[NTLK] OT: Cell phones was: Hello to all:...Can someone please refresh my memo...

[Dennis Swaney]

Interesting. I checked out the Tracfone and it came up short in the reviews
plus the phone they had closest to the Jitterbug seems to be an Android
phone. The Jitterbug Flip is NOT a smartphone, though it is more
complicated than the Jitterbug Dial we already have. Fortunately we can
decline some of the extra "fluff" to keep the price down. Anyway an Android
or iOS phone was not desired and I could not find a more simpler phone than
the Jitterbug: If you already have it turned on, when you open it you get a
standard dial tone and can either just dial the number or use the phonebook
to call up and dial the number. Adding entries to the phonebook can be done
three-ways: manually, via your Jitterbug account (if you are computer
savvy), or dial the Jitterbug operator and ask to have the number added to
your phonebook.

But for others, the Tracfone sounds like a reasonable way to go. As always,
YMMV!

Sincerely,
Dennis B. Swaney

"I think, therefore I Mac"

On Sat, Dec 30, 2017 at 10:25 AM, Dan <dan at dbdigitalweb.com> wrote:

> This all for future reference if the new phone dies:
>
> You can get a MUCH better deal with Tracfone.  You can get a decent
> smart phone from them for $10 or so, then add say a 200 min card for 3
> months of service with the 200 min.  The minutes don't expire as long as
> your service stays active.  After the 3 months you have two options:
>
> 1. Add more time via the website and check the "get a year of service"
> check box at the bottom under "additional services" for $50 I think it
> is.  Something like that.  So if you get the lowest time amount possible
> ($10) you pay $60 a year for service.
>
> 2. Sign up for their "emergency plan"  Which if you run out of service
> days it kicks in and adds 30 days for $7.99
>
> Either way a lot cheaper than what you are paying now.  The only
> downside is, she will need to charge it up occasionally.  BUT if you
> have the phone all the way off (not in sleep mode) it should hold its
> charge for a few months.  However, li-ion batteries do NOT like hot
> temps and will kill them quickly.  One option is to remove the battery
> it comes with and put a cheap AA powered cell phone power pack in the
> glove compartment with the phone.  Then it should be good to go when you
> need it.  I have a couple of these AA power packs in case one of my
> devices that charge via USB need juice and I am far from an outlet.
>
> Or of course, she could just keep it in her purse.  The smaller phones
> (or even flip phones, they still have them as a option) she would forget
> she is even carrying it.
>
>
>
> -Dan
>
> On 12/30/2017 12:18 PM, Dennis Swaney wrote:
> > Re cellphones, my wife has had a Jitterbug Dial for 10 years, but the
> > battery is dying and new ones are no longer available, not even from
> > Samsung (the original Jitterbug was a Samsung SPH-A120). For $14.99 per
> > month she gets 200 minutes - not bad for a phone that is carried in her
> car
> > for emergencies and when she takes trips to visit family on Staten
> Island.
> > When she gets back from S.I. on Monday night, she'll find I bought her a
> > Jitterbug Flip to replace the old phone.
> >
> > So if you just want a basic phone for emergencies, get the Jitterbug
> Flip.
> > However they do make a Jitterbug slab smartphone also, if you prefer
> that.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > Dennis B. Swaney
>
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