Cell phones.....mini-rant.....

[Baz]

I'll preface my comments with the acknowledgment that many people enjoy the wide assortment of capabilities cell phones bring when one is mobile and in need (or want) of information and resources.

I totally get all of that.

But there are some who just want to be able to make a phone call.

We don't need a camera....we don't need maps.....we don't need texts or email or "notifications".....we don't need to store photos or documents.....and we don't need to surf the web.

All we want is to make or receive a phone call.

That's it.

In my primitive thinking.....in a perfect world, a cell phone should start off giving you a number pad as soon as you turn it on......and I shouldn't have to start pressing a bunch of other stuff to get to that number pad.

That number pad should already be there....just waiting for me to start hitting those numbers....anything else...is EXCESS BAGGAGE!

Mini-rant over......

[Geary]

I'm totally with you, Baz .. I think I was the last flip phone holdout, and at times I wish I still had it ..

[LEAKYSEALS951]

FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT!!!!

[Evans, Marv]

We don't have a cell signal where we live. I also have a flip phone I take with me at times in case I have to call home or somewhere else. Some months I don't use it at all. The contract is in my wife's name and keeps notifying her she's eligible for an upgrade on my phone. She has a smart phone she uses for internet and through our wi fi.

[rattlsnak]

So why do you have a smartphone then?

Plenty out there that are just simple phones..

4 Inexpensive Phones for Calls and Emergencies Only

[scottmandue]

Yep, if you want a simple phone... buy one! There are many like out there like you Baz and the cell phone manufactures are going "retro" for that crowd.

Nokia is reintroducing the 3310, I think it was my first phone (and lasted about 5 years). I almost picked one up... but then I would have to give up my 6 inch quad core smart phone... my precious

https://www.nokia.com/en_int/phones/nokia-3310

[Baz]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

So why do you have a smartphone then?

Plenty out there that are just simple phones..

4 Inexpensive Phones for Calls and Emergencies Only

Good question......here's the latest incident.....and genesis of mini-rant.

After 4 years of dependable service....I accidentally left my trusty Kyocera S2100 flip phone in the pocket of a pair of shorts and it got washed. So I go down to the local Walmart to get another and they didn't have any flip phones (for my provider Virgin Mobile) except for an entry level smart phone (LG W3) so I say to myself....maybe I can get the hang of it this time. I tried...I really did.

So I go on eBay and find another Kyocera S2100 (used of course) and buy it and it arrives yesterday. But couldn't get it to activate - so suspect the phone has an issue. So just purchased a second one (from eBay) and it will get here next week.

I think I would have been OK with the LG had I been able to make phones calls with it as easily as with my flip phone. Hence my comments about the number pad.

I consider myself lucky because I use email as my primary method of communication with everyone (typing on my laptop right now).

For me, a cell phone is mostly for 'last resort' calling.

I prefer not using one at all, TBH. But they do serve a purpose....

[Bob Kontak]

What would His Royal Highness think of this?

Nice. Really nice after he's gone.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Yep, if you want a simple phone... buy one! There are many like out there like you Baz and the cell phone manufactures are going "retro" for that crowd.

Nokia is reintroducing the 3310, I think it was my first phone (and lasted about 5 years). I almost picked one up... but then I would have to give up my 6 inch quad core smart phone... my precious

https://www.nokia.com/en_int/phones/nokia-3310

There ya go, Scott......I had a Nokia as well...not that model though. have had several brands over the years. This little Kyocera has done the job.....until I drowned it....

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Often I find myself wishing for a flip phone with even LESS features than the one I have now. Just a pure phone calling machine.

[id10t]

Which is when my wife insisted on sending me texts I upgraded to an iPhone - it was the best I could hold in my hand that didn't get in teh way of being a phone.

I've had a few android tables, and a couple of android sub-laptops (converted one to real Linux) and I'm OK with it there... still leery of it on my phone.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by id10t

Which is when my wife insisted on sending me texts I upgraded to an iPhone - it was the best I could hold in my hand that didn't get in teh way of being a phone.

I've had a few android tables, and a couple of android sub-laptops (converted one to real Linux) and I'm OK with it there... still leery of it on my phone.

If my wife demands I text, I will upgrade my wife.

[pwd72s]

Ours is a Trac Phone. Flip phone. Used to make calls only. $100 worth of minutes lasts us the full year, and they carry over. Phone cost was, I dunno, maybe $20? I call it our $8.33 per month phone plan.

[RKDinOKC]

You just click and hold the home button then say "Call (the phone number desired)". Keypad, we don't need no stinking keypad.

[Geary]

My flip phone had hands free answering when an earbud was plugged in. Perfect for office calls while I'm playing hooky snowboarding. My iphone doesn't have that feature. In fact, under the same cold conditions, my i-phone tells me it's "too cold" to operate ..

[RKDinOKC]

Never used the wired ear bud stuff. Sticking anything in my ear makes it fill with ear wax. Do have a small Sony wireless headset. Answers calls by touching the button on speaker on my right ear. The iPhone never leaves my nice warm pocket. You just need to go wireless.

[rattlsnak]

Of course your iPhone has that feature.. ! A few different options/ways to achieve that.

That's the problem with technology... Everybody complains because nobody knows how to use it.. lol.. (not picking on you, just a generalization)

[fanaudical]

I miss my Motorola Razr. It was a simple phone that did all I need. I still don't carry a smartphone (I do carry a small tablet and ruggedized Casio flip-phone).

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by RKDinOKC

You just click and hold the home button then say "Call (the phone number desired)". Keypad, we don't need no stinking keypad.

Saved me the typing

[ckelly78z]

My flip phone was virtually impossible to text from, and that is usually the best way to ask about stuff/cars for sale. I don't use any apps, or surf the web on my phone, but the rest of my family uses all of my data for me.