New cell phone

I use Verizon and I am a great fan of the LG phones.  The newest one out ... I think the LG8300 is awesome.  I utilize the video and picture feature on my current phone (LG7600) when Riley is doing something and I don't have my digital camera with me.  Also voice clarity is great with the LG's.  Just my [sm=2cents.gif]

I just got a Motorola Razr, but I have cingular, so i'm not sure if you can get that.
In terms of features, if you use your phone while driving, I would suggest you get one that is blue tooth compatible. Then you can get a blue tooth head set so you don't have to hold the phone up to your ear while driving. They're a bit weird at first, but once you get used to it, the volume and everything on it is pretty good. I have no problems hearing people, they have no problems hearing me, and I don't feel like I have to shout. I also have voice dialing on my phone, although I haven't yet bothered to figure out how to set it up. It seems like it would be a good feature, if I took the time to figure out how to use it.

I have Verizon Wireless as well. I like LG phones, although my current phone sucks. I used to have the 4400, which I liked... it had a time/call ID display on the front when it was closed, "Get It Now" feature where you can download games, wallpapers, etc, decent ringtones built in. Its only real drawback is that the button to change from ring to vibrate was on the side and would often get accidentally pushed without my realizing it. It's also kind of thick compared to newer phones, but they have a new 4400 which may be slimmer.
 
VW recently "upgraded" me to the LG 3300. I stupidly thought since they were offering me this "great deal" and "free upgrade" the phone would be a better, newer model than my last one. WRONG. This is the crappiest phone, yet I'm using it just to make myself feel better about falling for this trick (I guess). The phone is slimmer but it has no external display, horrible ringtones and wallpapers, no ability to download anything, no silent mode (only vibrate), it just sucks. Its only features are a speakerphone that they didn't have on the 4400, and removable face plates WOO HOO!

ORIGINAL: RileysMommy

I use Verizon and I am a great fan of the LG phones.  The newest one out ... I think the LG8300 is awesome.  I utilize the video and picture feature on my current phone (LG7600) when Riley is doing something and I don't have my digital camera with me.  Also voice clarity is great with the LG's.  Just my [sm=2cents.gif]

 
The LG8300 was one of my top choices just from looking on verizon's website. I'm glad to hear that it works well. I've always had Samsung phones, but DH has an LG and he really likes it (it's an old model).

I used to see a lady in the park - always seemingly talking to herself - and I just sort of decided she was nuts.  Then I noticed all sorts of other people doing it, too. Since there's no way that I was the only sane one, I finally realized that they were talking on *hands free* phones.  I'm so technilogically behind, I didn't even know there was such a thing.[]

Joyce

ORIGINAL: griffinej5

I just got a Motorola Razr, but I have cingular, so i'm not sure if you can get that.
In terms of features, if you use your phone while driving, I would suggest you get one that is blue tooth compatible. Then you can get a blue tooth head set so you don't have to hold the phone up to your ear while driving. They're a bit weird at first, but once you get used to it, the volume and everything on it is pretty good. I have no problems hearing people, they have no problems hearing me, and I don't feel like I have to shout. I also have voice dialing on my phone, although I haven't yet bothered to figure out how to set it up. It seems like it would be a good feature, if I took the time to figure out how to use it.

 
A friend of mine just got the Razor and she loves it. I don't really like the look of it too much.
 
I've always wondered what blue tooth was. So is that different than just using a hands free headset with your phone? I used to have one of those a few years ago--you just clipped it to you ear and could talk on your phone.

ORIGINAL: fuzzy_dogs_mom

I used to see a lady in the park - always seemingly talking to herself - and I just sort of decided she was nuts.  Then I noticed all sorts of other people doing it, too. Since there's no way that I was the only sane one, I finally realized that they were talking on *hands free* phones.  I'm so technilogically behind, I didn't even know there was such a thing.[]

Joyce

 
LOL! I still get confused when I see people talking to themselves. []

ORIGINAL: lokis_mom


I've always wondered what blue tooth was. So is that different than just using a hands free headset with your phone? I used to have one of those a few years ago--you just clipped it to you ear and could talk on your phone.

Yeah, the blue tooth is some sort of wireless thing. The ones i'd seen before this one all had something to connect to the phone, but this one doesn't. After you have the phone search for the headset the first time, any time they get near each other they automatically recognize each other. I suppose they all have their own id or something, because my phone has never picked up my dad's blue tooth headset.
And, yes, if you see someone walking around who appears to be talking to themself, there is a good chance they are using one of these.

I have Verizon wireless.  My boyfriend has the Motorola Razr, and he hates it.  I think that phone is the worst.  He has had a ton of problems with it, including the keypad, the battery, always losing calls, etc.
 
I have always had samsung phones, and I think they are great.  I recently upgraded (a few weeks ago with the new every two plan) and I got the Samsung SCH-a930.  It is a black samsung. I really like it.  The camera swivels, which is cool.  It has speaker phone, which is helpful, takes videos for as long as you want to record as long as you have storage space (doesn't stop at 15 seconds like a lot of phones) and a lot of other features.  I really like it, because it is different from other phones in that it isnt silver.
 
Im happy with it, and I would say go with samsung.

my wife got a new phone in april. she is on verizon. she got a phone similar to the lg8300 - lg8100. i think it may have been a slightly older model because it is silver and blue instead of black, but it has the same features. the picture phone work pretty well, but she hasnt tried the mp3 player yet. i want to get a bluetooth adapter for the computer so we can link them, but havent yet.

When I was your age, not everyone had a cellphone. They were hugely expensive. Back then, we just used smoke signals.
 

I've got you beat, Ron.  When I was their age there was no such thing as a wireless phone, or even a cordless phone. However, my parents did have a 100 ft. cord on the phone with the rotary dial so I could drag it from room to room. []

Joyce

I hate the Motorola Razr, too. I really do. It's got hideous reception and it's crappy--dropped calls (and my wireless co. is GREAT), static, crappy reception, all of it.  
 
Love Nokia. Had 2 in a row and not one issue.

Well, you're *sorta* in luck.  Part of my job entails reviewing cell phones (just Verizon and T-Mobile.)  I would say that on the Verizon network, the Nokia phones (the actual hardware/equipment) seems to pick up weak signals that other phones will drop.  I hated how many used to fall apart in pieces, but none of the Verizon Nokia phones I've seen have had those issues.
 
LG because they are pretty darn sturdy and hold up really well.  The 8100 is pretty good for an all-in-one.  You know, there is that new Verizon Chocolate!!  I wonder what the reviews are on that. (I can't test it, because our co doesn't allow camera/mp3 players).
 
Bluetooth is a technology built into the phone that basically sends out a wireless signal.  Which means you can buy a wireless headset and pair it to your phone so you can make calls hands-free.  You see folks walking around with the buds hanging off their ears.  Many phones do not have Bluetooth, but the advantage is good for folks who need the ability to have a cell conversation without holding the phone.  (I won't say while driving, because that's still not a good idea to distract yourself like that.)  There ARE attachments you can buy to add onto your phone to make it send out a wireless signal, if you needed it.
 
If anyone wants advice on Bluetooth headsets, let me know.  I also HIGHLY recommend cellularforless.com   I do business with them and you can search for your phone (even search by picture if you don't know the model).  They have loads of accessories for your phones.  []
UGH - I thought I was out of work!  tee hee!