Cell Phones

[Wyoming53]

It said we can talk about cell phones so that's what I'm going to do.

A few years back, I got a PDA instead of a normal cell phone. I really liked it. It has a speaker phone on it and I could lay it on my desk and talk and hear. But I moved and the next place I went to I couldn't use that phone. Since then I've always just got whatever they offered with the service. Not bad phones but pretty basic.

Now I've decided that I want to go a little more high tech and I'm looking at Apple's "Hello". Seems to have just about everything.

Does anybody hear have a cell phone that they particularly like or hate as the case may be? Share you views.

[Wyody]

http://www.newwest.net/index.php/mai...eless_wyoming/

I haven't adapted to cell-phones yet. The old ones in the zipper-cases were hard enough - but having this thing go everywhere with me is a royal pain!
I'm with Verizon now - so, free minutes. But just a cheapie little Nokia - which is what my last one was from Cincinnati Bell. It didn't work when I moved either. But if you happen to need service in Cody, Wyody ... now, you know where to look!

[isabel]

I'm a apple person. All my computers are Macs. Heard about the new apple phone...when they announced it at Mac World in San Francisco. Talked about it with other mac folks. The common feelings seem to be wait for the next generation. Mac products get better fewer bugs with the second and third generations. It does look like a piece of art:)

I'm like you I usually take the phone they offer...free. Folks sure seem to like the bluetooth phones. The ones you put in your ear. It is strange to see people talking to thin air. The future is here.

Izzy

[Wyoming53]

Originally Posted by isabel

I'm a apple person. All my computers are Macs. Heard about the new apple phone...when they announced it at Mac World in San Francisco. Talked about it with other mac folks. The common feelings seem to be wait for the next generation. Mac products get better fewer bugs with the second and third generations. It does look like a piece of art:)

I'm like you I usually take the phone they offer...free. Folks sure seem to like the bluetooth phones. The ones you put in your ear. It is strange to see people talking to thin air. The future is here.

Izzy

I hate when people do that. haha One time, I went into the mens room. Stepped into a stall and closed and latched the door. A guy walked into the stall next to me. About a minute later he says, "What are you up too?" I didn't say anything, but thought he was being a little personal. Then he said, "How'd that feel?" Now I was getting nervous. Then he said, "Well, I'm waiting, do you want to go out on Saturday?" I finished what I was doing and left. But I waited outside. When he come out, I noticed that he had an ear bud in and was still talking on his cell. Phewwwww.

[isabel]

I've answered the phone in the stall before and the person on the other end says...where you at? Don't know quite how to answer that

Izzy

[Panterro]

I just got a pay as you go phone today for our trip.. I got the oyster from http://www.virginmobileusa.com/ . It was easy to set up and use. Its very basic, but I dont need all the bells and whistles, just something to use in case something happens on the road. My son wants one of the Boost Mobil phones you can watch music videos and download MP3 to and use as a mp3 player. But the kid is only 14, I think thats a bit young personally, but then again there is the side of me that kinda likes the idea of a pay as you go phone as a digital leash. It will also teach him some responsibility, if he has to pay for his own time out of his allowance.. what do you think?

[Wyoming53]

Originally Posted by Panterro

I just got a pay as you go phone today for our trip.. I got the oyster from http://www.virginmobileusa.com/ . It was easy to set up and use. Its very basic, but I dont need all the bells and whistles, just something to use in case something happens on the road. My son wants one of the Boost Mobil phones you can watch music videos and download MP3 to and use as a mp3 player. But the kid is only 14, I think thats a bit young personally, but then again there is the side of me that kinda likes the idea of a pay as you go phone as a digital leash. It will also teach him some responsibility, if he has to pay for his own time out of his allowance.. what do you think?

I don't know his level of responsibility. Could be a good thing and be able to teach him to divy it out over a period of time. Course it could have a negative effect. I know I'm not much help here. haha But it reminds me of a friend. They were so tickled that they bought their daughter a brand new car (suv) but she was going to have to pay for fuel, insurance, tags and such. It ended up that her nice parents saddled her with so many expenses she couldn't keep up. They told her she wasn't being responsible. She drove straight to school, from school to her job. From job to home. If she went out, she went with friends and didn't drive herself. She just couldn't pay for everything that she was now required to pay for.

But like I said, it could be a good lesson in life. I'm not familiar with what pay as you go costs, nor what he gets for allowance. Your going to have to add it up and see if it's worth it and then make the decision.

[kimbercuddles]

Originally Posted by Wyoming53

I don't know his level of responsibility. Could be a good thing and be able to teach him to divy it out over a period of time. Course it could have a negative effect. I know I'm not much help here. haha But it reminds me of a friend. They were so tickled that they bought their daughter a brand new car (suv) but she was going to have to pay for fuel, insurance, tags and such. It ended up that her nice parents saddled her with so many expenses she couldn't keep up. They told her she wasn't being responsible. She drove straight to school, from school to her job. From job to home. If she went out, she went with friends and didn't drive herself. She just couldn't pay for everything that she was now required to pay for.

But like I said, it could be a good lesson in life. I'm not familiar with what pay as you go costs, nor what he gets for allowance. Your going to have to add it up and see if it's worth it and then make the decision.

I think that's very solid advice, Wyoming. Kids definitely need to learn responsibility and the cost of having things. I started working when I was 13 and only paid for the things I really wanted to have until I was 16. My parents gave me a car, (it was a Chevy Citation) but I paid for the gas I used, oil changes and my entertainment expenses. Some people thought I was a little spoiled, but I think it helped me learn the value of money without saddling me down with expenses that I was incapable of handling.

[cleozmom]

We're with Sprint and both have the Samsung phones that are Bluetooth capable and of course there's the camera and I think a 20 sec. camcorder.

I love my Bluetooth, however try my best not to be wearing while shopping etc. Not only can it be rude, well you feel like a freak because you know you're talking on the phone, yet others shooting you an odd look.

Can't say I've ever talked on mine while in the restroom though

[isabel]

Originally Posted by Panterro

I just got a pay as you go phone today for our trip.. I got the oyster from http://www.virginmobileusa.com/ . It was easy to set up and use. Its very basic, but I don't need all the bells and whistles, just something to use in case something happens on the road. My son wants one of the Boost Mobil phones you can watch music videos and download MP3 to and use as a mp3 player. But the kid is only 14, I think thats a bit young personally, but then again there is the side of me that kinda likes the idea of a pay as you go phone as a digital leash. It will also teach him some responsibility, if he has to pay for his own time out of his allowance.. what do you think?

Believe or not I have been down this road with my 8 year old daughter. Yes 8. Several students in her class have their own cell phones. That is what she wanted for her birthday. Didn't do it though. She just isn't responsible enough for it.

I think it depends on the kid. But there are some things to consider. Someone told me they bought a cell phone for their son with a gps on it. Dad could bring up on his phone and see where his son was at. Dad is at work a lot, and depends on the phone to keep tabs on his son. The boy don't know, dad is tracking him via gps

There are also phones where the parent can set what hours the phone can be used. Also what numbers can be called, and the phone time is paid in advance. So the kid can't run up a big bill. You have to renew the time within so many days or you lose the service.

For kids who spend time away from parents, doing after school sports. Or who have to take public transportation to and from school...I think it is a good idea. I would make sure it has a gps though, with a tracking system...not so much so you can track the child everyday. But if something happens, and they are late, you can bring up their location in a hurry and get to them...peace of mind...safety in todays world.

I take my daughter to school and pick her up. All her activities outside of school, there is an adult present. My husband and I, or friends. So no need for her to have a phone at this time. Maybe age 10 or 12 I will reconsider.

Izzy

[Wyoming53]

Originally Posted by isabel

Believe or not I have been down this road with my 8 year old daughter. Yes 8. Several students in her class have their own cell phones. That is what she wanted for her birthday. Didn't do it though. She just isn't responsible enough for it.

I think it depends on the kid. But there are some things to consider. Someone told me they bought a cell phone for their son with a gps on it. Dad could bring up on his phone and see where his son was at. Dad is at work a lot, and depends on the phone to keep tabs on his son. The boy don't know, dad is tracking him via gps

There are also phones where the parent can set what hours the phone can be used. Also what numbers can be called, and the phone time is paid in advance. So the kid can't run up a big bill. You have to renew the time within so many days or you lose the service.

For kids who spend time away from parents, doing after school sports. Or who have to take public transportation to and from school...I think it is a good idea. I would make sure it has a gps though, with a tracking system...not so much so you can track the child everyday. But if something happens, and they are late, you can bring up their location in a hurry and get to them...peace of mind...safety in todays world.

I take my daughter to school and pick her up. All her activities outside of school, there is an adult present. My husband and I, or friends. So no need for her to have a phone at this time. Maybe age 10 or 12 I will reconsider.

Izzy

It's funny, I was watching either 60 minutes or 20/20 the other night and the topic was cell phones in schools. They said how much of a disruption it was because the kids would leave their cell phones on and they would ring during class. We're talking 5th grade on up. So several times, the teacher would walk over and take the phone and answer it instead of the child. Do you know who the number one offender of calling kids in class was? Other classmates? no. Friends? no. It was the parents calling the kids during class.

[Panterro]

Originally Posted by isabel

Believe or not I have been down this road with my 8 year old daughter. Yes 8. Several students in her class have their own cell phones. That is what she wanted for her birthday. Didn't do it though. She just isn't responsible enough for it.

I think it depends on the kid. But there are some things to consider. Someone told me they bought a cell phone for their son with a gps on it. Dad could bring up on his phone and see where his son was at. Dad is at work a lot, and depends on the phone to keep tabs on his son. The boy don't know, dad is tracking him via gps

There are also phones where the parent can set what hours the phone can be used. Also what numbers can be called, and the phone time is paid in advance. So the kid can't run up a big bill. You have to renew the time within so many days or you lose the service.

For kids who spend time away from parents, doing after school sports. Or who have to take public transportation to and from school...I think it is a good idea. I would make sure it has a gps though, with a tracking system...not so much so you can track the child everyday. But if something happens, and they are late, you can bring up their location in a hurry and get to them...peace of mind...safety in todays world.

I take my daughter to school and pick her up. All her activities outside of school, there is an adult present. My husband and I, or friends. So no need for her to have a phone at this time. Maybe age 10 or 12 I will reconsider.

Izzy

I have been debating this one izzy for my younger daughter.. and son.. 11 and 8. http://www.fireflymobile.com/ Look into IZZY it may help with your concerns.

[CandyApple]

So, are there any phones that are compatible with all cell phone services? Including the pre-paid cell service? I'm going to need a cell phone for my trip in July, just in case, but I don't want something that only works with some companies.

I don't need any special features (maybe gps would be nice, but not too important), just a nice long battery life and good reliability.

[isabel]

I had a look around, I don't see one that will work with all services but I did find this through cingular it is called a blackberry 8800 it has all the bells and whistles for about $299. plus all the fees and a contract.

And the BlackBerry 8800 is a quad-band smartphone, which means you can connect virtually anywhere you want to across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

GPS with maps. Sees a wide range of signals, can be used internationally. You can get more info. on features here

www.blackberry8800.com/function/features/

Hope that helps...not exactly what you asked for...but the best I could find. I haven't used this phone so if anyone has more info. on it please jump in.

Izzy

[Wyoming53]

Originally Posted by isabel

I had a look around, I don't see one that will work with all services but I did find this through cingular it is called a blackberry 8800 it has all the bells and whistles for about $299. plus all the fees and a contract.

And the BlackBerry 8800 is a quad-band smartphone, which means you can connect virtually anywhere you want to across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

GPS with maps. Sees a wide range of signals, can be used internationally. You can get more info. on features here

www.blackberry8800.com/function/features/

Hope that helps...not exactly what you asked for...but the best I could find. I haven't used this phone so if anyone has more info. on it please jump in.

Izzy

Thanks Izzy, that's more like what I've been looking for. I've seen this one advertised on TV, I wonder if it lives up to it's expectations?

[isabel]

Hopefully, some of our members have used it. Also, on cingular website you can view a service coverage map. Hey going over to post my review of your salsa. See you on that thread.

Izzy

[isabel]

Maybe we can do a web search and see if we can find some reviews on the Blackberry. Will do it later tonight. Got to go get dinner on.

Izzy

[isabel]

I just did a web search, I didn't find any reviews. I did see post on other sites where they are asking when it is coming out. So it may be a very new model.

Izzy

[Wyoming53]

Originally Posted by isabel

I just did a web search, I didn't find any reviews. I did see post on other sites where they are asking when it is coming out. So it may be a very new model.

Izzy

I did a comparison and found that although it's in the same price range of Apple's Hello, it has more features.

I'm curious though, where you can get service. Every time I've gotten a cell phone, they've required you to use one of their phones because of frequency requirements. I wonder if Blackberry's and Apples can be set up to use anybody's services. Guess it's time to call some dealers and find out.