Paul Siu

Sadly most of the Elderly (but not all) are terrible with devices, but some of them are necessary evil. Yes, they should not use a computer but need to use one to do social security.
 
I have notice that the defficiency is selective, meaning if they want to, they can learn it. The same relative who complain about ac outlet become super profficient in whatsapp and kept sending me stuff. I eventually deleted the app so I won't be bothered.

I have elderly relatives who tell me that they can't figure out how to plug and unplug devices from the ac outlet because it's advance techology. I have to point out to them that they can just trace the wire to the device and AC outlet were common place when they were born.
 
I also get calls because they press on the on/off button while cleaning the computer and they can't figure out how to turn it back on even though I tell them to press on the circle button in front. I eventually have to google a picture of the device, circle the button and text them the circle picture.

It's sort of tied up in family cultural issues. Yes, you can tell them to go screw themselves, but then they are relatives so you can't get rid of them. They often lean into the you must help your family and elder, etc Part of the issue is that I find people are often set in their ways or just uncomfortablle doing one thing or another.
 
I also notice that this appears to be a pride thing. I once ask why they didn't just ask their friends for help. I mean not everyone is tech illiterate. It appears that they don't want to sound stupid to their friends so they lean on their family members to avoid looking stupid.

Sadly most of the Elderly (but not all) are terrible with devices, but some of them are necessary evil. Yes, they should not use a computer but need to use one to do social security.
 
I have notice that the defficiency is selective, meaning if they want to, they can learn it. The same relative who complain about ac outlet become super profficient in whatsapp and kept sending me stuff. I eventually deleted the app so I won't be bothered.

Sadly most of the Elderly (but not all) are terrible with devices, but some of them are necessary evil. Yes, they should not use a computer but need to use one to do social security.
 
I have notice that the defficiency is selective, meaning if they want to, they can learn it. The same relative who complain about ac outlet become super profficient in whatsapp and kept sending me stuff. I eventually deleted the app so I won't be bothered.

I have elderly relatives who tell me that they can't figure out how to plug and unplug devices from the ac outlet because it's advance techology. I have to point out to them that they can just trace the wire to the device and AC outlet were common place when they were born.
 
I also get calls because they press on the on/off button while cleaning the computer and they can't figure out how to turn it back on even though I tell them to press on the circle button in front. I eventually have to google a picture of the device, circle the button and text them the circle picture.

Hi,
 
I ran into a similar issue with my Pixel 3aXL. I think you must first isolate the issue. You want to isolate that
1. Is it your phone?
2. Is it your cable?
3. Is it your power source?
From your post, you indicated that you cannot connect to your computer and but can charge slowly from your adapter. This would probably rule out your power source. Let's try doing the following:
 
1. Try flipping the connector around. USB C are supposed to work both ways, but each side has a separate set of contacts that can fail individually. Try flipping the connector to see if this resolves the issue. If it works the other side, see #3 to see if you can fix the problem by cleaning it. if not, consider just living with a one direction USB C since it's costly to repair.
2. Try a different cable. Cables sometimes fail.
3. If changing the cable does not help, try cleaning the connector. Even with careful maintenance, stuff can get in. Try using some compress air first. If this does not work, try some contact cleaner or rubbing alcohol. Try cleaning it with a plastic pick of some sort. Do not use a metal pick or you will scratch out the usb c contacts. A cotten swab may also leave bits of cotton behind.
 
In my case, I did all 3 and it failed. My phone started to charge one way, then stop working with computers and then stop working completely.  I took it to a repair shop and the guy looked at the port underneath a scope and he indicated that the contacts were corroded. I don't go swimming with my phone and don't live in a humid environment, so I am puzzled that it got corroded. He had the connector replaced for $80 with some promocode discount.
 
On another note, I find Reddit to be hit or miss for stuff. Some forum are helpful, some are just full of weird rules. One of the apple forum for esample only seemed to want to discuss apple rumors.

I google CapXon and apparently there are  lot of links to failure due to cutting corners. However, I notice in the teardown of Sonos Play 1 that they also use CapXon caps and Sono Play 1 have been around for a while. At the very least, there's no reason to not use the Ikea speakers due to the cap since Sono Play 1 and probably the Sonos One use the same caps.
 
Paul

This is not a criticism of the usage of the device, but what is the appeal of a device like Alexa Echo or google home. I often hear people talking about ordering toilet paper, but that is hardly a use case that justify the device. Couldn't I use alexa or google through my smartphone? Is the device use mostly for streaming music, controlling smart appliances, etc? I am curious to know how everyone uses these smart devices (I don't even know what to call them)?
 
Paul
 

With the increase popularity of smart tv, smart speaker, smart device, etc, I am wondering about evaluating a product by its lifespan. For example, a dumb speaker is essentially eternal. You can keep using it for decades. A smart device however appear to be subjected to update life. On my Blu-ray player, the amazon prime has stopped working because Amazon no longer support it.  At best, the device will get dumber as it age. The Blu-ray may no longer play Netflix, but could still pay Blu-ray, etc. At worse, it get sunset. For example, my mom's eye-fi stopped working one day because the vendor decided to obsolete it by purposely updating it so that it stops working. 
 
How do you evaluate smart product? If I get smart speaker for example, how long can I expect it to work?  Ideally, the product will continue to work even after updates are done. Which vendor have a long support life? I feel that Nvidia Shield for example seems to get really long updates. Sonos stuff also appear to have a long life. I am less confident on Google stuff which seems to treat everything as an experiment. 
 
Paul