Android Or Blackberry?

I think I have finally decided on which type of phone I am going to get. I have asked several different people, and it seems like everyone has a different opinion on which is the best phone to have.  If I could afford it and it was available on my plan, I would get an iPhone. But I can't and it's not, so I was debating between an android and a blackberry. 

While I love the android, I am not sure a phone that is completely touch screen would work for me.  I drop my phone a lot, and I'm afraid the screen would shatter within a week.  The blackberry seems like a better choice, because it has a full keyboard, which will make the texting I do a red lights a whole lot easier.  The blackberry is also a little bit cheaper, and since I am paying for this phone myself, cost is a variable in my decision.  NO matter which phone I decide to get, I am going to also invest in a portable usb charger battery.  I am on the road for ten hours a day sometimes, and I call my boss constantly.  Having my phone battery die would be terrible, and would probably also get me fired.  

So let me ask you, my loyal readers, which phone you would recommend; and android or a blackberry?

Hands Free Talking While Driving

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Evie. All opinions are 100% mine.

The other day, on the way to the grocery store, we were almost hit by a woman who was driving while talking on her cell phone.  In our county, it is not against the law like it is in so many other places around the country.  It is scary for me to think of not only all the adults who talk and text while driving, but the fifteen year olds getting their drivers licenses who think they are invincible also doing it.  Ryan asks me all the time why I won't allow him to get his license, or ride with his friends who have theirs, and my answer is simple; cell phones and driving do not mix.  To me, there is no more deadly combination, except drinking and driving.
You don't even want to get me started on that topic.

Uploaded with Skitch!

Let's get back to the topic of driving and talking on your cell phone.  I am not opposed to the talking so much as the having one hand on your phone and one hand on the wheel.  Hands free options are a reasonable solution, because to me, talking aloud is no different than talking to a passenger.  Or yelling at your kids.  One option for hands free talking is Evie.  This is an app you can download onto your iPhone, and it's really cool because everything "she" does is by voice command.  For instance, you can tell "her" to call a certain number, or even a certain person by name from your contacts, and "she" does all the work for you.  You don't have to try and find and dial the numbers yourself, causing you to remove your eyes from the road.  You can also tell "her" to play you a song or find you directions.  If you are a Facebook addict like most of us are, you can even listen to status updates as you drive.  Pretty cool, right?

As great as this app is, I want everyone to remember how important it is to keep your focus on the road at all times while you are driving.  If you don't your not only endangering your own life, you are endangering mine, too.

What's Your Ring Tone?

You can tell a lot about a person by their phone's ring tone.  My phone has the same ring that it came with, which tells others that I am just too lazy to change it.  The people who know and love me know the truth, though.  I have no idea how to change it.  Technology and I do not mix.  If I want something done with my phone, I have to ask my 14 year old son how to do it.  He would be able to make it ring with an Anna blue song, or something better than what I have now. His phone has a dozen different ring tones.  I think he even has it set where different people ring a different ring tone.  It used to just play that Pants On The Ground song, until my 84 year old Grandmother said she liked that song. 

It didn't take long for him to change it after that.

What Is Your RingTone?

You can tell a lot about some one's personality by the ring tone they choose for their phone.   My ring tone is the one that was programed into my phone when I got it, which tells people that I am too lazy to personalize it.  Or too cheap to pay for a song.  Honestly, it's a mixture of both of those things.  I'm too lazy and too cheap.

Ryan's phone plays Pants On The Ground.  Every time his phone rings, I cringe, especially when we are in public.  I wish he would choose something different, maybe something by Katty perry (I know her name is spelled wrong).  He used to have it play Highway To Hell by AC/DC, but I made him change that.  I am all for letting him be his own person, but we would get strange looks when his phone rang in public.  You know the look that you give a mother who is knowingly letting her kid do something wrong.  Yeah, that look. 

We were in the store last week, and the woman in front of us in line had a call come in, and her phone played Smile by Uncle Kracker.  I love that song, but Ryan hates it.  He asked me if he could ask her to borrow her phone to change her ring tone.  He's a funny kid.

Ringtones

My son loves his cell phone.

I hate his ring tone.

I really wish he would get something different.  Right now, every time his phone rings, I have to hear "pants on the ground, pants on the ground, lookin' like a fool with your pants on the ground".  I can not even express to you in words how much I hate this song.  I would rather listen to an uncle kracker song than what he has now.  In fact, I love his song, Smile.  Maybe I should just steal Ryan's phone and change his ringtone myself.

That is if I can figure out how to do that.  I am pretty useless when it comes to figuring out all these new electronic devices, and that includes cell phones.  I consider it a success when I can figure out how to dial out from my phone.

Cute Phone Cases

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Pexagon Technology. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you have an iPhone or a BlackBerry? If so, do you have an extra $5 in your pocket? If so, you can get one of these colorful personalized Apple & BlackBerry cases. That's right. For only $5 you can get one of these covers.

The iPhone covers fit either the iPhone 3G/3Gs or the iPod touch 2nd Generation. You can get either a soft silicone or hard plastic case, and either kind can be personalized with a logo and you name. There are twelve different colors to choose from:

I would pick the purple. That is if I owned an iPhone or iPod. I am pretty sure that there is a color available that matches your personality, too.

The BlackBerry cases fit the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8300, BlackBerry® Curve™ 8900, BlackBerry® Bold™ 9000 and the BlackBerry® Tour™ 9630. These come in the same colors as the iPhone covers, and they are also able to be personalized with your name and whatever logo you choose. The hard plastic is not an option, though, as these are only available in the silicone.

Now, I know I said you could get these covers for $5 each, but what I didn't mention is that the $5 also includes shipping. I don't know that you can beat that price anywhere else, especially since this includes the personalization.

Now I just need to get one of those phones so I can get one of these purple cases.

Ryan Wants A Cell Phone

It's back to school time, which means parents all over America are shopping for their kids. I know I am. Luckily, I found all the supplies my kids need. They could use some new clothes, but I am going to wait until it gets a little cooler outside before I shop for that. They have enough shorts to last the rest of this summer.

When I went to register them for school, I was impressed with the school's cell phone policy. It used to be that the students couldn't even carry them, but now they can, as long as they are not taken out during school hours, and they are not turned on while in the school. At the moment, we don't have cell phones, so it's not something we have to worry about. Ryan has been begging for one, though, so I may have to find some CellphoneShop coupons to get him all the accessories that go with cell phones these days. He has a birthday coming up in a couple of months, so maybe we'll see about getting him one of those prepaid kinds. At least then I wouldn't have to worry about him going over his monthly minutes.

Mom's Phone

My mom used to have the worst cell phone. It would turn itself off, even if she was in the middle of a conversation. There were a few times where I almost made Junior get in the van and drive me over there because I couldn't get in touch with her. She looked at new cell phone batteries, thinking maybe that was the problem, but it wasn't. She ended up having to get a brand new phone. Thankfully this one doesn't turn itself off. I am hoping when she finds a house she will get a land line. People do still have those, don't they?

Buzzirk Mobile

Have you heard about Buzzirk Mobile ? I only found out about them today, and what I found out is pretty exciting. They have not launched their services yet, but will soon. When they do, you will be able to get unlimited voice and internet for only $79.95 a month. Now, when they say unlimited, they mean unlimited, and that includes anytime, nights, weekends, and roaming. There will be a one time activation fee, but no contracts. The best part for someone like me is that they do not do credit checks either. You can read more about global verge and decide if this is something you want to be a part of. I can not wait until it is available in my area.

Kids And Cell Phones

Let me pose this question to you...

at what age do you allow your child to have a cell phone?

I ask because Ryan, who is 13, and Kasi, who will be 12 next week, want cell phones.

I think they are too young.

My sister got her son one, and he is only 10. I think that is WAY too young.

Why does a 10 year old need a phone?

Now, I know there are exceptions, like for kids who play sports and need to be picked up somewhere. But when you are with your kid 24/7, why do they need a cell?

I don't get it.