Wednesday, February 22, 2012

In which I sound like an old lady

A few weeks ago I finally became apparently one of the last people in America to get a smartphone. My old cell phone was only two years old and the woman who helped me set up the new one at Best Buy literally laughed at me for still using it. Seriously?

I was fine with the old one, but the amazing camera and video on these new ones is what convinced me to go ahead and upgrade, since I was eligible. The day after I did it our babysitter's Facebook status informed the world that her 75-year-old grandmother had just gotten an iPhone. I always roll my eyes at Matt when he calls us old, but sometimes I'm forced to wonder.

Here's another example: I still primarily use the first email address I ever had, the Hotmail one I've had since I was a freshman in college -- so since 1997. (So does Matt.) If you're shrugging your shoulders, you're old too.

I don't get it. Hotmail works fine, that email address is my login for numerous websites, everyone I know already has this address, etc. Why would I switch to Gmail just because all the cool kids are doing it? But I keep getting comments along the lines of "Feel free to join the 21st century."

Kara: "Also, let me say that it is very retro of you to still be sporting the Hotmail account."
Me: "WHY is everyone hating on my Hotmail lately?"
Kara: "Haha...it is kind of like virtually showing up to a party with a boom box on your shoulder."

When I mentioned this to Matt he told me he'd just read an article that claimed if you still use Hotmail you're more or less presenting yourself to the world as a dirty old man.

As a concession I did get a Gmail account along with the smartphone (so did Matt), but I'm not thrilled about switching to it because of the aforementioned inconveniences. This week I'm consumed with the details of moving, but I probably will cave and shift to Gmail once things slow down. If anyone feels led to encourage or discourage this, please state your case.

13 comments:

Ally said...

I just think Gmail is SO much better! And I must admit when reviewing resumes I make certain prejudgmnts based on an applicant's email address. I still have my hotmail account though for all of my junk mail etc.

Unknown said...

You can link your hotmail to your gmail and they will show up on gmail. That way people can still use your hotmail address :-)

JB

Unknown said...

You can link your hotmail to your gmail and they will show up on gmail. That way people can still use your hotmail address :-)

JB

Unknown said...

You can link your hotmail to your gmail and they will show up on gmail. That way people can still use your hotmail address :-)

JB

Unknown said...

Hahahahaha sorry for all the repeats :-) - Jordan

Kaitlin said...

I'm with Ally.

Kaitlin said...

p.s. my first account was AOL or JUNO. My juno account exists but I never use it. Mostly I just have everything forwarded to gmail. I have too many email addresses!

Ken Loyd said...

Any advice from me would not be relevant. But I did hear that they're thinking of starting the 22nd century a few decades early. They're bored with this one.

Amanda said...

I love Gmail but my old hotmail account certainly came in handy when I'm signing up for free samples! :)

Libba said...

Yes about what Jordan said. You can set up your gmail to do that. Once you've gotten used to gmail (I hated it when I switched to it from AOL years ago) you see all the awesome things you can do with it. Not only is the email service very user friendly, but you get all the other awesome features with Google - the calendar and document functions for example. Josh and I both have gmail accounts and both have calendars, but we've "shared" the calendars with each other so they all show up - that way we know what's happening with the other one. (We have a Family calendar, my personal one, Josh's school one, etc etc) It's VERY VERY helpful.

Sweet Tea Mama said...

Don't feel bad. I just got an iphone last fall. It is amazing though. I use it for pictures and videos of Annabelle all of the time. Plus it's nice to check your email or use the GPS. Welcome to the 21st century, haha.

Anonymous said...

Even though I know this is illogical, I tend to assume that users of Hotmail lack a bit of web savvy. :)

Reminds me of this comic from The Oatmeal. http://theoatmeal.com/comics/email_address

I recommend that you try using gmail for a bit (with Matt and a few other friends/family) before you officially make the switch. I REALLY wish I liked gmail, but I just don't care for it. Lots of people love it, but I'm not one of them. It handles messages very differently than other email providers, so be sure you like it before you pull the plug on your other account. Fortunately, I have enough self esteem to not feel ashamed of my non-gmail email address. Ha! :)

-A Proud Yahoo User

Kaitlin said...

so, which smartphone did you choose?