Listening to the Voices in my Head

The only good thing I've found so far

I have been using/wearing a Samsung Gear2 smart watch. It worked great, only needing charging every three to four days, and the version of Samsung health could measure pulse, blood oxygen and a few other things.

Along comes update on phone. Now Gear2 doesn't work, not because of hardware, but because of software. The new Samsung Health does a 'check version' on the watch, and blocks it from connecting. I email Samsung about why they're using software to block the watch. They said internet security reason. What?  The watch didn't connect to the internet, just phone.  I called bullshit, and pretty much told them so, but in polite language.  They replied with a snarky comment about watch being 'obsolete'.  THEN WHY THE F**K IS IS LISTED IN THE ACCESSORIES!

(deep breath)

Samsung suggest I get one their new smart watches, as the prices of $399 to $499. Uhh, no. I told them I don't buy items that have deliberate obsolescence built it, as you can't change the battery if it stops charging.

Dilemma: What to do.

Solution: Either buy one of my old model smart watch, that had has different OS flashed on it, and can be used with the OS makers own health software, or go in search of an 'old' model that is still compatible with the new phone.

I chose option two. at 1/4 the price of the new ones. I miss a great many features and abilities I had on my old watch. Like being able to choose a photo background AND what display of watch. Can't do that, so picked the least eye-bending color.

The only good thing I have found so far, it's great at reminding me to get up and walk around.

Thanks, Samsung

Really... thank you. For not informing millions of Smart Watch users that you were deliberately preventing Gear 2, and other models of watches/fitness trackers, from connecting to your shiny new phone. Not because they can't connect, but because you blocked it.

AND the fun part is the only way people using these models find it is when they go to pair the watch with the new phone. 

The information is on the web, you say?  Yeah, but how do you know you have to LOOK for it until the problem arises?

And don't give me the bullshit about Gear2 being 'old tech'.  That sort of thinking is why landfills are having such a problem.

So, instead of selling my S9, I am going to use it as my own mini Samsung data hub. It will be used to record sleep, activity and everything else.

My only issue is now I won't get message notifications on my watch.

Kerhisting hell! Could they have made it more fiddly?

Setting up the MyGov, the MyGovID, and SafeWA apps on my phone.  After 8 different codes, and multiple attempts to import my COVID vax proof... ARGH! 

I would fully understand, that although the information is important, why some people would just say "Screw it!".

Annoyance with Win10 and Samsung phones.

It's a known, but for some reason, totally unfixable by either MicroSoft or Samsung (each are more interested in fixing the blame, instead of fixing the problem)

Out of the blue, S9 and Win10 can't connect, not unless you remove Samsung device, from computer, unpair phone, and start the whole thing of discovery all over again. Add to this that Win 10, unlike Win 7, you have to MANUALLY start the file transfer on the computer, then start file transfers from phone to desktop. Win 7, select file, select computer and send. Bluetooth isn't as convenient with Win 10.

Use a cable, you say? Did I mention that if you don't have your phone and cable in JUST the right position, Win 10 will cycle through USB device connected, USB device disconnected over and over? Two different computer, three different phones, three different cables, same shit over and over.