Sunday 8 June 2008

Solid Engineering

Today I bought myself a new mobile phone. Now, you might ask why I would want to do such a thing. After all, I hardly ever use my mobile. I can't remember the last time I topped up the credit. I don't want a phone with a camera, or a phone I can use to access the web. I have a camera to take pictures with, a computer to access the web with, and a phone to call people.

This is my old phone, which I got in 2003:

The problem is, that dispite getting a new battery, it simply runs out of power too quickly. My main reason for having it is in case I break down somewhere. Unfortunately, there's a good chance that the call for help would get cut off before I could tell them where I was.

So, I've replaced it with a new one:

It's almost exactly the same size and thickness as the old one. That's because it's not one of these slimline girly ones that'd probably fall through a hole in your pocket, or your handbag. Nor is it some cute shade of pink, or scarlet.

No, this is a man's phone.

It's called the "Samsung Solid", and like me it is rugged and dependable. It's water resistant, dust resistant and shock resistant (it will survive being dropped onto concrete). It even has a flashlight. Yes the "Solid" can work hard and play hard. It's the phone that Sir Edmund Hillary would have used to call the Queen from the top of Everest. Except that the reception is probably rubbish up there.
Can't see many mobile phone masts... [License]

When it comes to playing hard, the "Solid" has everything: A colour screen, FM radio, a camera, WAP, bluetooth, lets you send picture messages to your friends. And a manly "bell" (as in Alexander Graham) ring tone.
A Bell

Oh yes, and somewhere at the back of the manual, it even tells you about making phone calls. Should I break down, the battery will allow me to stay on the phone for up to 8 hours.

I've worked out how to unlock the keys. This took me about 15 minutes. Of course, if I'd asked my 9-year old Gadget Tech Support, she'd probably have done it in about 15 seconds.

In a few more years, I might have worked out how to send emails, or even blog from it (I've no idea if that's possible). Then all I'll need is the rugged lifestyle to go with it. Maybe I should follow Dan's example and become a cowboy...

14 comments:

Tracy Rambles On And On said...

Friendly

Irresistable

Reliable

Super

Terrific

Those are all words that I'm using to describe your new phone Brian!

Tracy Rambles On And On said...

My phone happens to be pink and my ring is a retro phone ring that scares the crap out of my every time someone calls me!
I could also surf the web on it if I could figure out how to do it.
The same with picture mail.
I just learned how to text when I got this phone. I think one thing at a time is best, don't you?


Enjoy your new, manly, sturdy phone!

Brian o vretanos said...

Tracy:

I hope you're right about all those words...

Yes, it takes time to get used to all these features.

I didn't realise, until I looked up the model name on the web, that this phone is marketed to people working (say) on building sites! So it should hopefully survive anything I'm likely to do to it ;-)

Bee said...

Hellooooo peeps! Who needs a manual?? And I figured how to do it all in less than a day cuz I'm an idiot savant like that. ;op

Bee said...

You know, I depend on my phone soo much that I freak out when I can't find it. I've got my whole like scheduled in there. :o)
I also have the old fashioned ring tone on there too. Except Andy's. Andy's ring tone is Britney Spears' "Toxic" ;op

Dan said...

I will be getting a new phone soon, I have a Blackberry as a loaner from Nancy but since I don't plan on using it to acces to web there is no point for such a big phone. I like your new phone, working in a factory does require a strong phone.
You are welcome to join me in my cowboyness.

I always wanted to reach the top of Mt Everest, that is until I heard some guy with no legs got to the top. It's not even a challange anymore if a leggless guy could do it, so Sir Edmund ain't that tough. I'd be like, ok so what, a legless guy got up there too.

Brian o vretanos said...

Bee:

If I have any problems, I know who to ask...

Dan:

That's a rubbish excuse. I bet you're planning to use that at work - was there a legless arm-wrestler too?

Anyway, it won't do Cowboy - I think you should try to be the first person to get to the summit on horseback.

Boricua in Texas said...

I too changed my phone recently. My old phone was a very basic, no-frills Nokia model. No color, no Internet, no camera. My new phone is still a basic model, but it's a flip phone and I am not sure how I feel about that. It was free, though, so I did not complain.

Brian o vretanos said...

Ingrid:

No, I'm not sure about flip phones either, but I suppose it won't take you long to get used to it.

Bee said...

Dan, you turkey chicken fajita head, why do you use mine as soon as you see me to access the web?

Bee said...

This is my secodn time being Eleventh today, it feels pretty nice.

Brian o vretanos said...

Bee:

Do you have elevenses in the US?

Dan said...

Bee
because you have the internet plan and I don't.

Jean Knee said...

I have a mobile phone that I tried to use only once, it was out of minutes- how it could be because I never used it, anyway a lot of help that thing was. It now sits dead on the counter. I don't trust it.