Cell Phones - Need Information

[Janet]

I would like to have some of your input on cell phones. Right now I am with US Cellular. We have never had any problems whatsoever. We have nationwide and Ricky has text.

We are wanting to stay with US Cellular. Right now they are having a sale. We can get two of the latest Blackberry Curves for only $10.00 once the rebates are paid back to us.

I'm thinking of getting the Blackberry plan. Do any of you have this and what do you think? I'm not very knowledgable with cellphones or the plans. I just thought with Mom's health up and down and just my general interest in the internet that I would probably like it. I have heard that once someone has a Blackberry, they won't want anything else. Is this true? I have 30 days to try it out and see if I really like it and I won't get penalized to switch to another phone and not have the internet.

What do you all think and is there anything specific I need to know?

I should add that we have nationwide calling, Ricky has 250 texts per month and everything is free incoming. We pay $101 a month. If I go with the Blackberry plan it would be another $25 a month plus insurance of $5 a month. Is that good?

[judy]

It sounds like it doesn't cost enough more than your plan now to worry about!
Other than that, I have no idea! It sounds like fun though!

[gja1000]

Yes, I think you would really like to have internet connection at any time. What I don't know though is how fast the connection would be with U.S. cellular. It may be really slow and site like 4 womentalk take forever to load. That's what I meant when I said I would be at the lake last month and I would read but not post because that phone system is so slow it takes forever to load things. But, you could try the data plan (that's the extra $25 per month) and if you don't like it or use it, then you can just cancel the data plan (not the phone and texts). I think you'll like using the blackberry and hopefully, the phone internet will be good. For $10 each (or for two), I think it is more than worth it!

[Blueyes]

Sounds good to me, especially if you can try it for 30 days!! Give it a shot and let us know:)

[MaddieBoo]

I'm not at all familiar with the plans, but I can say for certain that once you have a Blackberry, you won't own another type of phone :). I love mine, they really are so convenient and reliable.

[DianaB]

I don't know anything about them but I'm interested in what everyone else has to say about them.

[Janet]

Thank you everyone, I really appreciate your thoughts.

[paula1961]

My son has had a Blackberry ever since they came out. He uses it for his only means of getting on the internet. He has the data plan. JMO...if you're not going to text or get on the internet, don't get this type of phone, but if you are going to use it for that, it's a great phone to have. It's definitely worth trying out for $10. He has AT&T service.

[Marilyn]

I have a Blackberry Curve and and iPhone 3GS. I like the Blackberry for the way it handles e-mail and contacts. I seldom use the internet on it because the screen is too small. I'm not familiar with the latest BB Curves, it may be that they are available now with larger screens.

I love my iPhone, and had a 2G but recently upgraded to the 3GS. Primarily so I could send and receive picture text messages which the 2G could not do.

Both of mine are running on AT&T and are 3G so they are pretty fast. Posting is not a problem

If all that is available from US Cellular is the Blackberry Curve, and you have a trial period. I'd definitely give it a try and see what you think. Having access to the internet from virtually anywhere is very handy.

As I said, a hardly ever go online on the BB, but on the iPhone, for instance, I was driving to work today and wanted to pickup breakfast at Whataburger for the troops on the way to the office. I googled Whataburger in Port Lavaca, TX, and it brought up the address and phone. I touched the phone number and pre-ordered what I wanted so that it was ready when I got there. No fumbling with a phone book while driving down the road.

I love the GPS feature which I think is available for the Blackberry.

The reason I have both is that the BB is provided by my company, so is used primarily for business. The iPhone was a gift from my husband.

Give a choice, I'd select the iPhone hands down for personal use. The Blackberry has advantages for business use and if it was my only option, I'd definitely go for the Blackberry over a regular cell phone. To me the data plan is worth every penny.

So, that's my two cents and then some.

[Janet]

WOW.. sounds like the BB is the way to go...but it doesn't look like it's going to happen after all. I would really to have the data plan, but Ricky always seems to want what I get...lol.

I called to find out exactly what the monthly cost would be....$180 a month for two of us to have the data plan on the BB Curve and for Rick just a regular phone.

I just can't see paying that much right now. I really need to find a better paying job. I can afford to pay for mine, but I can't for Ricky and I don't want him adding another monthly payment. So I will do without for now. I'm so disappointed...I really wanted it.

[Marilyn]

Oh, Janet, so wish it could work out. It won't be long, and Ricky will be out of school, have a good job and be able to afford his own. We all do without some things for our children. You are being such a good mom. The phones I have are very nice, but definitely not a necessity. There are other things much more important!!! Hugs!!!:hug: There will probably be much cooler phones out a little later anyway.

[Janet]

You're right Marilyn, there are more important things. I can wait...I'm saving for a couple of other things right now more important than cell phones.