Take iPods for example. Everyone and their dog has an iPod these days. They're almost as ubiquitous
as cellphones. But why are they so much more popular than other models of mp3 players? This is what I don't understand. I have a cheap mp3 player I bought at FutureShop on sale for $60. It has all the memory I need (2 Gigs) for music, it acts as a flash drive with a built in USB, it has a voice recorder and a built in radio (no need for a transmitter). I can tr
ansfer files from home to work, listen to music, or podcasts, or live radio and also record a busker on the street or the really interesting conversation someone is having on their cellphone next to me on the bus (Hey! Don't get indignant with me about that one. If you're talking loud enough for me to hear, you can't be too concerned about your privacy!). My mp3 player does what I want it too (and more). If I had gone with an iPod I would've have to carry around my USB adapter, and radio transmitter and had a whole lot of features that I really don't need.Anyway, this little diatribe has come out of some research I've been doing into cellphones.
This is another example of how I'm counter-cultural. I don't own a cellphone. I never have. And part of me would like to say I never will. But the truth is, I really should have one. Now that I have a car I'm doing more highway driving and driving in some rather isolated areas, often taking 2 hour+ trips here and there. For the most part I'm fine with it, but there has been the occasional time when I have felt the need for a cellphone. Like last January, when I witnessed a collision on the highway. Both parties were alright, but I was completely unprepared to make an emergency call and ended up having to ask one of the drivers if I could borrow their phone. And I'm constantly being chastised by family and friends for not taking my own security serious (as a single woman) and getting a cellphone to have on hand when I'm walking/driving alone at night. Neither of these were strong selling points for me, albeit valid arguments. The crux of the matter is really this: recently I've been travelling with a child in the car, and I see it as part of my responsibility to be prepared for emergencies (should they happen, heaven-forbid). If it's just me in the car, that's one thing, but with someone else - a child - I'd feel better, and more responsible, if I was equipped with a cellphone in case of an emergency.
The thing is, I don't like cellphones. I don't like the idea of being constantly attached to a phone. I don't like all the exorbinant fees that are attached to cellphones, the contracts, the marketing of cellphones and their accessories. I don't like drivers who talk on their cell phones instead of paying attention to the road; I don't like people on the bus interrupting my quiet contemplation with their noisy chatter that I can't help overhearing. Not to mention, I'm one person! Why do I need three phone lines (home, work, mobile)?? People don't need to know where I am during every moment of the day. But really, I've answered my own question. I need a cellphone for safety, security and peace-of-mind.
So this evening I've been researching cellphone plans, and the best plan I've come across thus far is the More time for less plan through Primus Canada (who also happens to be my long distance phone provider). Basically, it's the cheapest I've seen so far, costing less than $10/month with all fees included (the actual plan is only $2.25); it gives me 20 minutes/month; and the length of contract is optional 1, 2 or 3 years (3 years gets you a free phone; 1-2 years would require me to pay a fee for the phone). I haven't found out much more than what's on the website, but I do have more questions (Do I have to buy a phone from them or can I get my own? Can I change the package as I need to (ie. if I'm in Toronto and want access to a phone)? How is the range? Do the minutes accumulate if I don't use them? How much will I be charged if I go over my 20 minutes? ....etc...
If any of you, dear readers, would like to share your cellphone experiences (good or bad), I'd be more than happy to hear them and to get your advice on packages/plans etc. Feel free to leave a comment!
