Grrr... I don't want a smart phone

[czygvtwkr]

Alot of people dont know this but you can use a smart phone without a data plan, you buy the phone from ebay or whatever activate it to your account but make sure you turn the data off in the settings. This will still allow you to use it on your wifi network if you like (for data).

[Jeter3000]

"Upgraded" from a dumb phone to a Samsung Stratosphere. Sucked into a One GB / $40.00 monthly plan (I used .0144 last month), $30.00 "activation" fee, damn phone erased all my contacts (make certain you have back-up assistance) and it only holds a charge for less than 24 hours, on a good day. HOWEVER, I do like the slide out full keypad, if that's any consolation... If I didn't have my teenager on my plan (he is using the old "dumb" phone), I'd have a pre paid phone.

[Jeter3000]

FYI There is a new Verizon store on GMR, across from the old Roost. Might save you some time if you live down that way.

[TPD]

I haven't upgraded in over 2 years. One of my concerns that someone may be able to answer here is how difficult is it to text with one hand on a touch screen or slide-out keyboard while driving? I have gotten pretty good at this on my ancient crackberry. I'm like an old dog...

[czygvtwkr]

Originally Posted by TPD

I haven't upgraded in over 2 years. One of my concerns that someone may be able to answer here is how difficult is it to text with one hand on a touch screen or slide-out keyboard while driving? I have gotten pretty good at this on my ancient crackberry. I'm like an old dog...

you know this is against the law right?

[Tilted (Premo)]

Originally Posted by TPD

I haven't upgraded in over 2 years. One of my concerns that someone may be able to answer here is how difficult is it to text with one hand on a touch screen or slide-out keyboard while driving? I have gotten pretty good at this on my ancient crackberry. I'm like an old dog...

I don't know about when driving (you're probably kidding about that anyway), but I find it pretty easy to text with one hand when I'm doing other stuff. Obviously some people may not find it to be as easy. But, with a fairly modern smartphone, you should be able to text by talking to the phone (e.g. when you're driving). Push a button, say something like 'send my sister a text' or 'reply to that text', and then tell it what you want the text to say. That doesn't work as easily if you want to tell a story in your text, but for basic communication - fairly short messages - it works well.

[kwillia]

I've figured out a way to avoid having to upgrade a little bit longer... since the only problem I currently have with my phone is the audio receiver part that picks up my voice when I talk, I've decided to dig out the fancy bluetooth I purchased 2 years ago and never used... It solved the problem and now I'm high-tech...

[Dupontster]

Originally Posted by kwillia

I've figured out a way to avoid having to upgrade a little bit longer... since the only problem I currently have with my phone is the audio receiver part that picks up my voice when I talk, I've decided to dig out the fancy bluetooth I purchased 2 years ago and never used... It solved the problem and now I'm high-tech...

You go girl... I don't have the bluetooth so I guess I'll catch up in a couple years..

[ylexot]

Originally Posted by Tilted

I didn't mean to suggest that the iPhone would have been a better choice for you. The reality is that people are different and have subjective reasons for liking particular phones. I was just a bit surprised at how quickly this particular person was comfortable with (and even seemed to prefer) a touch keyboard, I was concerned they wouldn't take to it so encouraged them to be sure before committing to a phone without a physical keyboard. Sometimes you just don't know whether you'll like something until you've had a chance to use it for a while.

I agree. I've seen many many many stories of people who HAD to have a physical keyboard and then found that they actually liked the on screen keyboard better. Add a keyboard like Swype (sorry, not available for iPhone users), and you can easily outperform a physical keyboard. I routinely use just my left thumb (and I'm right handed) because it is that easy.

[MMDad]

Originally Posted by kwillia

I am going to upgrade my phone today and I don't want a smart phone... It seems a lot of reviews are misconstrued because they are written by people who want more technology than their not-smart phone will give.... grrrr.

I guess I will have to go into verizonwiress "blind" and wing it....

Come on Grandma, don't bee askeered of the technology. Move into the 90's and lose the bag phone.