Saturday, November 29, 2008
Cell Phone Ahoy
When Michael got his new cell phone (an Instinct) in August, and we changed our cell phone plan to allow texting and data, I was insanely jealous and wanted a new phone. But alas, but I have to wait until December 1st, lest I pay a zillion dollars instead of pennies for a new phone. (The contact isn’t an issue–there are five of us on the bill–we won’t be changing any time soon.)
I originally thought I wanted a cell phone/PDA. Was sure of it. Knew the phone I wanted to get.
But as the day for getting a new phone grew closer, I started looking at phones in anticipation. And discovered that maybe I didn’t really want a PDA phone. They seemed awfully expensive and bulky for something I keep in my pants pocket.
But there were still some expensive phones on my list that I thought were my top contenders.
Then when we went out to eat yesterday, we stopped by Best Buy, just to peruse what was there. (Black Friday isn’t a big deal with you 1) go late and 2) aren’t planning on buying anything. I discovered that they had the phones I was considering out on display. And once I laid my paws on those little keypads, my top choices plummeted, and the Blackberry, which was on the list as a back-up, fell off entirely (don’t like the keypad–I’m a terrible typist as it is).
The expensive PDA/cell phone I thought I loved had a really flimsy feeling keypad sliding mechanism, and I disliked the layout of the keypad. And the flip phone that had jumped to the top because it had a full alphabet keypad? Unpleasant to type on. Suddenly the phone that was being considered as a backup leaped to the top of the list. I loved the full keypad and the way it typed and the way the letters were separated. It did everything I wanted, and even though it had a slightly smaller screen, I decided it wasn’t that much smaller, since it’s not like I can surf the web easily even on Michael’s phone.
The only drawback is it can’t be used as a modem, which Michael’s phone can’t do either.
But the best part? It’ll cost me about $20 versus $299 if I wait until next week to upgrade.
So it looks like I’ll be getting a Rant, which seems fitting on so very many levels.
Two days!
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November 29th, 2008 at 9:10 am
No iPhone on the short list?
November 29th, 2008 at 11:02 am
No, for two reasons.
1) We have Sprint, and there are five of us on the plan, so switching plans is right out.
2) I don’t like the touch screens. Michael’s Instinct has one, and I find it cumbersome to use. Especially since the functions I really want are e-mail and texting. Thus one of my requirements was a qwerty keyboard–preferably one that slid out so it was wider (I’m not fond of the blackberry “keypad” because I find it too difficult to type on.)
3) Are you *kidding*? The iPhone is insanely expensive! The PDA phones I was looking at could have synched with my computer and were still cheaper than the iPhone! The rant should cost me ~$20 and has everything I want.
As an aside, I was looking at Netbooks yesterday at BestBuy, and I discovered that you can easily get one preloaded with Linux. Now I’ve refused to let Michael install Linux on my desktop, because he keeps reformatting his comptuers that have Linux which doesn’t reassure me. But a preinstall sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
And I figure if my phone is costing $20 instead of $200, if I’m really good I deserve a netbook, right?
November 29th, 2008 at 11:20 am
In case you hadn’t already checked, cnet did a review of this phone. The editors seemed to think highly of it and the users were irked by the low number of ringtones. (I noticed this on my own phone – the manufacturers seem to have figured out that if you give a tiny number of ringtones, you can force people to buy them online, which they were inclined to do anyway, right? Bastards!)
Here’s the link:
http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phones/samsung-rant-purple-sprint/4505-6454_7-33350920.html
As a netbook owner, I highly recommend the flexibility of a netbook. The Linux ones are even cheaper than the MS ones, so that’s a good buy. It’s… wait, do you hear that? [Michelle! Michelllle!] I do believe I hear one calling your name… ;)
November 29th, 2008 at 11:55 am
OK, if I can get a ringtone that sounds like an actual phone, I’m happy. And text messages should vibrate. So I would find it hard to care less about ring tones.
As far as a netbook, we want to buy a new stereo receiver, because my receiver–although it still works very well–is 18 years old and does not have enough inputs and outputs (another post probably.)
November 29th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
A glaring sign that I’m a single gal? I don’t even own a stereo receiver. ;)
November 29th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
What does that have to do with it? (laugh)
The stereo receive is *mine* and I got it when I was 19 or 20. Michael had a TV when we got together. But stereo equipment? Nope. :) Receiver, CD player and speakers were all mine. And when we got new speakers a couple years ago? I picked ‘em out.
I don’t think he even turns the stereo on when I’m not home, unless it’s to play a movie. I turn on the radio as soon as I walk into the house. :)
November 29th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
The eldest has overextended himself on a Samsung Glide – which seems super similar to the Rant, just adds a touchscreen – and I really like the keyboard and slide mechanism, it feels well made.
Looks like a good choice!
I may have to switch back to my own cell phone service in the near future and expense it, rather than use the company’s AK-based service. I’m interested in checking out the Storm, but I hate how expensive Blackberry plans are, I don’t understand why they charge extra for it.
I’m not sure I’d like a touchscreen either, at least for typing on – although I like it for other input.
I hope you enjoy it!
November 29th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Me too! I can’t *wait* since texting on my phone is… annoying.
And the ability to check my e-mail anywhere? Woo! Woo! Woo!
November 30th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Rant IS a perfect name. And I think you deserve a netbook. I want one too. :)