I have decided it's time I joined the 21st Century, and I'm going to buy a cell phone. No, I don't have one -- isn't that amazing? I have noticed that public pay phones have gone the way of the Dodo bird, and if I'm stranded somewhere ("Help, I've fallen and I can't get up...") there's no way for me to contact anyone. Or, if I'm on the bus going to work, and the bus gets hit by a cement truck, and the trolley lines come down and the bus is surrounded by electricity, and I'm going to be late for work ... you see my dilemma.
I have no idea what sort of phone to get. One of my co-workers uses her phone for texting people while she works. I look over, and she is typing on her computer keyboard and she's also typing on her phone. How do people even do that? Say you were arranging to meet someone for dinner while you were texting, but you were also sending an e-mail to the CEO of the company. Later that evening, you walk into the Cactus Club Restaurant, and there's your boss sitting there with a big smile on his face. Well ... could happen ... I don't think I would want to take that chance.
And what, might I ask, is an "app"? Everyone always wants to show me their "apps". I went for dinner with my niece and her boyfriend, and he was so excited to show me the apps on his phone. It looked very impressive, but all I could see were a bunch of lovely coloured screens flashing past. If I buy a cell phone, can I have apps too? I would love some apps, especially some lovely brightly coloured ones. Then I too could show people my apps. But best of all, I would love to be able to sit on the bus and use my telephone voice. Wouldn't that be fun? I could talk about the most mind-numbingly boring things, and everyone else would be forced to listen. Well, probably not ... they would be too busy talking into their own cell phones -- or using their apps.And in case you haven't seen it, here is a woman in 1928, outside the premier of Charlie Chaplin's film, "The Circus", talking on her cell phone. I had better get into the
I got my first cell phone in 1992. I've had a bag phone, a out of bag phone only usable in the car, and 5 more clam shell flip type phones. I just got a Droid X. It's so smart I may need to take a college course to learn it.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a land line phone so I need the cell and when power was out here in Sept 2008 for ten days, it was a godsend. Charging was a little difficult but I had a charger for the truck so I figured out how to stay in touch.
My friend Anne got her first cell phone when her son-in-law went to Iraq in 2003 and then got sent home with an injury. They had bought it for him and he gave it back to them on his return. She still only uses it for emergencies and to talk after 9 p.m. at night to save long distance charges.
:) Oh you will get the 'Apps' with the cell you buy. You dont carry a cell wow so you have remained pure/untouched till now that is :) now come and join the rest of the world..it does come in handy in emergencies.
ReplyDeleteAnd hey that definitely is a woman talking on her cell way back in 1928?? Were these around then?
must have been some sort of walkie-talkie she was on...or was she a time traveler???
ReplyDeleteI have a cell phone that I rarely use but I like the comfort it gives me when I'm out and about by myself. I have no apps, just voice mail and texting which is a whole other nightmare!
Good luck picking one out..;j
I have a cell phone and a land line, but only use the cell for emergencies, or when I need to be reached while not at home. I do not text or play games with it, nor do I use it as a camera since I always carry a small digital camera. Since there are no pay phones any more, I do think it's necessary to be able to call for help if it's needed.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to get one which is easy to operate since you are a novice. (I learned that lesson the hard way.)
I got a cell phone and it works everyhere except in my house, which is what I bought it for in the first place. I get a great signal on my front porch, my back deck, and everywhere in the world, except right here where I am right now.
ReplyDeleteNot long and you'll be on Facebook as well. LOL
ReplyDeleteA small advice, don't text while driving. Also, it helps to get the advice of the teens or preteens in your life on how to operate the apps. I have a motorola which I use to text mostly and keep in touch with my teenager. She never responds to calls, but promptly answers text messages. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. LOL
ReplyDeleteI scarcely use my cell phone, but after what happened to me lately (I got stuck in the elevator) my attitude towards it changed and I know I'll always have it with me.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a land line, but I don't have a super fancy cell phone - no apps on mine. I just got one that was free with the cellphone contract.
ReplyDeleteGreat video--I looked it up--it's a hearing aid!
ReplyDeleteI also don't have a landline--gave it up about 4 or 5 years ago. I have a Blackberry, which I like, and I do have a few apps, such as for the weather and news. I feel no more obligated to answer my cell phone than I did my landline--it's for my convenience, and you will wonder how you ever got by without it.
In reference to your colleague--welcome to my world. I joke with my students that if they can't go 80 minutes twice a week without texting or talking on their phones, they are addicted and need to seek help. The reality? They are addicted.
It's amazing to me what banal conversations they have ("Hey--I'm leaving class. See you in the hall.") Like when the plane lands and everyone powers up their phone to tell someone who probably doesn't care so much ... "Hey--we just landed." ;-)
I mostly just use my phone to let Dr. M know I'm on my way home from work (sadly that used to be the signal for him to start dinner - but often as not he gets home after me now). It's nice to have in emergencies - & I definitely like it when we travel. Mine is VERY basic - no apps. I don't really know how to text. My biggest struggle is to remember to CHARGE it regularly!
ReplyDeleteWhen Hubby and I moved to the PNW, we opted not to get a landline, only our cell phones which we both carry whenever we leave the house. I don't have any apps on mine, and blocked the ability to get online through the phone, never text on it. But I sure miss it if I forget to take it with me! I have an iPod Touch and it's got LOTS of apps and email, so I keep them separate. I've only used the camera on my phone a few times.
ReplyDeleteI have a basic 'pay as you go' phone for some 15 years. I must have spent all of £10 in phoning or texting on it in all that time!
ReplyDeleteStrictly for car journey and emergency breakdown stuff or to let the person I'm going to see that I may be late.
That's it!
I actually feel sadly sorry for all the poor phone junkies that now have a real problem: phone-glued-ear disease. There is no cure. Even if the phone becomes unglued and lost they immediately buy another.
Saddoes personified.
My family and I all own iPhones and love them. The iPad is great too. Especially if you commute a lot via train or cab. This is one modern convenience that I would have some trouble giving up. We are usually the last ones we know to try new things. We still don't have a fancy big screen TV. But..love our cell phones. By the way...those phones in your photo...I only knew one person who owned one. It wasn't us..
ReplyDeleteI have a cell phone. It was the freebie that came with our plan. I bet it does lots of things that I am not aware of. I have the important numbers programmed in (he who loves me did this) and I know how to access those. Beyond that I am blissfully ignorant!
ReplyDeleteI guess this means I'll be the only person on the planet without a cell phone. Have never had one. Would also like to have one for emergencies, but then I'd have to give up my computer to afford it. And...we do still have pay phones in this community.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I think you might really enjoy a "smart phone", Jo. Seriously, you seem to be willing to try new things and you might truly like it.
ReplyDeleteI have just a basic cell phone, with a camera, and the ability to take videos (that I never use) but the apps can do all sorts of things. (she says vaguely) and the thing I think you'd really like? A Kindle Application.
It allows you to download books and have a book with you no matter what. Now, I tend to be a purist and I buy books, but things like project Guttenberg (I may have spelled that wrong, by the way) mean that you're never far from a free library online.
So that's one app that I instantly thought, "Oh, Jo would like that."
Or, there are apps that allow you to virtually travel. So you could be on the bus...and touring some of Thailands sights at the same time.
For some reason, I really think you'd enjoy that sense of freedom to let your mind wander. You could sit at the bus stop and tour a museum.
Yup, seems just right for you :-)
Get an iPhone. They are awesome, easy to learn on and you will love it!
ReplyDeleteJo I just bought my very first cell phone last month and I still don't know how to use it. Nobody has ever called me but that's fine as I bought it for being in touch when I'm out of the house.
ReplyDeleteMine's really basic, no camera or apps...just for phoning when needed as my spouse has been laid up in bed and I wanted to be within reach if he needs me. I swore I'd never have one but like you, I think about how useful it would be in an emergency. Have fun and tell us if you get any apps!
I am assuming you will be keeping your land-line phone and plan on limited cell phone usage. If this is the case, I would suggest buying a prepaid cell phone. I have been very happy with my trac-phone service. I do not text, so the phone that was provided is more than adequate for me (it has a camera, came with blue tooth ear piece, multiple chargers - really a good package). I am able to add minutes and keep my same number from year to year. I believe I purchase about $90 of minutes and that lasts an entire year (I start using the phone more as the minutes get close to expiring, also, as long as I do not let them expire, I can add more minutes and the ones purchased earlier will "roll over"), so I do not mind paying roughly $7.50 per month for an emergency phone. Sometimes, the television shopping channels will run a special on these phones.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck,
Lunachance
I own the most basic cell phone that there is. I think it is not even available anymore. I don't want apps. I don't want videos or internet or even a digital camera on my phone. All I want to do is to be able to call AAA when my car breaks!
ReplyDeleteI have an old ( relatively speaking ) cell phone , one of those pre-paid ones. I don't think it texts, it definitely does not take pictures, but does make calls from my car where I keep it in case of emergency only. I don't care for phones in general and refuse to be a slave to a phone. I do appreciate the practical need for phones.
ReplyDeleteWhen my husband and I were in Boston a scant few years ago we needed to phone our hotel. We did not have cell phones with us and could not find a pay phone! You are right, they have pretty much gone the way of the dodo bird.
I predict cell phones being implanted into the brains of people within a few short years and we will see people constantly in communication with unknowns because they will all be in conversation with people they are not with...on the dang phone!
You've been given plenty of advice. All I wanted say is, Jo, that your illustrations for this entry are priceless and perfect. That's all. Good to read your blog again.
ReplyDeleteI have a cell phone instead of a land line - just a basic one, $40 a month for unlimited calling in the USA - no apps, no nothing.
ReplyDeleteI got tired of the mystery bills I used to get with my land line - this charge, that charge - couldn't make head or tail of it. All I know is that my cell is half the price.
If you travel a lot, the apps make sense. If you stay put, you can always get to your computer.
My phone is just for talking.
Good luck on your cell phone quest.
ReplyDeleteI have what they call a flip phone or a clam shell phone. It is very basic.
My phone is called a voice phone - meaning you use it to make calls (what a novel thing to do with a phone!).
The iPhone, Blackberries, etc. are called digital phones since you can access the internet with them and .... even make a call! Though a lot of people send text messages and do not talk on them much.
Good luck! You will be glad you have a cell phone when you get one.
On a recent cross country camping trip my wife made sure to obtain her first cell phone in case we were stranded in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately we never needed it for an emergency, but used it for conversations with the kids. Amazing the places where we stood while we talked to them. 'Can you hear me now?'
ReplyDeleteHi Jo - Go back and watch 'The Graduate' now. Dustin hoffman running everywhere looking for a pay phone. Kids today can't even make sense of it... now if he was looking for somewhere to get on the web or somewhere he could get cell coverage we are right back in business.... but don't get me started on how oft that device is used in movies...
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