Introducing the iPhone...

Baron Munchausen · #1 March 16th, 2007, 09:15 PM

Well, think about it. The main 'advantage' of the cell phone -- that people can reach you just about anywhere/anytime (there are still a few gaps in coverage) -- is also the main disadvantage. Some people don't like to be reachable every minute of every day.

Fyron · #2 March 16th, 2007, 09:52 PM

The main advantage is so you can call people when you want. Just turn off the ringer when you don't want to take calls.

AgentZero · #3 March 17th, 2007, 02:24 AM

That's what I used to do. When I was living in Ireland, I always had my phone with me. I'd forget my keys, or my wallet or my smokes or my lighter, but I'd never forget my phone. The damn things just become indespensible after a while. But I think I had my ringer on literally less that 1% of the time. The rest of the time it was on vibrate so I knew if someone was after me, but I had the choice of ignoring them if I was busy, or just not in the mood for talking. And if I really didn't want to be bothered, they do have off buttons.

Now a question for those of you who do own cell phones: How much talking do you actually do on them versus text messaging? My old phone bills used to be 95% text messages because no one actually calls anyone unless it's really urgent. I'd think the fact that you have to pay for incoming calls (boo!) would make texts even more popular, or do you have to pay for recieved texts as well?

Fyron · #4 March 17th, 2007, 02:36 AM

I think you generally have to pay for incoming text messages too (or they count against the monthly limit). Most providers offer an unlimited text message option, though.

Atrocities · #5 March 17th, 2007, 02:58 AM

There should be one flat fee that covers everything. No more of this on peek, off peek, weekends, before 7, after 7, text this, photo that, download that, other hidden fees that, and bulls**t fees! $50.00 for 2,500 minutes, unlimited texting, phone services, and long distance.

Azselendor · #6 March 17th, 2007, 03:11 AM

They have to take your money somehow, you expect service at a reasonable fee! how preposterous!

I used to carry a cellphone with me all the time, but I stopped because I hated people calling me all the time over pointless crap and text messaging is a joke.

I can't figure out why anyone would want to spend ten minutes typing out a text message that you can spend two seconds and call them with the bloody phone -- after all, that's what a cellphone is for!

AgentZero · #7 March 17th, 2007, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Azselendor said:
I can't figure out why anyone would want to spend ten minutes typing out a text message that you can spend two seconds and call them with the bloody phone -- after all, that's what a cellphone is for!

I'd consider it a matter of etiquette. Phoning someone is sort of like saying, "Drop whatever it is you're doing and pay attention to me NOW!" which is rather rude and not considerate of the fact that the person might be busy at work, in the middle of class, or otherwise not available to take the call. Whereas a text message is sort of like saying, "Hey, I need to relay this information to you, but don't mean to interrupt what you're doing. Read this and respond when you can." Which is a fair bit more polite, don't you think?

AgentZero · #8 March 17th, 2007, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Imperator Fyron said:
I think you generally have to pay for incoming text messages too (or they count against the monthly limit). Most providers offer an unlimited text message option, though.

The fiends! That probably explains why cell phones aren't as prolific as they are in Europe. Well, maybe prolific is the wrong word, but they get used more over there. Like, if you see a group of 4 or more people walking down a typical Dublin street, 1 out of the 4 will have their phone out, it's almost a guarantee. Over here, not so much. Over there, it's common to own multiple phones. One of my flatmates had a weekday phone, a weekend phone, and emergency phone, and a phone only used to call her parents. Over here, people look at you funny for having a lot of phones. Actually, now that I think about it, maybe prolific is the word I'm looking for. That's not to say that cell phones aren't prolific in North America, just that in Europe, they're more prolific. Hell, even the homeless over there have them!
Not sure what my point was after all that though.

I guess it's that over there the pricing schemes seem to encourage the use of the phones, while over here, the schemes seem to discourage their use. Which is odd.