Ric,

Put yourself in my place. I'm very happy with the coverage. A majority of
the people I call are "IN-network", and overage hasn't been an issue, even
though I'm on a 450 minute plan and use 1200-1600 minutes a month. We travel
mainly on weekends, when calls are free. My phone works from Provincetown to
Key West, with a side trip to Phoenix. (Yeah, somebody can't wait to jump on
THAT one----the wife and I love P'town, and Key West was a one-time
sightseeing tour LOL). We get a group discount, and my bill is about $38 per
month total. I get a new phone every 10 months at little or no out-of-pocket
cost.

I own a digital camera, and I use it to take pictures. If an "emergency
photo-op" arises, I can use my phone/camera and transfer the picture to my
computer via micro-SD card. I can't use an iPod at work, it's unsafe to use
one while driving, and I have no need for one at home.

While I can't deny the "cool" factor of the newer crop of multi-tasking
phones, I'm not a huge fan, for much the same reason I wouldn't buy a
combination clothes washer/clothes dryer. (break one machine and lose
everything).

I just wanted a phone that worked, and didn't cost me a fortune. My VZW
service gives me that. I don't particularly like the fact that they disable
features to make money, but for my purposes, where's my complaint? And if I
have nothing to complain about, does that make me irrationally loyal?

Dean



"Ric" <no@way.com> wrote in message newsHfDh.23$IC1.4@newsfe12.lga...
>
> Thanks to all for the informative posts. I have heard rumors of Verizon
> disabling some features that manufacturers build into their phones. Thanks
> for confirming that this practice is still going on. Makes me wonder why
> so many customers are so loyal. I'd be fuming.
>