iEverything / Tiny Portable Computer / iPhone

[mainegal]

Resistance was futile. I have been assimilated.

After having an iPad with 3G, my guy became frustrated that his most wonderful iPod Touch did not provide constant connectivity.
So, he bought an iPhone. And I just had to tag along with the "family plan". He got the white one. Mine is black so it still looks like my Touch.

Cool thing, we got a 19% discount because he is employed by a college. As a municipal employee, I would have gotten a 15% discount. And we did not have to pay the activation fee of $35 and $25. Is this common?

Case? How much case do I really need? For my Touch, I got a three pack of flexible rubbery things that covered the back and I did not use a screen protector. Apple says a screen protector is not necessary, but the Verizon sales staff swear by them. Opinions, please.

Now that we have two portable phones, is there any reason we should keep a phone in the house? It rings so seldom, I can't think of a reason, but would like to know if I am missing something. Who has smart phones but kept landlines?

 

[PinkBudgie]

You have become one with The Collective!

My friend has no land line in her house, but I guess I'd still worry about emergencies. For example, if you call 911 from your home line, they know where you are. If you call from your cell, at least where we live, your call goes to another city far away and you have to give all your info and the contact they authorties in your area.

 

[mikelan6]

Resistance was futile. I have been assimilated.

Now that we have two portable phones, is there any reason we should keep a phone in the house? It rings so seldom, I can't think of a reason, but would like to know if I am missing something. Who has smart phones but kept landlines?

Welcome to the family, Lyn. I see an iMac in your near future.

As for the landline, I did away with mine, BUT I have the ooma service. (www.ooma.com). You pay once for the device and as long as you have an internet broadband connection at home, you have no more phone bills. If you want to transfer your current home phone number, you can do so for a fee. Also, if you want their Premier features, they also have an optional fee for that. I love it.

 

[DisneyCruisin']

I didn't do the screen protector on my IPhone and haven't seen the need for one either.

We've not let our landline go because we need it for our security system. Wish we could!

 

[mainegal]

Welcome to the family, Lyn. I see an iMac in your near future.

As for the landline, I did away with mine, BUT I have the ooma service. (www.ooma.com). You pay once for the device and as long as you have an internet broadband connection at home, you have no more phone bills. If you want to transfer your current home phone number, you can do so for a fee. Also, if you want their Premier features, they also have an optional fee for that. I love it.

Already have an Apple MacBook.

Our internet connection is DSL through the phone company. Not very strong, but only $15 / month.

I think I will probably transfer the home phone number to the new iPhone.

Now... what to do with two Tracfones? One has 22 days and over 1200 minutes. The other has ten months and 1100 minutes.

 

[wdwscout]

Congrats!
My husband has been assimilated, but I am still happily hanging onto my Droid.
(I do see an iPad in my future though...)

We have 5 cell phones in our house and still keep the landlines. We live in a heavily wooded area and have crappy cell reception unless you stand outside on the deck. Not very convenient for business phone calls. Terrible in the winter too. Also, we need a fax line- so we actually have 2 landlines.

So... we keep the landlines. I do not see them going away unless they put a cell tower in my backyard.

DH uses a screen protector, I do not. I am rough on the phone- it gets thrown in my purse all the time, banging around with other "stuff." I have not had a problem. DH would go nuts without it.
So- whatever makes you happy.

 

[ColoradoDisney]

I just wanted to clarify one comment about using a cellular phone for 911. Cellular carriers are required to provide location information when users dial 911.

Under current rules, cellular operators must locate emergency callers anywhere between 50 meters and 300 meters of their actual position, depending on the type of technology used.

Here is some "light reading" on the subject.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhanced_9-1-1

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/wireless-911-accuracy/2010-01-25

 

[OKW Lover]

Case? How much case do I really need? For my Touch, I got a three pack of flexible rubbery things that covered the back and I did not use a screen protector. Apple says a screen protector is not necessary, but the Verizon sales staff swear by them. Opinions, please.

I'm a minimalist on cases. Used to have a belt clip type holder for my old iPhone, but it didn't fit the iPhone 4 so I had to resurrect an old holster type case. Val just uses a bumper on hers.

As far as screen protectors go, I suspect the Verizon sales staff is simply interested in a high profit margin sale. Never used on on either my original iPhone 3 or the new iPhone 4 and never had a problem.

 

[robind]

I have a Mophie case, it is a little clunky (i have the 3G) but it is also a backup battery which doubles my battery life and am glad I have it.