4 ms·

There a secondhand iPhones (it's also better for the environment). Otherwise no alternative than using a desktop computer and forego some smart conveniences.

elric 7y ago
There are literally banks out there that are unusable without an Android/Apple smartphone. And while it's currently still possible to use a bank that isn't as insane, I expect this trend will only get worse. It'll no longer be a case of foregoing some smart conveniences, but about being able to access important parts of the economy.
- freehunter 7y ago
  Not only is it still possible to find a bank that works without a smartphone, at least in America you'd have to go dramatically out of your way to do business with a bank that only works if you have a smartphone. The number and quality of banks that work without a phone is so much higher than the number of banks that require a phone, it's barely even worth mentioning.
  - elric 7y ago
    The course has been set, that's the way all banks are headed. Challenger banks like Revolut, N26, Bunq, ... are all very reliant on smart phone apps. Even if they have web interfaces, you can't log in without authenticating with the app Tangent: American banks might not be the best example here, given their reliance on ancient tech like signatures, paper checks and magnet strips. But they, too, will move in this direction.
izacus 7y ago
The problem with secondhand iPhones is Apples relentless war on repairability - with Apple Stores not being widely available and Apple limiting supply of spare parts (and using DRM to lock them), those secondhand iPhones are very poor value proposition. Especially when new Androids come with manufacturers warranty, local repair center and fraction of the cost.
- Accacin 7y ago
  DRM? Wasn't that only with the fingerprint sensor? (Which was wrong anyway). On my iPhone 7 I've repaired the screen, battery and charging port and haven't had one problem at all.

elric 7y ago

There are literally banks out there that are unusable without an Android/Apple smartphone. And while it's currently still possible to use a bank that isn't as insane, I expect this trend will only get worse. It'll no longer be a case of foregoing some smart conveniences, but about being able to access important parts of the economy.

freehunter 7y ago
Not only is it still possible to find a bank that works without a smartphone, at least in America you'd have to go dramatically out of your way to do business with a bank that only works if you have a smartphone. The number and quality of banks that work without a phone is so much higher than the number of banks that require a phone, it's barely even worth mentioning.
- elric 7y ago
  The course has been set, that's the way all banks are headed. Challenger banks like Revolut, N26, Bunq, ... are all very reliant on smart phone apps. Even if they have web interfaces, you can't log in without authenticating with the app Tangent: American banks might not be the best example here, given their reliance on ancient tech like signatures, paper checks and magnet strips. But they, too, will move in this direction.

izacus 7y ago

The problem with secondhand iPhones is Apples relentless war on repairability - with Apple Stores not being widely available and Apple limiting supply of spare parts (and using DRM to lock them), those secondhand iPhones are very poor value proposition. Especially when new Androids come with manufacturers warranty, local repair center and fraction of the cost.

Accacin 7y ago
DRM? Wasn't that only with the fingerprint sensor? (Which was wrong anyway). On my iPhone 7 I've repaired the screen, battery and charging port and haven't had one problem at all.