Cell phones

Our current cell phone contract is ending next month, so I've been thinking about what we might want to do with them next. Of course, one option is to just leave things as they are, but where's the fun in that?

I've figured out that for the amount we use our phones (i.e. not very much) we'd be better off to go with a pre-paid plan. We're probably going to get unlocked GSM phones on eBay and go with Rogers for the plan. I like the idea of having an unlocked phone, that way we can just get a SIM card with a local Utah number for when we're there. Swap cards, and it becomes a local phone.

The next question is what kind of phone to get. There are advantages to both of us having the same model. We can use the same charger and other accessories, and we're familiar with how they work in case we need to borrow the other phone. However, Norah wants a PDA phone to replace her aging iPaq. It makes sense to combine two devices in to one. Personally, I don't want anything that large. I'm planning on getting rid of my Palm Pilot (circa 2000) as well, but I prefer to move to more of a web-based groupware solution. Google Calendar for now until I can figure out a groupware server to run on our own machine. I've figured out that virtually every phone currently on the market can actually sync up with Google Calendar. Even my current phone has a little calendar on it that's sufficient for mobile use. I do, however, want a quad band phone, so I'll be getting a new phone eventually. I just don't know what or when yet.

The ironic thing is that I spend a lot more time thinking about my cell phone than I do actually talking on the silly thing. I do love my gadgets.