<p>Idmom06, apparently Steve Jobs did a keynote speech today from some computer show in California and introduced iPhone - D is an Apple addict so I may just wait until it comes out in February and ditch the whole idea of a cell phone in birthday wrapping paper…but I haven’t even read the notes on it yet so no idea if it will work with all service providers…</p>
<p>man…the iphone looks fantastic late. Check it out…</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.apple.com/iphone/[/url]”>http://www.apple.com/iphone/</a></p>
<p>I expect it will be expensive…but what a great b-day present. ldgirl’s bd is mid-February so timing may work out for us.</p>
<p>Not sure about providers. We use Cingular and I’m getting email from them that implies iphone is a cingular exclusive. (I find it hard to believe.)</p>
<p>O.K., that’s ridiculously cool. Maybe they could produce one by Saturday…LOL.</p>
<p>We’re on Cingular too. I too find it hard to believe Apple would permit exclusivity.</p>
<p>It’s probably going to cost $3,000. :)</p>
<p>rofl…that’s what I’m thinking latetoschool…or at least a grand in monthly service costs.</p>
<p>Update, I just listened to that section of the keynote address, and he does say that Cingular will be the exclusive partner in the U.S. CEO of Cingular is at the end of the address…oh, but then AT & T is in it too, as a partner of Cingular…</p>
<p>hmmmm…now if only I can get a good upgrade deal 
(she said in her delusional state…lol!)</p>
<p>latetoschool, I will go on ebay, look at the RAZRs and PM you. I have done this a LOT. Is your current phone with Cingular or is it on the ATT converted to Cingular plan?</p>
<p>tips: do not buy refurbished, do not buy used. Look for something with a guarantee, do not buy from someone outside the US. When you pay via paypal use your credit card, not direct transfer from your account.</p>
<p>We have the family plan with Cingular-4 lines total. Staggered renewal dates. If the company is working well for you and your daughter, why not take advantage of the upgrade/renewal option? You can get a great phone at a reasonable cost and continue with a carrier you are content with. You can offer to cover the cost of the upgrade (there can be some cost depending on the phone you pick), you can let her pick the phone she thinks will work best for her. We all have our own preferences. </p>
<p>I confess, my DD just upgraded to the pink Razr and is thrilled with it. I committed her brother (who was eligible for upgrade but doesn’t need the phone, long long story) to another 2 years with Cingular (I’m not going to change at this point) and after my rebate it will cost me about $80. Happy Birthday, it’s what she wanted. Hey, I’ve got the black Razr and love it.</p>
<p>We have bought several phones off of ebay. One my kid bought was used and was in pretty bad shape.
I just bought my D one for Christmas. I looked for a seller with lots of feedback in the 98%-99% range. I only looked at new. The phone arrived in just 3 days and was just what I ordered.
I hate how you can get a phone from the carrier for 49 bucks if you sign on for 2 yrs but if you just want the phone it is 180.</p>
<p>The iPhone will cost $500 (4 GB) or $600 (8 GB) with a 2-year contract with Cingular and won’t be available until June. They announced it now because it has to go to the FCC for approval or something. You would probably also want unlimited data transfer with it, so that you can browse the internet and whatnot, which won’t be cheap. It is a pretty phone, but pretty close to the $3,000 lts mentioned, after all the service fees. :)</p>
<p>man the iPhone looks awesome. I hardly ever use my cellphone, maybe I would use that one more. By the time my current contract is up they should be a bit cheaper.</p>
<p>It’s pretty cool how it automatically switches the screen when you turn it, and everything is done on the screen. Hopefully the screen will hold up to being pressed against your face whenever you talk.</p>
<p>For a kid who runs out a huge phone bill, I’d strongly consider a pre-paid plan. This way, SHE has to figure out what to do when it runs out of minutes. We have a pre-paid plan for my mom because she hardly uses any minutes.
My brother has a plan from AT&T that allows him unlimited phone time for $99/month. Cingulair hates it because AT&T/Cingulair used to make SO MUCH money off him. You might want to go to one of the sites where folks are trying to sell their phone plans & see if you can buy your D a phone plan like that, which would be way cheaper than $800 phone bills.</p>
<p>I like one-piece non-flip phones, particularly Nokias. My kids like their Razrs & didn’t like the Siemens too much. My brothers have purchased cell phones on eBay & not had problems with them, but of course you take your chances. If you do use eBay, be sure to use a seller with a VERY GOOD reputation.</p>
<p>“Mini, would you believe they make a Razor in pink?”</p>
<p>I don’t need a phone I can shave with.</p>
<p>ok I havent read the whole thread so bear with me
sorry
I have bought several phones from ebay- for decent prices-
Verizon uses CDMA phones- and all their phones are unlocked
However, they will only authorize one that they sell.
So you can get a phone off ebay, but it has to be one that verizon has covered in the past, even if they longer sell it.
I don’t know as much about GSM phones- those are the ones that use a Sim card, but I believe recent legislation requires them to be unlocked as well.</p>
<p>Don’t buy a phone without accessories & manual, as it may be stolen
Some companies that sell “refurbished” phones don’t test them adaquately
Don’t end up paying more than the phone is worth- which isn’t uncommon on ebay
Check Cnet and other sites for reviews on phones
<a href=“What are Unlocked Cell Phones? (with pictures)”>What are Unlocked Cell Phones? (with pictures);
You can also find someone to buy out your contract-
we are thinking of going month to month without a contract or moving up to new phones once our contract expires, as I think/hope that the cell companies are going through some changes re options service and I don’t want to be locked in.</p>
<p>For someone that has trouble keeping track of minutes- I would get a prepaid phone- and she can just recharge her minutes</p>
<p>[This phone is teh sex](<a href=“http://www.apple.com/”>http://www.apple.com/</a>)
Too bad its with Cingular</p>
<p>Just don’t do what someone at our local walmart did yesterday. Tried to steal a cell phone by cutting it out of its plastic container with a pocket knofe. Slipped and cut himself so badly they were able to follow the trail of blood and catch him upon which he had to be transported by ambulance to the hospital. Sorry - not relevant to the discussion but I thought it was a funny ‘stupid criminal’ story.</p>
<p>OMG those plastic containers that they package everything in nowdays
especially at Costco
How the heck are you supposed to be able to open them?</p>
<p>My experience with Apple products (which I like very much- IPOD etc) is that it is better to wait until the 2nd Gen comes out. There are always some pretty big glitches in the 1st Gen product.</p>
<p>true true
not just with apple either.
I liked my shuffle- but my 2nd gen nano I like better than my ds 1st gen
It actually isn’t that expensive- * if* you are comparing it to the smart phones which are clunky and often a pain to use.
However-I don’t really like smart phones anyway- I don’t mind having three different things for music-communication & organization, but it is really pretty.</p>
<p>It is irritating microsoft I can tell
and at the very least, it should put some pressure on companies/providers to improve products and service. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.letstalk.com/[/url]”>http://www.letstalk.com/</a>
is also a good site to compare phone features that you don’t always see- however- from what I have read about these third party sites, they aren’t good places to buy phones from, as the discounts don’t necessarily materialize and they may send you a used phone</p>
<p>Oh I’m gonna HAVE to wait for second generation just because of price. WSJ today is iffy on the iphone, so it is probably a good idea to see how the technology tests in practical use… though I do think my d would love having one of these babies. But she has a perfectly nice nano…so I will wait to see if prices fall like they did with the Razr. We are now probably talking about Christmas present or NEXT year’s b-day present.</p>
<p>By the way…looks like I’m getting a garbage disposal for MY birthday (jk). Our’s gave it up an hour before Christmas dinner. Any hints on buying a good QUIET (I will pay extra for quiet) garbage disposal?</p>