John's Phone (The Anti-Smartphone)

When was the last time you used your phone for nothing more than calling someone? My guess is never, especially considering I can't remember the last time I haven't been doing a bajillion and one things at the same time on my phone. Mobile phones have become somewhat of a brain-sucker over the past 10 years, turning people into zombies for 4-inch screens, texting and apps. What would happen if we just reverted back to the simple concept of a telephone on a mobile phone?

Well the good people over at Dutch design firm John Doe are doing just that, releasing a device called John's Phone, which is a mobile phone with... just a phone. No texting, no apps, no games, no cool sounds. Just a phone. If you're wondering where all of the contacts go, then simply flip John's Phone around to reveal a handy, dandy NOTEBOOK. There's also a slide-out keyboard pen to write addresses, phone numbers and notes in said notebook. In terms of a display, the only visible one is a slim band at the top of the phone designating whether the phone is on or not, the batter life and who is calling you. Finally, John's Phone uses SIM cards, so you can interchange between carriers. All in all, for the minimalist, this is probably a savior. If you're like the rest of us, then John's Phone will be nothing more than a nice gift or conversation starter. At the same time, it's fun to think about what life would be like without these data-rich bricks we carry around with us. Check out a video of John's Phone in action...

The Census: The Unwritten Rules of Texting

#shoutout to Mashable for the interviews in Union Square...

We all text. Don't deny it. Since the advent of the smartphone (ie: Blackberries, Palms, iPhones, etc.) a few years back, texting has become almost ubiquitous. My mother texts me now (can't get my pops into it) and I don't think it's weird. Hell, I'm texting someone right now as I write this post. People have become so used to texting that phone conversation has taken somewhat of a backburner to rapid-fire fingers and day-long texting conversations. With such a reliance on the relatively new technology (the first text was send in December 1992), it stands to ask what the normal etiquette for texting is. The fact of the matter is, that with every type of communication comes a set of do's and don'ts that informally govern that communication's use. For the traditional house phone, I know if you called my home after 9 (and weren't an immediate family member, or in grave danger) you would be getting an earful. When it comes to e-mail, you generally want to be professional with people you don't know and can loosen up with friends. Communication and its different modes bring up entirely new issues than just the inception of them. So, this week the census question is, what are your unwritten rules for text messaging? Are there certain things that can be done with texting and others that you wouldn't touch with a text? What would turn you off from texting someone? As with the Census, all you guys gotta do is comment below and let the discussion begin!!

HTC EVO 4G for Sprint

Big #shoutout to Engadget for the video and flicks...

I am the ultimate Sprint representer. Been with them since I've had a cell phone, and will probably die a Sprint user. The one knock on them up until recently was their less-than-shitty phone selection. Where other carriers had the newest devices first, Sprint usually had to wait, or get saddled with a worse version of them. Now, that's not the case, with Sprint being the first US carrier to roll out with 4G service, and a 4G phone. The HTC EVO 4G is being billed as a legitimate iPhone killer, having the ability to talk and access data simultaneously, like the iPhone. In case you're wondering what 4G means, just think of it as being on a computer's internet, on a really really fast phone. That means you can stream HD videos, as well as access wireless hotspots. The phone itself has an 8-megapixel camera, a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera, and an HDMI port (in case you want to play XBOX 360 on it, for God's sake). Honestly, this might very well be the most advanced phone to hit our shores. Unfortunately, this bad boy doesn't drop until the summer, so that gives you iPhone stans a chance to switch to Sprint...

The Twirling Battery

If everyone had batteries like this, then no one would need to bring chargers ANYWHERE. This battery, designed by Yanko Design has it's own recharging feature. As you can tell from the picture, all you have to do is twirl the thing around your finger. While the designers say the battery isn't meant to be 'eco-friendly' or a 'green' concept, you have to see how this could segue into a whole new sector of power. Too bad they only make it in Japan and for that specific phone. Check out some specs and the quickie tutorial...

Google Nexus One

I told you it was coming, just not when. Google is on the minds of every techie on the planet as they anticipate releasing their Nexus One cell phone. Of course the phone will run the latest version Google's proprietary Android OS. But what has everyone clamoring is the fact that the phone will come out unlocked, meaning you can put it on any network (GSM networks only, so T-Mobile or AT&T in the US). If you don't want to pay the $530 to get it unlocked, you can get it for $180 on T-Mobile. Check the rest of the post for some screenshots directly from Google...

Dear Cellular Providers

I'd rather walk around like this and get the service I need than spend one more day over-paying for bullshit...

As I sat in a seemingly endless line at the Sprint Store today, praying that I wouldn't have to pay an exorbitant amount of money to fix my phone's cracked screen, a thought dawned on me. A simple one at that: Why? Why do we shell over hundreds of dollars a month for a technology that is not only 10 years old, but also is getting cheaper to provide every day? Why do cell phone providers feel the need to lure us in with seemingly frugal deals only to up their prices months later? Why is it that every time I have a problem with my phone, I have to call a number, be placed on hold and then speak to a representative who knows just as much about English as I do about President Obama's sex life? Why? Why? WHY? Well, I did some research and I came up with some startling news: the United States pays more for cellular service than any country in the world. That's right. Check it and check my letter to cell phone providers:

via The Consumerist:

A new survey from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) compared annual costs around the world for consumers who have cellphones, and the U.S. is in the top three for most expensive. How expensive? DSLReports notes that "on average, the OECD found that Americans pay $635.85 on cell phone service, compared to $131.44 per year in the Netherlands or $137.94 per year in Sweden."

Really, Sprint? Really, AT&T and Verizon? So while I'm forking over over $600 per year (I know for a fact it's more), my Scandinavian brethren are spending chump change on the same services? I've had enough of this. My phone's been broke twice this summer, both from quality-related issues. It seems like the more money we as consumers spend on your crummy service, the less you give us. I mean, seriously. Since when was data over an iPhone actually worth the extra $30 a month? Since when has repairing a phone cost more than the phone itself? There's no doubt in my mind that we need (arghh, I hate to admit that) cell phones in today's fast-paced world. However at what cost? You guys always seem to have a new deal that lures in customers but never seem to be able to satisfy the ones you already have. What's worse is that we as Americans continue to feed into this vicious cycle. With every year, as the technology gets more and more advanced (and cheaper), we spend more money to acquire it. While the cost for sending the data we so desperately need goes down, we spend more.

I'm no wireless expert, but for the amount I'm paying, shouldn't my reception bars NEVER go down if I'm in a relatively big city (say, Philadelphia or New York)? With the number of house phones decreasing year by year, I feel like the percentage of cellular phones being a person's only phone is increasing. By that token, shouldn't the price of service be decreasing? Shouldn't services like text-messaging and e-mail, which are becoming ubiquitous fixtures on everyone's device, be included? Yes, I'm mad about my phone. Yes, I'd rather not drop a lot of money to fix it, but for the money I'm spending, shouldn't these phones be a bit more durable? I feel like every time I put my phone anywhere that isn't by my ear, it's at risk for some BS happening to it. Seriously, do me a favor, cell providers. Either lower your prices or make your services better. And not better by putting up a fancy waiting list in your store. Give us a flat rate and exceptional reception. Give us phones that don't break every two months. Better yet, give us phones that don't cost more to fix than to buy. Most importantly, stop nickel and diming us after the fact. They say that there's no way in the world to make an honest million. You've made your millions. At least try to be honest with the customers you know you'll be giving upgrades to next year anyway...