ENCORE

I received a message from SPARK my phone and email provider, telling me that I was unable to receive emails on my iPad because it was old technology and not 4G compliant.

SPARK has, like other providers moved from 3G technology to 4G and 5G whatever that means.

I've checked it out and sure enough my iPad that I bought 4 years ago is a 9th generation one. 4G + can only operate on a minimum of 10th generation so I'm stuffed.

My phone which I bought brand new last year is an iPhone 16 and apparently (for the moment) is compliant.

The laptop I use is an Apple Air 2020 model so no doubt the cartels that collude between hardware and connectivity will be junking this soon. At the moment I can get my emails on it but I'm not holding my breath.

I'm tired of this planned obsolescence in technology with 'improvements' that I don't use rendering the equipment I own to be out of date soon after I buy it.

I checked and there is no upgrade possible on the iPad to move from 2G and 3G capability to 4G and 5G. The helpful suggestion was to buy a new one!

I like my iPad and use it a lot when in bed, in the bath, in another room away from the study, when travelling or out and about. I can catch up with news, read the blogs, read e-books and of course access and read and send my emails. I much prefer using this than a phone as it's easier to read and to write on it. I'm going to have to buy a new one. I think the latest is generation 11 but Murphy's Law dictates that as soon as I buy one, the next day the new generation will roll over to 12.

The best deal on a new model, the basic one, is $879. I'll put my case to The Old Girl.