iDontNeedIt

So it's come up in casual conversation a few times recently that as long as my Treo 650 smart phone works, I have no need to upgrade to a new phone. The only reason I use a smart phone is because it's my brain for remembering events/appointments/etc. If it's not in my datebook, I won't remember it. Verizon has the new phone every two years incentive to try to lock in you in for an additional 2 year contract after your initial contract expires. I've been eligible for a new phone upgrade for a while. No need for it. Does my phone make & receive calls? Yup. Do my reminders & contacts & memos still work? Yup. So therefore, I dun't need to take advantage of the phone upgrade option. Well that is until today anyway.

Apparently as of today mine Treo 650 won't let me hear anyone on my phone unless I put them on speaker phone. Bummerz. So onward upon the Verizon website I journey to look at the upgrade options. I came across a Palm Centro smart phone as well as the few flavors of Blackberries. I looked at all the hype & hoopla surrounding all the gadgets. And the simple conclusion is...I'll just stick to the Palm Centro. I don't understand why one wants/needs to browse the internet from their phone. I tried it with my Treo for a while then concluded, I don't need it. I don't understand why you'd pay the $30 or so per month to be able to do so. One already pays their internet service provider for at home use unless you use a portable & just use hotspots. And we thought the internet was free eh? ha. I don't send/receive enough emails to need the messaging features of Blackberry nor do I want to pay for the "staples" of the Blackberry service. I can't think of any personal emails I've received that needed my now & immediate response. My experience is that it usually doesn't matter when a personal email is read as compared to when it was sent. And for those who think they need such features, why not try calling & having an actual conversation with the people involved/concerned? I don't need/want to take pictures from my phone. I have a digital camera that does that well for me. I don't need my phone to be a video game console either. I just need my phone to be a phone & do it as well as possible along with the datebook stuff as in "this is my real brain outside of my brain." An added bonus for me is music media playing so I don't have to carry around a music player such as an iPod or other music playing device.

The assumption is that we, the people, are lemmings & embrace the technologies companies create & try to persuade us to purchase. They prey upon us to make us think/believe we must have what they offer or we'll surely perish. Most of it is all toys, bells, & whistles that are luxuries. Am I saying it's wrong to want for such gadgets & features. No. If you think you'll enjoy the something & services, then great. Go for it. Yes there is real business need & justification for taking advantage of it. Yes there is the 'fun' & 'wow' factor of having such things as well.

For today & now I say "pleah" to the being constantly wired & connected via the Blackberry paradigm. I'm John & I vote & so what & I say phones should be phones & they should not drop calls.

Until later comes, turn it up to ring ring.