I Need a Telephone

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

But seriously, folks, are there any wireless experts here?

For years, I have been proud to have a wireless phone which is ONLY a phone. No camera, no web, no games, nothing extra.

I am now, however, seriously thinking about getting a device with which I can check my email throughout the day, as I may end up working where I will be without access for hours on end. While I'm at it, being able to check in on fnet would be a bonus, too.

Alas, I am not a mobile expert. I've glanced at the Moto Q9e, as it's available through my carrier (Unicel, which was recently purchased by Verizon, although the guys in the local Unicel store refer to it as a "merger"...yeah...right) for $179. I like the idea of a qwerty keyboard since I hate multiple keystrokes for a single letter. But I hear that the MQ9e doesn't have 3G, whatever the heck that is. Does that matter?

Cost IS a factor. Carrier is not. I don't mind a two-year contract, if necessary. Also, I have three phones and three lines, although only one would have to be fancy. Oh...and I might pick up a fourth line to replace my land line. My current package is $99 / month including three phones and we never go over the thousand or so minutes we have.

Thoughts? Ideas? Wisdom? I appreciate it!

[Empty Wallet]

I think that it can't be used on wi-fi or for television.

The university has given me an iPhone because of my admin role. Good fun to use, with a virtal keyboard.

Battery life is miniscule. Seem to re-charge just about everyday.

[noodle]

this might be something you'll need to talk to people on the phone about to see what your local pricing looks like.

however, if you're able to re-up on a 2 year agreement, you can almost definitely expect to be able to get an older model blackberry for free.

here's a website to help you scout: http://www.wirefly.com/

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

this might be something you'll need to talk to people on the phone about to see what your local pricing looks like.

however, if you're able to re-up on a 2 year agreement, you can almost definitely expect to be able to get an older model blackberry for free.

here's a website to help you scout: http://www.wirefly.com/

Dude! That's what I like to hear. I'm looking at it now.

[noodle]

Dude! That's what I like to hear. I'm looking at it now.

no problem. i've never used wirefly but have heard good things. at the very least, it will give you a point of comparison for talking to someone in person.

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

no problem. i've never used wirefly but have heard good things. at the very least, it will give you a point of comparison for talking to someone in person.

I think you solved my problem. And my daughter's drooling over the phones now, too. Thanks again!

[parrythis]

The thing to ask the sales rep is how much does each of these new, cool features cost you every time you use it.

I now have a camera phone. It's useful, but only for quick low-quality snapshots. If that's all you're looking for, no problem. Just don't expect it to take the place of a real camera. (and it's more than megapixels that makes the difference. I'll take an optical glass lens over a hunk of clear plastic any day.)

[Phantom5588]

A word of advice to the wise: Know that these new cell phones basically shatter/stop working if you drop them like once.

I've probably gone through like 10+ cell phones since the year 2000, and I the one I have now (LG VX4400) is a beastly old phone that is practically indestructable. It is the vniti of phones...it's a tank.

You know those loop-de-loop roller coasters? One of my cells phones was in the pocket of my hoodie as we went upside down and I literally watched it fall right in front of my face.

One of my cells phones was cleaved in half with a battle axe. No joke.

One of my cell phones was soldered to death.

Several of them remain in some deep watery tomb.

One of them got run over by a pick-up truck.

Yeah...so, just be careful with your phone, whatever you decide to get and I wish better luck than I have had.

[Timo]

Rotary Cell Phone

[Nolano]

I just ordered a new phone.

LG Voyager. Got a good deal, too. $100

Some phones break more easily than others, yes. The likelihood of that happening sadly goes up with the cost of the phone.

[cornflower]

Rotary Cell Phone

That is FREAKING cool!

[Fencergrl]

Great now everyone's going to want a phone that look like all the other phones in my house.

[Pescados666]

HTC Diamond.
Sexy phone.