I ALWAYS come to DU for advice, and I need some now. Tired of my nephews and

[CatWoman]

nieces teasing me and calling me Auntie Dinosaur.

Can you believe I don't have a cell phone? I detest them as I'm severely old school.

However, I must enter this century and get one, for no other reason than to have one in case of emergency.

Any suggestions?

[Sherman A1]

1. I would think one of the by the minute

phones. I am sure there are a selection of types. Everyone's needs are different and it would be wise to decide upon what you intend to use it for prior to doing research.

[taterguy]

2. Yes, enjoy every sandwich

[CatWoman]

7. wtf?

[DiverDave]

14. Warren Zevon said that

I dont know why this guy brought it up tho.
Bizarre.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear CatWoman...

There are two main types: blackberry and iPhones. You need to go into the stores and play with them, so you can find out which one you like better. And then worry about plans etc.

Happy Hunting, and good luck!

I have DU on my blackberry, and it's great. I can check on messages and whatnot when I'm out, and away from my computer. I love it.

[goclark]

84. I have a Droid and I get mad at it sometimes

It has so many bells and Apps and stuff .

But I do like being able to get DU.

[GObamaGO]

85. There are definitely more options than Blackberries and iPhones.

[Whoa_Nelly]

134. There are a lot of "main types" of cell phones out there

and Blackberry ain't one of'em when it comes to the top 5

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-cell-phones/

And Blackberry makes it to the bottom-rated list,

http://www.goodguide.com/categories/332304-cell-phones##products

So, this may be a good starting place for you to look, CatWoman, in researching what's best for your needs.
Have fun! .

[barbtries]

138. android phones

mine's an android and it's fine. it's got a good GPS because it's a garmin phone.

[Motown_Johnny]

142. For $100.00/month plans those are the two options

but there are far more options for phones than that

[GObamaGO]

146. Yes, there are far more inexpensive plans and phones available

Much more affordable than an iPhone or Blackberry.

[silverweb]

4. There's a "Go Phone"

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]My daughter just told me about it. It's a prepaid account and something like $2/day only if you use it. A campaign she was working for got a bunch of them for staffers. I don't know the details, but because there's no monthly fee or credit required, it sounds perfect for "emergencies only."

[livvy]

5. I love my iPhone.

Easy to use, and I can check out posts here if I'm stuck waiting in a Dr. office or something. It's only my third phone and so far my favorite.

[CatWoman]

8. did you keep your land land number?

[livvy]

131. Yes, so now I have two contact numbers...land and cell.

I considered dumping the land line, but decided against it. It is still my main contact number. I don't use my iPhone that often (not every time I step out of the house), although I use it more than any of my other two cells. When I do use it, I really like it. It's nice to have the option of people being able to contact me when I'm not at home. It's like an emergency contact number with added perks. If I don't have it on when I'm out, I can check the voice mail for any calls I may have missed.

[Motown_Johnny]

143. I am in the same boat but use the land line as more of a business phone

so that any company I conduct business with gets that number. Humans who I might want to talk to get my cell.


I am thinking about one of those "Magic Jack" deals since it is so much cheaper and I could still keep my number. The drawback is that if your internet is out so is your phone, plus there are some questions about 911 service. (Odds are I would be using my cell in an emergency anyways.)

[fascisthunter]

9. I held off for a while, but now Love my iPhone

I find it very easy to use, and will be handing down the one I presently have to my mom, who is technologically challenged. But I find her cell phone to be much more complicated than the iPhone.

[CatWoman]

10. what's the difference between the two?

[fascisthunter]

22. simplicity... with a small cell phone, you need to know that each button has multiple functions

with an iPhone, you have a keypad interface to dial, and all other functions have been separated from the very key pad you may be using now. I would see if someone close to you has one, to see for yourself... I do the device no justice, because my description of it is lacking.

[Incitatus]

11. I do like my iphone, but I have been told by people who have used both

that they prefer the Samsung Galaxy

[Horse with no Name]

56. I have an IPhone...my daughter has the Galaxy Skyrocket

Hers is far nicer than mine.

[WillowTree]

112. I never bonded with the iPhone. Hated it.

Traded up to a Galaxy S2 a couple of months ago and find it far preferable.

[HockeyMom]

12. Until my car broke down on the highway,

and couldn't move it. I had to leave it and walk 2 miles in the snow trying to find a pay phone to call AAA. You cannot imagine how many public places didn't have a working pay phone 30 miles from NYC 15 years ago. I was almost in tears. I finally found a church rectory and asked THEM if I could use their phone to get my car towed, and call my kids to come pick me up.

HORRIBLE experience I hope nobody ever has to go through. That was the final straw for me. Got a cell phone after that. Get a cell phone for your own safety and peace of mind.

[CatWoman]

15. see, that's where my head is

that's the type emergency I have in mind.

[ChazII]

106. LG Cosmos2

is the phone I have. It is not a smart phone but has apps and GPS should I need it. My needs are simple and I have it for emergencies and to text.

Yes, I still keep my land line.

[mike_c]

13. I resisted assimilation until recently....

The GF really wanted me to have a cell phone, so we got me a Net10 no-contract no-frills phone. It's just a phone, except I can carry it in my pocket. No apps. No contracts. No hassles. Hell, she even pays for my minutes as I hardly ever use them but they're easy to transfer to her phone, so she just uses my phone as a sort of minutes bank. Anyway, from my perspective it's just a phone, and it has an on/off switch.

[Chemisse]

16. Whatever you do, don't sign a contract.

If you only want it for the occasional important communication, it's so much cheaper to buy a prepaid phone at a store, set it up and add minutes as needed.

The one I have requires that I pay a minimum of $15 a month, far less than the simplest contract phone. There may be cheaper plans out there; I haven't compared.

The only snag is that you would want a more tech savvy person to help you pick out a phone that has good service in your area, and set up the phone (on line or on the phone) to get started.

But once you are up and moving with it, you will likely really appreciate having it.

[WillyT]

17. Tell Your Nieces... To Get Off Of Your Lawn...

or mow it at least.

[CatWoman]

19. LOL

Pain in the ass youngsters!!!

[gkhouston]

18. T-mobile has a pay-as-you-go prepaid plan where you can buy a bucket of 1000 minutes for $100.

The minutes last for a year and there isn't a "per day" activation fee. There is no contract, so you won't get a deep discount on a phone, but it sounds like you'd be content with a bare bones phone where you can make calls and perhaps send an occasional text. If this sounds like an option for you, ask around among your local friends and see if anyone has T-mobile and what they think of their reception.

[Politicalboi]

27. Do you lose the minutes

If you don't use them by a certain time?

[gkhouston]

40. Yes. How long they last depends on how many minutes you buy.

1000 minutes for $100 lasts a year, everything else (30 minutes for $10, 160 for $30, 400 for $50) lasts 90 days. They have other kinds of prepaid plans that might be more appealing if you tend to make a lot of calls in a very short period (unlimited talk/text/web) for a flat charge per day, but I tend to make few calls/texts on a regular basis, so the bucket of minutes model works best for me.

[gkhouston]

42. Let me add: apparently minutes roll over if you renew before they expire.

Just found this: "To help ensure that you never lose service unexpectedly, T-Mobile will send you a text message when you have less than 5 days of access remaining. That way, you'll have plenty of time to refill and carry forward any unused minutes."

I've never had any to carry over at the end of the year (mine usually last 9-10 months), but I probably will this year, so thanks for asking, which made me go double-check!

[moondust]

30. Or $10 every 90 days = about $3.33 a month.

Not bad for emergencies. Minutes keep accumulating as long as you refill it on time.

[scarletwoman]

20. I inherited my late mother's Jitterbug phone. It's cheap and it's just a phone.

It doesn't do anything except send and receive phone calls and take voice messages. All I wanted was a phone to carry with me in case of car trouble. It also has big buttons which are great for my aging eyesight.

It's definitely a Dinosaur phone, though, so it will give your nieces and nephews plenty more to tease you about.

[CatWoman]

21. they are such smart asses

[gkhouston]

25. Then she'll just have to get this...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/14554458/cute-applique-dinosaur-cell-phone-case

[CatWoman]

33. RAR

[nobodyspecial]

81. Virgin mobile's prepaid phones

You can get a basic phone for $20.

[eppur_se_muova]

110. Ah, the "gerry" (geriatric) phone. :)

That would be my own preference. I *don't* want texting, apps, etc. ... just a stinkin' phone, thank you very much.

If it needs a screen, it's not a phone.

[GoCubsGo]

23. Net10

It's a prepaid phone, with lots of different, relatively inexpensive plans. You can buy the phone at your favorite big box department store, as well as discount stores, like Family Dollar. And, the big drug store chains carry them, too, IIRC. There are usually a couple of different models available. You can often pick up the cheapest one at around 10 bucks. You can also find additional models online. I have had one for a couple of years. No complaints.


I detest cell phones, too. The only reason I have one is that my car is old, and I don't wan to get stuck somewhere, unable to get help for a breakdown.

[Rhythm]

137. I've had a Net10 phone for several years

The same phone, in fact...
Great coverage, great sound quality, reasonably-good web browser.
I spent $50 on the one i have, which also has a slide-out keyboard for ease in texting, playing on DU or Facebook.
Unlimited monthly plan is $50.

Can't beat it.

[virgogal]

24. I've had one for 18 years. I got it for security because I did a fair amount of

driving at night. It was so large I kept it in the car.

I still have my land line though.

Good luck.

[Bjorn Against]

28. Do not sign a contract, get a prepaid phone and you will save big money

[sendero]

32. + 1000 n/t

[gkhouston]

43. +1. When my husband and I decided to get cell phones, we opted for a prepaid no-contract plan

because we had no idea of how many minutes we'd really use. Years down the road, the answer is still "not many", so a contract would be a huge waste of money for us.

[ejpoeta]

46. yup definitely depends how much you will use it. if you are only using it

for emergencies or a little here and there, a plan isn't worth it. but if you use it a lot, then a plan is the way to go.

[Bjorn Against]

54. You can get an unlimited minutes data and text prepaid plan for less than the contracts

Contracts usually have higher monthly fees than prepaid plans no matter the amount you use it, I just went cell phone shopping a few weeks ago and I was shocked by the difference in price. It does not matter if you use your phone a lot or very little, prepaid nearly always costs less.

[ejpoeta]

75. our contract with verizon was up in january. we have been waiting

to get on republic wireless $19/mo plan. Got our phones last week. So far love it except our wireless router has been acting up. And it runs on sprint and is in beta so has some issues to work out. I love the idea though. Runs off wifi when it is available and cell when no wifi is available.

[Bjorn Against]

49. Even if you do use it a lot the prepaids are way cheaper

The contracts hook people on the offer of a "free" phone but then charge monthly rates more than double the price of the prepaid plans. Even if you get the best prepaid plan with unlimited everything you will pay significantly less than you would with a fairly limited contract plan.

[ejpoeta]

77. if you just want a plain phone check ebay. we got texting phones for $30ea

and didn't have to deal with the contract. do have to pay activation fee for new line though but it's worth it not to have a contract. we kept verizon because we had had it since we had figured around 2000. But were paying $120mo for 3 phones using 300 min between them all and mostly texting. have looked around at the pay as you go plans too. They weren't really much of an option a few years ago, but are really good deals now.

[Bolo Boffin]

29. Any charged cellphone will call 911.

Plan or not. However, for calling towtrucks and/or family and friends in emergencies, you'll need a plan like the prepaids or something.

Of course, with the new smartphones you can surf DU while driving. And THEN call the tow truck and/or family and friends.

[aikoaiko]

31. Go ahead and get an iPhone and never look back.

Resistance is futile.

[CatWoman]

38. are you a borg?

[aikoaiko]

41. We are borg.

lol,

[NYC_SKP]

45. Go ahead and get an iPhone and never look back.

Resistance is futile.

[grasswire]

34. Sears sells the jitterbug phones...

...which are really simple and inexpensive.

[elfin]

35. I finally got a tracfone many years ago just for safety

And to get the kids off my back. $100/ year for peace of mind and convenience when in the car or out of town.

They kept upgrading my phone for free and now have one that can TEXT!, can take and send PICS!

Do not use either feature and refuse to live the "cel phone life."

BUT it has been invaluable for a few roadside snags and for use when the landline is kaput.

Check it out along with other cheap prepaid plans.

Radio Shack has most along with helpful staff in my experience.

I now have over 1700 minutes due to their rollover plan and generous extras when I update my once a year plan.

Every once in a while, I use it for regular calls to use up unused units because I have already paid for t hem in a sense.

The trick is to remember to turn it on while in the car, so you don't have to fiddle with it in an emergency, or when calling the pizzeria to make sure your order is ready when you arrive (not while driving, of course.)

[RKP5637]

104. That's what we use here, TracFone. Works great and sooo cheap. n/t

[hobbit709]

120. Tracfone here too. Been using it for years.

Never fails to connect, no matter where I am.

[southernyankeebelle]

36. Well I am a senior citizen. When I worked I usually got off at 9:00 at night. I live in a rural

area. Any way I was coming home from work and I hit a big deer. All I can say thank god this woman stop on the other side of the road. She had a cell phone. Honestly I don't know what I would have done because it is a rural area and the houses that are around people were already in bed because their homes were dark. The police came and my car was still running but I asked them to follow me home. They did. After that I told my husband that I needed a cellphone. Now I don't leave home without it. My husband finally got one last year and he doesn't know what he would do without it. He works nights and leaves it on. I am home by myself and I have a heart condition. But what I like about having a cell phone now is when we go shopping and my husband and I loose each other in the store all I have to do is call him on the cell phone. I had a prepaid phone but I didn't like it. We just ended up getting a simple phone without all the fancy stuff. I do have pictures and txting and nothing else. Also when the lights go out at home you can't use the phone to call and let the electric dept know the lights are out because you have a portable phone. You can use your cellphone. Of course now I made sure we have one land line so I can make calls. But really think about getting it. Once you have it you'll wonder what took you so long.

[ohheckyeah]

37. If you have AAA

they have some good deals on cell phones and service. Plans start at $10 a month.

[lumberjack_jeff]

39. Get a smartphone.

I have a motorola triumph with virgin mobile service. It costs $45/month (unlimited data and 300 minutes of voice), but the android functionality is worth it.

I surf the web on mine at bedtime.

[ejpoeta]

44. there are a lot of options. it depends on how much you will use it.

if you only want it for emergencies than you could go with a pay as you go phone. plenty of options. virgin mobile is a monthly deal that runs on verizon. straight talk is the same. but those are monthlies. there is track phone which i think you buy minutes for. My relative gets something that they pay $40 for 3 months. not sure which one that is.

[progree]

47. Go prepaid. My service is costing about $40 / YEAR (just talk and text, no Internet)

Internet access (a "data plan&quot will cost you at least $25, probably $30 a month extra on top of your phone and text service. You probably don't need that on your mobile phone, I don't have it on my mobile phone.

I've kept my landline because of its clarity, I'm tired of cell phone to cell phone conversations, long distance especially where I'm not quite understanding everything the other person is saying. Besides, I figure my landline plus a cell phone for emergency / quick conversations is a bit cheaper than having a cell phone only with a $50/month plan.

I have a prepaid plan from T-Mobile (T-Mobile.com) and a Samsung Dart smartphone (I like the onscreen keyboard for texting. But since I don't have a "data plan", i.e. no Internet, its basically just a plain old cell phone to me. But if I get a data plan, the phone will be ready for it). The Dart cost about $100. I'm real happy with it.

I initially filled my prepaid plan with a $100 initially, and that gets me on a Gold Rewards prepaid plan that gave me about 1100 minutes and from then on, every refill, no matter how small, lasts 1 year (and so just have to buy a refill for about $15 minimum or so every year to make ALL your minutes carry over for another year). Anyway, other than that initial $100 first fill, its been costing me only about $40 / YEAR. I *LOVE* it because its cheap! (I used to have a $50/month 2-year plan -- that's $1200 over 2 years -- that is absolutely ridiculous just for an occasional quick away-from-home conversation).

I chose T-Mobile because it is what I've had since 2007 with an earlier phone, and I wanted to stick with the same company since I was well satisfied. I got the Samsung Dart in March and simply continued my existing prepaid plan (which I've had since June 2008) with it.

Another one I'd look at is StraightTalk.com. Somebody mentioned the Net10 (net10.com) which I'd look into too. Or Tracfone. In Walgreens or the grocery store or wherever, look at where they display cell phones and prepaid cards to get some ideas. Most of the phones and plans are cheapy of the prepaid variety. Just to get some ideas (I bought mine on the web after doing most of my research there).

Hope that helps. Its confusing, there are so many options.

[HopeHoops]

48. Spend some very serious time with them talking about walking 5 miles to school in the snow, barefoot

Go into depth. You didn't have running water. You had to hunt for critters on your way back from school and eat them raw on the way. The well was ten miles away and usually frozen. There wasn't any electricity so you had to put your hand into a bee hive to pull out wax to make candles. There wasn't any radio. There wasn't any TV. All you could do all day was churn butter and beat the throw rugs with a stick. But you enjoyed it. You had it better than the kids who didn't have clothes to wear, meager as your own were. Shoes? Only the rich kids who could afford food had clothes.

[CatWoman]

52. My father used to tell us stories like that

like taking fried fish to school for lunch wrapped in newspaper, etc.

[HopeHoops]

57. Oh, and don't forget the mustard sandwiches (no joke, my late FIL took those).

We may be older, may have been through harder times, but those who came before us went through worse.

[Honeycombe8]

71. Funny you should mention mustard sandwiches. I used to eat them as a kid.

Not because we were poor, but because I LOVED mustard! And bread. So it seemed a natural thing for me to eat mustard sandwiches.

I also ate a few times a bowl of sugar mixed with butter. Until my mom caught me. It seemed so natural to me. I loved sugar, I loved butter, so.....

[HopeHoops]

74. They had no other options. They were in destitute poverty. And no, they didn't get sugar.

He worked as a sub repairman in WW-II and was famous for being able to crawl between the hulls to do repairs. He was skinny then. He was NOT skinny when I met him almost 30 years ago. He had to support his mother and six daughters and that's what he did. My wife loved him as a father. I loved him as a mentor. May he rest in peace.

[Honeycombe8]

78. Wow. What a touch row to hoe (as the old saying goes). But sounds like he was well loved & liked.

May he rest in peace, as you say.

[HopeHoops]

82. He was a good man. He was a good man. And he gave me a wonderful daughter as my wife.

[progree]

55. Sounds like Ann Romney describing her life with Mitt in the college days

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/04/21/1085384/-Another-hard-luck-Romney-Story-The-College-Years
"They were not easy years. You have to understand, I was raised in a lovely neighborhood, as was Mitt, and at BYU, we moved into a $62-a-month basement apartment with a cement floor and lived there two years as students with no income. It was tiny. And I didn’t have money to carpet the floor. But you can get remnants, samples, so I glued them together, all different colors. It looked awful, but it was carpeting.
We were happy, studying hard. Neither one of us had a job, because Mitt had enough of an investment from stock that we could sell off a little at a time. The stock came from Mitt’s father. When he took over American Motors, the stock was worth nothing. But he invested Mitt’s birthday money year to year—it wasn’t much, a few thousand, but he put it into American Motors because he believed in himself. Five years later, stock that had been $6 a share was $96 and Mitt cashed it so we could live and pay for education.
Mitt and I walked to class together, shared housekeeping, had a lot of pasta and tuna fish and learned hard lessons.

[HopeHoops]

58. Poor baby. Maybe she'd like to come over for some mac&cheese some night. Need a Miller Lite?

They really don't have a clue.

[MADem]

121. Five miles to and from school...and UPHILL BOTH WAYS!!!

[HopeHoops]

130. Yeah, I forgot the "uphill both ways" part - that's my mom's line.

[seanpencil]

50. Metro PCS

Pay as you go phones aren't worth it if you use them for business or actual conversations, not just emergenices.

$40 a month for basic talk/text unlimited service. Stores have refurbished oldschool phones for cheap.

[Oilwellian]

51. I recently broke down and got one

because I was afraid of breaking down without one. LOL The main thing I considered was choosing a carrier that would provide a signal to my rural Virginia address. The only one who does that is Sprint. As a bonus, Credo offers Sprint service and they're huge contributors to progressive causes. I just round my bill up each month. Chose the 200 min plan for $29.95 a month plus taxes averages to about $35.00 a month. Plus, I can access internet and text if need be, although that would cost extra so don't do it often. Here's the free phone I got with a 2 year contract:

http://www.credomobile.com/phones/details/samsung-m360-pls-blue

Edited to add it also provides Bluetooth service and use it in the van for hands-free calling.

[CatWoman]

53. ty OW

[Horse with no Name]

59. I have used Sprint, Verizon, and ATT

and wouldn't give you a nickel for the bunch.

Personally I am a Blackberry person. I let someone talk me into an IPhone and I do not like it.

My daughter has a Samsung Galaxy Skyrocket and it is by far, her favorite phone she has ever had.

I have many friends who do the prepaid. Check out Metro. The phones are pretty decent and comparable to the big plans AND it is a straight $30 a month. I know NOBODY who has a Metro phone that isn't happy with it.

Good luck.

[GObamaGO]

60. There are more options than Blackberries and iPhones

There are smart phones (which Blackberries and iPhones are in that category along with Android phones). These phones run applications such as games and calendar/to do list programs, coupon lists etc. that are quite convenient. If you go with a non-contract phone, you will pay the full price for the actual phone, rather than a discounted price based upon a 2 year contract with your carrier. These phones themselves run about $150-300. Or in the case of an iPhone with no contract, $600.

There are also just basic phones, with a basic phone camera. These are usually through the pay as you go providers and are relatively inexpensive ($10 - $30). I am not sure if the basic phones are being offered under contract through carriers (I think they want you to get a smart phone so they can force you into a data plan).

There are some very good pay as you go deals out there. If you are only getting the phone for emergencies, I would check into plans offered for $20-30 a month for a nominal number of minutes.

[SmileyRose]

61. I'm in my 60's and use a tracfone LG fiip phone.

$12 for the phone at walmart more than 4 years ago.
$99 for 800 + minutes and a year of service (including the double minutes).

Have only needed to buy minutes once in mid year. Dropped calls are rare. Phone works with my hearing aid. Sound quality is good even when I don't have my ears in. Ringer is nice and loud when I need and easy to turn off when I don't.

Big lighted buttons. if I screw up something I just close the thing and start over.

My husband has one with a little antenna because his hands are arthritic and he can hold it better using the antenna.

Am learning to text. Seems easier to call.

Facebook helped with the kids more than the phone did. Typing a message to them seems to work well and they post on my page whenever something is coming up. They seem to hate email.

[Honeycombe8]

62. TRACFONE. Or NET10. They are prepaid, work great, and are cheeeeeeeep!

I've used Tracfone for years. www.tracfone.com. The same company also owns net10.

I buy a phone (Each of the prepaid cos. sell only certain phones.). You can buy the phone at Walmart or Target or Amazon, or thru the company's website.

They usu. come with a few minutes for you to get up and running.

I buy a one-year card. It has a certain # of minutes. The minutes I don't use roll over to when it comes time to buy another card (or you can buy airtime online, and it'll download miraculously to your phone).

I spend less than $200 for the WHOLE year.

Also...some of the Tracfones are called "double minute" or "triple minute" phoes. You buy one of those, and however many minutes you buy....that number will double or triple when loaded on your phone. For the life of the phone! I bought 400 minutes for the year. 1200 minutes downloaded into my phone! I have an LG touch phone. It works as well as expensive smart phones. The phone cost me about $40 to $50.

I used to have a cheap Motorola flip Tracfone (it cost about $20). It worked great. I could get reception everywhere...even places where people with iPhones couldn't get reception. With my cheap little Motorola.

[panader0]

63. AARP backs Consumer Cellular--I'll be switching to them in a month

Now, was it the cell phones you detest?
Or the nieces and nephews? LOL

[CatWoman]

67. LOL

I love my nieces and nephews. STOP THAT.

They might be watching

[Shankapotomus]

64. You can take mine

I don't want it

[richmwill]

65. For emergencies, get the pay-as-you-go phone...

...If you're thinking of using it as a full-time phone, Verizon has a pre-paid deal I love- $50 a month for unlimited talk, text, and web. No contract, either. You just have to buy the phone itself, and they set it up for you. I purchased mine at a local Verizon store and they were really nice and good about setting it all up before I left.

[Honeycombe8]

66. I advise: Do not enter into a time contract. Do not buy an expensive phone.

Sounds like you do not need what's called a "smartphone."

I've had $20 phones and up to a $50 phone. I have friends with blackberries and iPhones. The cheap phones work just as well as the expensive ones, if not better.

With the expensive phones you get the ability to sync with your work e-mail, load game apps, and things that you probably don't need.

I have a $50 LG touch phone. The screen is fairly large. The touch part works great. I can easily text and call. The reception is good...not as good as my $20 Motorola flip phone was, but good.

I have never had a lost call, even once.

I advise a prepaid phone, with a cheap phone, to start.

Things to decide if you want:

Camera? (I have one but will never use it. This is a PHONE, not a camera, to me.)

Bluetooth? (I have the capability, but not the bluetooth gizmo yet. With info about cell phones causing brain cancer, I will be getting the bluetooth. Bluetooth is just a name brand of ear plugs that connect to the phone, so you don't have to put the phone to your ear.)

Internet? It's not really very useful. It's expensive to use (it eats up the minutes), and the screen is so small. Even if a cheap flip phone has the capability to have that feature, it probably only lets you download more air minutes or access a couple of sites. And it probably won't work well. My touch phone is much better in this regard, but I don't expect to ever use it.

How many minutes do you expect you'll use a year? Each of the prepaid companies is targeting a certain useage of minutes. Compare to see the best deal for YOU.

Big keypad so you can see the numbers? Or touch? There are phones for older people who have a phone mainly for emergencies. Jitterbug and such. LARGE keypad. Cheap minutes, if you only need a few a year. I had a small keypad on a flip phone, and now have a touch. The touch is easier to use.

Do you need a car charger? Or just a plug-in to a regular socket at home? The regular plug-in usu. comes with the phone, while you usu. have to buy separately a car charger.

Good luck! I know what you mean about not wanting to get into the various electronics. It can be expensive, and it takes a lot of time to learn the things, and it complicates life. But a cell phone is good for emergencies.

[GObamaGO]

88. Not to be pedantic

But I am going to be pedantic here.

Bluetooth is not a brand name, but it is a specific mode of wirelessly connecting to your phone, or other device. It is similar to radio frequency and has a limited range.

[Honeycombe8]

92. Yeah, I was on shakey ground with that. But I was trying to 'splain what it was....

I was remembering back in the day when I kept wondering, "What is this "Bluetooth" that people keep referencing?" Then I realized it's that gizmo where you have earplugs and mike thingie, but your phone can be in your purse, and you don't have to be holding it. A wireless version of the wired earplugs.

Close enough for the OP's purpose, though. Just to explain what the heck Bluetooth is. A way not to have to hold the phone to your ear.

[GObamaGO]

97. Yep

Sorry for being a pest!

[backscatter712]

132. The big phone companies suck you into the 2 year contracts with the fancy phones.

If you did decide you wanted a fancy phone, you have two choices.

1. Get it with the contract - the upfront cost is less, but you end up paying for that phone over 2 years because you're locked into the contract.

2. Buy the phone outright without a contract (you'd want to go with T-Mobile or AT&T for this - they have the GSM phones where you can swap out the SIM card. You can get unlocked phones from third parties, say through Amazon or eBay. You'll be paying several hundred dollars for the phone if you go with top-of-the-line, because you're paying for the phone upfront, but once you get it, it's yours, and you can put whatever SIM card you want in it - you can go pre-paid, or month-to-month.

But you sound like you don't want an expensive fancy phone - like I said in one of my other posts here, I love mine, but not everybody's into smartphones. You might want to just get a pre-paid clamshell or candybar phone - they're dirt-cheap, you might not want the bells and whistles of a smartphone, you don't have a contract, when you use up your minutes, just buy more as you need - that's probably the cheapest option, and might be the best for you.

[ebayfool]

139. Here's a dumb ? I've wanted to ask for a good while -

"You can get unlocked phones from third parties ..."

I've seen that term (unlocked phone) on eBay. What does it mean?

[UTUSN]

68. My suggestion: I love y0u NOW, I loved you BEFORE, and will love you FOREVER. Any questions?!1 n/t

[CatWoman]

69. you are now and always have been just so sweet

I just might have to marry you

[DonRedwood]

70. Credo we have it and they only donate money to progressive causes

unlike at&t who gave the tea party a great big chunk 0' change

[Raine]

72. I have a GO phone and only paid around $100 for awhole year

Last edited Sat Aug 11, 2012, 03:39 AM - Edit history (1)

and I have never used all the time that is included.

[Hamlette]

73. Hold that line! I don't have one either

I too hate them.

One problem however, is that since so many (all?) people have cell phones, pay phones are almost impossible to find. I got stuck in the Chicago airport once and could not find a pay phone. It was frustrating.

The next time I went, I bought a "disposable" phone for the trip. Was about $30. I was going to keep it up but I never used it again and it "died" (I had to buy more minutes within 3 months or so. Didn't need them.)

[Jamastiene]

76. I use an AT&T Go Phone.

I put $100 a year into the account and that's it. If I don't use it all, as long as I put more in by the end of that one year, the minutes roll over. If I use it all and need more before that, I just add some more. You don't have to pay anything monthly and you can get a decent cell phone for about $40. Or, at least, that is what my phone cost. Mine is a Z221 made by AT&T. I was happy to leave AT&T for my land-line, because they kept creeping up the price every month. But, for the cell phone, so far, I have had no trouble with them. The phone itself cost $39.99 and I love it. Phone calls are $0.30 a minute between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Between 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM, it is $0.10 a minute...and it is 10 cents a minute on weekends too. Data rates are reasonable too. I can't remember the exact details on the data rates, but it is not bad for checking the weather and just loading web pages every once in a while, which is all I really use the internet for on it. I do most of my internet stuff on the computer and use the phone mostly for emergencies and for checking the weather radar during storms.

That flexibility and no hassles idea works for me, anyhow. YMMV

[RKP5637]

79. TracFone is great. Mine cost all of $20 with lifetime double minutes and I

Last edited Fri Aug 10, 2012, 11:03 PM - Edit history (1)

only pay about $10/mo. with the Value plan. Or, you could just buy minutes to use. Cheap, simple and works well. And no contract. LG seems to make a decent phone.

http://www.tracfone.com/

[HereSince1628]

80. Being called Auntie could piss me off, being called Dinosaur, not so much.

I have a fondness for dinosaurs. Even for those carnivores that ate misbehaving young members of the pride.

[ThomThom]

83. I was the same way but finally got one

Credo is Working Assets - a responsible company
I have a credit card also

[JohnnyLib2]

86. Uncle Dinosaur checking in.

I hope to learn from all these replies. My offspring and grandkids have lost all patience with the subject.

In turn, I wonder how the hell they can afford all the gimmicks. When I was a boy..........

Good luck!

[mockmonkey]

87. Do you really need another bill?

I don't have one and I admit I don't make phone calls. When I think about having one around for an emergency, I think, it's not like I'm off in the wilderness and there aren't any other people around with phones.

If you went the cheapest route would they then laugh at you for not having all the latest doo-dads?

Do you have a land line now and do you have to climb to the top of the telephone pole to receive calls like Oliver Douglas in "Green Acres"? If you do, then I guess the answer is YES!

My 82 year old Mother has a cell phone but then again she has her regular home phone on a cable bundle from Charter Cable, probably the worst cable company ever. So she needs to have more options for an emergency.

Cell phones are like heroin and you'll soon be walking/driving around with your hand up to your face 24/7.

On the other hand....

Where I work we sell a lot of product to the Communications Industry, and business is starting to get really slow. Maybe you and all the other Dinosaurs should get cell phones! This way I can stay employed at least until they move the rest of our Companie's factories to Malaysia.

[Liberal_in_LA]

89. Buy a Samsung "pay as you go phone" at Target. I've seen them for low as $10

buy $30 minutes card. load the minutes. Use them up slowly - load more minutes every 90 days.

[tech3149]

90. I dear Catwoman am a Luddite like you

I quit working back in '02 and haven't had one since. I feel grateful to not have that noose around my neck. I couldn't do anything anytime of the day without that cell. Trying to fix a problem, advising contractors, and still answering a call from another customer, it still makes my head spin.
I wear my devolution to a more basic standard as a badge of honor. I don't need to be in touch with, or bothered by anyone or everyone wherever I am, no matter what I'm doing. That's what the answering machine on my ever so reliable land line is for. Besides, the Phone Company is required to provide power and service to my phone even if the power company can't do the same.
A cell phone is only useful as long as the battery lasts, and that isn't very long if you have no way to recharge it.
My Sis and BIL were out of touch with everyone for almost a week because the didn't have a land line, only cells. Too bad they didn't have a generator or solar panels to stay in touch via cell. With all the roads blocked by downed trees, they couldn't even drive to a payphone. Do they still exist? I don't get around much anymore.

Seriously there are some good recommendations for options but my recommendation is if your buying a phone consider what you really need but above all else verify the audio quality. Most of the newer phones I have to listen to are barely intelligible compared to that 80 y/o Western Electric I still have in the basement.

[RKP5637]

109. Yep, Western Electric phones were designed and manufactured to last forever. They are

amazing phones for quality, durability and life of the components.

[backscatter712]

91. I'm thoroughly addicted to my Android phone. My mom and dad are Luddites.

Smartphones are neat toys - they're for all intents and purposes PCs that fit in a pocket that also make phone calls. I love mine!

Some people aren't into them - you can get a non-smart phone, or as the phone companies call them, "feature phones" - they have the virtue of being cheaper, and let you do the basic stuff like phone calls, SMS texting, without too many bells and whistles.

But I'm one of the ones so into mine that I voided the warranty long ago by hacking mine - it's got a custom version of the Android OS called CyanogenMod, it's got video games, it hooks to my Google GMail account, has my calendar & to-do list, it's got a bunch of my music on it, it's got GPS and Google Maps, and does a great impression of a Garmin, it has a web browser (which I use to surf DU...) it does Facebook, it has a TI-86x style scientific calculator, it's got a few hundred e-books (though my Nook has a bigger screen which is more comfortable for reading), I can tune into my local progressive radio station, I can get music with Pandora, I can watch YouTube videos, I can read news, I can check my weather, I can read Reddit, Twitter...

[vanlassie]

115. I'm with you

My iPhone is SO great and has an awesome camera. Best camera I have ever had. I love having the Internet anywhere anytime. I listen to Democracy Now on my drive to work. I FaceTime with my daughter in London. Could not go back.

[JitterbugPerfume]

93. I have one because my son insisted

and I hate it with the light of a thousand suns.

[2pooped2pop]

94. for phone service they are all a bitch to deal with

If u are keeping your home phone or have internet, which I assume u do, you might be better off to go with the same company and get a deal.

If you go with an unlimited type plan with someone else, you might consider straight talk with no contract. You get unlimited talk, text and internet for 45.00. About 48 with taxes, or for 30 you can get 1000 min, 1000 text and min internet time. and can quit anytime. They also have a phone you can start with for free.
Customer service sucks though.

at&t has a similar and a text only but they kill you on minutes getting used up.

For your phone, you want a qerty (misspelled) or full keypad phone either in actual or virtual keypad but not one where you have to share the buttons (abc being used for a, b or c)

take into consideration your vision. I would hold off on a smart phone unless you really want one.

[upi402]

95. CREDO is a liberal phone service

and we just love the service too!

They paid off my old contract and are a joy to deal with - not like the others at all.

[Bozita]

99. Yup. Here's an email from Credo that arrived yesterday...

If they can't say vagina, they shouldn't even get to vote on laws like this.

Dear xxxxxxxx,

Remember those Michigan lawmakers who were silenced for saying the word "vagina"? The bill those women legislators wanted to discuss has passed the Michigan House and is now headed to the full Michigan Senate. If it passes and is signed into law, it will become virtually impossible to find a clinic in Michigan that can meet state regulations for performing abortions.

The bill is called HB-5711, and it would force women who have abortions to pay for the burial, cremation, or interment of any fetus 10-weeks or older, a first in the nation that would create unbearable costs for women, including those who have been raped. For fetuses at 20 weeks gestation, a death certificate must be obtained, subjecting the woman to potential public scrutiny at a time of private stress.1

Additionally, any doctors who perform abortions would have to make costly and unnecessary renovations to their clinics — even if they only administer the morning-after pill.2 The dramatic effect of all this needless regulation is the closure of most Michigan health centers that provide abortions, and the remaining ones will be forced to charge much higher fees for services that one in three women will need some time in their life.

Tell Republican State Senators: HB-5711 will drive doctors out of Michigan and close family planning clinics. Say no to this bill and protect women's access to the health care. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

We have to stop this radical erosion of women's access to healthcare masquerading as "reasonable restrictions." The state Senate will consider this bill after it returns to session on August 15, and we need to show a determined opposition as soon as possible.

Under the bill, some physicians performing more than five abortions per month must carry $1 million in liability insurance. And it completely bans the best method for many rural women to access medication abortions through telemedicine practices.3 Michigan women are already suffering from too few obstetricians and gynecologists4 — especially in rural areas — and if HB-5711 gets passed and signed by the governor, some doctors will quit providing abortions, leave the state, or simply retire.

The committee that considered this bill in the Michigan House heard testimony from 10 people. Nine of them were against the bill, including a board-certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist. Just one person testified in favor of the bill: the head of an anti-abortion group.5 Despite this testimony, the committee passed the bill. And the fact that these requirements are directed only at clinics where abortions are performed, a procedure that is less invasive than many procedures done routinely in doctor's offices, shows that this has nothing to do with women's health or safety, and everything to do with politics.

It's still possible that with enough pressure and publicity, we can slow or stop this extreme and dangerous bill from getting out of the Michigan Senate and onto the Governor's desk for signature. But we have to act fast to build the necessary momentum before the legislature returns to session on August 15.

Tell your State Senator: Reject HB-5711 and stop the war on women's access to reproductive health care in Michigan. Click below to automatically sign the petition:
http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=6936843&p=michigan_abortion&id=44868-5762786-JVm2Gsx&t=9

Thank you for fighting back against the war on women in the Michigan legislature.

Becky Bond, Political Director
CREDO Action from Working Assets


1. Laura Bassett, "Michigan House Passes Sweeping Abortion Bill, huffingtonpost.com, June 13, 2012.
2. ibid
3. ibid
4. Michigan Department of Community Health, "Health Professional Shortage Areas for Obstetrical and Gynecological Services" michigan.gov, December 1, 2010
5. "Senate Committee Minutes and Testimony" senate.michigan.gov, July 26, 2012

[upi402]

100. I support all their efforts

Love clicking the orange button!

[eppur_se_muova]

111. Thanks for the info. Working for Change used to do something like that.

I've been looking for something similar now that they're out of the game.

[upi402]

113. This is them

CREDO is the mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) - a reselling service using Sprint facilitites.

[Starry Messenger]

96. Whatever you do, once you start checking DU on your smartphone

you can never go back to normal life.

[luvspeas]

98. I think Auntie Dinosaur is an awesome nickname...

Wear it with pride and get one of those old people cell phones with giant numbers and the next time they call you that THROW THE THING AT THEIR LITTLE HEADS (i'm just kidding).

[snot]

101. iPhone, with T-Mobile minutes --

i.e., if you don't expect to talk a lot on it, buy 1,000 "Pay-as-You-Go" minutes for $100; that holds me for at least 6 mos. and is a lot cheaper than any monthly plan. And there are no long distance charges.

[Drunken Irishman]

102. Auntie Dinosaur. haha that's cute.

I call my mom t-rex, but that's because her arms are short.

[Trekologer]

103. A smartphone (Android, iPhone, etc) might not be a bad idea

With a smartphone, you don't just have a phone, you have a small computer. You can use it for GPS nagivation in the car, listening to music, and other things. I would avoid MetroPCS because their coverage is pretty poor. T-Mobile is great if they have coverage in your area but their coverage is only marginally better than MetroPCS. If your purpose is for emergency use, probably best to stick with one of the big 3: AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon; you don't want to find you are in an area without coverage. If you are looking to keep the cost down, opt for a prepaid service, often under different brands such as Boost or Virgin Mobile (both using Sprint's network).

[DainBramaged]

119. Old school, get it

Like most sales people I run into, you didn't pay attention.

[AndyTiedye]

105. I Often Carry My Phone in the OFF State

I'll turn it on if I need to make a call or if my wife is likely to want to call me, or if I want to access the Web from some place other than home.

[raouldukelives]

107. Explain to them the vaue of a hard days work.

Show them how motivated kids not much older than they are hard at work making products we all love and enjoy in America.
We can show our support for that hard work by owning the latest phone available and explaining the many benefits of the device to others we meet.

[backscatter712]

108. Another idea: The world's simplest phone, the John's Phone.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/06/johns-phone-review-the-worlds-simplest-cellphone/

John's Phone is the opposite of the smartphone. It only makes and receives phone calls. That's it. No SMS texting, no Internet, no camera, no GPS, no music, no video games, no nothin'. It's got a keypad that does one thing - dials your phone. It's got a display that's just barely enough to show the phone number you dialed or received. Its ringer is an electronic buzzer - it doesn't do ringtones. It does have an address book - made out of paper and kept in the back of the phone. It also comes with a stylus, aka a pen, to write in your paper address book with ink.

Might be your thing!

[obamanut2012]

114. LOVE my Droid 3

I have Verizon just as an FYI.

[emilyg]

116. I have a pay=as-you=go

with Verizon. Simple phone - just to make and get calls. Working out nicely for me.

[MADem]

117. I'm an old dinosaur, myself. I've had a tracfone for years!

It costs me about a hundred and fifty bucks a year to have, and I never use up all the minutes. I can get a signal anywhere--even in the woods in northern Maine or in the USVI.

If you yak on the phone a lot, you can use up the minutes easily--I don't yak, though, I get a one-year card and never use them all.


I am on my second phone with this company. I upgraded to one that gave me "double minutes" and takes pictures and can browse the web in a VERY limited fashion, and is good for texting several years ago, from one that was a simple candy bar phone that had the BEST speaker of any phone I have ever had and was a champion flashlight--it could light up a room in an emergency and had a fantastic battery. I could talk across a room and be heard on that old workhorse. I will probably upgrade to one that can take a bit of video soon.

I also like that I can call overseas with the thing at the same price per minute--it's an absolute bargain if you only need to speak to someone abroad once a month or less (those minutes aren't cheap overall, but they are if you don't have an overseas phone plan on your landline).

I've been happy with my phone. I've turned a few "Don't really need a phone" relatives on to tracfone and they are happy too. They're competitive with those stupid geezerphones that don't do anything, and you do not have to get billed monthly if you don't want that. You can, though, if you want, set it up so they debit you monthly and that way your phone never will die (you have to have both minutes and "time"--a yearly card, for example, keeps your phone active for 365 days and gives you 400 units--which can be 800 or 1200 depending on the phone you have). There's another company, also owned by the Big Guy Carlos Slim, wealthiest man in the world, called Net Zero that does the same thing--pre-paid, no "plan," no credit cards needed, etc. Virgin Mobile has a similar scheme as well--they are a bit more expensive, IIRC.

What I like about my phone is that it works very well, if I lost it I wouldn't have a cow, I could buy a new one and have my "minutes" transferred to it, and I'm not repeatedly billed for it--I pay for a "one year card" once a year and that's IT. No nickle-and-diming over and over again. For me, that works.

However, if you really want to get the spirit and spend some money and be "cool"--those smart phones are pretty jazzy. The real neat ones are like mini computers, you can watch TV on them, do everything AND even talk on them. Our family's younger generation have them and they even get bigger batteries for them because they're always glued to the damn things. Thing is, though, if you have a really nice one, be careful in a sketchy place--people will knock you down and steal the thing from you.

No one wants to steal my crappy little phone (that works great and always can get a signal, when those jazzy phones can't!).

Good luck in your quest to find the perfect phone! Weigh what you want, what you need, and what you're willing to pay....and then go for it.

[DainBramaged]

118. Don't listen to anyone telling you about IPhone or any smart/browser phone with high cost

get a brick, a cheap simple phone. I am geek personified, yet I have a brick because a phone is for making phone calls (and occasionally texting).

Sprint, Tmobile, cheap plans no hassle

Good luck

[cali]

122. Thanks for asking that question

I don't have a cell phone and don't have service where I live, but I'm thinking that now that I've been on crutches for almost a year, I should get one to have in the car in case of breakdown or something.

[WinkyDink]

123. So, nobody had "emergencies" before cell-phones? I had "On-Star" installed in my car. Cheaper!

[taterguy]

125. On-Star is useless if you have an emergency on a hiking trail

Much better to have a cell-phone, especially if you're in an area remote enough that you get no coverage.

[WinkyDink]

127. Oh, yes, there's a common scenario. It's probably useless if you're attacked by a shark, too.

[taterguy]

129. Hikers needing assistance is actually quite common.

An ankle sprain is a serious problem out in the woods.

So is getting lost, or hiking too far.

I could spend all day thinking of situations where a cell-phone would be very useful on a hike, especially if it's a Smart-Phone with mapping capabilities.

[Bozita]

144. What if you accidentally lock your keys in the car?

[MattBaggins]

124. Well there are these newfangled contraptions

where you take two tin cans an some string.

how many people do you need to communicate with?

[Warren Stupidity]

126. my suggestion is youve gotten along fine without one.

cherish your inner dinosaur.

[JustAnotherGen]

128. Haven't read other responses

I work in the industry! Corporate headquarters of a major carrier.

You just want to talk - right?

Just get a little candy bar or clamshell phone and get a prepaid plan.

I work in the industry and think its silly how people salivate over phones. My boss is an Exec Director and has a six year old Samsung clamshell. I have a year old Android - but that's only because I dropped my cute little efficient Eris in the toilet. Prior to that - I was on the device launch team and launched 57 phones in two years. All that time prior to my first Android the Eris - I used a Pantech 210 for my personal phone. Black and white screen simple talk and text!

Don't be a slave to us.

[Carroll]

133. when I buy shoes

For emergencies (911 calls) any cell phone with a battery will reach 911 even if it has no minutes or plan. There are millions in the world: find one put in glove box.
For more casual emergencies/convenience, try to find one with big buttons and no features. Do you really need email or texting or internet connection? You might pay handsomely for those features and find you can not figure them out. DO NOT rely on reading the manual to master it. 21st century manuals are largely worthless.
As for minutes vs. a plan -- if you buy small amounts for very occasional use, carefully compare options. It may cost more (.10/minute) to have the minutes last longer (say 3 months) compared to .03/minute for 30-day minutes. If you will have minutes left over in 3 months anyway, then it is cheaper at .10/minute.
The forfeiting of unused minutes is like buying a pair of shoes and having to return them in six months even you've only worn them twice. Imelia Marcos would feint!

[dsc]

135. I use Straighttalk

which is a Walmart phone. You buy the phone and pay 45 a month for unlimited talk, text, internet, or pay 30 for 1000 minutes, 1000 texts, and a limit on internet that I don't recall. If you get a smart phone you must get the 45 dollar plan.

[Octafish]

136. Samsung Infuse

I, too, for the longest time, was a refuse to enter the phone age person.



Now, I use a smart phone for a lot of stuff like surfing the web, music player, camera, text messaging, and email.
Plus, it's a handy telephone.

[RebelOne]

140. I only have a cell phone in case of emergency.

I use Great Call. No bells and whistles, just phone and text. I pay $21 a month.

www.greatcall.com/jitterbug?&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=great%2bcall&utm_content=greatcall%2bbrand&utm_campaign=brand%2bsearch%2bgreatcall&gclid=CNGgp4Cs4LECFQQ4nAodIGAATA

[Motown_Johnny]

141. Most everyone likes their phone, if not they would get one they do like.

I have a fairly inexpensive service with Metro PCS. ~40.00 a month with unlimited talk (including long distance) unlimited texting and unlimited (slow) internet.


My phone is an LG Beacon. The phone itself costs about $80.00, then the activation fee was $15.00 so about $100.00 out of pocket. Since you are a new customer you might get a better deal. I also spent $15.00 on a snap on plastic case, since I am pretty tough on cell phones, and ~$20.00 on a 4 Gig memory chip. It can handle up to 16 gigs of memory but I didn't see much need for that. It is also a music player so I guess that is why it is able to hold so much. I don't use it as such so I don't need that much memory.

It has a touch screen, which makes using it easier IMO, as well as a slide out keyboard, which makes texting easier. It also has a camera. The one thing I don't like is that it does not have a video camera and the screen doesn't do moving video (as far as I can tell). My last phone had a video camera and if you called up a website that had something in motion, weather radar for example, the image would be in motion on the screen. My Beacon doesn't do that.


Still, I'm happy with it. It isn't a top of the line phone by any means but you pay more for monthly service with those nicer phones.


http://www.metropcs.com/metro/detail/LG+Beacon/LGMN270


Good luck to you. I hope your new phone, whatever you choose, gets you out of the prehistoric era with your nieces and nephews.

[Rowdyboy]

145. I need to bookmark this thread. I don't have one either and Michael says its time I joined the fun

His is an antique so we're both going to be making a big change. Have pretty much been convinced by a good friend to get "Smart phones".