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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[kwillia]

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

I can do technology... I'm in the IT field for Pete's sake... I'm just not convinced that I need to be "that connected" at all times. I personally don't care when someone updates their facebook to state which resturant they happen to be sitting in at the moment and I don't expect others to care where I happen to be at any given moment either...

I guess I'm looking at the fact that due to Obamacare and sequestration and such we are in a area on a downward spiral. A contract that had recently been awarded was awarded to the lowest bidder and the company that won is telling folks that if they want to keep their position they are expected to take a tremendous paycut AND there will be no benefits. I believe the same company is after a few more recompetes in the area too. Back in the day, we had choices and companies like that found themselves unable to fill the billets and they were defaulted. That's not the case these days... folks that have been unemployed and unable to find a job are going to jump all over these positions.

If the next recompete of my contract ends up in paycuts and/or benefit cuts I most certainly don't want to owe most of what's left to verizon.

 

[TPD]

you know this is against the law right?

Not in every state....and I drive more than just highway vehicles....

 

[LostNFound]

Just throwing 2 cents in -

You can buy "feature" phones or "dumb" phones on ebay. Make sure the ESN number will go on the Verizon network (or whatever network you're working with) Hook it up with a quick phone call or go online and do it.

No data plan needed- no "upgrades" and all that Verizon crap. It is all crap. I dont consider paying over $100 or $200 for the phone- forcing a data plan and raising my bill to over $100/mo/per phone is an "upgrade" - its a rip off.

I pay $130 for FIVE "dumb" phones on a family plan. We all text and talk like crazy- bill never goes over. We dont need mini computers- especially the kids with no jobs. Friend of mine tried to buy a 'dumb' phone at Verizon just last week- they told her they had none- she told them fine I'll go buy one on ebay. Sales person agreed thats what she needs to do.

I want my bill as low as possible and just dont need an email checker/computer in my pocket. For those of you that feel the same and also dont want to re contract but stay on the Verizon network for now (family plan or whatever) - ebay is the way to go.

As for phones that force a plan and you can turn that off- I tried that- found it not to be true. Plans are forced if its a smart phone.

 

[czygvtwkr]

As for phones that force a plan and you can turn that off- I tried that- found it not to be true. Plans are forced if its a smart phone.

I work with someone that has an I-Phone but no data plan, think that is kinda weird but hey to each their own. In addition when I signed up for AT&T for some reason my data plan did not get turned on, I went about 6 weeks without a data plan (but using data) and got charged by the MB on the bill, i about shat myself when I got that bill. A quick call to customer service fixed it though.

The thing is you can not buy the phone from the carrier at the subsidized price without signing up for a data plan. Nothing says you can't buy an unlocked phone and activate it for voice and text only.

 

[bcp]

best bet is to get one of the phones from Wal-mart for 10 bucks that you just pay for the minutes.

No text, no fancy screen, nothing but numbers.

If Im going somewhere that a phone is really needed, I just buy one of those, put the minimum minutes on it then throw it in the trash as soon as I get home.

been through a couple of them, not one has ever needed a recharge.

last one was when I took a group of kids to Bush Gardens, next one will be when I take a group of kids to Lady Gaga.

 

[RPMDAD]

Have an antique flip phone, only thing it is missing is a rotary dialer. Have no plans on upgrading it. People at work give me grief about it all the time. Told them when the battery died i would buy a battery from some 3rd world country, they all informed me everyone in all the 3rd world countries has a newer phone than mine. Surrounded by computers at work all day, and surrounded by computers at home. Use mine strictly for voice comm. Get texts all the time from Verizon telling me i am eligible for an upgrade.