Phone

[msmemory_archive]

So the project I didn't finish yesterday was picking out a new phone. I was long since due for the "free upgrade with contract renewal", so when the faceplate of mine cracked on Friday night, I figured it's time for a new phone.

But there are too many to choose from!! Augh! Brain overload. I don't need a computer substitute, or a Garmin substitute, or a camera substitute, or an iPod substitute. I want it to fit in a very small purse or my pocket, have good sound, be reasonably sturdy if I fling my tote into the back seat. And pretty is a plus (red! blue!).

Even with those criteria, I'm still kind of overwhelmed. Visiting the Verizon store and fondling several models only let me eliminate one of them. Augh! This shouldn't have been a Project, just a quick trip to the mall.

Comments

[rising-moon.livejournal.com]

Do you prefer "stick" or "clamshell" phones? Miss M. and I went phone-shopping recently and met with similar frustration over the profusion of non-phone features. We both prefer clamshell and eventually caved to the photo option simply because it was so difficult to find an attractive clamshell phone without it.

Since then, of course, we find ourselves texting and emailing each other little amusing pictures, something you might be able to avoid...

[dsrtao]

Samsung Trance -- comes in red
Motorola W755 -- comes in purple

Small, reasonably sturdy, good battery life.

[new-man.livejournal.com]

The Samsung Knack looks like your best bet.

[artisticphoenix.livejournal.com]

I had the same issue. I wanted a phone. P-h-o-n-e. I couldn't even get one without a camera in it. One with slightly bigger print for these older eyes would have also been a benefit. :-)

[dlevey.livejournal.com]

We had similar issues. They didn't want to sell us a simple phone; they make much more money with the extras. That said, they've been adding phantom "data charges" to our bill anyway, and it took a multi-month fight to stop that (I hope...). They're hoping for a lot of additional $$ when you decide you love sending text messages, reading email, sending pictures (for some phones, there's no other way of getting the pictures off the phone "legally"), and otherwise running up your bill.

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

If you can't tell the difference - there is no difference. Pick randomly.

[corwyn-ap.livejournal.com]

Sadly, not true. Many of the important aspects can't be determined by looking at them, or asking questions of the 'knowledgeable staff'. For instance which computers does it exchange with involving only free software? Can you download ringtones to it without paying fees?

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

Our hostess on this blog is smart, careful, and has a flair for research. :-)

If she, after looking as long as she thinks is proper, cannot determine a difference WHICH MATTERS TO HER, I was encouraging her to consider it "no difference".

I mean, let's Star Trek Geek: A difference which makes no difference, is no difference.

The torture of "too many choices", is the torture of over-thinking. I suggest that if Ms Memory wants to go talk-talk on the phone, the issue is only comfort, battery life, and robostness.

And, lately, which sort of clutch bag it fits in for her ball gowns. :-)

[corwyn-ap.livejournal.com]

"and has a flair for research."

Which I assumed this LJ post was.

[corwyn-ap.livejournal.com]

Let us know what you decide on. My phone is now 7 years old, and I fear for its continued existence, so I will need to be doing similar research soon.

[jenwrites.livejournal.com]

Here's where I went to make my phone pretty:

http://www.gelaskins.com/

They're cling stickers the size of your phone (or computer or iPod...)

[ramblingmom.livejournal.com]

Before I succumbed(?) to the lure of the G1, my criteria for a phone was as follows

MUST be a flip phone (reduces butt dialing :^) ), MUST be a Motorola or a Sanyo (as I found those brands most able to stand up to my brand of abuse). Come to think of it the last low end phone I got (for my son) was a Motorola flip phone.