Cell Phones

[Animal]

My cell phone is somewhat of a necessary evil. I need it for business.
Personally, I think they are a great safety tool. If you're stuck on the side of a highway in the middle of nowhere you'll be glad you have it.
Some people take it too far, like you said, talking on them constantly even when conducting transactions at banks, gas stations, etc... but that doesn't mean that you have to as well.
Cell phones are cheap these days, and (at least here in Canada) there is also the option of prepaid phones. No plans, no fees, just buy an airtime card when you need one. If you don't use it that much, prepaid service is great.
You should go ahead and get one, Cloudy, just for the safety aspect.

[Spade]

I've had my mobile phone for 3 years now and it seems really old now. There is something wrong with the sound volume and it feels like I'm carrying a brick around. It has no extra features except a simple calculator and a few crappy games.

Luckily, I'm getting a new phone in about 2 weeks. It has a digital camera AND camcorder so expect many pictures of me in the IW Photo Album soon.

It also has Java games, a full colour screen and can send emails. But the best thing about it is that it won't cost me anything. I won it in a competition run by Nokia last November. (but I have to wait until the phone is released in early March)

[arion windrider]

i like my cell phones, but i hate the bill that comes at the end of month, especially when my sis doesnt control her talkin time... hehheh

[Cloudbringer]

Yes, Animal, I'm thinking of getting one mainly for road trips and several nights a week I have to go out to pick Nacht up after work, so the safety and convenience aspects (in case he were running late and I was on the road already or my car broke down, etc) are what might push me into doing it. [img]smile.gif[/img]

So anyone got any pointers on the actual phones and their specs/nifty features/options? I've no clue, really, other than some people insist on digital and some say it's best to have one with a cover or that folds so you don't hit buttons on it while it's in a bag, pocket or purse.

Any more suggestions, recommendations, preferences? [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Sir Krustin]

Originally posted by Cloudbringer: So anyone got any pointers on the actual phones and their specs/nifty features/options? I've no clue, really, other than some people insist on digital and some say it's best to have one with a cover or that folds so you don't hit buttons on it while it's in a bag, pocket or purse. Any more suggestions, recommendations, preferences? [img]smile.gif[/img]

Definitely digital - analogs will always have a hissy sound, digital breaks up when it loses signal but if you get any signal at all the sound is clear. Also, digital is the only way you'll get call display and text messaging.

As for covered keys (as in a flip-phone) aren't necessarily the way to go, but they are compact and that's one point in their favour. Coverless keyboards aren't a problem because they all have a keyguard in software that means it locks the keyboard until a specific sequence is pressed.

Features are just gadgets - the only features that are really useful IMO:

a) 1x - basically high speed digital data capability, allows many features such as text messaging and web browsing.
b) Tri-mode (may be called something else) allows flexibility in choosing what networks you want to use.
c) Downloadable ringtones, "silent" ringer (ie, vibrating phone)
d) Caller ID
e) text messaging

Really, what you should do is shop around and actually pick up the phones you think you might be interested in and evaluate them for size and weight. Do you really want to carry that particular phone all day? Too heavy? Does it fit in your purse or wherever you think you might want to carry it? How much are the accessories? Does it have a car-kit available?

I currently use an obsolete Sony, but I'm going to get a Sony-Ericsson T206 in the next few weeks (I need tri-mode badly, and I only have dual-mode with the current handset). See this page for a listing of phones used by my provider, and their relative pricing in cdn$.

[Cloudbringer]

Good points, Sir K! I hadn't really gotten as far as thinking about where I'd carry it. Still sorting out WHEN I'd carry it! LOL But looking at all the phones...sheesh there's a zillion of them to choose from.

I note that some companies give them away or for a small amount when you buy the plan, but is that the way to go? Can you use the same phone if you switch companies?

[Sir Krustin]

Here in Canada, you can use the same phone when you switch between providers. Thats because the major providers all use the same frequencies (gov't regs) and standards. Heck, Bell and Telus share towers fer crissakes. If you know what major providers you have in your area, try looking up websites and noting down what frequencies and standards (CDMA, for example) they use and comparing them. This should give you an idea whether they are swappable. Also note that if two different providers are using the same model of phone, that they likely use the same standards.

As for whether or not a plan is good, that depends on how much you will use it. In my case, it is my only phone so a plan makes sense. In your case, it might be best to just get a prepay card and renew every 90 days. Note that the reduced prices are a result of rebates on future billing, you still have to pay the full price of the phone up front.

[Bardan the Slayer]

Cell phones are essential, even if you don't use them much - when you find yourself stuck in an emergency (and they do happen), you don't want to be wasting time hunting for a payphone. The convenience and reassurance of a use-anywhere line to get in touch with family/emergency services is huge.

Just because some gibbering idiots use cellphones in theatres and so on, that doesn't mean that cellphones are bad. Just the spanners who use them in that way

If you're not going to use it as a primary phone, then go for pre-pay. It's what I have, and is by far the best option for non-loquacious users.

[Animal]

As others have said, shop around with different providers to see what they offer. Many will give you the phone for free, but usually you must sign up for a 2 or 3 year plan.
The biggest thing to look at is the making sure you go with a provider that has a decent coverage map. As Sir K. mentioned, you can roam between different companies, but your rates usually go up when you are not using you "home" network.
Like I said, if you don't intend to use it much, go with pre-pay. You'll save a bundle.

[NiceWorg]

It´s easy in here when you have 4 providers to choose from. Some time ago there was only 2.

I don´t think that new phones without text messaging ability are being released anymore. It has been the standard here for last five years, and no one owns a phone which couldn't receive them.

I have a Siemens A50. Because I don´t need a camera, it has everything.. grps (data-transfer), sms and such. For under 100 bucks..

And besides money is not the issue anymore. If you really want to save: A phone for 50 bucks, yearly payments 30 bucks.. + talks...= no bankcrupty.