Sycamore's new playtoy: Motorola T720 wireless phone

[elSicomoro]

For several months now, Rho and I have discussed getting a second cell phone. I personally have not had a cell phone since I moved to DC three years ago. My cellular phone company at the time (Ameritech) had been bought by Bell Atlantic (now Verizon), but the switchover had not yet taken place. My phone would therefore be useless (since I would be out of "home" range), and I turned it off. Since then, Rho and I have shared her cell phone, with it being carried primarily by the person who is driving the car to and from work. (I had the phone most of this year, until Rho started her new job out in the suburbs...she carries it now.)

Granted, a cell phone is a sort-of luxury. However, given Rho's health condition and the fact that I don't really have a work phone, nor does Rho (since we're both temping), I thought it was sensible for each of us to have a phone. In addition, we've had the same phone plan for over 3 years now...antiquated as hell (no mobile-to-mobile minutes, no free-nights-and-weekends stuff, it was costing us to "roam").

Recently, Verizon has been hawking some decent deals (free long distance, mobile-to-mobile minutes, free nights and weekends). In addition, if you signed a new two year deal, you got the new Motorola T720 phone for $59.99 (after $100 mail-in rebate), plus a second phone (the Motorola 120e) free. Rho's phone is ancient by today's standards. And from what I've seen, Motorola has made some big improvements in their phone line recently. (Their older model Nextel phones sucked...and they were good at passing the buck on "warranty issues.") Since the T720 has a ton of capabilities, I thought it would be nice for me to have while commuting. So, 2 weeks ago, we strolled up to the Verizon Wireless store and got the hook up.

We now have two phones, 400 anytime minutes, 1000 mobile-to-mobile minutes (like if we call each other or other Verizon users), free nights and weekends, and text messaging (mainly for Rho...if she needs to tells me something, but can't call me, since she cannot talk on the phone at her job) for $66 or so dollars a month...with taxes, it'll probably be $75. It seems like a lot, but this is how I see it: Our long distance phone bill will drop because Rho can use the cell phone to call her friends and parents in Baltimore, and I can do the same with the peeps in St. Louis. In addition, we were paying almost $40 a month for very little on Rho's old plan. Therefore, the cost will be offset in the end.

So enough of that...let's talk about my bitchin' phone.

Here is a scan I did of the phone...I'd say it's maybe 1 1/2 times the size of the actual phone (if you're looking at this in 1024x768):



It's a flip phone, but the size when closed is about 5 inches or so...it fits nicely in my pocket. I can't get a good scan of the color screen, but here is the product page for it, from Motorola. Sharp as can be. Battery life is pretty good...91 minutes of talk time, or a week on standby. And it charges very quickly...a full charge takes maybe 4 hours from zero.

Now let's talk about some of the neat features of the phone...

First, we have the datebook with alarm feature. Some may think this is no big deal, or that it is a pain to try and type stuff using a cell phone. Let me say first that I haven't had a cell phone (other than my Nextel for work) in over 3 years, so I'm pretty much amazed by anything on these newer phones. Secondly, I tend to be a quick typer, and I mastered typing on this phone pretty quickly...it's super simple to me. (For now at least. Carpal tunnel and arthritis are going to continue to ravage my hands, so ask me again how easy it is in 20 years.)

Then, we have the Quick Notes feature, which contains several pre-written text messages...and you can add your own. Another nice feature to use when communicating with Rho.

I haven't signed up for mobile web...I think it's $5 a month with Verizon. We'll see...again, the typing feature is easy to me, so I might go with it.

My favorite things though are the downloadable ringtones and games. I've only downloaded one ring ("Strangelove" by Depeche Mode...go figure!) and two games thus far, for they cost money. I don't want to go crazy and download a bunch of rings and games and see my bill go through the roof. But I'm addicted to Jamdat Bowling at the moment. I'll keep playing it until I bowl a 300 game and a 900 series. It's not overly hard to play...the trick is trying to play it while you're riding along a rough patch of track on the train. It makes the games interesting.

In the end, I highly recommend it. It makes my life a little more fun. And when combined with pimpin' coat, it just makes me rule that much more.