The life cycle of a modern phone

August 8, 2022

“We are living in a mobile-first era,” says Stephen Johnston, co-founder of Aging2.0 and founder of Fordcastle, an innovation consultancy.

“Many new smart devices “whether it’s a smart collar for their pet or security device, it’s all coming into the phone.”

How often do you really need a new one?

Companies may pressure you to upgrade your smartphone every one to two years, but you can go three years or longer.

Reasons NOT to upgrade:

For a better camera
For a different cellular connection

Reasons to upgrade:

For the latest updates, if your current phone can’t support them.
For battery life, if your phone holds a charge for half a day or less.
For a bigger screen.
Published by AARP Magazine, September 2022

Singing River Connect Sends Help to TVI Fiber

March 4, 2026

For the first time ever, Singing River Connect is sending fiber technicians to help with storm restoration. TVIfiber is the broadband subsidiary of Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association. Singing River Electric sent linemen to help TVEPA restore power after Winter Storm Fern, and now our fiber technicians will complete complex splicing and replace service drops […]

Take Back Your Phone: How to Reduce Spam

January 22, 2026

Spam comes in many forms, such as robocalls, scam texts, and junk email, all trying to reach your phone or inbox. You may feel that you’re receiving more spam than legitimate communications. With new tactics that are often based on AI-generated content, it’s more important than ever to take action to protect yourself. Blocking these […]

Healthy Digital Habits for the New Year

January 8, 2026

We all get 24 hours in a day, but only a handful of them feel like they’re truly ours. After seven hours of sleep and a full workday, most adults end up with just 7 to 9 hours left for everything else, including meals, chores, hobbies, family time, or simply catching our breath. Now here’s […]

Internet Safety for Kids