On: New iOS privacy feature may end an era of personal...

[mvanbaak]

> They do not care about >80 % world popln? They too need smartphones.

nobody needs a smartphone. It's a gadget.

[MaxBarraclough → mvanbaak]

You seem to be implying it's a frivolous luxury that delivers little real value. That's not the case.

Much has been written on telephony in the developing world.

[mvanbaak → MaxBarraclough]

Telephony can be handled by dumb phones

[izacus → mvanbaak]

Telephony is dead. These days in many places cannot get a job or function without access to email or chat. In a lot of non-rich markets the smartphone is the cheapest option to gain access to these communication systems.

We're not in 1998 anymore where people phone you.

[dividedbyzero → izacus]

> In a lot of non-rich markets the smartphone is the cheapest option to gain access to these communication systems.

I'd say that's nowadays true for richer parts of the world as well.

[izacus → dividedbyzero]

Yeah - although at least according to analytics a lot of western world people also own a computer. In many asian/african areas most of the population only has a smartphone to access the internet.

[MaxBarraclough → mvanbaak]

A smartphone is far more capable than a 'dumb' mobile phone, especially to someone who doesn't own any other computer.

[omnifischer → mvanbaak]

It is a lifeline for many - especially in poor world. Work, school and everything is arranged in WhatsApp or FB

[pwinnski → omnifischer]

WhatsApp just this year cut off access for iPhone 4 users, but iPhone 4S users can still use it, as well as anything newer.

The iPhone 4S, which still works with WhatsApp, debuted in 2011. They're cheap and reliable.

[dmitriid → mvanbaak]

It hasn't been a gadget for close to ten years now.