Cell Phones

[Ron Fox]

My old phone was a basic flip up phone. Work will be paying for it so not sure how far I can go on price, etc. just yet. Our carrier is Verizon. I would like to have a nice, simple touch screen for easy texting, a good camera, and long battery life. I need it to talk to clients and to store client information. It would be nice to have my work emails go to the phone but not sure how all that works (phone plans, packages, internet, etc.) And yes I am an Idiot when it comes to cell phones I will take Gregs advice and take my time and not just buy the first phone I see.

I have not yet done any homework on phones so please educate me. Iphones, smart phones...

Thanks for the help.

[Ron Fox]

I am partial to the Motorola phones phones but willing to go a different direction if needed.

[carbuff]

Originally Posted by Ron Fox

I am partial to the Motorola phones phones but willing to go a different direction if needed.

I would suggest that you forget any past allegiances to a particular vendor, especially if you are moving to a smart phone (or at least a non-flip style phone). The experience with these phones is so much more about the software and user-interface vs. the industrial/mechanical designs that would have defined the flip phones.

As someone who has a Motorola smart-phone, I hate some of the 'differentiating' features that they added to the user-interface to make it more 'theirs'. So again, as Greg suggested, put your hands on a few and play with them to see what you like.

Also, I do know that some carriers offer a 'smart phone' looking device that isn't required to tie into an internet plan. My mother just got one, although I couldn't tell you which one. But she doesn't use email or internet from her phone, just calls and occasional texts...

Good luck!

[Sieg]

Samsung or iphone are both good choices. I've heard of good deals on iphone 4's lately. Most smart phones are better cameras than phones IMO. Having email, schedules, notes, etc. at your finger tips improves efficiency.

Time to go shopping.

[toy71camaro]

If you want email and all that jazz, iPhone or one of the Android based phones (Samsung Galaxy S3 is the hot Android phone right now).

iPhone is very simple, cookie cutter, easy to learn/use, intuitive.
Android based phones are a little more "user configurable" but also a little more confusing.

Both will require a little getting used to, but both should be more than sufficient for you, and both you'll understand in no time. (then wornder how you lived without them for so long. lol)

Personally, I use an iPhone 4. Jailbroke (so it gives me more customizing options outside of Apple's Cookie Cutter options). I'm still undecided at looking at an Android Galaxy S3 or iPhone 5. But im a geek and like to tweak with things. heheh

Take Greg's advice, get in there and get your hands on them. I know ATT also gives you a 30 day return period if you dont like the new phone, not sure about Verizon, but i assume its likely an industry standard thing.

[Ron Fox]

Ok, stupid question here...If I do not get the internet (or whatever) on the phone do I need to get an iphone, etc.?

[toy71camaro]

If you go iPhone or an Android phone (ie. "Smart phone") almost all carriers REQUIRE a data plan (internet) of some sort.

If you dont want internet, (ie. no email either), then you dont need a smart phone, and you cant get a smart phone.

[Ron Fox]

Originally Posted by toy71camaro

If you go iPhone or an Android phone (ie. "Smart phone") almost all carriers REQUIRE a data plan (internet) of some sort.

If you dont want internet, (ie. no email either), then you dont need a smart phone, and you cant get a smart phone.

If I don't get the internet can I still get a nice touch screen phone for texting and to store client information?

[toy71camaro]

not sure, you'd have to check your with the offerings of your carrier.

But Id imagine they would have "non smart" phones that have touchscreens. Thats what my parents use, and my dads is only a few months old. So ATT had em a while back (last time i looked for him).

Although, its not as easy to navigate, or as good (ie. usefulness of the touchscreen can be a little sketchy) as the higher end "smart phones".

should be able to go to Verizon's web page and poke around with what they got to offer.

[Ketzer]

I have an Iphone 4. I usually get whatever phone my wife uses. Simplifies things somewhat. Plus with Iphone and the app store, if she buys an app, I get it for free. Also she has a Mac computer so she is into the Apple koolaid. If you have a bunch of music on Itunes, it does simplify that somewhat but you can still move music to any phone. One downside, Apple products do not play well with others. They actively work against you being able to use outside apps or products. You can "unlock" and you can "jailbreak" but your warranty will be void.

One thing I havent really seen mentioned here, size of the screen. Seems most want really compact phones but then they want to read email, take pictures, open webpages, watch videos. I'm thinking of getting away from Iphone and getting something a little bigger.


Jeff-