Making cell phones simple is hard (Gimme a simple phone, please!)

CNN Technology ^ | Monday, May 29, 2006; Posted: 8:38 a.m. EDT (12:38 GMT) | AP

[butternut_squash_bisque]

Nathan Bales represents a troubling trend for cellular phone carriers.

The Kansas City-area countertop installer recently traded in a number of feature-laden phones for a stripped-down model. He said he didn't like using them to surf the Internet, rarely took pictures with them and couldn't stand scrolling through seemingly endless menus to get the functions to work.

[newfreep]

How does one know if the sound quality and reception is of high quality? Those are what I want in a cell phone.

Currently using Motorola V551 - nice but thick and heavy. Sound quality way better than older Nokia, though.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

I WANT ONE!

I had a great portable 'bag phone' back in the early 90s, and it worked just fine for what I needed it for. I want it back, darnit!

[djf]

If you need 5 blades in your razor you might as well buy a Stihl and do the job right.

[martin_fierro]

That is freakin' hilarious!

[butternut_squash_bisque]

Worth repeating, sf.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

LOL! Probably so.

[CertainInalienableRights]

I bought the simplest clamshell Motorola I could find. Its sorta cheap plastic, but its probably the last of the non-camera phones. I had to get a color screen, even though I don't need it. And it was cheap.

All I need is the ability to make calls. Voice mail would be nice, but I could live with calling a mailbox. What I'd really like is something slim - like a Razr - so I can keep it in my pocket when need be, and high-quality. Something that has the same "feel" as a quality watch - good quality materials, decent design, solid construction - a "phone for adults" and one I can keep for years.

I'd pay extra for a phone like that, but no one makes them.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

I'm checking into that unit tomorrow, when the world re-opens.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

I've never seen one like that.

Reminds me of one of the play phones from Kids 'R Us; large red plastic unit, with large blue buttons, and a whip antenna. Hells bells, if it worked, I'd use it too.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

If you find one, let me know. I'll buy 16 for my company employees, who are also tired of their over-complicated units.

[jdm]

Are those elevator buttons?

"Sir, can you hit #4 for me? I'd like to get off on the 4th Floor."

Either that or he's talking into his boot!

"Yeah, um, give me 100 more of 'em new high tops y'all got in stock."

[MissAmericanPie]

As far as I am concerned they have made them too small. I can't find them in my purse, they are easy to lose. And I can no longer use the phone in my favorite way, placed between my ear and my shoulder, without my cheek hitting some tiny button you can't read that cuts your call off or interupts it.

I would like to see an option in sizes of phones, and the size of the key pad.

[Asfarastheeastisfromthewest...]

On a slightly related note, does anyone here use Skype and can comment on the pros and cons of setting it up? Does it work on dialup for example?

[TexasTransplant]

Just a phone that works both ways and has (black and white screen) numbers & letters big enough to read and buttons big enough for us fat finger folks.

(In other words a phone just like me, nothing fancy Big Fat and Dull, but still very functional)

TT

[backhoe]

I had a great portable 'bag phone' back in the early 90s, and it worked just fine for what I needed it for.

What I keep in the backhoemobile:

[jordan8]

Can't help you with the Verizon setup, I suggest you go back to where you bought it. Since you've already got messages waiting all you probably need is a security code. Try the procedure below and see if it asks you to set up a code (from a Nokia 2285 phone):

Main screen > menu > scroll to Messages > select

Scroll to voice messages > select

Scroll to voice mailbox number > select

Enter your own cell number > OK

Setup done

-------

Press menu

Messages > select

scroll to Voice Messages > select

Listen to voice messages > select

When voice answers press # key immediately

Enter your security code

Listen to messages

[Fishrrman]

I don't own a cell phone. Have no plans to get one.

I don't even answer the phone at home! (laughs)

- John

[jordan8]

Nokia 5100 phones are still available (and cheap) and are about as simple as you can get in a cell phone, except for that dial-up phone.

[Dumb_Ox]

The clock on my VCR still blinks 12:00

Oh what BLINK tag nostalgia! Its only useful for the occasion of unprogrammable VCR jokes. I haven't seen it used in years, glad to find my browser still supports it.

[Drew68]

Best cell phone I ever had was my first --a Nokia I got in 1998 or 1999. That thing was built solid as a rock, got 4 bars of reception everywhere I went and the battery lasted forever. I can't remember the model except that it was one step up from the most basic Nokia that most people were carrying in those days.

The only thing I want in a cell phone is good reception, solid construction, an alarm, calculator, loud ringer and text messenging capabilities. I don't need no stinkin' camera, the latest hip-hop ringtones, games and all that other garbage bundled into a flimsy phone with a crappy battery and no reception. And if the industry expects me to embrace all of this crap, they're in for a mistake.

The Nokia clamshell I have now is OK but it is cheaply built. I send many text messages and the buttons are starting to stick. I have it set on the simplest monophonic "deet-deet-deet-deet!" ring. I've never taken a photo with it. I've never used any of the other features it offers.

All the things I wanted out of a cell phone I had 8 years ago. Nowadays, I can't find them.