If technology makes life simpler, why am I more confused?

One of the most basic dependables of life used to be Ma Bell. You had a simple, sturdy, understandable, plain black phone that was easy to use and cost a modest monthly sum.

I recently was forced to get rid of my little pay-as-you-go flip phone because, as the salesman told me when I tried to buy a new charger for it, “Lady, we don’t have anything that antiquated anymore.”

I purchased a Samsung phone, which I am slowly mastering due to the kindness and patience of Kevin, the manager of the Branford AT&T store. My daughter is pleased that she can now “text” me (if I remember to charge it at night and turn it on in the morning) and I am delighted that I can check my email when I am away from home.

Not so delightful is while attempting to become a verified user of Uber so I will have quick transport when needed, I have somehow filled out their app to become an Uber driver. But I seriously doubt whether anyone would be thrilled to see an 80-something female respond to their request for a driver to Kennedy Airport.

Because I work from home, I also have an answering system and several cordless speakerphones so I may answer from almost every room in the apartment. Recently, two of those phones died so I bought the same brand in an effort to replace them, but found the new model does not interface with the old.

Finally, my ever-helpful neighbor answered my plea for help and discovered that all I needed was new batteries for the old phones. Sounds simple, right? Wrong! I had the requisite 3A batteries on hand, but these phones do not take regular, everyday batteries; they require very expensive rechargeable batteries, only carried in the phone departments of Staples or Walmart.

Incidentally, the rechargeables come in two shapes — long and narrow or square — so you better check beforehand and know which kind your phone requires.

Why, oh why can’t manufacturers get together and agree on simplified batteries and replacement parts for our phones, printers and other basic appliances? Why must it be a basis for a nervous breakdown every time I need what should be a simple adjustment for a home appliance?

From everything I read, life is only going to rapidly become even more complicated in the very near future. It already requires an expensive expert to solve any problem that occurs with my computer, car, dishwasher, washing machine or refrigerator.

On the horizon, and already in limited use, is “Alexa,” a device attached to appliances in your home, office or car which you can order to do things and answer questions. Amazon now uses 45,000 robots in its delivery-fulfillment centers, up 60 percent from last year. What happens as we become more and more dependent on automated devices, when their systems either suffer a major power failure or are hacked by a foreign power?

We may all refer to the “good old days” when all you had to do was find the right battery; and we owned our appliances instead of the other way around.

Contact Jean Cherni, senior adviser for Premier Transitions, a full-service program for seniors contemplating a move, at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 49 Rose St., Apt. 510, Branford, 06405.