For those that resist giving up their flip phone...

I do NOT have my phone surgically attached to my body as does 99.99% of the younger generation does.

Surprisingly I am finding that many of the older generation has tasted the forbidden fruit and are now addicted in the same manner!

Because I don't carry the phone 100% of each waking hour I do NOT activate voice mail when I buy a new phone.

You can get unlimited data with Straight Talk. 45 Bucks a month for unlimited talk, text, and data. Pick up which type of smart phone you like at Walmart and activate it with Straight Talk.

I've had it for 3 months now and have not entered into any throttling zone. Unless you are a gamer and/or need to google hourly why the sun comes up, it's unlimited data.

No They are not going to let you tether it 24 7's to run your computers. Good god Quit being so cheap and buy a plan for your computer.

No phone - smart or not - must be answered. That is a mental thing. My iPhone puts calls direct to voice mail between what hours I choose for what callers I choose, won't even ring. With 128 gig on iPhone 6 and replacement sd storage on many androids you are not any more likely to run out of storage than any other device. The advantage of a device that is always with you is pretty obvious versus the device at home. Many cheaper versus one more expensive is a personal choice I guess. A waterproof case fixes the creek issue unless it's the Columbia river.

Personally, I hate tablets. I find them to be a pain in the rear for doing most of the stuff I want to do on the internet (participate in forums, upload photos to my gallery, shop, etc.). These smartphones are the same except a lot smaller. I much prefer my netbook for that type of stuff. IF I'm out and about and don't have my netbook, my blackberry flip phone will let me access the internet for what I need - but it's not my preferred way.

I hate camera phones. They take all the fun out of photography for me. I always take my real camera with me - whereas I will happily leave my phone behind.

I have a ton of music. I want to be able to have ALL of it with me ALL the time. There is no cell phone that can hold that much music. I'd rather use my mp3 player and be able to listen to any of my music at any time. I have one at work on my desk, 2 in my clipper (one in the cab and one in the house area), 1 in my daily car, 1 in my bedroom, 1 in my living room, and a couple extra. Combined they cost less than what many people spend on their new smartphone.

If I drop my phone in the creek, I still have my camera, mp3 player, kindle, gps and netbook. I'm not suddenly up the creek without a paddle... And, I have a great excuse to stay out taking photos, kicking back and reading, heading on down the road, etc. - "sorry, didn't know you were trying to get a hold of me, my phone fell in the creek". With a smartphone, I might as well go home because I won't be able to take any photos, read, get directions, or check out what's happening online.

AprilWhine wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

stetwood wrote:
Our tracphone, unlimited minutes for us LOL, costs $100 per year and after 4 years we have accumulated over 1800 minutes to use. Our phone and internet service is $64 per month. Our two kids with their smart phones pay $200 per month or more and complain about the cost.

do what I did, switch to a $5.95? or so a month maintenance contract. I had my minutes built up and am eating into that pile and have 1733.40 minutes left. :)
bumpy

Bumpy, did you just say no one wants to talk to you? :B

don't know if anybody calls me as I have it turned off 99% of the time. :)
bumpy

tonyandkaren wrote:
Okay, you guys have convinced me. I need a smartphone...
What would be a good economical way to go? We would use the smartphone for looking things up as we drive down the road and as a GPS but the rest of the time we would still be using our data card and laptops. Any ideas?

Part of the battle is selecting the right phone for you. Look at the Samsung Note III.

I posted this with mine.

Bumpyroad wrote:

stetwood wrote:
Our tracphone, unlimited minutes for us LOL, costs $100 per year and after 4 years we have accumulated over 1800 minutes to use. Our phone and internet service is $64 per month. Our two kids with their smart phones pay $200 per month or more and complain about the cost.

do what I did, switch to a $5.95? or so a month maintenance contract. I had my minutes built up and am eating into that pile and have 1733.40 minutes left. :)
bumpy

Bumpy, did you just say no one wants to talk to you? :B

stetwood wrote:
Our tracphone, unlimited minutes for us LOL, costs $100 per year and after 4 years we have accumulated over 1800 minutes to use. Our phone and internet service is $64 per month. Our two kids with their smart phones pay $200 per month or more and complain about the cost.

do what I did, switch to a $5.95? or so a month maintenance contract. I had my minutes built up and am eating into that pile and have 1733.40 minutes left. :)
bumpy

rockhillmanor wrote:
I just can't see using a phone with a screen sooo small that you need a magnifying glass to surf the net.

Yet Apple HAS convinced everyone that they do AND charge 600 bucks for the pleasure of trying to do so...on their phone! :B

Sorry that's what a laptop is for and for a whole lot less $$.

yep seems to me that a "smart?" phone is too small to be a decent tablet, and too big to be a decent phone. when folks here post pictures at times, it if obvious that they were taken with a phone, not a decent camera.
bumpy

Paul Clancy wrote:
flip phone versus smart phone is really no debate. One is just a phone while the other is a pocket computer. The new devices have desktop grade 64 bit power and large high res screens. The functions include full web ability, gps, VoIP, excellent photo and video quality, huge library of programs, text over sms with video and picture, video calling, cellular hotspot, ac wifi, nfc payment, e reader and the best call quality I've ever heard with hd calling. With a good carrier these devices are the very best of a computer /tablet/ camera/ gps /phone hybrid and a joy to use. They now can replace many one trick devices easily and match if not exceed those devices in quality and function. Does everyone need one? No. Once you have one and actually use it they are very hard to not have - like any modern convenience.

tonyandkaren wrote:
Okay, you guys have convinced me. I need a smartphone. :-D Actually I've been debating getting one for several years but the monthly fee for something that would just be very convenient has been my main stumbling point. Right now we have a flip phone and a 5G data plan for our laptops with AT&T. Total monthly bill is about $100.00. What would be a good economical way to go? We would use the smartphone for looking things up as we drive down the road and as a GPS but the rest of the time we would still be using our data card and laptops. Any ideas?

Paul Clancy did a very good job of summing up the uses for a smart phone.

2oldman is correct about choosing Verizon or AT&T over lower priced carriers. But be sure to check Sprint coverage, they are running a special right now, if you port your mobile number to them they will give you unlimited talk and text, and the same data for half the price.

Verizon just finished a "double your data" promotion last month but I bet it will be back. ;)

And for the platinum data plan, you may still be able to assume someone's grandfathered unlimited data plan on Verizon. Saw a thread on Escapees forum saying that is going away in the near future but it might still be an option if you are fast.

tonyandkaren wrote:
Total monthly bill is about $100.00. What would be a good economical way to go? We would use the smartphone for looking things up as we drive down the road and as a GPS but the rest of the time we would still be using our data card and laptops. Any ideas?

You'll have a hard time beating a $100 for a single SP. You can ditch the data card and hotspot the phone, but your data use may increase.

Verizon or ATT is the way to go when travelling. Don't be sucked into a lower cost plan that has limited coverage.