like the BBC and BBC Radio, though certainly I watch very little on broadcast now, far more via the various streaming services. I firmly believe we're a decade away from the phasing out of linear broadcasting as we know it - if even that.

 

[tmal]

Oh, I love this thread. Thanks Trenchfriend! What are the takeaways?
George Orwell was right.
1984 came and went and it is too late now.
Most "apps" to use the term broadly are useless, and are designed to sell you something. It may take a while but the "the boys" will find you.
Everything is designed to separate us from the real world and make us more brain dead, (see automatic transmission, for example).
I'm glad I was born in the 50's and grew up in the 60's. I had fun and I had freedom. Now, eh, I'm just a target for merchandising.
And finally: Get Off My Lawn!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Trenchfriend]

The last times, I drove my parents in my father's car, I payed more attention on the (variable) electric power-steering of the Kia Venga.

And yes, it's def. not very precise, at least on normal daily speeds <80 kph. The Kia Rio II (Rio 5) with it's classic belt-driven hydraulic power-steering was much better! Same on the Kia Magentis (1st generation) and absolutely on the Kia Sephia (1st. gen.).

Damn, I miss the Kia Sephia/Mazda 323! They were real cars.

 

[Trenchfriend]

Another good one!

Showerheads with adjustable water jet. Who in the world uses that in daily life?

Never had it, never missed it.

 

[LizzieMaine]

My showerhead is adjustable. When you turn it on, it trickles. When you want more water, you bang the pipe with a ball peen hammer. The more you bang the harder it sprays.

 

[scottyrocks]

Cruise control that automatically reduces your speed to that of the car in front of you. I guess its important if you're texting or dialing with the tiny touch pad Lizzie mentioned (also my pet peeve). The guiding principle that chips are cheap so give the customer a bunch of value-added features they don't need or want. Obviously no profit in the KISS approach.

Our new 2021 vehicle has at least 3 of these types of nanny systems (that I know of). I turned them all off, and the one that I have to turn off every time I start the car has become as automatic as starting the car.

 

[belfastboy]

Gadgets and gizmos in automobiles are things I dislike. I drive a base model, standard tranny Hyundai SUV and love it. I have rented cars, last one in Scotland last autumn, and it was a pain in the ass. Especially the lane monitors...driving the narrow backroads of Scotland the warning beep was always going off. Unbeknownst to me I could have turned it off.....but then I would have had to read the directions. Takes me back to the days of driving my all time favourite car, my 1967 Beetle. Unlike my 1965 the '67 had a gas gauge but that was about it for features. I loved it, got me to where I was going, good on gas, I could pull over to the side of the road and fix just about anything on it. I miss it.

My beloved Hyundai SanteFe died two weeks ago...blew up the clutch hydraulic pump....a $3000 bill plus it needed new tires. I aniticipated that was the tip of the ol iceberg. Traded it in for a 2022 Hyundai Tucson with more bells and whistles than I ever knew existed.....and I bought the base model. I might just have to read the owners manual now.

 

[Edward]

The last times, I drove my parents in my father's car, I payed more attention on the (variable) electric power-steering of the Kia Venga.

And yes, it's def. not very precise, at least on normal daily speeds <80 kph. The Kia Rio II (Rio 5) with it's classic belt-driven hydraulic power-steering was much better! Same on the Kia Magentis (1st generation) and absolutely on the Kia Sephia (1st. gen.).

Damn, I miss the Kia Sephia/Mazda 323! They were real cars.

Back when I drove, I hated power steering. Didn't much care for an automatic box either - like driving a dodgem car. No feel for the road at all.

 

[Trenchfriend]

Back when I drove, I hated power steering. Didn't much care for an automatic box either - like driving a dodgem car. No feel for the road at all.

Yeah, I think, many power steerings were much too soft.

 

[Zombie_61]

Our new 2021 vehicle has at least 3 of these types of nanny systems (that I know of). I turned them all off, and the one that I have to turn off every time I start the car has become as automatic as starting the car.

My truck got t-boned in December, and since it was 13 years old and most of the air bags deployed my insurance company totaled it. In April I finally replaced it with a 2018 Chevy Cruze--the base model that doesn't even have cruise control, but the back-up camera works just fine. Now, this thing has a screen in the middle of the dashboard through which I can access certain settings and control the radio. Every fourth or fifth time I start the car a warning message appears on the screen reminding drivers to not look at the screen while driving and instead pay attention to traffic (or something to that effect). Seriously??? Then why put the damned screen there in the first place? Idiots!

My beloved Hyundai SanteFe died two weeks ago...

Way back in 1987 when Hyundai was still a newcomer to the American market my wife decided she wanted to buy one, so we ended up with a brand new '87 Excel hatchback. Our mechanic called it a "five-year disposable car", but when we still had it after 10 years with no major mechanical repairs he admitted he was wrong. For the price it was a good car, but then we took care of it as we have all of our cars. We eventually sold it to the daughter of the family across the street, who was headed for college and needed transportation. She drove it for another five years before she had to replace the clutch. I'm sure Hyundai has turned out a few clunkers just as every auto manufacturer has, but if the opportunity and funding presented themselves I'd probably buy another.

 

[belfastboy]

My truck got t-boned in December, and since it was 13 years old and most of the air bags deployed my insurance company totaled it. In April I finally replaced it with a 2018 Chevy Cruze--the base model that doesn't even have cruise control, but the back-up camera works just fine. Now, this thing has a screen in the middle of the dashboard through which I can access certain settings and control the radio. Every fourth or fifth time I start the car a warning message appears on the screen reminding drivers to not look at the screen while driving and instead pay attention to traffic (or something to that effect). Seriously??? Then why put the damned screen there in the first place? Idiots!

Way back in 1987 when Hyundai was still a newcomer to the American market my wife decided she wanted to buy one, so we ended up with a brand new '87 Excel hatchback. Our mechanic called it a "five-year disposable car", but when we still had it after 10 years with no major mechanical repairs he admitted he was wrong. For the price it was a good car, but then we took care of it as we have all of our cars. We eventually sold it to the daughter of the family across the street, who was headed for college and needed transportation. She drove it for another five years before she had to replace the clutch. I'm sure Hyundai has turned out a few clunkers just as every auto manufacturer has, but if the opportunity and funding presented themselves I'd probably buy another.

Yes, we have a similar screen with a similar notice. The car also automatically turns the radio volume waaaay down when I reverse. Somehow the car discerns I am not capable of backing up and singing along at the same time.

 

[scottyrocks]

My truck got t-boned in December, and since it was 13 years old and most of the air bags deployed my insurance company totaled it. In April I finally replaced it with a 2018 Chevy Cruze--the base model that doesn't even have cruise control, but the back-up camera works just fine. Now, this thing has a screen in the middle of the dashboard through which I can access certain settings and control the radio. Every fourth or fifth time I start the car a warning message appears on the screen reminding drivers to not look at the screen while driving and instead pay attention to traffic (or something to that effect). Seriously??? Then why put the damned screen there in the first place? Idiots!

That's one of the reasons why I bought the bottom line model of the last car I bought for myself (in 2015) - no touch screen. It was the only model that had simple buttons and twisty knobs for audio and air, on the center console of the dash.

It's also one of the many reasons I will not replace this car with something new anytime soon. The current gen of my car cannot be had without a touchscreen, and has an electric handbrake (wtf?).

The new upcoming gen-for-2022 version of my car can no longer be had with a manual transmission unless you want the boy-racer models, which I don't. For the lesser versions, CVTs are considerably more fuel efficient than MTs, and fun be damned.

I think this is the first time I can say that I will not be trading in my car, and mean it and follow through.

 

[tonyb]

Another good one!

Showerheads with adjustable water jet. Who in the world uses that in daily life?

Never had it, never missed it.

I use it daily. The missus prefers one setting, I prefer another.

Like wheels on suitcases, the shower wand, which can be taken from its cradle so that the user can readily put the water where it does the most good, is one of those things that seems so obvious that I’m left to wonder why it took us clever humans so long to come up with it.

 

[tonyb]

As to these modern automobiles with touch screens and electric drive motors and “smart” features and power everything …

It’ll never replace the horse.

 

[belfastboy]

That's one of the reasons why I bought the bottom line model of the last car I bought for myself (in 2015) - no touch screen. It was the only model that had simple buttons and twisty knobs for audio and air, on the center console of the dash.

It's also one of the many reasons I will not replace this car with something new anytime soon. The current gen of my car cannot be had without a touchscreen, and has an electric handbrake (wtf?).

The new upcoming gen-for-2022 version of my car can no longer be had with a manual transmission unless you want the boy-racer models, which I don't. For the lesser versions, CVTs are considerably more fuel efficient than MTs, and fun be damned.

I think this is the first time I can say that I will not be trading in my car, and mean it and follow through.

As to these modern automobiles with touch screens and electric drive motors and “smart” features and power everything …

It’ll never replace the horse.

I might still have my 1967 Beetle but my wife put her foot down and wanted a car with a heater.

 

[Trenchfriend]

I might still have my 1967 Beetle but my wife put her foot down and wanted a car with a heater.

But wouldn't you have to get all available rustprotection to keep the Beetle alive?