Random Rant: Cell phones

I have a crappy cell phone. Why? Because when I signed us up for a calling plan, this particular phone wasn't just free - it came with a $50 rebate per phone. So, why spend money or even choose a free phone when they will PAY YOU to take another? I figured the phone would be ok, and last us through the first year of our contract at which point we can renegotiate and upgrade. That time is sort of approaching and I've started looking at my phone options. Now, I have this Nokia 6015i (I think). It's the typical Nokia shape, but a little heavy and clunky. It likes to shut itself off from time to time, not alert me to voicemails, heck...not even ring at times.

I like flip phones. The first one I had was the Motorola Star-tac, and it was a pretty sturdy, convenient phone. My next phone was another Motorola flip - the thicker, but smaller V-65 thing. That was fine until the external antenna broke off. So, here's the point of the rant -- external antennas. Ummm...why are these still on phones? If Samsung can make the SCH-a630 with no antenna sticking out, why then the later model SCH-a850 with one? Go to the Motorola site and see all their phones. There are 32 phones, 27 of which are flip phones. Of those 27, only 3 seem to have no clunky antenna - the RAZR, MPx220, and V360. Clearly it's not that they CAN'T make a phone with an internal antenna. Why do they do it? I like the RAZR, but not it's price. However, every person I know who has one complains about it. Like Motorola made this fancy case but took a huge step back in terms of the little conveniences like attaching multiple numbers to one name in your address book.

I want to drop my phone in my pocket without worrying about whether the antenna is going to snap off when I sit down. I want to pensively place the tip of my cell phone against my forehead without poking my eye out. I want a good flip phone with no external antenna, and I want a better selection to choose from than the ridiculously overpriced selection of 5-8 total phones (only two of which are even available from my carrier).

THE END