Explain it like I'm 5: Why is everyone on speakerphone in public?(arstechnica.com)
arstechnica.com
Explain it like I'm 5: Why is everyone on speakerphone in public?
https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/03/explain-it-like-im-5-why-is-everyone-on-speakerphone-in-public/
30 comments
A classic phone has a form factor that allows you to hold it with your neck.
Since switching to a smartphone, I can't count the number of times an app or notification has engaged and prevented the proximity sensor from blocking screen input, causing my ear to tap something, disrupting the call.
I also can't hear well (or be heard) without speakerphone on regular calls because the handset speaker is small and hard to align with my ear, and the max volume generally isn't sufficient to overcome ambient noise. Related, Teams noise cancellation also suppresses my voice if there's a low rumble in the background, like air conditioning.
Using speakerphone with the volume lowered is usually the only way I can reliably make and take calls.
I also can't hear well (or be heard) without speakerphone on regular calls because the handset speaker is small and hard to align with my ear, and the max volume generally isn't sufficient to overcome ambient noise. Related, Teams noise cancellation also suppresses my voice if there's a low rumble in the background, like air conditioning.
Using speakerphone with the volume lowered is usually the only way I can reliably make and take calls.
Is this actually a problem?
I haven't come across it and I'm skeptical of articles like this are actually writing about something that's rarely happening while asking, "Why is everyone one speakerphone in public?"
I don't doubt it happens, and I can see this happening at higher rates in certain places, but honestly: What percentage of people are doing this are actually doing this in the worst places?
If you see this happening a lot, I'd love to know more. Where are you seeing it? What percentage of peopletalking on the phone do you estimate are doing it?
I haven't come across it and I'm skeptical of articles like this are actually writing about something that's rarely happening while asking, "Why is everyone one speakerphone in public?"
I don't doubt it happens, and I can see this happening at higher rates in certain places, but honestly: What percentage of people are doing this are actually doing this in the worst places?
If you see this happening a lot, I'd love to know more. Where are you seeing it? What percentage of peopletalking on the phone do you estimate are doing it?
I feel like people have gotten used to holding phones pointing outwards in a way that only works on speakerphone.
Like I put a phone to my ear the way I have been for the last forty years and I feel like I'm old and out of touch for doing so, because I haven't seen anyone younger than me in years take a call and not just turn on speaker phone and hold the phone pointing outwards.
Like I put a phone to my ear the way I have been for the last forty years and I feel like I'm old and out of touch for doing so, because I haven't seen anyone younger than me in years take a call and not just turn on speaker phone and hold the phone pointing outwards.
A week ago I saw someone holding the phone out and talking into the bottom, I thought they were a crazy person.
Why would anyone do that?
Why would anyone do that?
Ride the NYC subway for a few days, especially any overground segment, and you’ll see plenty of this.
right after I posted this someone at work was on speakerphone. ugh.
right after I posted this someone at work was on speakerphone. ugh.
I see this happening multiple times a week on my daily commute (by train) in The Netherlands.
It's not just people calling, although that's often the case, it's also people just watching social media videos on speaker
It's not just people calling, although that's often the case, it's also people just watching social media videos on speaker
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45763082
Why do some people play their phones out loud on buses and trains? (rte.ie) 41 points by austinallegro 4 months ago | hide | past | favorite | 26 comments
Samsung (and co.) must know what % of people with headphone jacks prefers the speaker on the street. Ofc they won't tell.
Why do some people play their phones out loud on buses and trains? (rte.ie) 41 points by austinallegro 4 months ago | hide | past | favorite | 26 comments
Samsung (and co.) must know what % of people with headphone jacks prefers the speaker on the street. Ofc they won't tell.
It’s absolutely infuriating. I don’t mind people talking around me but the type of painful noise a phone speaker puts out is just plain irritating. It’s completely rude and inconsiderate to be on speakerphone in public. I see it all the time on public transit and in cafes. You also often see people play videos or games (especially kids) without headphones on airplanes - although now airplanes are cracking down on that.
I think the issue is a general increase in anti-social behavior - but part of it is definitely cultural. As an example, I never see Japanese people on their speakerphones in public. Some other cultures seem more likely to view it as acceptable (or just care less about how they impact others). I’ve also noticed that elderly people are much more likely to be on speakerphones taking calls with the volume at max, so personally I think there’s an age aspect too.
I think the issue is a general increase in anti-social behavior - but part of it is definitely cultural. As an example, I never see Japanese people on their speakerphones in public. Some other cultures seem more likely to view it as acceptable (or just care less about how they impact others). I’ve also noticed that elderly people are much more likely to be on speakerphones taking calls with the volume at max, so personally I think there’s an age aspect too.
>As an example, I never see Japanese people on their speakerphones in public.
It does happen. I do not see it frequently, but I do see it. I've seen/heard bicyclists on their phones. I've seen walkers video chatting.
They tend to be less aware of their surroundings and are a nuisance by moving slower than normal and erratically.
It does happen. I do not see it frequently, but I do see it. I've seen/heard bicyclists on their phones. I've seen walkers video chatting.
They tend to be less aware of their surroundings and are a nuisance by moving slower than normal and erratically.
Its like since COVID everyone forgot their manners in public.
> As an example, I never see Japanese people on their speakerphones in public. Some other cultures seem more likely to view it as acceptable.
Demographics is everything. Import speakerphone users, get speakerphone usage.
Demographics is everything. Import speakerphone users, get speakerphone usage.
Some cultural groups also seem more likely to make video calls, where they are walking and talking to someone on their phone screen.
Still not a reason not to use headphones as all but the cheapest come with a built-in microphone.
Still not a reason not to use headphones as all but the cheapest come with a built-in microphone.
I had to check the current year twice to make sure I'm not reading this in 2010. Most people moved to messaging a decade ago, and anyone younger than 25 finds the entire idea of direct voice calls bizarre and would be annoyed by getting one from you, unless you're old or have some special circumstances. Did something suddenly change?
For various people, some of that flipped back, and they now record voice messages to send them through e.g. WhatsApp.
My percieved explanation for this is that most of them can't be bothered to type a message but are still very happy to waste the recipient's time. Yes, I'm not thrilled about it.
OTOH, at least these messages are still more asynchronous and less interrupting than a phone call. But the inability to skim them still bothers me to no end.
My percieved explanation for this is that most of them can't be bothered to type a message but are still very happy to waste the recipient's time. Yes, I'm not thrilled about it.
OTOH, at least these messages are still more asynchronous and less interrupting than a phone call. But the inability to skim them still bothers me to no end.
I do it all the time cause I never pay attention to the call and need to be browsing the net at the same time to kill boredom
I understand that but can’t you use headphones and still watch the videos or whatever?
My apologies, I was being facetious :)
I asked my wife why she does it. I also asked a lot of female colleagues - turns out that for my small sample set, they do this simply to prevent their face makeup from ending up on the phone screen.
I visited the US for the first time in the early 2000s, and the amount of people having their call on speaker in public was really jarring.
Here in Norway it's still quite uncommon, though back then nobody did it.
Here in Norway it's still quite uncommon, though back then nobody did it.
Headphone jack got removed
My deaf father ALWAYS has his phone in speaker: calls, fb, youtube, you name it. Luckily, I was wise enough to give him a phone with a 3.5mm port and several corded headphones. He sometimes remembers to grab a headphone, other times I slip it by his loudspeaker when he is not paying attention.
That is at home. On the street he prefers to eat alone in a table than mind the volume.
That is at home. On the street he prefers to eat alone in a table than mind the volume.
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I cant stand trying to use a phone to my ear, never use anything but speaker.
The speaker for the ear piece is just useless, precious junk, I have given up, dont, wont, try to use it.
Guy tried to discpiline me for useing the speaker the other day, and I said no, he got the idea that I would in fact escalate, ha!
Worse it is no longer possible to get a phone with decent volume for taking calls in the truck or on work sites, or just to listen to music,you know at home....so those things dont happen.....
phone speaker rating is gone from any list of features, and there are no reviews that compare the volume and sound quality, how did that happen with zero discussion or push back?
fuck you all for trying to live in your little pristine taboo bubbles ,eh!
no problem stopping a conversation without preamble or appology 5 times to answer the LOUD notification for a message , critical no doubt, so back to fucking you give us back decent speakers, and perhaps a real ear piece...? molded into the flip side ??? or something other than AI garbage and mountains of unwanted "features", and adverconsumption oportunities.
phone speaker rating is gone from any list of features, and there are no reviews that compare the volume and sound quality, how did that happen with zero discussion or push back?
fuck you all for trying to live in your little pristine taboo bubbles ,eh!
no problem stopping a conversation without preamble or appology 5 times to answer the LOUD notification for a message , critical no doubt, so back to fucking you give us back decent speakers, and perhaps a real ear piece...? molded into the flip side ??? or something other than AI garbage and mountains of unwanted "features", and adverconsumption oportunities.
You can be considerate to other people and get earbuds.
I blame The Apprentice
If I am not at home relaxing, I’m calling a business, a doctor, a school or spouse for logistics. Which likely means I need to read some code or schedule on my calendar — which without headset means speakerphone.
Additionally, the speakerphone and handset speaker are colocated by the ear — so when my kid engages FaceTime mid-call it trills at high volume at my ear (or if spouse happened to trigger find my phone to REALLY get my attention). This hasn’t happened to often, but enough and unpleasant enough that I am gun shy about handset phone use.
Finally, it is tiring holding it up to your ear, phones or old could be crooked under the neck to free that hand for a spell, but now these huge phones must be tightly held right up to your ear to hear.
I’ve definitely had issues with proximity sensor too, and you can’t lock with side button — that ends calls in handset mode.