I bought my first smartphone in 2013 because Claire said my old mobile was becoming embarrassing.
It still made calls, which had been my main requirement.
Claire set up the new one at our kitchen table. She showed me messages, photographs, email and a row of small pictures called apps. I asked which one was the telephone.
‘That one.’
‘So it is still a phone.’
‘Technically.’
The screen changed direction whenever I tipped it. I took three photographs of my own thumb and one of Alan looking suspicious.
Michael sent a message asking whether I liked it. I tried to reply and rang him instead.
Alan said he did not need one. Two months later, he had one and was sending me messages from the next room.
I kept the phone. It was useful. It also required charging, updating and remembering a number I had never needed before. The old mobile needed charging and little else.