ASK CAPPIE THE COMPUTER CAT
UPDATE YOUR MOBILE PHONE Dear Cappie,
Both my wife and I have older mobile phones which my neighbor says will be obsolete very soon. My wife has a flip phone that’s so old we are not sure when she got it. It operates on 3G which according to our neighbor, will stop working this year, and mine is an iPhone 6sPlus which I love very much because I am so familiar with how to use it. I’d like to know if what I’m hearing is true and if so, what can I buy that we both could use? Jim obsolete: the iPad mini-4, iPad Air 2, iPad (fifth generation), Your neighbor is correct on both and the 2015 iPad Pro models. counts. Your iPhone no longer Apple has not announced when will be supported with future they will roll out iOS 16, but updates when Apple rolls out the generally the announcement new operating system updates, comes at their yearly WWDC iOS 16. According to the latest developer event that will be held internet news, all the iPhone 6s in June 2022, and the updates models (iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s are released later, generally in Plus, and iPhone SE), will not September or October. receive the new updates. This is crucial because your phone will Regarding your wife’s 3G flip phone: 3G network technology not be protected from getting has existed for two decades. The hacked by cyber criminals if first 3G network in the US was vulnerabilities are found. The upside is the phones came out in launched in 2002. 4G launched 2015 and 2016 respectively and in 2010. Carriers started rolling out 5G networks in 2019. haven't been sold by Apple for years but they continued to give Companies now are focusing you updated software, compared their resources on the newer networks, trying to save money to Android phones that only get three, sometimes four years by not maintaining the older ones. Getting rid of the older of updates, so you had a long 3G technology, frees up the run with your smartphone. wireless spectrum. It’s not just Be advised also that some cell phones that will be affected. older iPads will also become Dear Jim,
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Any device that uses 3G will be impacted: smart watches, home security systems, medical devices, tablets, vehicle SOS services, etc.
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Your wife will have to buy a new device if she wants to text, make telephone calls, or even reach 911. It is not just her phone, but phones like the Samsung Galaxy S4 or older, or iPhones like the iPhone 5, 5C and 5S. They will no longer work for calls and data. All major cellphone carriers are planning to shut 3G networks starting in January 2022 going through the end of the year: (Sprint’s 3G: March 2022; AT&T’s 3G: February 2022; Sprint’s LTE: June 2022; Verizon’s 3G: December 2022; T-Mobile: July 2022). Log into your phone’s account to double check dates.
Special thanks to Chris Dishman for the lovely photo of her cat, Leila. She is 15 years old and came to live with Chris 5 years ago when her owner and friend, Mary Beth Jones, passed away.
If your wife is set on having a flip phone, there are many senior-friendly models available in today’s market. Most have large keypads, bright screens, adjustable speakers, are hearingaid compatible, Bluetooth compatible, easy-to-grip design, medical alert capabilities, and simple functionality—just google “best flip phones for seniors 2022.” For you, there are smartphones in every price range, and learning how to use a new smartphone is getting easier. Here in Sun City Grand, the Computer Club has classes
in both Android and iPhone usage. Apple Stores have mini classes on all aspects of using the iPhone. There are videos, and internet classes on learning the basics as well as more advanced options such as using the Camera, Message Apps, email, search options and more. Look at the news as an exciting new adventure—both you and your wife can share!
Grand Lifestyles | February 2022 | suncitygrand.com
