Yet Another Cell Phone Thread.....

[Prudence]

So, it's time for me to get a "real" cell phone. And I have no idea what I want or need. Or how to figure that out.

I had considered getting a new number here so that when I move south I'll still be a local call for my folks, who will never move away from their landlines. Is this a good idea? A horrible idea? Will I run into problems or additional charges using my phone mostly in LA when it has a Redmond, WA, area code? Does it depend on the plan? And, if so, what should I be on alert for?

I think I for sure want the ability to email through the phone. My mom and I communicate primarily through email during the day, and I suspect that the Air Force will not be as keen as me checking my personal email on their computers as my current employer is. So, I was thinking I might have to rely on the phone for that. Which means I was considering Verizon's "middle" plan with unlimited text/email and maybe a phone like the LG enV2 (because it was on sale some place).

But, do I want internet? Would I use internet? Is internet on the phone super cool -- or really hard to use? I mean, should I hold out for the new iPhone coming out in a week? Or is AT&T's service in LA so abysmal that I should stick with a Verizon plan?

I'm so confused.

[BarTopDancer]

I love my BB. Internet is slow, but it's on a cell phone network. I think with any phone but an iPhone the internet is fairly limited. I can get to mobile MySpace, mobile Facebook and other critical websites (NHL.com, Ducks, etc..) but LoT doesn't work (it's just how vB talks to the cell phone internet).

Verizon is the best company out there. I have T-Mobile and am happy with them. I only have 2 dead areas, one in Tortilla Jo's and one at TGIFridays. It's very odd.

I don't see an issue with having an out of state area code as long as your plan covers it. I think I have a nation wide plan but they still offer basic local plans with roaming charges.

I also hate my BB, hate being attached all the time. I don't generally reply to emails when I am out, or check MySpcae, Facebook and stuff. But it sure comes in handy when you're bored waiting somewhere and have nothing to read.

[Not Afraid]

I am an excessive phone and email user. I need to be attached to it pretty much 95% of my waking hours. I currently have a BlackBerry using T-Mobil. While I love parts of the BB's functionality (email push is a MUST for me) I really hate the limited internet access. I also end up with LOTS of dead zones with T-Mobil which is VERY frustrating.

I will be switching to an iPhone through At&t at the end of this month. The functionality is improved for my use requirements, AT&T has coverage superior to T-Mobil and having fast internet access has become more of a necessity.

[katiesue]

Our area code here changed 9 years ago and I never changed my cell. So my home and cell are different area codes and it's never been an issue. Just remember when you call your cell cause you've lost it in your house it's a long distance call.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by katiesue

Our area code here changed 9 years ago and I never changed my cell. So my home and cell are different area codes and it's never been an issue. Just remember when you call your cell cause you've lost it in your house it's a long distance call.

Our phone numbers are in the following area codes:

562
714
818
626

[alphabassettgrrl]

I love my BlackBerry, too. My hubby has the full internet on his, and I've used it sometimes. It can be a little wierd if the website doesn't recognize that it's a cellphone; it tries to send images that are too big. Most sites do know, however, and send text only. Or thumbnail pictures. The map feature has been handy sometimes.

My BB has only the text-messaging and I adore having a real keyboard. The Pearl has a half-keyboard, but everything is in the right places, with two letters per key or so. The Curve has a full keyboard. I haven't found the half-size thing to be problematic at all and it's smaller.

Can't tell you about the area code thing. The only issue I see is the WA office may not like billing you in LA. Depending how secure your office is at work, they may forbid cell phones. I know one guy who works in a military base and he is incommunicado while at work. You may not be in such a secure space, though, and have no problems.

[katiesue]

Oh almost forgot - my boss has a NY area code cell and he's been living here in CA for the last 7 years. No issues.

[Brigitte]

Along these lines also, we are switching from Sprint to Verizon in September when our contract is up. I have a Samsung A900 that I love and have Opera Mini downloaded to it for internet usage since Sprint's browser absolutely sucks. What I want to know before I switch is whether Verizon's browser sucks as much as Sprint's does and if it does, can you download applications from outside of their Get It Now option? Will I be happy with the internet access I'd have from say, and enV2 (since that's what we're looking at too) or would I be better off with a BB? I use the net a lot on my phone now, but not for email, usually just for googling stuff while out, or sometimes checking email when we're on vacation.

[NirvanaMan]

For all of you who don't like your mobile browser, have you considered downloading Opera? Gives you a proper browsing experience.

Now that iPhone has GPS and supports 3g I would like to get one. Only problem is their coverage and their prices. I tried out every phone and provider and recommend you do the same. They all have 30 day trials. For me, sprint provided the best coverage and had by far the lowest rates for all the stuff I wanted. Verizon and ATT provided 0 bars of coverage at my office which nixed them instantly. Add in their higher prices, ATT's lack of proper 3g coverage (at the time at least) and Verizon's cap on it's so-called "unlimited" internet usage and the choice was a no-brainer. Things change quickly in this space though.

T-mobile had the phone I liked best, but lack of high-speed internet was a deal breaker.

[Prudence]

Part of the problem coverage-wise is that I need a new phone now, but I'm not going to be down there to test out coverage for a few more months.