which phone OS??

Stick with your flip phone. The smartphones do everything you don't do.

My wife and I have both been very happy with our iphones. My daughter is very happy with her android. We use them for e-mail, texting, web surfing, calendars with schedules/dates/reminders, etc.

Sort of like asking which RV/truck/car is best, just a matter of personal opinion.

I have a workable suggestion..
Go to Amazon and Google Play and look at the prices and available software you might want and can imagine using.
Go to the Apple store and do the same.

Be ready, if you don't play silly games, stream movies and music, none of these people don't care about you at all. I used mine for business, it managed a phone line and six email accounts (on three servers - note to HRC). It kept logs and client accounts. The only software that was expensive was the WiFi tether. (10$ - forever, not VZ 30$/mo)

Just owning a smart phone on Verizon will cost 30$/mo (not including the wifi tether). Are you sure you want that. At least their coverage is decent.

I am one of those tech savvy people that hates to get stuck in a proprietary anything, so my choice was simple.

Matt

Either will more than do what you are asking. People that love apple are going to recommend it and people that love android are going to recommend it.

I have to agree about deciding if you really want a smart phone. It is going to cost more and if you are mainly making calls and texting, there are non-smart phones that have a full keyboard to make texting a little easier.

No reason to exclude phones running either OS. They all generally do the same things. Hands on you'll probably feel one is better than the other.

Thanks for all the input. I'm agreeing that I may NOT need a smartphone. I'll check on availability of non-smart phones with better keyboard for text.

I must really be getting old!! I recognize the benefits of the newer phones but actually see very little advantage to my needs. Now, need to decide if I really need one of those "remote" control devices for my B&W CRT tv....................

Agreed, you'll get used to either. GENERALLY, non-technical people find iPhones (iOS) easier to use. You can stop into any Apple store and get help from the Genius bar.

I'm a professional nerd, I switched from iOS to Android and won't change back for nerd reasons.

dryfly wrote:
I recognize the benefits of the newer phones but actually see very little advantage to my needs. .

The thing is, when you get one, your needs will change to match the phone. You'll be wondering how you got along without it.

They're really amazing.

dryfly wrote:
.........
I must really be getting old!! I recognize the benefits of the newer phones but actually see very little advantage to my needs ......................

That is what I said a couple years ago when I still had a flip phone. But wife got a new iphone5 , so I took her old iphone4 even though I didn't NEED it. Now I use it a lot.
I don't usually make phone calls unless I need to. Would rather send a quick text. Short and sweet.
But it is synced to my truck for hands free operation in case someone calls while I am driving, or I need to make a call while driving.
Use it for e-mail more often that I do on the computer.
I use it for maps, directions, and a basic GPS.
When my son updates his calendar with my grandson's baseball games, my granddaugher's volleyball games, and my other granddaughter's dance competitions, it automatically updates my calendar so I know where I will be when, along with addresses and directions.
Sitting at a baseball game and clouds building, I look at local radar to see if rain is approaching. Or any other time I may have reason to see if storms are approaching.
Camera comes in handy when I am not carrying a regular camera but find I want to take a picture of something. And maybe even e-mail it or text message it to someone.
And it goes on and on.
And now I have a new iphone6. :B

I have no need for a cell phone yet I have one, not for the phone.
It's a Nokia Lumina, cheapest smart phone they have.

Bought it for...

GPS & map
Camera, great back up, always on me.
Radio, the real thing not internet.
eReader, reference library, notes
Calculator.
and WiFi if I need it.

No need for a data plan, don't even need the phone plan to make it all work.